Lake of the Ozarks Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

The Midwest’s largest pub crawl returns for its 19th year on Saturday, February 21, 2026, when the historic Bagnell Dam Strip turns into a full-on Mardi Gras celebration across more than 20 bars and venues along the lake’s most famous nightlife stretch.

Presented by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and titled by Alley Cats on the Strip, the crawl officially runs from 4:00 PM to midnight, though a fleet of roughly 23 shuttle buses keeps rolling until 2:30 AM.

Weekend schedule and how it works

The weekend kicks off Friday, February 20, with a pre-party at Charlie Foxtrots Bar & Entertainment Venue (5180 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach), featuring prize drawings, wristband sales, and that electric “let’s go” energy that draws crowds from across Missouri and beyond.

On Saturday, the crawl warms up with a pre-crawl gathering at Encore Lakeside Grill & Sky Bar beginning at 1:00 PM, before the official route gets going later in the afternoon.

Participating venues and shuttle wristbands

Confirmed 2026 participating venues include Tucker’s Shuckers Oyster & Tap (1339 Bagnell Dam Blvd), known for fresh oysters and craft beer, along with Tirebiters Peanut Pub, Chevy’s Pizza, and the title sponsor Alley Cats on the Strip (1255 Bagnell Dam Blvd).

The broader Strip lineup typically includes RIP Tavern (1151 Bagnell Dam Blvd), a veteran-owned favorite for wings, Roxie’s Roadhouse Grill (1164 Bagnell Dam Blvd) with its rock-and-roll live music vibe, Casablanca Pub & Grill (1312 Bagnell Dam Blvd), and the Netflix “Ozark”-themed Marty Byrde’s Bar & Grill (1442 Bagnell Dam Blvd).

Bus wristbands cost $15 to $20 in advance (through February 8) or about $20 to $25 day-of, and include unlimited shuttle access between participating venues and partner lodging.

Getting around, parking, and where to stay

Parking near the Strip is limited. The renovated dam parking lot and expanded lots near Lake Ozark Christian Church typically handle overflow, but arriving early or using a shuttle from your hotel is the smoothest play.

Preferred lodging partners such as The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks, Lodge of Four Seasons, and Camden on the Lake offer direct shuttle pickup, making the entire night a true door-to-door experience.

The Bagnell Dam Strip: a quick dose of history

The Bagnell Dam Strip represents nearly a century of Ozark entertainment history. Union Electric completed the 148-foot dam in April 1931 for $30 million, creating the lake’s 54,000 acres and 1,150 miles of shoreline while providing Depression-era jobs to thousands.

Businesses opened on the Strip almost immediately afterward, and the district has been rolling ever since. Today, the Bagnell Dam Scenic Overlook (651 Union Electric Road) delivers free panoramic views, historical kiosks, and an antique turbine display.

A short walk away, the Willmore Lodge Visitor Center (1 Willmore Lane) houses a free history museum and is one of the region’s best eagle-watching spots through early February.

Where to eat the morning after

For a classic recovery breakfast, Stewart’s Restaurant (1260 Bagnell Dam Blvd), serving the Strip since 1953, is known for its massive cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy starting at 6:00 AM.

If you want something heartier later in the day, JJ Twigs Pizza & Pub (1815 Bagnell Dam Blvd), a Lake Ozark fixture since 1999, does Chicago-style double-decker pizza and Tuesday steak nights.

For hickory-smoked barbecue, Wobbly Boots BBQ (4717 Osage Beach Parkway) is the move, with a long track record on the competition circuit and burnt ends that can sell out fast.

Staying near the action

Whether you’re booking a lakefront condo or a full-service resort, Lake.com can help you stay close to the Strip. February is also off-season, so you’ll typically find better availability and noticeably lower rates than summer peak weekends.