These restaurants and bars are bringing out their biggest hats and sweetest teas in anticipation of, during, and after the big race on Saturday. From cocktail specials to costume contests, these are the events you don't want to miss.
Note: Venues are listed in alphabetical order. Know of another cool party? Send us a tip or leave it in the comments.
From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., this suburban hot spot is offering a $40 per person special, which includes two cocktails and passed appetizers. Fried pickles and pulled pork sliders are on the menu and prizes will be raffled and awarded to the best dressed.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy the party, watch the race on the big screen, and partake in the $50 Derby buffet that comes with two specialty cocktails. Prizes will be awarded to the Best Hat, Best Tie, and Best Dressed.
Sip on cool Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps as prizes are awarded to the best dressed guests or win big during the annual hermit crab race. West End Tavern will throw a party all over again for the Preakness on May 21 and Belmont Stakes on June 11.
Located inside Hotel Teatro, The Nickel will feature $5 mint juleps on May 6 and 7. Weather permitting, the restaurant has an outdoor patio with plenty of head space for chapeaus, and it is conveniently located just blocks from the Denver Center for the Performing, the Derby Party headquarters.
RiNo’s Nocturne will host a post-Denver Derby celebration with $7 mint juleps. The artfully restored industrial warehouse is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a live jazz performance from 7 to 11 p.m.
This ever-popular gay hangout on South Broadway is hosting its own crazy hat party on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. The winner gets a $30 bar tab. The rest of the guests get $4 Jim Beam Devil's Cut Mint Juleps.
The Rackhouse, C Squared Ciders, and Bierstadt Lagerhaus are inviting you to join them in your fanciest attire. What to look forward to? Prizes for best hat, best dressed; a bottle of C Squared Ciders Alma if you pick the winning horse; and a taste of Bierstadt Lagerhaus newest collaboration with Strange Craft Beer Company. There will also be derby-inspired drink and food specials and the race showing on the big screen.
This second annual Derby Party takes place from 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. There will be live Bluegrass music, food specials, Bulleit Mint Juleps, and more! Come dressed to impress.
The large bar inside Union Station partnered with Bulleit Whiskey for a truly extravagant Derby After Party on the patio! Among the attractions is a live DJ, a custom photo booth, and a Best Dressed competition. Bulleit Bourbon Mint Juleps are an extra perk!
The LoDo pub and eatery has partnered with Buffalo Trace Distillery to host a Kentucky Derby party. Guests can enjoy Mint Juleps, fun bites, and a great view of the race on the pub's 9 TVs. Those wearing a Derby hat will be entered to win a raffle prize.
The bar inside the Source is celebrating the 142nd "Run for the Roses" aka The Kentucky Derby with live music by Parlor Pickers, classic Derby fair (tea sammys, country ham, oysters, etc) drink specials, and plenty of bourbon. The party starts at noon.
Disclosure: The editor is married to one of the developers behind The Source, the development in which the RiNo Yacht Club resides.
From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., this suburban hot spot is offering a $40 per person special, which includes two cocktails and passed appetizers. Fried pickles and pulled pork sliders are on the menu and prizes will be raffled and awarded to the best dressed.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy the party, watch the race on the big screen, and partake in the $50 Derby buffet that comes with two specialty cocktails. Prizes will be awarded to the Best Hat, Best Tie, and Best Dressed.
Sip on cool Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps as prizes are awarded to the best dressed guests or win big during the annual hermit crab race. West End Tavern will throw a party all over again for the Preakness on May 21 and Belmont Stakes on June 11.
Located inside Hotel Teatro, The Nickel will feature $5 mint juleps on May 6 and 7. Weather permitting, the restaurant has an outdoor patio with plenty of head space for chapeaus, and it is conveniently located just blocks from the Denver Center for the Performing, the Derby Party headquarters.
RiNo’s Nocturne will host a post-Denver Derby celebration with $7 mint juleps. The artfully restored industrial warehouse is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a live jazz performance from 7 to 11 p.m.
This ever-popular gay hangout on South Broadway is hosting its own crazy hat party on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. The winner gets a $30 bar tab. The rest of the guests get $4 Jim Beam Devil's Cut Mint Juleps.
The Rackhouse, C Squared Ciders, and Bierstadt Lagerhaus are inviting you to join them in your fanciest attire. What to look forward to? Prizes for best hat, best dressed; a bottle of C Squared Ciders Alma if you pick the winning horse; and a taste of Bierstadt Lagerhaus newest collaboration with Strange Craft Beer Company. There will also be derby-inspired drink and food specials and the race showing on the big screen.
This second annual Derby Party takes place from 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. There will be live Bluegrass music, food specials, Bulleit Mint Juleps, and more! Come dressed to impress.
The large bar inside Union Station partnered with Bulleit Whiskey for a truly extravagant Derby After Party on the patio! Among the attractions is a live DJ, a custom photo booth, and a Best Dressed competition. Bulleit Bourbon Mint Juleps are an extra perk!
The LoDo pub and eatery has partnered with Buffalo Trace Distillery to host a Kentucky Derby party. Guests can enjoy Mint Juleps, fun bites, and a great view of the race on the pub's 9 TVs. Those wearing a Derby hat will be entered to win a raffle prize.
The bar inside the Source is celebrating the 142nd "Run for the Roses" aka The Kentucky Derby with live music by Parlor Pickers, classic Derby fair (tea sammys, country ham, oysters, etc) drink specials, and plenty of bourbon. The party starts at noon.
Disclosure: The editor is married to one of the developers behind The Source, the development in which the RiNo Yacht Club resides.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59518315/Jade_Mountain_sampler.37.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59634545/Noisette_Brunch_1_Hard_Knoch_PR.20.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59451767/SourceHotel_028.14.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49482835/shutterstock_265169132.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530096/DEL_Denver_-_Wine_Room.0.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530097/12993377_882760298500379_3364689105605629777_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70000270/SF_1_Lede.26.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60116065/33557850996_268e395478_o.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530098/West_End_Tavern.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530099/Nickel_4.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530100/Nocturne_6.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71880357/Frasca_June_2022_048_courtesy.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65084511/Bellota_Esquites_food_table.14.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530101/barphoto.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530102/C2Rack_9094e.0.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530103/School_House.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530104/Solitaire_Bar.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530105/12118720_918359838258299_3646090567964079000_n.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530106/Thirsty_Lion.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530107/13082714_567658553405228_7896518114905413199_n.0.0.0.jpg)