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Best 2016 Kentucky Derby Events, Parties In NYC

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Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

The 164th Kentucky Derby is on May 7th and New York City is ready to party. Start celebrating with rooftop parties, cocktail specials, and costume contests. Here are six places to have on your radar. By Carly Petrone.

Bounce
(credit: Bounce Sporting Club)

More: Weekend Guide To The Kentucky Derby

Head over to Bounce Sporting Club for the ultimate Kentucky Derby viewing party. Gear up for an all-day extravaganza that includes a photo booth, hit music and a chance to win tickets to next year's race. If you guess the winning horse, you will automatically be entered into a raffle for 2 tickets to the 2017 Kentucky Derby, courtesy of GH Mumms.

Tanner Smith's
(credit: Tanner Smith's)

More: Best Spring 2016 Cocktail Menus In NYC

Tanner Smith's is hosting the ultimate Race to the Roses 2016 Kentucky Derby Party. There will be a Brown Foreman specific cocktail menu, prizes for the best dressed female, male, and hat of the day, a live DJ, as well as the High & Mighty Brass Band playing from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The race will be live on all TV's and the venue and staff itself will be all dressed up for the occasion. So grab some friends and start celebrating!

Hudson Common
(credit: Facebook/Hudson Common)

More: Best Hotel Bars In New York

Get ready for a Garden-inspired Kentucky Derby soiree at the Hudson Common inside the Hudson Hotel. The mint juleps will be flowing thanks to their julep open bar, while you can also horse around with carnival games set up for everyone to enjoy. Proceeds from the event will benefit the ASPCA Equine Program, a coalition to ban horse drawn carriages. Tickets start at $49 and party goes from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7th. Email here to reserve your spot.

The Roof
(credit: The Roof)

More: NYC's Best Rooftop Bars For 2016

Looking for a rooftop Kentucky Derby party? Attend The Roof's Derby Day party starting at 1 p.m. on May 7th and show off your southern best. Pull up a chair and enjoy derby-inspired bites like chicken-fried oysters with bourbon hot sauce aioli and Derby pie. Wash it all down with a cocktail menu courtesy of Bulleit. There will also be a Southern Jazz DJ spinning throughout the day so you can cheer on (or dance on) your favorite horse across the finish line. Reserve your table today!

Rye House
(credit: Rye House)

More: NYC's 8 Best Bourbon Cocktails

Rye House knows a thing or two about bourbon. Stop in Kentucky Derby weekend (Friday-Sunday) and sip on their special Fast Break Julep, made with Wild Turkey 81 bourbon, cold-brew coffee, cinnamon syrup, Marie Brizard Creme de Cocoa, and mint. It'll jolt you awake to get you ready for the big two-minute race. Fill up on their Kentucky Burgoo - a traditional Kentucky slow cooked meat and vegetable stew - and start cheering on your favorite Derby duo.

Sweet Chick
(credit: Sweet Chick)

More: NYCs 5 Best Fried Chicken Meals

If you want to fill up on a Kentucky-inspired menu before hitting the town on Derby Day, then make your way to Brooklyn's Sweet Chick. You can nosh on the Louisville original Hot Brown – fried chicken topped with bacon, house-made smoked turkey pastrami smothered with béchamel, and Parmesan cheese topping. Of course, it also comes with some waffles for the full effect! You'll be more than ready to root for your favorite jockey out on the raceway.

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.

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