5 Best Places To Watch The Kentucky Derby In NYC
It's that time of year again when ladies don their biggest hats and men dress in their best seersucker suits. The Kentucky Derby starts at 4 p.m. on May 2 and these five spots are ready to welcome you with bourbon cocktails and plenty of southern faire. By Carly Petrone.
More: Gone Country: NYC's Best Southern Style Bars
Sweetwater Social is cooling things down this Derby day with frozen juleps for $10. Grab a seat and root for your favorite with this slushy treat or sip on $8 Winners Circle Punch or $10 Garland of Roses (champagne and PAMA). If you're in the mood for something neat, $25 will get you two different bourbon flights. They'll also be serving up traditional southern food that day to go with these Derby drinks. Make sure to dress your best because there will be prizes for best hat, best dressed, and more! Make your reservation today and stick around for the Pacman/Mayweather fight.
More: NYC's 8 Best Bourbon Cocktails
BLT Bar & Grill is teaming up with Four Roses Bourbon to host the outdoor Down & Derby party. Grab a spot at the newly-renovated patio from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and see if your horse wins the race. There will be $10 cocktails, including Pimm's Cups, Moscow Mules, and Four Roses bourbon drinks like the Lawrenceburg Cooler (bourbon, honey, Angotura, lemon, and grapefruit), Classic Juleps, and Arnold Palmers. CitiGrass will provide the bluegrass tunes while $25 will get you in with two drinks of your choice plus derby bites. Just make your reservation here to get in on the deal.
More: The 15 Best Lunch Spots In Midtown
Stop by The Liberty for free Mini Apple Mint Juleps! Yep, celebrate the big race with complimentary cocktails or opt for The "Big Bourbon Apple" Julep made with Maker's Mark Bourbon, brown sugar simple syrup, apple cider, and mint leaves. Watch the excitement on the big screen and come dressed to the nines. There will be prizes for fashions on the field. Reserve your space here or call the number above.
More: NYC's 5 Best Cigar Bars
Feel like you're at the Derby at Merchants Cigar Bar. They'll be showing the races all day and you can smoke cigars and drink bourbon as the southerners do. Try one of their tasty derby-inspired cocktails like The Thoroughbred (Bulleit Rye Bourbon, Benedictine Liqueur, Cognac, Sweet Vermouth, Peychaud's Bitters, Angostura Bitters, Twist of Lemon), Coming Up Roses (Ketel One, Fresh Ginger, Lime, Rhubarb Bitters), The Run for the Roses (Johnny Walker Black, Disaronno), or the Southern Draw (Hendricks Gin, St. Germaine, Fresh Lemon, Muddled Cucumber). You'll definitely be feeling good even if your pick loses.
More: The Best Sushi Restaurants In NYC
Try something different this Derby day and head over to Mira Sushi & Izakaya for their new Churchill Downs-inspired cocktail: The Racer (13). It's made with Bulleit bourbon, Pernod absinthe, agave nectar, fresh lemon, and bitters. Pair it with their crispy Chicken Karaage ($8), Yuzu Chicken Wings ($8), or Chef Brian Tsao's own Kurobuta Hot Dog ($8) – mini buns with snappy smoked Kurobuta sausages, jicama mango slaw, and pickled red onions. It's also a great spot if you're gluten-free. They're one of the few restaurants serving gluten-free sushi.
For the latest on all of the Tri-State's events and happenings, follow us on Twitter!
Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
