If you are interested in a genuine, laid back bar experience, look no further! Le Mardi Gras is truly special. Not only did the bar tender go above and beyond to find out what kind of drink would suit me best but the drink itself was also spectacular. I still have dreams about this martini. Be prepared to only drink a few though because they are quite strong. I would not expect to drive here and be able to drive home. The atmosphere is dark and intimate with a totally rad and almost New Orleans-ish flare to it. They allow smoking which is a bad thing if you don't like smoke hanging in the air, but it does add to the authentic old-timey bar feel if you're up for it. We came here for pre-dinner cocktails before heading over to Girasole (an amazing little old world Italian place) right next door. A fantastic pairing and the perfect night out. All in all, I would go here every weekend if I lived near. Since I have to make the trip by car service, it's saved for special occasions, which may just add to its overall charm for me. read more

I'm unsure why low reviewers complain about the smoke- this is a cigar bar. If you go to a cigar bar, then expect smoke. It was exactly what my friends were looking for after dinner down the street. The cigars, drinks, were well-priced (although it is cash-only). The laid back vibe and tucked in booths were appreciated because we were in our own little world talking away. I don't have much to say about the bartenders because I didn't really interact with them. I think the only recommendation I have is to put the cigars in a humidor rather than a plastic bin. That was a bit off-putting. read more

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Yeah, so, I'm not much of a Yelper. I don't get off on the thought of people seeing that I had a bad experience at a place. But after about a month of severe internal struggle (divorce, CPS, the whole gambit), and at the behest of some caring friends, I finally feel compelled to tell my story. On March 16th, my wife and I were out celebrating Stone Cold day (and also our child to be) with some friends. We were all feeling okay, having an alright time remembering some of the Texas Rattlesnake's best moments of the Attitude Era at one of the least interesting spots the city has to offer. My wife's cousin ordered us all a round of shots (I must stress that this is the only shot my wife took, we're not monsters!) when shit suddenly got real. My wife, or, "ex-wife" I guess (gotta get used to saying that) just chased her shot with some of my IPA whenever one of the bartenders started squaring up on my wife's cousin. The bartender (some schlubby guy who kept talking about how his "night elf" was supposed to be selling iron ore on the auction house??) came around the bar, took his shirt off (unfortunately) and started yelling at my wife's cousin about something called a "molten core." This bartender called by wife's cousin a "beta cuck" while some old crone in the back (surely not unlike a harpy enemy in one of this bartender's favorite games) continued to squawk "NOBODY WANTS YOU HERE!!!" while feathers were flying everywhere and landing in patrons' drinks. It was at this moment that my wife went into labor. The bartenders were super pissed off that her water broke everywhere and that they had to do something besides flex and yell at people. Now I will say, they all did there part to help make sure the baby was delivered safely. Even the crone I mentioned gave us one of her nests to place the fresh babe into (shocker!) But, to my surprise, my sweet baby son wasn't in that nest for more than four minutes when the aforementioned bartender started calling my newborn a "beta cuck." Then the other male bartender came around, also took his shirt off, and started trying to challenge my newborn to a fight. I got the sense that the two bartenders were in the same fantasy guild, but I don't know for sure. All this to say, were it not for a bunch of man-children running some kind of excuse for a bar, I'd still have a wife and a child. My newborn child has more balls than any employee here does. Mardi Gras?? What an insult. read more

Showed up here stoked to be a patron and spend my hard earned money on some good mixies. Waited a while to be served, not a big deal- it was busy. I finally got the bartenders attention. he had Been just talking to a girl who was yelling things out and not ordering anything. I started off the convo with a bit of levity/ some would call it a simple joke, "hey; I won't waste your time! I'm ready to order :) ." The bar tender couldn't handle this playful, social dialogue. He was very much offended, "WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!", to which I was responded, "idk man I was just joking." His next line of business was to instantly castigate me and yell out "you're kicked out of here." His henchmen goon of a colleague also came over to specifically make my night terrible and joined in on berating me, patronizing me, and just shitting on me as a person. The "bouncer" lady apologized for them and stated that "they were drunk" and this behavior was unacceptable, yet something she's witnessed frequently. this was absolutely the most disrespected I've ever been in this fine city at any establishment. I do not feel like any of that treatment made sense or was justified. if you want ego tripping, power hungry, drunk imbeciles to leverage over you their fake authority, while simply trying to be a patron, then This is the place for you. read more

We had a great experience at LeMardi Gras. The cocktails were delicious and well priced, about $8 each. The bar tenders were so nice and gave us free shots for my friend's birthday. There is a classic jukebox there, nice booth areas for sitting, and the Steelers game was on their 3 TVs. It is a smoking bar, but it is super well ventilated. If you want, you can buy cigars at the bar. It is cash only, but they have an ATM. Since it's right off of Walnut in Shadyside, there was lots of free street parking, garages close by, and paid parking. read more

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Vintage, old school, speak easy vibe dive bar. Great music, good customer service (bartenders were friendly and fast), and great drinks. Dark and comfortable ambiance. Smokey but fun. Expresso martini was delicious. read more

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This place is so cool and unique( old school register, smoke tony bourdain kind of joint baby), next to best Italian Girasole.

It was a cool atmosphere and old times bar vibe. Unfortunately we didn't know that it was a smoking bar. If you like smoking then go for sure. It is also only cash there. The drinks were interesting, you could definitely taste the alcohol. read more

There is nothing quite like a Le Mardi Gras honey bourbon on the rocks to put you in a good mood. Stiff, delicious, and only somewhere between $6 and $9 depending on who is bartending and how much they like you. Walking into this tucked away dive bar of a bygone era, the dark smoky atmosphere and antique cash register will transport you back to 1954, the year they became a "hysterical landmark," while the jukebox plays the best rock, soul, and funk music from the 1960s and 70s (still 3 plays for $1). This remaining relic of blue collar Pittsburgh in Shadyside is the best bar in the city. read more

Le Mardi Gras - Honey bourbon on the rocks - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What a neat place. I love the older gentleman behind the bar. Super friendly with cool stories.

What a twist on the normal more upscale Shadyside watering holes. I mean can you believe it? A divey bar just off Walnut Street? Say it isn't so! Well it is so. This is a fun stop if you're out and about with friends and just want to let loose. Let me tell you that won't take long at all because the drinks will knock you on your arse! The drinks are stiff and get the job done. I'm not kidding when I tell you two drinks can get a gal bombed. Pretty fun crowd on any given night and that's not just the booze talking. And the prices? Let's just say after tipping and buying drinks I still have money left over (this is when I'm there with $20). read more

Now Mardi Gras might not be for everyone , but is a nice relaxing bar for me. Right out of the 40's, nice cushioned booths with round tables, dim lights, and excellent drinks made to perfection by Scotty and crew. Smoking is permitted and cigars for sale. Nice bar setup and juke box music. It is cash only, with ATM in back. A very nice night out , and the prices are right. read more

I came here for a beer chugging contest between my sister and me. Jukebox has good music, sports on tv, smoking inside, and mixed drinks are the best. This is top 10 in the city read more

I basically grew up in the Mardi Gras in the '70s as it was a place that was quiet, well maintained and had the best looking girls in Shadyside. I ran a longstanding tab with Uncle Joe and yes, his life advice to me was invaluable. I'm so glad Richie has kept things in the family. I'm driving up to PGH today and looking at the website made me decide to go there this evening (and close out a 20+ year tab I just know I still have]. Reed Kohberger read more

The shot sizes in this bar ungdly and the dried feces on the carpet is the perfect amount: ABSOLUTELY ZERO!@@! LETS PARTY!

great ambiance and reasonable drink prices. not too bustling but feels cozy. smoking friendly but it's not overpowering

Last night was a little insane I came in from out of town and I was visiting and my friend told me about this amazing place where you can go hang out I really like the vibe of the the area but last night the bartender f***** up he over poured this lady strings and she ended up on the ground and he instead of calling the ambulance right away he was asking customers if they somebody could take her home so he didn't have to call the ambulance and that was really unprofessional so he made everybody by their last call so we all got our drinks we ordered them then he started freaking out and was telling everybody they had to go outside because the ambulance were coming so I didn't know you couldn't take your drink outside and this mother f***** literally tackled me to the ground now I have bruises my wrist is sprained my ankle is swollen all because like he could have been more professional and just says hey you couldn't go outside you know I mean and all I wanted to do was make sure that lady was okay instead I got tackled and then instead of taking the glass inside he shattered it on the outside of the bar like literally like threw the f****** drink shattered the glass pushed me down into like the little first area being on the cement and I'm telling you what if the owner doesn't do something today I'm calling the better Business bureau and all different types of places today because I have everything on video of what happened last night and that guy was very unprofessional and I have it all documented and after he put his hands on me he's lucky I'm not pressing charges because I am bruised my wrist and ankle are f***** again very unprofessional very f****** lacking the knowledge of what he should have done in that situation and for him to put his hands on a female that did nothing but try to help him and make the environment a little bit better that was very unprofessional and again his name is Zan and I will be making phone calls today to make sure he's being taken care of so hopefully the owner after I talk to him or whoever is in charge will take care of it so I don't have to call the better Business bureau and make a couple phone calls to go in and do an inspection of the whole place because that was completely f****** ridiculous he needs proper training when it comes to what to do like when you over serve somebody and they fall out of their bar stool like seriously you don't ask customers to hurry up and take her home so you don't get in trouble you called the ambulance right away and you make sure she's okay read more

Le Mardi Gras is an anachronism compared to all the trendy spots around the corner on Walnut Street in Shadyside. It's been around since 1954 but even then it probably had an old-fashioned vibe. It's a dimly lit but casual place to grab a cocktail. Not quite a conventional dive bar, but definitely not formal. Walk up the stairs and you'll see a long one sided bar and circular booths. The cash register and jukebox are antiques. There's a Ms. Pac-Man arcade game, which feels arbitrary and fitting at the same time. You'll know right away that is a smoking establishment. For me it doesn't seem to hang in the air (maybe they have a filtration system?), but there's a stale odor of tobacco that's just seeped into all the pores of every surface of the room over the last 6+ decades. Maybe it's just part of the mystique. But you came for the drinks. I can say unequivocally that this place might have the heaviest pour in Pittsburgh, and that's part of their gimmick. They're known for their "fresh-squeezed juice," which means for specific cocktails you can basically expect a glass of liquor on the rocks with half of a citrus fruit in it. It's up to you to decide whether this is a positive or negative. I like booze as much as the next guy, but I'm not one to just down a glass of straight vodka (now, whiskey on the other hand...), so when I come here I generally order something with an orange and a grapefruit. It's still strong AF. They also have twenty taps and a few featured cocktails. I've ordered a Long Island Iced Tea here once or twice as well. Whatever you get, expect it to be potent. This is a place that is kind of niche, but there's a reason it's been around forever and still thriving. Do yourself a favor and check it out if you want something a little out of the ordinary. read more

When Mardi Gras gives you a mixed drink this is how they make it: https://youtu.be/d7bo-aeznzY?t=30 read more

I'm not sure why this place has 4 stars. It was filled with cigarette smoke! We walked in with a group of 6 and we were not even looked at for service. Maybe they did not want to serve our type. I did dig the casino/southern cabaret bar vibe though. Avoid this place if you like your lungs! read more

When damaging your liver it's best to use only the freshest and best quality ingredients and if you want to do some serious damage then you should definitely check out Mardi Gras. They freshly squeeze the oranges and grapefruits in front of you for your Screwdrivers and Greyhounds so you don't have to worry about nasty impurities from the fruit juice ruining your cocktail. Why make your liver work harder than it already has to. read more

Le Mardi Gras - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This place wasn't as lively as I expected. With a name like Le Mardi Gras, I was expecting an upbeat and friendly crowd. The ambiance was more like an after hours jazz club except they were playing American favorites instead of jazzy tunes. I think I had an atypical experience. I would return under the condition that there was a special event occurring. read more

Ah, the Mardi Gras. One of the first bars I went to in Pittsburgh and still a great place to drink in Shadyside. Clientele are a mixture of old school yinzers, young professionals, and professional drinkers. No frills place with strong and cheap drinks. I'm talking $5 for a standard mixed drink that is 75% liquor and 25% mixer. No food as it is a smoking bar so expect lots of smoke. The large booths are great places to hang with friends. If you like divey, cheap, dark, and smokey this is your place. read more

It's late on Sunday evening and after a long hangout out and around town for Sunday Funday I stumble to the guilty pleasure of Shadyside which is "Le Mardi Gras". The combination of dark lighting, random chandeliers, persistent lingering of smoke, a strong double drink for cold hard cash along with random trinkets from old school NOLA, personally allows me to envision what I image a 1920s opium den to look like. I call it a guilty pleasure as it's not a place for the mainstream crowd. Rather, it is a place where you can smoke that drunken cigarette [or pack] in peace without fear of smelling of smoke when you get home to the Mrs, as you will, by even stepping one foot into the den, will require you to air out your clothes for a week. A guilty pleasure where you can disappear into the barstool as a shadow creature, knocking back an $8 long island that unapologetically reminds you of exactly how much liquor is in it. A guilty pleasure that does not discriminate what you do at your day job and will take a stripper dollar bill as likely as a crispy new $20 from the ATM and doesn't care if you queue up the old school jukebox with nothing but old time Frank Sinatra songs. In essence, a deliciously sinful event and a local favorite for many more years to come. Pros: 1. Smoking Bar 2. Cash Only 3. Superstrong drinks that will make you black out 4. Great bar tenders 5. Oldies but goodies juke box Cons: 1. Smoking Bar 2. Cash Only 3. Superstrong drinks that will make you black out See you there on a Sunday at last call. read more

If someone has not heard of Le Mardi Gras, I just assume they aren't well versed in Pittsburgh drinking culture. This is one of the best bars in the city. Their drinks are remarkably strong, easily on par with Lefty's in the Strip. As a matter of fact, I really don't recommend having more than four or five Mardi Gras cocktails. They will kick your ass. This is one of the only bars in the city where I will walk in and just tell the bartender to make whatever whiskey drink he feels like making. I realize this might not sound like a big deal, but I have serious trust issues when it comes to bars. There are only about twenty six bars worldwide where I will even consider ordering a Manhattan or a Martini. One of the best kept Le Mardi Gras secrets is that on Sunday they offer free food to their patrons. Even though we visited on a Thursday, the owner, Rich, was kind enough to put some food out for us. These little touches are what make Mardi Gras more than just a bar. Here are some of my favorite Le Mardi Gras features: smoking, table top pacman, excellent juke box, fantastic bartenders, intimate seating, dark ominous ambiance and lively patrons. According to Le Mardi Gras' website they've also hosted a variety of celebrities including Rocky Marciano, Harvey Kietel, Sammy Koufax, Sam McDowell, Billy Conn, Alice Cooper, George Clooney, Russell Crowe and Ted Danson. read more

Walking in, I immediately knew this was a place for me. The decor is reminiscent of the 60's-70's, as is the jukebox, and a lot of the clientele. Thus, its awesome! This is not your Mario's crowd, so if you are looking for some trollop to grind up on to your shoddily performed "Gangam Style" perhaps you should walk across the street. The drinks, as mentioned are strong as could be. A Bombay and tonic set me back 7 dollars. It was worth every penny. Two of those and I was feeling pretty darn good. If you like motown/blues/oldies and some good old rock and roll, get more singles than you would take to Blush because I had a field day with that jukebox. The smoke isnt that bad, and in my opinion, adds to the ambiance. Hell, you can even smoke cigars here. Total throwback, and I love it. read more

Do you want to be shitface drunk off of one drink and you only have $10? go to Mardis Gras. Their drinks are military grade weapons, that is how strong they are. This bar is unlike every other bar in shadyside. it's dark and it has cool round booths. the bartender should be a national treasure, he is awesome. bring cash, you can't use your card there. Oh--you will smell like smoke when you leave, this place is full of smoke. It's likely the least sexy bar in all of pgh but its one of my favorites. read more

What I love about this bar is how effortlessly cool--how beyond cool--it feels. And what Walnut Street lacks in watering hole quantity, Le Mardi Gras (I've only heard it called Mardi Gras) makes up for in quality. It's a lame cliché to use Frank Sinatra as a representative for all things 50's and 60's posh, but they do play a lot of his stuff and a man in a double-breasted pinstripe suit and fedora having a Manhattan while waiting to meet his friends after work, or sipping his way through a three-martini lunch, would fit in seamlessly here. Before you settle into a wide booth to enjoy the music and let your eyes adjust to the darkness, order your beverage at the bar (make sure you bring those greenbacks-cash only) because the bartenders (white-haired, male, wearing vests and drying glasses) will not be making their way out to you. Their laissez-faire customer service could be considered inconvenient but I prefer to think of it as adding to the relaxed and cozy vibe. Drinks are both stronger and a little more expensive than the average PGH bar. My martini (a cocktail I'm very particular about) was icy goodness. And they have tons of great beers (Guinness, Dogfish Head, Sierra Nevada) on tap. This would be the perfect spot to have a post-shopping-binge cocktail (after spending the day handing over my scratch to America's shiniest corporate retailers I always like to unwind with a drink), except there's smoking allowed inside and I don't want that "ashtray-fresh" smell all over my new goods. read more

Mardi Gras is a far cry from most other bars in Shadyside, and in the best possible way. Dark, smoky, smaller than most establishments, frequented by older patrons and a jukebox with fantastic music from the 60s onward are just a few traits that make Mardi Gras a fantastic barroom. Add to that exceptionally strong, but delicious, drinks, and bartenders that like to keep their clients pleased, and you've got a combination that's hard to find anywhere else in Pittsburgh. Mardi Gras also has a perfect nostalgic feeling to it. The wall across from the bar is lined with several large booths that easily accommodate a group of five or six and invite conversation over your stiff drinks. The bar is cash only, which may seem like a little deterrent, but after you've had a couple mixed drinks you'll probably thank yourself for not being able to charge away too many more. Not to mention the awesome cash register that looks like it's about 90 years old. By far, Mardi Gras is my preferred bar in Shadyside, and you can't go wrong if you're in the mood for a strong drink. read more

This is a total hidden gem. I was unaware that this bar existed till a friend took me here. We were sitting across the street at Mario's and he says to me, "You want to go some place else and get some STRONG drinks?" This proposition not only got me excited, but piqued my interest. Where are we going and why don't I know about this place? Once we made it inside and up the long set of stairs (I can see myself taking a digger down these after a few Manhattens) you enter the dark, semi smokey bar. This place is divey but not dirty. It just looks they decorated it about 25 years ago and if it was good enough then, damnit its good enough now. The juke box is loaded with classic jazz and blues and normally operates at the guidance of the bartender (which is fine by me, he has good taste.) The bartender is one of those guys whose career has been behind the bar. He makes his drinks fast, tall, and strong. The average cocktail (whiskey and coke, vodka and juice, gin and tonic) run about $6 and some of their others (Manhattan, martinis, etc) cost $8. The prices are higher than some may be used to, but relax, its worth it. You are getting a rocks glass with little ice, filled nearly to the top with your booze of choice, and a mist of whatever else you wanted to water down the drink. If I'm going to spend $15 in a bar I would rather drink 2 well made, strong drinks than drink 15 cups of coke each with an eye dropper's worth whiskey. If you want a place to listen to some good music, get schwacked on liquor, and enjoy some conversation, Mardi Gras is you joint. read more

Strong drinks, dark and smoky, cozy booths, great juke box. This is a bar, this is your neighborhood bar. If you need to meet someone for a drink and just talk it out - this is the place. A good friend of mine always points out the ugly carpet. Yep, the carpet here is ugly, but at least it is new. And the place is dark so you never really see the carpet anyways. read more

Le Mardi Gras - white russians - I don't like them, but they serve them here - Lounges Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Strongest drinks in the city. Small place. Not always the usual shadyside crowd, which I like. Great booths for sitting in with a few friends. Really cheap jukebox with lots of blues, jazz, and rock that you won't find on the computer touchscreen ones. You can smoke inside. Juice is fresh squeezed for your drink. Bartenders are nice, attentive, and may even do magic tricks for you. read more

I had such a weird experience here. A few friends from my office and I went out last Friday night in Shadyside and hit up a number of bars along the way. At the recommendation of one of them, we stopped by Mardi Gras before turning in for the night. It was so un-Shadyside that I practically forgot where I was. And I don't necessarily mean that as a good or bad thing, but just as an observation. It was very dark inside and it definitely had the dive feel, which tends to be my favorite type of place. I also appreciated the jukebox which added a unique touch. Something about this bar was just off, though. I don't know how to describe it. Maybe it was just a weird crowd (everyone seemed very antisocial) or the odd "grandma's house and cigarette smoke" smell. The drinks we ordered were okay--they WERE very strong though, so that's a plus. I just can't do more than three stars. I have a feeling I'll be back here in the future though (my friend loves it), so maybe it'll be worthy of a second review at that point. read more

during covid this bar is the greatest. i love the option of the pb and j, but i would add more jelly. for that, they get 4 stars. love you mardi gras read more

Quite a cool spot and pretty underrated, at least in my social circle. These drinks are slightly more expensive than some may be used to (I got a simple whiskey and coke, which set me back around $7) but as others said, they are definitely strong. The ambiance is very relaxed, with a lounge feel if you sit in the booths. It is smoky, but I went on a Friday night around 9pm and it wasn't so bad. It certainly didn't leave me reeking of smoke like other spots in the city. Also, compared to the crowds in other places that night, the atmosphere was downright sedate, so if you're looking to relax, this would be a better option. The only thing is that they only deal in cash. There's an ATM there, but you're better off bringing money so you don't have to deal with the surcharge. read more

"Alright you bunch of booze bags, go home." I would probably end up staying for days on end if I wasn't told that at the end of the night. Great Drinks Great Juke box Great Crowd and, wait for it........ a mrs. packman machine. read more

So Mardi Gras was usually a must stop whenever I went out on a Friday or Saturday night in Shadyside during college. This bar is more of an older crowd but they do serve drinks the way I usually make mine. If you order a jack and coke, you'll be lucky if you can even taste the coke. They pretty much give you a glass of jack and a splash of coke. We used to get very very drunk here. The place is really small so you're lucky to see an open table, grab it. The bartenders are older and they don't take credit card so bring cash. The drinks are also a little more expensive for Pittsburgh. However, this is the only place in the area that has Delirium Tremens on tap. They don't serve food here either so plan on getting messed up if you don't eat anything before you go. The bar is very dark but a lot of my friends love this place and whenever alumni came back, we would definitely go here and make them pay for our drinks. All in all, a very good place to pregame or just to hang out and socialize. read more

Just discovered this place with my partner a few months ago, and it's my new fav dive spot. Drinks are cheap and strong, and the barkeeps are super friendly. The only downside for me is the smoking, and let me tell you, the fact that I'll step foot here with cigarette smoke speaks volumes about how much I enjoy this place! read more

Had a lovely experience here at Le Mardi Gras. Best part is the conversations you hear. Guys next to me for example. The one guy has said three times he has to get an oil change in the morning. That's actually awesome. Car care is really important. And it starts with the scheduled oil change. I've always said it. People will remember me saying it. Put it on my tombstone. The other thing I like about this New Orleans bar is the music. I mean, I didn't know other people loved The Doors as much as me. Turns out I'm dead wrong. Great cocktails. read more

If someone could explain the weird smell to me, I'd appreciate it. I know it's a smoking bar, but it actually smells mildewy. The drinks were OK, but points for actually juicing stuff right at the bar. read more