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Where To Celebrate Derby Day in Denver

Don your biggest hat: It’s Derby Day

by Camila Navarrette
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Denver Mini Derby
| Denver Mini Derby/Facebook
by Camila Navarrette

It’s the start of spring and Denverites know what that means: the onset of patio parties — or in this case, pony parties. Derby Day on May 4 unofficially starts the city’s transition into warmer weather and outdoor events. This year, 10 Denver-area bars and restaurants are offering plenty of Woodford Reserve mint juleps and prizes for Derby goers that dress to impress.

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St Julien Hotel & Spa

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Those closer to Boulder can stop by the hotel’s terrace in their best eerby attire for the annual party. The first 100 guests can expect a free mint julep to welcome them to the free event and everyone can enjoy an appearance from Medicine Horse Program’s own Little Sebastian, Sadie.

900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 406-9696
(720) 406-9696
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel and Spa/Facebook

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Denver Mini Derby

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After visitors watch the Kentucky Derby, mini horses will compete in their very own pint-sized derby in Denver. Tickets include access to a mini horse AND corgi race, an open bar, and potential prizes for snazzy dressers.

Conservatory Green at Stapleton, Denver, CO 80238
Denver Mini Derby
Denver Mini Derby
Denver Mini Derby/Facebook

Blue Moon Brewing Co.

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The “Churchill on Chestnut” party start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, featuring new brews such as the bourbon barrel-aged mint julep beer, live music, a DJ, and pulled pork sandwich bar courtesy of a Tenderbelly pig roast. The 21-plus event is free but interested parties are encouraged to register ahead of time and check out food and drink packages.

3750 Chestnut Pl, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 728-2337
(303) 728-2337
Blue Moon RiNo
Blue Moon RiNo
Blue Moon RiNo [Official Site]

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Mythology Distillery

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The distillery bases its $11 special cocktail on the $1,000 mint julep recipe featured each year at Churchill Downs racetrack on Derby Day.

3622 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 458-0501
(720) 458-0501
Mythology Distillery
Mythology Distillery
Mythology Distillery/Facebook

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Julep

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Would a restaurant by any other name throw a Derby party? Well, yes, but the Southern-style spot is ready for a second year of Derby debauchery with more drinks, bites, and prizes. From noon to 5 p.m. on May 4, Julep will offer three specialty cocktails, derby-inspired snacks, and a $100 gift card to the best dressed couple. Tickets start at $69 per person.

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-8977
(303) 295-8977
Julep
Julep
Julep [Official Site]

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Avanti Food & Beverage

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The food hall offers $10 Woodford Reserve juleps, served in special cups that customers can take home, on race day.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage [Official Site]

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Poka Lola Social Club

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The free celebration invites customers to dress in their race track best and explore a mint julep bar at the Dairy Block bar.

1850 Wazee St., Ground Floor, Denver, CO 80202
(720) 460-2725
(720) 460-2725
Poka Lola
Poka Lola
Adam Larkey

Union Station

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From 1 to 5 p.m., travelers can stop by the Terminal Bar patio in dapper Derby attire to drink the Royal Street Ramblers, or upgrade to the VIP experience, which includes free booze.

Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
Union Station
Union Station
Union Station/Facebook

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54thirty

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The event on May 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. includes a welcome mint julep, automatic entrance in a best-dressed contest, and the chance to party on the 54thirty rooftop.

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-1888
(303) 893-1888
54Thirty
54Thirty
54Thirty/Facebook

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The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

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From 2:30 to 8 p.m. on May 4, the established downtown hotel hosts race day festivities complete with live bluegrass, mint juleps, wine, Odell brews, and food.

321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 297-3111
(303) 297-3111
Brown Palace
Brown Palace
Brown Palace [Official Site]

Denver Derby Party

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The original Derby day party, which claims to be the largest celbration outside of Kentucky, returns to Sculpture Park for an eighteenth year. Festivities range across four blocks of debauchery, both indoors and outdoors.

1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-4220
(720) 865-4220
Denver Derby Party/Facebook
Denver Derby Party/Facebook
Denver Derby Party/Facebook

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St Julien Hotel & Spa

900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302

Those closer to Boulder can stop by the hotel’s terrace in their best eerby attire for the annual party. The first 100 guests can expect a free mint julep to welcome them to the free event and everyone can enjoy an appearance from Medicine Horse Program’s own Little Sebastian, Sadie.

900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 406-9696
(720) 406-9696
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel and Spa/Facebook

Denver Mini Derby

Conservatory Green at Stapleton, Denver, CO 80238

After visitors watch the Kentucky Derby, mini horses will compete in their very own pint-sized derby in Denver. Tickets include access to a mini horse AND corgi race, an open bar, and potential prizes for snazzy dressers.

Conservatory Green at Stapleton, Denver, CO 80238
Denver Mini Derby
Denver Mini Derby
Denver Mini Derby/Facebook

Blue Moon Brewing Co.

3750 Chestnut Pl, Denver, CO 80216

The “Churchill on Chestnut” party start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, featuring new brews such as the bourbon barrel-aged mint julep beer, live music, a DJ, and pulled pork sandwich bar courtesy of a Tenderbelly pig roast. The 21-plus event is free but interested parties are encouraged to register ahead of time and check out food and drink packages.

3750 Chestnut Pl, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 728-2337
(303) 728-2337
Blue Moon RiNo
Blue Moon RiNo
Blue Moon RiNo [Official Site]

Mythology Distillery

3622 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211

The distillery bases its $11 special cocktail on the $1,000 mint julep recipe featured each year at Churchill Downs racetrack on Derby Day.

3622 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 458-0501
(720) 458-0501
Mythology Distillery
Mythology Distillery
Mythology Distillery/Facebook

Julep

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Would a restaurant by any other name throw a Derby party? Well, yes, but the Southern-style spot is ready for a second year of Derby debauchery with more drinks, bites, and prizes. From noon to 5 p.m. on May 4, Julep will offer three specialty cocktails, derby-inspired snacks, and a $100 gift card to the best dressed couple. Tickets start at $69 per person.

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-8977
(303) 295-8977
Julep
Julep
Julep [Official Site]

Avanti Food & Beverage

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

The food hall offers $10 Woodford Reserve juleps, served in special cups that customers can take home, on race day.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage [Official Site]

Poka Lola Social Club

1850 Wazee St., Ground Floor, Denver, CO 80202

The free celebration invites customers to dress in their race track best and explore a mint julep bar at the Dairy Block bar.

1850 Wazee St., Ground Floor, Denver, CO 80202
(720) 460-2725
(720) 460-2725
Poka Lola
Poka Lola
Adam Larkey

Union Station

Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

From 1 to 5 p.m., travelers can stop by the Terminal Bar patio in dapper Derby attire to drink the Royal Street Ramblers, or upgrade to the VIP experience, which includes free booze.

Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
Union Station
Union Station
Union Station/Facebook

54thirty

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202

The event on May 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. includes a welcome mint julep, automatic entrance in a best-dressed contest, and the chance to party on the 54thirty rooftop.

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-1888
(303) 893-1888
54Thirty
54Thirty
54Thirty/Facebook

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection

321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202

From 2:30 to 8 p.m. on May 4, the established downtown hotel hosts race day festivities complete with live bluegrass, mint juleps, wine, Odell brews, and food.

321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 297-3111
(303) 297-3111
Brown Palace
Brown Palace
Brown Palace [Official Site]

Denver Derby Party

1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204

The original Derby day party, which claims to be the largest celbration outside of Kentucky, returns to Sculpture Park for an eighteenth year. Festivities range across four blocks of debauchery, both indoors and outdoors.

1400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-4220
(720) 865-4220
Denver Derby Party/Facebook
Denver Derby Party/Facebook
Denver Derby Party/Facebook

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