In Denver we celebrate the running of the Kentucky Derby by wearing big floppy hats or seersucker suits, cheering on “our” horse for two short minutes and drinking all day. Hold your horses and enjoy “the most exciting two minutes in sports” at any of these fantastic Derby parties. With 15 to choose from, might we suggest you plan for a before, during, and after the race?.
Kentucky Derby Day at The Brown Palace
Where: The Brown Palace {321 17th St, Denver,303.297.3111}
When: Starts at 11am
What: Join The Brown Palace for its first ever derby celebration! Kick-off the morning with champagne brunch in Ellyngton’s and stick around for bluegrass tunes, prizes, and Bulleit Bourbon Julep and Ketel One Mules all throughout the venue. Admission to the party is free, brunch ranges in price from $53.95-$73.95 per person, depending on champagne selections. Want to win two tickets to champagne brunch? Enter into our Instagram giveaway by Thursday at 4pm for a chance to win!
Ping-Pong and Horses at Ace Eat Serve
Where: Ace Eat Serve {501 East 17th Avenue, Denver; 303.800.7705}
When: 4-6pm
What: Why not catch all the action while playing a little ping pong? Skip the mint juleps this year and try a Mount Fuji cocktail with Nigori sake, Green Tea Infused Death’s Door gin, coconut juice, orgeat syrup, lime, and mint. Enjoy ping pong both inside and outside plus happy hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm featuring $5.00 highballs with house made sodas, kimchi fritters, and the ever popular tiger wings.
“Kon-Tiki” Derby Happy Hour
Where: Adrift {218 South Broadway, Denver; 303.778.8454}
When: 4-6pm
What: Only at a Tiki Lounge can you see where the Kentucky Derby turf meets the south seas surf. Watch the final “Run for the Roses” race at 4:30pm then toss your hat in the ring to win great prizes in their Derby Hat Parade. While any chapeau will do, there is a rumor that the south seas mermaid-inspired hats are frontrunners in the race.
Talk Derby to Me at The Bar Car
Where: The Bar Car {819 Colorado Boulevard, Denver; 720.524.8099}
When: 12-7pm
What: For seven years, the team at The Bar Car have partnered with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to raise funds by hosting a Derby party, carnival style. There will be live bluegrass music pre-race and a great swing band post race. Contests for hats and costumes will be competitive so get creative. Buffalo Trace Juleps and Dry Dock beer will be flowing. There will be some awesome barbecue grub from the new Swine Emporium at the Bar Car.
Derby Garden Party
Where: Hotel Boulderado Courtyard {2115 13th Street, Boulder; 303.442.4344}
When: 3-7pm
What: What makes a great Derby Party? Bourbon tasting, live jazz with the Mark Diamond Trio, fancy hat contests, horse betting, mint juleps, four big screens, grits stations (with all the fixings including shrimp, Andouille sausage, crispy Applewood bacon and shredded cheddar cheese), Kentucky Hot Brown Triangles (delicious roasted turkey breast with sharp white cheddar, Applewood bacon and Heirloom tomato on egg bread), and for dessert, sponge cake with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, bourbon caramel and Chantilly cream—all in a beautiful outdoor courtyard in the heart of Boulder. Tickets are $45 per person and a portion of the proceeds benefit Medicine Horse Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of adolescents, adults, and families through unique equine-assisted experiences. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
Curo Bar Derby Day
Where: The Denver Central Market {2669 Larimer Street, Denver}
When: 11am-7pm
What: Curio Bar and The Denver Central Market are bringing Derby Day horseplay to the parking lot and alley of the market. Dress in your Derby best (and don’t forget your hat!) for a special screening of the race, live music, pop-ups shops, prizes, and special drinks including Mint Juleps, a wide variety of cocktails, wine, and beer. Tickets are $35 and include 2 drinks and a commemorative Julep cup. There will be a live 20 person jazz band playing from 1-4pm and food available for purchase. Tickets are only available for those 21 or older and can be purchased here.
DERBY DAY HAPPY HOUR AT DEL FRISCO’S
Where: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse {8100 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village; 303.796.0100}
When: 3-5pm
What: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse will host a Derby celebration in the Restaurant’s Cigar Lounge. Executive Chef Mario Hernandez will be serving up a Derby menu including Pulled Pork Sliders with Creamy Slaw, Peppered Bacon with Bourbon Molasses and for dessert, Godiva Chocolate Mousse Cups. Cheers to the Derby winner with the Woodford Mint Julep cocktail and/or the Kentucky Mule.
All Day Party at the Four Seasons Hotel
Where: Four Seasons Hotel and EDGE Restaurant {1111 14th Street, Denver; 303.389.3343}
When: Festivities start at 11am
What: For the first time, Derby festivities will take over the entire Four Seasons Hotel—from brunch on the Pool Terrace to a race party in the ballroom, plus an after party in a ballroom and EDGE Bar. In addition, the hotel will offer discounted room rates.
Denver Does Derby at The Lobby
Where: The Lobby {2191 Arapahoe Street, Denver; 303.997.9911}
When: 9am-5pm
What: This year the folks at The Lobby are adding a Denver flair to their Kentucky Derby Party. If you want to wear tradition Derby duds, by all means, do, but you can also wear your most Red Rocks worthy Colorado getup—either way, you can win the Best Dressed contest. There will be lawn games in the courtyard and a chance to bet on their now infamous goldfish races. They will offer great food and drink specials including Mint Juleps and bottomless mimosas.
DERBY DAY HAT CONTEST AT RHEIN HAUS
Where: Rhein Haus {1415 Market Street, Denver; 303.800.2652}
When: 3-8pm
What: Rhein Haus is encouraging their race day guests to go all out with crazy derby hats for their Derby Day Hat Contest. There will also be live music by Colin McAfee, southern food special, and Old Forrester MintJuleps.
Southern Shenanigans at The RiNo Yacht Club
Where: RiNo Yacht Club {3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver; 720.485.5581}
When: 12-6pm
What: “Southerners love any excuse to throw a party,” said owner of RiNo Yacht Club Mary Wright, so you know it’s going to be good. Expect a party with live music by Oakhurst, classic Derby fare, drink special, flowing bourbon, contests, and prizes for best hat and best dressed.
Derby Bingo Brunch at The Squeaky Bean
Where: The Squeaky Bean {1500 Wynkoop Street, Denver; 303.623.2665}
When: Brunch starts at 11am
What: The Bean is known for their outlandish weekend Bingo Brunch and their unique cocktail program. Join them for a late brunch with bingo and prizes, sip on the “Bean Julep” cocktails, and wear your craziest, most outlandish hats!
Denver Mini Derby at Stanley Marketplace
Where: The Stanley Marketplace {2501 Dallas Street, Aurora}
When: 1-6pm
What: If a two-minute horse race in not enough excitement for you, head to Stanley Marketplace where they will follow the running of the Kentucky Derby with an adorable miniature horse race and even a Corgi race. Taking up both indoor and outdoor spaces, the event will feature live music, tons of great food options, hat contests, and Mint Juleps galore. VIP guests have an extra hour to enjoy the fun, a private bar, unlimited Mint Juleps, and Rolling Smoke Barbecue while General Admission guests will receive two free Mint Juleps. Ticket range from $25-$149; purchase them here.
Viewing Party at Viewhouse
Where: Viewhouse Eatery, Bar & Rooftop {2015 Market Street, Denver; 720.878.2015}
Viewhouse Centennial {7101 South Clinton Street, Centennial; 303.790.8439}
When: Party starts at 10am
What: Both parties are offering a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2018 Kentucky Derby, but you must be present to win. Their enormous 200” LED TVs will begin broadcasting the race at 4pm. There will be photo booths to capture your fancy Derby attire and Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps will be flowing. The Moses Jones Band will perform live at 4pm in the courtyard of the downtown location. Cabana reservations can be made in advance by calling the restaurants.
A Day at the Race at The West End Tavern
Where: The West End Tavern {926 Pearl Street, Boulder; 303.444.3535}
When: Starting at 11am
What: The West End Tavern is inviting all Triple Crown fans to put on their favorite seersucker suits and feathered hats for a trio of parties this spring: the Kentucky Derby on May 7, The Preakness on May 21, and The Belmont Stakes on June 11. Watch the races on the big screen, enjoy Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps all day long, and win prizes for your best race day outfit. Of course, no horse race party would be complete without a good old-fashioned hermit crab race – place your bets and win some prizes.
Having your own Derby Day Party? Here are two Julep recipes sure to please!
By Elizabeth Woessner
The post The Ultimate Guide to Kentucky Derby Day Parties in Denver/Boulder appeared first on DiningOut Denver/Boulder.