If you're craving a Hurricane's whimsy, celebrate Fat Tuesday with Smack Shack, which might be hung over from back-to-back second anniversary parties Monday and Sunday. The North Loop lobster house is slinging half-price Hurricanes and baking king cakes to help soak them up. Tue., Feb. 17, 603 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-259-7288, smack-shack.com

Carnival is a big deal in the Netherlands, too, and St. Paul's Amsterdam Bar & Hall gets into the Fat Tuesday spirit with its Naughty Gras event. The pre-Lent party features the Jack Brass Band, burlesque and aerialist performances, plus a crayfish boil and beer from NOLA's Abita Brewing Co.

7 p.m. Tue., Feb. 17, 21-plus, $12-$15, 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul, 612-285-3112, www.amsterdambarandhall.com

Carnaval Brasileiro takes over International Market Square for a masquerade ball that includes Afro-Brazilian troupe Omulu Capoeira, Drumheart, singer/dancer Dandara Odara and more on three stages. A late-night buffet is available for an additional charge included with VIP tickets, which are good for an early dinner, too). A $10 family-friendly matinee runs from 3 to 6 p.m. 9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21, $20-$75, 275 Market St., Mpls., brazilfest.org

The annual Mardi Crawl bar crawl blows through the Warehouse District next weekend. The beaded bash features $3-$5 drink specials at participating downtown Minneapolis bars, which include Cowboy Jack's, the Pourhouse, 508 Bar and more. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat., Feb. 21, 21-plus, $10-$25, www.mardipubcrawl.com