Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

Ninth Ward Asks Ladies To "Flash 'em" For Mardi Gras Drinks


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 2, 2011

Modified Mar 2, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Left: Ninth Ward's flyer; Right: Via Toast To Life

 


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 2, 2011

Modified Mar 2, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

[UPDATED with new laws!

] Just six days to Mardi Gras, guys! We'll be giving you a roundup of some great city specials, but for now here's a tidbit for any ladies who are going to be in the East Village on Tuesday (where else would you rather be?!!). We recently received a flyer from Ninth Ward advertising a "flash 'em and cash 'em" special for the fairer sex on Mardi Gras, and spokesman Dean Maroulakos told us, "They are keeping the French Quarter tradition alive, but instead of just beads for flashing, participants get free drinks." But as Mike Smith at the State Liquor Authority told us, "That's against our policy."

For the moment, let's just put aside the fact that in New Orleans you could be dressed in a turtleneck and still be supplied with free drinks and pelted with beads, sometimes from the very same parade float. This "French Quarter tradition" just comes from the Spring Breakers who don't understand how the holiday works. We've asked the SLA to clarify just what policies this violates. We already knew that unlimited drink specials are illegal in the state, and supplying someone with free drinks simply because of their anatomy could be akin to supplying them drinks for nothing. Women are allowed to be topless in the state so we doubt it's an issue of modesty.

If anything, this extreme version of Ladies' Night could just be discriminatory for men? Where are their drinks for showing a little sack? Or could it be in their interest to ignore the struggle for gender equality, what with all these insecure topless women getting free booze? Somehow we doubt the male clientele at Ninth Ward would object. Sorry to ruin the "fun," you guys.

[UPDATE] "ABC Law Section 106 (6-a): No retail licensee for on-premises consumption shall suffer or permit any person to appear on licensed premises in such manner or attire as to expose to view any portion of the pubic area, anus, vulva or genitals, or any simulation thereof, nor shall suffer or permit any female to appear on licensed premises in such manner or attire as to expose to view any portion of the breast below the top of the areola, or any simulation thereof." So much for all those Vulva Thursday specials!

Tagged

flash em and cash em

flash for drinks

mardi gras

ninth ward

sla


Jaya Saxena

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Published Sep 12, 2026


Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao

Food

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.

By

Sonia Rao


5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg

Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian

By

Robert Sietsema

Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?

By

Caroline Shin


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .