Celebrate “The Run for the Roses” this weekend in Denver with these special Kentucky Derby Parties 2017!
but first…
What is the Kentucky Derby?
Photo courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is known in the US as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” or “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner.
The Kentucky Derby has been run every consecutive year since 1875. A horse must win all three races to win the Triple Crown. The 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby will take on Saturday, May 6, 2017, with a $2 million guaranteed prize.
Kentucky Derby Parties 2017 Denver
Photograph courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
Derby Weekend | The Big Wonderful
When: May 5th through May 7th, 2017
Where: 4400 Fox St, Denver, CO 80216
Time: May 5th 4pm – 10pm; May 6th 12pm – 10pm; May 7th 12pm – 6pm
Cost: $5 – $10 Day Pass; $19 – $49 Weekend Pass
Purchase Tickets Online
The Big Wonderful is back for the spring season, and their grand-opening weekend is dedicated to the Kentucky Derby! Enjoy live music, beer, cider, wine & spirits, 120+ local vendors and food trucks, and more.
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks | Arapahoe Park Racetrack
When: Friday, May 5th & Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Arapahoe Park Racetrack, 26000 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016
Time: 8am – 6pm
Cost: Free Admission; Clubhouse Tables $10; Boxes $20; Buffet $20
Psst… Clubhouse Table & Boxes are Reserved on a First Come-First Serve Basis from 9am on Derby Days.
Join Arapahoe Park Racetrack for the 2017 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks!
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party | ViewHouse
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Viewhouse Eatery, Bar & Rooftop, 2015 Market St, Denver, CO 80205; Viewhouse Centennial, 7101 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112
Time: Starting from 10am
ViewHouse is hosting two Kentucky Derby Viewing Parties this year, one in its Ballpark location, and the other at its Centennial location.
The viewing party will feature live music, a live Derby broadcast on their 120″ outdoor LED TV, and dozens of flat screens at 4pm, Mint Julep + Stella Artois specials all day long , photo booth and photographers, with Derby attire highly suggested!
Photograph courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
Derby Day 2017 | Four Seasons Hotel Denver + EDGE Restaurant & Bar
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Denver; EDGE Restaurant & Bar, 1111 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: Starting from 11am
For the first time, Derby festivities will take over the entire Four Seasons Hotel – from brunch on the Pool Terrace to a Derby Race Party on the ballroom floor and the Post-Race Party in a ballroom and EDGE Bar. The hotel will also offer discounted room rates.
Derby Party with Curio | The Denver Central Market
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: The Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 11am – 7pm
Cost: $35 Psst… Includes Two Drink Tickets
Purchase Tickets Online
Join Curio at The Denver Central Market for RiNo’s lavish Derby Party! They’re bringing the ultimate Kentucky Derby experience to the adjacent parking lot and alley of The Denver Central Market.
Dress in your Derby best for a special screening of the race, live music, pop-ups, prizes, and special drinks including Mint Juleps, a wide variety of cocktails, wine and beer from Ratio Beerworks.
Derby Day Party | RiNo Yacht Club at The Source
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: RiNo Yacht Club, 3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
Time: 12pm – 6pm
RiNo Yacht Club is throwing down Southern-style shenanigans to celebrate Derby Day. Inspired by owner, Mary Wright, and beverage director, McLain Hedges’ southern background, RiNo Yacht Club is doing Derby Day right with classic Derby fare, drink specials, flowing bourbon, live music from Oakhurst, contests and prizes.
The Denver Mini Derby | Stanley Marketplace
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
Time: 1pm – 6pm
Cost: $79 GA; $149 VIP
Purchase Tickets Online
Grab your best hat, iron your pastels and head to Stanley Marketplace for the 2017 Kentucky Derby viewing party. Though we’re miles away from Kentucky, the Denver Mini Derby will bring the spirit of the event right to Colorado. Enjoy Corgi races, best dressed awards, the Kentucky Derby live and a mini horse race.
Photograph courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Charity Meet & Greet | Two22 Brew
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Two22 Brew, 4550 S Reservoir Rd, Centennial, CO 80015
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Cost: Free
Come out to meet and mingle with the 24 organizations that the Schuster Family Foundation and Two22 Brew donated to, and have some fun watching the Kentucky Derby, in your Derby attire!
Kentucky Derby Crawfish Boil | Stoney’s Bar and Grill
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St, Denver, Colorado 80203
Time: Starting at 2pm
Make Reservations Online
Stoney’s Bar and Grill are hosting their 4th Annual Kentucky Derby Crawfish Boil. This is a casual affair so dress up if you want to or just come as you are. They will have derby cocktails on special all day and crawfish will come in 2 lb or 5 lb servings. Crawfish comes with corn, sausage, and mushrooms.
Kentucky Derby Party | Jefferson Park Pub
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Jefferson Park Pub, 2445 Eliot St, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 2pm
Jefferson Park Pub is hosting a Kentucky Derby Party that will include $6 Mint Julips and $6 Whiskey Mules, Derby Day Horses with $10 per horse. Take your horse home–decorate and bring back to JPP before May 6th. $100 Linger Gift Card and other prizes will be handed out for the best decorated horses, best dressed & best derby hat!
Derby Day Hat Contest | Rhein Haus
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Rhein Haus, 1415 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 3pm – 8pm
The ponies won’t be the only competitors on Derby Day. Rhein Haus is hosting a hat contest – the bigger, the better. Indulge in Southern food specials, Old Forester Mint Juleps and live music by Colin Mcafee
Photograph courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Party | Hotel Boulderado
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Event Center & Outdoor Plaza at Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 3pm – 7pm
Cost: $45
Purchase Tickets Online
Place your bets on Hotel Boulderado with their Kentucky Derby Party. Bourbon tastings, live jazz with the Mark Diamond Trio, fancy hat contests, horse betting, Mint Julips, 4 big screens, Grits Stations with all the fixings, Kentucky Hot Brown Triangles and for desert, sponge cake with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, bourbon caramel and Chantilly cream.
Psst… This event benefits the Medicine Horse Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of adolescents, adults and families through unique equine-assisted experiences.
Boulder Derby Party 2017 | CU Stadium Club
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 3pm – 8pm
Contact: (303) 823-2320, or amy@frontrangehippotherapy.org for invites
Celebrate the 143rd “Run for the Roses” at the Boulder Derby Party! Enjoy gourmet food & drinks, mint juleps and casual betting, all taking place at the Byron R. White Club at Folsom Field.
Psst… Proceeds of the party benefit local non-profit, Front Range Hippotherapy.
Photograph courtesy of ©Kentucky Derby
Derby After Party | Terminal Bar
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Terminal Bar, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Terminal Bar, at Denver Union Station, have partnered up with Bulleit Frontier Whiskey for a truly extravagant Derby After Party on the Terminal Bar patio. The Derby After Party will feature a live DJ, a custom photo booth, and a ‘Best Dressed’ competition. They’ll also be serving up drink specials, including Bulleit Bourbon Mint Juleps.
“Kon-Tiki” Derby Happy Hour + Hat Competition | Adrift
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Adrift, 218 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Forgo the big Kentucky Derby events this year and visit Adrift‘s “Kon-Tiki” Derby Happy Hour and Hat Competition for a viewing party and contest.
Following the big race at 4:30pm, watch or compete in the “Kon-Tiki” Derby Hat parade. Winners have a chance to win dinner for two at Adrift, a hand-carved Pop-Tiki mug and Mom-Tiki pendant. As part of Adrift’s daily Ohana Happy Hour, guests who don their beachcomber best receive a complimentary Chi-Chi cocktail with a purchase of any happy hour offering.
Kentucky Derby Viewing Experience | Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill
When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Where: Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill: 1605 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202 & 201 Columbine St #100, Denver, CO 80206
For those not attending the Derby Party downtown, Thirsty Lion Union Station and Thirsty Lion Cherry Creek offer a great alternative to those wishing to view the race indoors in an upbeat atmosphere. Guests can enjoy Mint Juleps, hand crafted food and a great view of the race on the pub’s many TVs. Derby hats are encouraged!