Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Kansas City’s most spirited Fat Tuesday tradition is back, and the beads are ready to fly.

The Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce invites the community to celebrate Mardi Gras: Beads, Beans & Booze on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the iconic J. Rieger & Co. Distillery, located at 2700 Guinotte Ave. in the Historic East Bottoms.

Now in its 14th year, Beads, Beans & Booze has become a beloved Northeast FUN-raiser known for bringing together food, music, costumes, and community—all in true New Orleans style. Hosted by the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Kansas City’s Northeast News and the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District, the event continues its tradition of celebrating culture while supporting the work of the Chamber.

“Mardi Gras is a celebration of New Orleans’ culture, food and music,” said Bobbi Baker-Hughes, President and CEO of the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “What better place to honor Mardi Gras and ‘let the good times roll’ than at our own neighborhood distillery, J. Rieger & Co., on Fat Tuesday?”

This year’s celebration promises a lively evening packed with Cajun-inspired food, Zydeco music with second-line dancing, a costume contest, and a raffle featuring a massive basket of booze. Guests are encouraged to don their masks, beads, and boldest Mardi Gras attire and come ready to dance, mingle, and toast to the season.

Over the years, Beads, Beans & Booze has grown from a small pub gathering into one of the Northeast’s signature annual events, moving through beloved neighborhood spaces and continuing to reflect the Chamber’s mission of connecting people to places.

“At its heart, this event is about bringing people together—neighbors, businesses, and friends from across the city—to experience the Northeast and support its future,” Baker-Hughes said.

General admission tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.NEKCChamber.com.

For more information, contact Bobbi Baker-Hughes at (816) 215-6813 or BobbiBaker@NEKCChamber.com.

So grab your beads, bring your friends, and head to the East Bottoms on Feb. 17. One night. One neighborhood. And plenty of reasons to let the good times roll.