If you can't get to New Orleans for the big Fat Tuesday party, but are itchin' to get your hands on some beads and booze (presumably before we go into the season of Lent, and - ahem - abstain from vices ‘til Easter) head to one of these local events to get fixed up.

Mardi Gas Mingle: Fat Tuesday Pub Crawl

Head to the Wedge 6:30-11 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, and stop into these seven establishments: South Wedge Colony (503 South Ave), Solera (647 South Ave), Lux (666 South Ave), Tap & Mallet (381 Gregory St.), The Keg (315 Gregory St.), Beale Street (689 South Ave), and Caverly's (741 South Ave). Get a Scrabble tile from each one, and at the end of the night whoever's got the highest-scoring word wins a gift basket stuffed with prizes from South Wedge businesses. Go to savorourflavor.com for more info.

East End Mardi Gras

The East End Mardi Gras party happens on Friday, February 20. This year, the event benefits breast cancer research, so pick up a stamped card at Salinger's (107 East Ave), Temple Bar & Grille (109 East Ave), Matthews (200 East Ave), Havana Moe's (125 East Ave.), or Easy on East (170 East Ave), get the thing stamped at four bars, then turn it in at one of the drop boxes. For each completed card, $10 will be donated to breast cancer research. It's also the grand opening of Easy on East (formerly High Fidelity) that night.

Mardi Gras at Abilene

Abilene Bar & Lounge (153 Liberty Pole Way) celebrates Mardi Gras on February 24 with lots of music. There'll be live tunes starting at 6 p.m. with the Jazz Merchants, and then at 9:30 p.m. the Po Boys Brass Band start up downstairs, and upstairs, the bar will screen videos of New Orleans funk, zydeco, Cajun, and soul. Dixie beers are on special all night long. The night will benefit the Catholic Family Center's food pantry, so bring in some canned goods. If you do, they'll give you some of those coveted beads.

Cayuga Wine Trail Mardi Gras

The weekend before Mardi Gras (Saturday, February 21-Sunday, February 22), get the party started out at the Cayuga Wine Trail, where, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., you get beads, a wine glass, and prizes. If you and your companion come in costume, you could be crowned the King & Queen of Mardi Gras. Tickets to the event are $15-$25 per person, available at Wegmans or at the door. Sixteen wineries are participating; go to cayugawinetrail.com for details.

Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network Mardi Gras Party

The Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network hosts its annual Mardi Gras party at the Harmony House (58 E. Main St., Webster) on Saturday, February 21. Dance lessons start at 7:15 p.m., followed by a performance by Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic 8-11 p.m. Bring a dish to pass. Tickets are $12-$15, and are available at the Bop Shop, Aaron's Alley, Stutzman's Guitar Center, and The Music Store in Webster. Call 727-4119 for more information, or visit rochesterzydeco.com.

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Lovin' Cup

On Friday, February 20, Lovin Cup (300 Park Point Drive, Henrietta) celebrates Mardi Gras with an art opening and music by DJ A-KO. Happy hour starts at 4 p.m. Visit lovincup.com or call 292-9940 for more info.

Spike's Closed

On New Year's, like just about every other bar in town, Spike's held a big party which - from the sounds of it - continued through the not-so-wee hours of the morning. The next day, it was closed - to recuperate, we figured, but not so. A day later, the sign came down, and the next day everything was cleared out. The only remnants were some discarded items in nearby dumpsters. We haven't heard word on what happened, or when and what might move into the spot next. Check back with rochestercitynewspaper.com/nightlife for updates.

"Hush"

Lips seem to be sealed tight about the East End club "Hush," which is supposed to open soon. Keep an eye out and an ear to the ground about the new members-only club, which we hear will be taking over the space previously known as Syxx.

Got a tip for our nightlife reporter? Send it to eric@rochester-citynews.com.