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Union Station offers free fun on Derby Day
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Where to Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Denver

Colorado does Derby Day with mint juleps and snack specials

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Union Station offers free fun on Derby Day
| Union Station

The daylong celebration of the Kentucky Derby spreads well beyond the southern state's borders. This year, Denver embraces the splendor around the tradition, and plenty of restaurants are switching their screens to the big race on Saturday, May 5.

In a nod to the race’s shared date with Cinco de Mayo, a few Denver-area spots chose to weave the two events into one afternoon. In addition to mint juleps, Derby day party-goers can expect Mexican-inspired dishes at some establishments, like Julep and Zeppelin Station. Two small races will play out at the Stanley Marketplace’s Denver Mini Derby, complete with a corgi race. Wherever they choose to go, Derby Day participants should bring along their largest hats and most fabulous outfits.

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St Julien Hotel & Spa

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The Boulder hotel hosts the 144th Run for the Roses Derby Day celebration on May 5. Guests can sample mint juleps and Veuve Clicquot specials for free while listening to a live performance from the Good Manors Quartet. Fabulous hat wearers have the potential to win prizes.

St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel & Spa

Zeppelin Station

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The RiNo food hall hosts the KenTaco Derby on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Jared Leonard of Au Feu will sling Texas-style barbecue from a truck, while the women of Comal Heritage Food Incubator will prepare tacos. Extra Gold will play before and after the race, during which guests can sip on tequila or bourbon cocktails.

Adam Larkey/Eater

RiNo’s newest Southern spot hosts a Derby-style “coming out” celebration. For $55, the noon to 5 p.m. party will provide three signature drinks, a whole pig roast, and Derby and Cinco de Mayo snacks. Dolled-up couples can enter to be named the best-dressed and win a $100 gift card to the restaurant.

The bar at southern-inspired Julep
Adam Larkey

Avanti Food and Beverage

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Woodford Reserve joins Avanti for a Derby Day celebration offering twists on mint juleps, a photo booth, and prizes for best dressed and best hat from noon to 5 p.m. The Regional will take care of the food while guests watch the race on multiple TV screens.

The Regional serves American fare
The Regional/Facebook

Curio Bar

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Curio’s second take on a Derby Day features a pig roast, shrimp boil, lawn games, bars, and live music. Guests that forgot their spring suits at home can also shop there for Derby suits and accessories. Purchase required for the pig roast and shrimp boil.

Curio’s been practicing making mint juleps
Curio/Facebook

Hearth & Dram

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LoDo’s classy whiskey bar will offer $5 mint juleps and $3 Old Grand Dad shots on Derby Day, and serious whiskey drinkers can choose from 400-plus bottles at the bar. Patrons that rock hats will have a chance to win a $100 gift card to the restaurant.

Hearth & Dram pour
Hearth & Dram/Facebook

The Lobby

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The Lobby tackles Derby and Cinco de Mayo brunch Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m. In addition to mint juleps and margaritas, diners can snag swag and samples from Hornitos tequila and Bird Dog whiskey later in the day.

Brunch offerings from The Lobby
The Lobby/Facebook

Stanley Marketplace

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Stanely Marketplace’s Denver Mini Derby combines a traditional viewing party with mini horse and corgi races — and plenty of photo ops. Starting at 1 p.m., Derby-goers can play lawn games, dig into Rolling Smoke barbecue, and try themed cocktails (or stick with the classic mint julep). Tickets range from $99 to $159 and include admission, access to the miniature horse race and contest, and an open bar.

Mint juleps and hats necessary
Denver Mini Derby

Union Station

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Union Station honors the Kentucky Derby with an extravagant — and free — afternoon party. Dapper dressers should head to the heart of LoDo for a chance to win a $250 gift card or a stay at The Crawford Hotel. Partygoers can upgrade their visit to a VIP experience at The Cooper Lounge, complete with complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and extra screens from 2 to 4 p.m. for $100 per person.

Derby Day at Union Station
Union Station

Rhein Haus

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Beer lovers should stop by Rhein Haus on Derby Day for $4 pints of Cerveza Respeto from Mason Ale Works and $6 mint juleps.

Cheers to a good race at Rhein Haus
Rhein Haus/Facebook

54thirty

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The rooftop bar launches into its first spring season with a Kentucky Derby party starting at noon. Tickets for $50 get guests access to live music and screenings throughout Lobbyist and 54thirty as well as an Old Forrester julep.

54Thirty’s rooftop patio
View from 54Thirty
54Thirty

Interstate Kitchen & Bar

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In exchange for julep specials, free snacks, and the race on big screens, Interstate asks guests to wear their classiest duds and biggest hats at the restaurant's Kentucky Derby party Saturday.

Samples of snacks from Interstate Kitchen & Bar
Interstate Kitchen & Bar/Facebook

Declaration Brewing

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It’s the best of both drink specials at Preamble, Declaration Brewing’s first taproom. Guests can expect beer specials all Derby Day long, grub from Gyros King food truck, and live music. Admission is free.

Declaration hosts Derby day on the patio
Declaration Brewing Company/Facebook

St Julien Hotel & Spa

The Boulder hotel hosts the 144th Run for the Roses Derby Day celebration on May 5. Guests can sample mint juleps and Veuve Clicquot specials for free while listening to a live performance from the Good Manors Quartet. Fabulous hat wearers have the potential to win prizes.

St. Julien Hotel & Spa
St. Julien Hotel & Spa

Zeppelin Station

The RiNo food hall hosts the KenTaco Derby on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Jared Leonard of Au Feu will sling Texas-style barbecue from a truck, while the women of Comal Heritage Food Incubator will prepare tacos. Extra Gold will play before and after the race, during which guests can sip on tequila or bourbon cocktails.

Adam Larkey/Eater

Julep

RiNo’s newest Southern spot hosts a Derby-style “coming out” celebration. For $55, the noon to 5 p.m. party will provide three signature drinks, a whole pig roast, and Derby and Cinco de Mayo snacks. Dolled-up couples can enter to be named the best-dressed and win a $100 gift card to the restaurant.

The bar at southern-inspired Julep
Adam Larkey

Avanti Food and Beverage

Woodford Reserve joins Avanti for a Derby Day celebration offering twists on mint juleps, a photo booth, and prizes for best dressed and best hat from noon to 5 p.m. The Regional will take care of the food while guests watch the race on multiple TV screens.

The Regional serves American fare
The Regional/Facebook

Curio Bar

Curio’s second take on a Derby Day features a pig roast, shrimp boil, lawn games, bars, and live music. Guests that forgot their spring suits at home can also shop there for Derby suits and accessories. Purchase required for the pig roast and shrimp boil.

Curio’s been practicing making mint juleps
Curio/Facebook

Hearth & Dram

LoDo’s classy whiskey bar will offer $5 mint juleps and $3 Old Grand Dad shots on Derby Day, and serious whiskey drinkers can choose from 400-plus bottles at the bar. Patrons that rock hats will have a chance to win a $100 gift card to the restaurant.

Hearth & Dram pour
Hearth & Dram/Facebook

The Lobby

The Lobby tackles Derby and Cinco de Mayo brunch Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m. In addition to mint juleps and margaritas, diners can snag swag and samples from Hornitos tequila and Bird Dog whiskey later in the day.

Brunch offerings from The Lobby
The Lobby/Facebook

Stanley Marketplace

Stanely Marketplace’s Denver Mini Derby combines a traditional viewing party with mini horse and corgi races — and plenty of photo ops. Starting at 1 p.m., Derby-goers can play lawn games, dig into Rolling Smoke barbecue, and try themed cocktails (or stick with the classic mint julep). Tickets range from $99 to $159 and include admission, access to the miniature horse race and contest, and an open bar.

Mint juleps and hats necessary
Denver Mini Derby

Union Station

Union Station honors the Kentucky Derby with an extravagant — and free — afternoon party. Dapper dressers should head to the heart of LoDo for a chance to win a $250 gift card or a stay at The Crawford Hotel. Partygoers can upgrade their visit to a VIP experience at The Cooper Lounge, complete with complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and extra screens from 2 to 4 p.m. for $100 per person.

Derby Day at Union Station
Union Station

Rhein Haus

Beer lovers should stop by Rhein Haus on Derby Day for $4 pints of Cerveza Respeto from Mason Ale Works and $6 mint juleps.

Cheers to a good race at Rhein Haus
Rhein Haus/Facebook

54thirty

The rooftop bar launches into its first spring season with a Kentucky Derby party starting at noon. Tickets for $50 get guests access to live music and screenings throughout Lobbyist and 54thirty as well as an Old Forrester julep.

54Thirty’s rooftop patio
View from 54Thirty
54Thirty

Interstate Kitchen & Bar

In exchange for julep specials, free snacks, and the race on big screens, Interstate asks guests to wear their classiest duds and biggest hats at the restaurant's Kentucky Derby party Saturday.

Samples of snacks from Interstate Kitchen & Bar
Interstate Kitchen & Bar/Facebook

Declaration Brewing

It’s the best of both drink specials at Preamble, Declaration Brewing’s first taproom. Guests can expect beer specials all Derby Day long, grub from Gyros King food truck, and live music. Admission is free.

Declaration hosts Derby day on the patio
Declaration Brewing Company/Facebook

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