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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

by Camila Navarrette
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Union Station offers free fun on Derby Day
| Union Station
by Camila Navarrette

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.

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

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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.

3501 Wazee St Suite #100, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 460-1978
(720) 460-1978
Adam Larkey/Eater

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Julep

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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.

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-8977
(303) 295-8977
The bar at southern-inspired Julep
Adam Larkey

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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.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
The Regional serves American fare
The Regional/Facebook

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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.

2669 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
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.

1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 623-0979
(303) 623-0979
Hearth & Dram pour
Hearth & Dram/Facebook

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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.

2191 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 997-9911
(303) 997-9911
Brunch offerings from The Lobby
The Lobby/Facebook

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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.

2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
(720) 990-6743
(720) 990-6743
Mint juleps and hats necessary
Denver Mini Derby

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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.

LoDo, Denver, CO 80202
Derby Day at Union Station
Union Station

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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.

1706, 1415 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 800-2652
(303) 800-2652
Cheers to a good race at Rhein Haus
Rhein Haus/Facebook

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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.

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-1888
(303) 893-1888
54Thirty’s rooftop patio
View from 54Thirty
54Thirty

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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.

1001 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 479-8829
(720) 479-8829
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.

2030 S Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80223
(303) 955-7410
(303) 955-7410
Declaration hosts Derby day on the patio
Declaration Brewing Company/Facebook

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St Julien Hotel & Spa

900 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302

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.

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

Zeppelin Station

3501 Wazee St Suite #100, Denver, CO 80216

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.

3501 Wazee St Suite #100, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 460-1978
(720) 460-1978
Adam Larkey/Eater

Julep

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

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.

3258 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-8977
(303) 295-8977
The bar at southern-inspired Julep
Adam Larkey

Avanti Food and Beverage

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

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.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
The Regional serves American fare
The Regional/Facebook

Curio Bar

2669 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

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.

2669 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Curio’s been practicing making mint juleps
Curio/Facebook

Hearth & Dram

1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

1801 Wewatta St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 623-0979
(303) 623-0979
Hearth & Dram pour
Hearth & Dram/Facebook

The Lobby

2191 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205

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.

2191 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 997-9911
(303) 997-9911
Brunch offerings from The Lobby
The Lobby/Facebook

Stanley Marketplace

2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010

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.

2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
(720) 990-6743
(720) 990-6743
Mint juleps and hats necessary
Denver Mini Derby

Union Station

LoDo, Denver, CO 80202

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.

LoDo, Denver, CO 80202
Derby Day at Union Station
Union Station

Rhein Haus

1706, 1415 Market St, Denver, CO 80202

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

1706, 1415 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 800-2652
(303) 800-2652
Cheers to a good race at Rhein Haus
Rhein Haus/Facebook

54thirty

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-1888
(303) 893-1888
54Thirty’s rooftop patio
View from 54Thirty
54Thirty

Interstate Kitchen & Bar

1001 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204

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.

1001 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
(720) 479-8829
(720) 479-8829
Samples of snacks from Interstate Kitchen & Bar
Interstate Kitchen & Bar/Facebook

Declaration Brewing

2030 S Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80223

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.

2030 S Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80223
(303) 955-7410
(303) 955-7410
Declaration hosts Derby day on the patio
Declaration Brewing Company/Facebook

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