Watching the Kentucky Derby in New York City

There’s always a good reason to throw a big party in New York City and this weekend, the 138th Kentucky Derby will be celebrated by horse racing fans all around the world. The derby which is run in Louisville Kentucky is the premier race for three year old thoroughbred horses in North America and the first leg of  the Triple Crown.

There will be a number of New York City bars, beer gardens and restaurants that will be throwing parties for the big race.

Eleven Madison Park
Get your Kentucky Derby tickets early for this Michelin Star Flatiron restaurant’s celebration. Chef Daniel Humm’s fried chicken and other Kentucky-style delights will be served. Sip on Mint Julep, smoke a Nat Sherman cigar while listening to live bluegrass music, while watching the race in style. Tickets are $175.

11 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-0905

Kentucky Derby Bash @ The Roosevelt Hotel
Mad 46
Mad46 has recently re-opened for the season and is ready to throw their annual rooftop Kentucky Derby Bash at the Roosevelt Hotel. The event kicks off at 4 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m. The Derby will be broadcast live on their flat panel televisions, while guests are served traditional Mint Juleps and offered samples of Woodford Reserve Featured cocktails. Call for a reservation.

45 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
212.661.9600

The Brickyard
The Brickyard Gastropub will be showing the race on nine giant screens for their annual Kentucky Derby Party. They will be showing races from Churchill Downs all day long, serving $5 Mint Juleps, and offering Kentucky Derby-themed appetizers and desserts.

785 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019
212.767.0077

The Brooklyn Derby at the Brooklyn Winery
Brooklyn Winery
Doors open at 5p.m. for this Derby celebration at the Brooklyn Winery. For $75, guests will be treated to a four-hour long open bar (including those Mint Juleps), buffet-style eats and Southern style games like cornhole. The race will be shown on a large projection screen in their courtyard.

211 N 8th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
347.763.1506

The Bell House
$6 Mint Juleps will be served all day long at the Bell House Kentucky Derby party. To get you ready for the derby, they will have hats for sale from Brooklyn milliner La China Loca, and Square dancing led by David Harvey & NYC Barn Dance. Prizes will be given out for Sharpest Dressed Man and Best Hat. Karaoke will end off the night. Tickets are $10 at the door.

149 7th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718.643.6510

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party & Cinco De Mayo Party – 2 for 1 Special!
Studio Square
Studio Square will be combining their Cinco de Mayo celebration with the Derby day festivities. This Queens beer garden will of course have tons of good German beer, along with Mint Juleps and Maragaritas. Prizes will be awarded for the best bonnet, and best sombrero. A live DJ will be spinning all day and all night. The Derby fiesta starts at noon.

35-33 36th Street
Long Island City, NY 11106
718.383.1001

Some basics to prepare you for the Derby

• The Kentucky Derby is popularily known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”.  The race is usually run around the two minute mark.  Another popular name is “The Run for the Roses” as the winning horse is blanketed with roses after the race.
• It’ the the first leg of the US Triple Crown which is followed by the Preakness Stakes, which is run in Baltimore, Maryland. The third leg of the triple crown is run in New York at the the Belmont Stakes.
• The horse that wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes wins the Triple Crown.

Post image “Courtesy: Kentuckytourism.com”