most recent Kings of Carnival and is
another happy connection between
the krewe and the restaurant.While
the Rex organization members and
families flock to the restaurant on
the Wednesday of the week before,
the largest Carnival group at
Antoine’s now is the Krewe of
Proteus. They meet on Monday
before Mardi Gras (Lundi Gras)
for a luncheon.
The Krewe of Hermes – whose
memorabilia can be found in the
Hermes Bar – has a luncheon at
Antoine’s on the Friday before
Mardi Gras. A final sign of Antoine’s
involvement in New Orleans Carnival
traditions is the late afternoon
meal held there each Mardi Gras
by members of the Mistick Krewe
of Comus. This oldest Mardi Gras
organization last had a street parade
with floats in 1991. When the group
originally was formed, it took
inspiration from the holiday
celebration in Mobile, Alabama. In
that tradition, young men took to
the streets and raided the stock
of a hardware store to add to their
merriment. Brandishing rakes and
clanging cowbells, they raucously
marched along their route and
called themselves the Cowbellion
de Rakin Society.
And so, on Mardi Gr as night, a group
of men will emerge from Antoine’s
– some wearing white tie and tails,
some sporting papier-mâché heads.
They will stuff their pockets with
doubloons and cups for the onlookers
on their route. They will be carrying
cowbells and holding rakes, and, to
the sound of a marching jazz band,
they’ll carouse and march from St.
Louis Street to the Canal Street
hotel where the Comus Ball is held.
Dining Room Trivia
If you can’t dine in the Rex room,
never fear; each of Antoine’s
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