15 places to find juleps, horses and more on Derby Day 2018 in Denver
Hat and horse aficionados know that the first Saturday in May means Derby time, and even though we’re 1,112 miles from Churchill Downs, Coloradans still appreciate a good party.
Whether you’re serious about watching the fastest two minutes in all of sports, serious about millinery, or serious about mint juleps, these Front Range Derby parties will serve up the full triple crown.
Denver Derby Party, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St., May 5, 1 p.m. Cost:
$130/early bird online; $280/VIP; denverderby.com
This four-block-long party is the biggest around, and it’s probably the best bet (oh, snap!) for serious Derby watchers.
Curio’s Derby Party, The Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St., Denver, May 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Cost: $30-$40/presale; $50/door; tickets at nightout.com
Apparently food halls are the places to be for Derby parties. (See: Stanley Marketplace, Zeppelin Station and Avanti. We haven’t heard about one happening at The Source, so maybe they didn’t get the memo.)
The Denver Mini Derby, The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora, May 5, 1-6 p.m., $79-$169; denverminiderby.com.
All you need to know about this one is that it will have mini horses trotting around and a corgi race.
Derby Day Party, St. Julien Hotel & Spa, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, May 5, 1-5 p.m.; stjulien.com.
Party on the St. Julien’s terrace with all your nearest and dearest hatted Boulderites.
KenTaco Derby, Zeppelin Station patio, 3501 Wazee St., Denver, May 5, 1-4 p.m.; zeppelinstation.com.
BBQ , tacos, bluegrass, derby, sombrero contests and drinks — these were all Julie Andrews’ favorite things, right? Boulder Lifestyle’s 6th annual Derby Days, Highland City Club, 885 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, May 5, 2-8 p.m. Cost: $45-$125; tickets at eventbrite.com.
After the race there will be a dance party, which we hope lasts longer than the race. Derby Day with Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, May 5, 12-5 p.m.; unionstationindenver.com.
The Union Station party is free and open to the public, but VIPs can head up to the Cooper Lounge to escape the rest of us for $100/person. Run for the Rosé, Del Frisco’s
Grille, 100 St. Paul St., Denver, May 5, 2 p.m. Cost: $50; delfriscosgrille.com.
Party on the rooftop with everyone’s favorite trendy pink beverage. (There will be mint juleps for the traditionalists.)
Woodford Reserve Derby Party, Avanti Food and Beverage, 3200 Pecos St., Denver, May 5, 12-5 p.m.; avantifandb.com
Food courtesy of The Regional, and epic photo booth pics courtesy of all the mint juleps you’ll be drinking.
2018 Boulder Derby Party, Byron R. White Club at Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave., Boulder, May 5, 3-8 p.m. Cost: $100/ person; boulderderby.com
This seated dinner includes live music, auctions, casual betting and, presumably, fancy Boulder hats.
Denver Derby Day, Four Seasons Hotel Denver, 3rd floor pool terrace, 1111 14th St., Denver, May 5, 2-7 p.m. Cost: $40-$200/person; tickets at eventbrite.com
Bronco legend Rod Smith is a host of this VIP party on the hotel’s pool terrace. Dress to impress, or at least to not look like a slob in front of Rod Smith.
Derby Party 4, School House Kitchen and Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, May 5, 1-6 p.m.; schoolhousearvada.com
Music by Bowregard, food/ drink by School House and snazzy hat by you. Stoney’s Derby de Mayo, Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St., Denver, May 5, 1-11:30 p.m. Cost: $25-$50/person; tickets at eventbrite.com.
There will be crawfish and sombreros and Coronas and, oh yeah, the Kentucky Derby on TV.
Cinco de Derby, Julep, 3258 Larimer St., Denver, May 5, 12-5 p.m. Cost: $55/person; tickets at resy.com.
The restaurant is called Julep, people. What better spot to sip on its namesake drink? Oh, and there will also be a whole pig roasted.
Twisted Party, Social Fare inside the JWMarriott Denver Cherry Creek, 150 Clayton Lane, Denver, May 5, 2-6 p.m.; socialfarerestaurant.com
It’s the best of both worlds: tequila juleps and whiskey margaritas.