This week’s slate of food and drink events offers some can’t-miss parties, including two events celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans-inspired fashion. Grab a Hurricane and southern eats at Tuesday’s extravaganza downtown, or head to Chiko on Friday for some unique interpretations on Creole cooking. There’s also discounted beer to be had and the return of a favorite seasonal pop-up bar.

Cherry Blossom PUB opening

While it might not feel quite like spring yet, the team at Drink Company is readying the 2019 edition of the Cherry Blossom PUB (pop-up bar). This will be the third year of the floral bar, which in the past has paid tribute to Mario Brothers, Godzilla, and paper cranes. This time around, expect a room themed like a bowl of ramen and one modeled after a French fairytale garden. Cocktails follow a Japanese theme, using such ingredients as sake and matcha. Ramen will be on for sale, too, from Ramen by Yuzu. (Pop-Up Bar, February 28-April 25)

Man, beer, pig

Anxo’s Truxton Circle cidery plans to spend March honoring women-made beer and women-owned breweries. First though, it needs to empty out all its kegs of man-made beer. Help the cause by grabbing a pint on Thursday, when all beer produced by men will be on deep discount during much of the evening: 50 percent until 9 p.m. and $2.50 each after that until it’s gone. The exact lineup is to be determined, but DC Brau Pils, Oxbow Moonrocks, and Ocelot Sorrow Barleywine are among the likely candidates. The bar will also offer 25 percent off charcuterie and croquetas de jamon at the main-level bar. (Anxo Cidery and Pintxos Bar, Thursday, 5 p.m.-close)

Mardi Gras Chiko after dark

Get a jump on the Mardi Gras celebrations with a late-night kitchen and bar takeover at Chiko’s Barracks Row location. New Orleans-born chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery will prepare some special dishes for Mardi Gras along with the Chiko team, and mixologist Gina Chersevani of Buffalo & Bergen will head up the night’s cocktails. Walk-ins are welcome with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. (Chiko, Friday, 9:30 p.m.-12 a.m., $8 food and beverage specials)

A lunch special at The Wharf

Head down to the Southwest waterfront for a new mid-day meal option at Kaliwa. The Southeast Asian restaurant has introduced the “masaya” lunch box, a compartmental meal filled with dishes from the Philippines, Korea, and Thailand. Examples include a house-made spam and egg sandwich with kimchi mayo, Filipino egg rolls, Korean dumplings, and a green papaya salad. Enjoy the meal in the restaurant or grab it to go. (Kaliwa, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., $16)

Blagden Alley African Food Festival

The spices and aromas of West African cooking will waft through Blagden Alley during this Saturday’s African Food Tasting. The spring edition includes bites of African dishes, which will include jollof rice, jerk wings, waakye (rice and beans), and more. Tickets grant you either four or eight dishes around the festival. (Blagden Alley, Saturday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m., $20-$35)

Margarita and mezcal Monday

Monday night features one of D.C.’s best evenings of the year for fans of agave spirits. Sip through 14 tasting bars or try specialty cocktails at Oyamel’s Tequila Mezcal festival kickoff party. Pacing is key, and guests can take a break from booze with food stations and passed bites including tacos, guacamole, and ceviche. Expect live music and a photo booth, too. The event marks the start of the Mexican restaurant’s two-week celebration of all things mezcal and tequila. (Oyamel, Monday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $49)

Mardi Gras comes North

Experience the raucousness of Fat Tuesday in New Orleans style at this year’s Mardi Gras Extravaganza. If you missed David Guas and Gine Chersevani tag-teaming at Chiko’s Mardi Gras fête, see them at their festive best here, along with chef Spike Mendelsohn and representatives from other top restaurants and bars from around the city for the all-you-can-eat-and-drink bash. There’ll be a contest for the best hurricane cocktail, a prize for best-dressed guest, and live music. Ticket sales will benefit DC Central Kitchen. (The Showroom, Tuesday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., $55, 21+ only)

Celebrate female chefs

Each year, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance honors women in the city’s food industry, including chefs, restaurateurs, and mixologists, at its annual Turn Up the Heat event. This year, the event honors Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao (and forthcoming Hanumanh in Shaw). Gather at The Anthem to toast Seng and feast on dishes from Urbana, DBGB, Pizzeria Paradiso, and more local spots. (The Anthem, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., $150-$330)