MASTER
Arnaud'sNew Orleans, LA, United States
 
 

Fat Monday Lucheon 2025

By Fat Monday Luncheon (other events)

Monday, March 3 2025 11:00 AM 3:00 PM CST
 
ABOUT ABOUT

Come be a part of one of the longest continuously operated gay events in North America, the Fat Monday Luncheon, for our 76th year. This is one of the most exclusive events of the Carnival season due to our limited seating.

The Fat Monday Luncheon is far more than just a fabulous lunch at Arnaud’s; it’s a socializing event that allows you to connect, reconnect, and meet new friends in a tradition that has been going strong for 76 years. The tradition begins with a tag-pinning cocktail reception, which, when the time comes, will be led into the gorgeous Count’s dining room of Arnaud’s.

Once in the dining room, patrons make their way to their assigned tables, where, by old standards of tradition, the decoration of the chandeliers would be dictated. Because the new chandeliers at Arnaud’s are each worth four times more than what we pay for the entire event, we have substituted this tradition with something a little more practical and much more inclusive: for every table, a Table Chandelier to be decorated for the first contest.

Once seated, the fabulous lunch ensues with lovely live music and many hilarious surprise awards; you just might be a winner. The lunch will conclude with the coronation and selection of the coveted FML in-town and out-of-town queens. Meet outside and be ready to second line down Bourbon Street in a parade featuring none other than you to the historic location of Good Friends Bar’s Queens Head Pub, holding court upstairs on the VIP balcony with drink specials.

Restrictions

ATTIRE 2025- The Carnival season, and especially Mardi Gras day, is full of fun and revelry, and is also steeped deeply in traditions for our community.  The Fat Monday Luncheon is no different. Having begun in 1949, and making it the oldest continuous gay organization that we know of in the United States and possibly the world, we pride ourselves on our ability to grow and adapt to the world as it changes around us, while simultaneously paying homage to traditions of the past. One of these time-honored traditions is the dress code for the luncheon. We wish to harken back to a time when dressing for dinner was the norm. After all, it's a lot of fun to put on “The Ritz”.

In an endeavor to follow Arnaud’s dress code, with its own business or formal-attire tradition for fine dining, we do ask attendees and guests to respect this tradition and dress accordingly."

Dress Code:

   Men:   -Business attire suits or tuxedos, (coats, long or bow ties preferred, and trousers) with button down collared dress shirts. Closed-in men’s dress shoes. 

    -No hats while seated in the dining room, for men.

   Women: -Dresses - Long or knee length dresses. Ladies long dress slacks and proper blouse are acceptable. Dress Shoes.  Closed flats are acceptable. 

All Attendees:

NO Shorts, Jeans, Tee-shirts, Polo type shirts, Flip-flops or Sneakers.  No costumes permitted.  You will be turned away at the door with no refund. 

-Professional business/formal attire for all guests is expected.