Where to Celebrate Carnaval

02.21.12 at 11:59

Today marks the last day before the beginning of Lent – Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is better known as its literal French translation, Mardi Gras. The mardi gras season is better known to Latinos – most famously Brazilians – as carnaval season. Both names refer to the coming sacrifice – “Fat Tuesday” refers to your last day to indulge in fatty, rich foods before living more modestly for Lent; the word “carnaval” comes from the Latin carnelevare, which meant “to remove meat.”

Bored? Fine. Want to get drunk? Consider beginning your celebrations at one of these places before barhopping. Tell us about your adventures in the comments.