This year will be the 150th year of the Kentucky Derby! If you’re looking to watch the race donned in Derby fashion and a Mint Julep or Kentucky Mule in hand, we’ve got you covered! Going down on Saturday, May 4th, we’ve rounded up the best watch parties in NYC featuring Derby-themed craft cocktails and decor, best-dressed contests, giveaways, live entertainment, and more. We’ve got some exclusive discount codes below for you as well!
Taking place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and lasting 2 minutes, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown and is held on the first Saturday in May. The 2024 live broadcast will air between noon – 2:20 pm on USA & Peacock and 2:30 – 7:30 pm on NBC & Peacock. Will you be tuning into the ‘The Run for the Roses’?
Be sure to click the links for RSVPs/tickets! As always, BOOKMARK this GUIDE and check back for additions and updates.
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Updated 5/2/24
📌SAVE AS A REMINDER
Tanner Smith’s
📍204 W 55th Street
⏰ 3-7pm
🎟️ $25
Join Tanner Smith’s for their annual Kentucky Derby party! Featuring live entertainment, drink specials, and prizes for Best Dressed.
Tickets include a 1.5-hour open bar (Woodford Reserve juleps, beer, wine, house mixed drinks) & live entertainment. Food and cocktails may be purchased a la carte.
T- Squared Social
📍7 E. 42nd Street
⏰ 5-9pm
🎟️ $120+
Join T-Squared Social for unlimited cocktails, champagne, and curated cuisine. Prizes for best dressed. Grand Prize winner will receive 2 VIP tickets to the Justin Timberlake concert at Madison Square Garden on June 26th.
Tickets include an open bar and unlimited food: Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Mint Juleps, fresh seafood bar, southern favorites, and desserts. NYC Plugged Exclusive: Get 15% off your tickets with promo code NYCPLUGGED.
Red Rooster Harlem
📍310 Lenox Avenue
⏰ 4:30-9:30pm
🎟️ $50+
Kentucky comes to Harlem on Derby Day as Red Rooster brings back its annual Derby Day event. Guests will enjoy signature canapés and refreshing Mint Juleps. The canapé menu offers a variety of classic Southern flavors, including Ms. Lana’s Lobster Rolls, Deviled Eggs with Onion Jam, Catfish Sliders, Pimiento Cheese Biscuits, Rooster Nuggets, Meatballs in a Blanket, and Pecan Brownies with bourbon whipped cream.
Ahead of the event, guests can purchase their hats and Derby attire at the pop-up shop on Saturday, April 27th from 12-6pm. The shop will feature festive collections by local fashion designers Bows Nouveau Bow Ties, Harlem’s Heaven Hats, Cha Cha’s House of Ill Repute, and The Hat Shop.
Tier 1 tickets include canapés and 1 drink ticket, and Tier 2 tickets include canapés, 3 drink tickets, and a personalized Orrefors Kosta Boda-engraved glass.
Balcon Rooftop
📍114 East 32nd Street
⏰ 5-9pm
🎟️ Free, No RSVP required
In celebration of Balcón’s season opening atop the Marmara Park Avenue on May 4th, they are hosting a Kentucky Derby-themed party with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, “Mint Juleps” and prosecco welcome toast. Craft cocktails will be available for purchase. Entertainment by The Showmance Band and a live stream of the derby.
Allure
📍 2175 Broadway
⏰ 4-7pm
🎟️ $65
Join Allure on the Upper West Side for an elevated Kentucky Derby Viewing Event. with Southern classics, the thrill of bourbon, and betting. Dress to impress, as the best hat will win a prize. TV personalities and The AV Effect Podcast Hosts Alicia Quarles and Valerie Greenberg will be judging the best hat in the room, with a $500 City Nights Hospitality gift card for the best hat and a $200 gift card for the runner-up.
Tickets include a 3-hour open bar, Kentucky Derby-inspired cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres. The event will also be open to the public if you want to order a la carte from their food (Special Derby platter available) and drink menus.
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens
📍 701 7th Avenue
⏰ 4:30-7:30pm
🎟️ $75
In partnership with Maker’s Mark & Cleobella, put on your finest hat and raise a mint julep while cheering on your favorite steed at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens Kentucky Derby Viewing Party. The festive afternoon features live music, a complimentary welcome cocktail, and Chef John Fraser’s spin on southern favorites. Derby attire recommended.
Tickets include southern bites, a welcome derby cocktail, a live band, & streaming of the Derby.
The Tin Building
📍 96 South Street
⏰ 4-7pm
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Kick-off outdoor dining season with an al fresco Derby Viewing Party at Tin Building. Enjoy Maker’s Mark sampling with screens to catch all the action, and stylish Derby props for your photos, along with specialty Julep Cocktails and oyster appetizers for purchase. A hat contest will be on so make sure to dress to impress.
Great Jones Distilling Co.
📍 686 Broadway
⏰ 5pm
🎟️ $119.77
Enjoy whiskey and bourbon that is distinctly intertwined with New York’s roaring spirit at Great Jones this Kentucky Derby Day. Guests are invited to dress in their chicest Southern-inspired attire and gather in the VIP Lounge for a viewing of the race.
Tickets include 3 specialty cocktails with friends at Le Moné, tasting of all Great Jones whiskeys, entry into a raffle giveaway, stationed and passed bites, and more. NYC Plugged Exclusive: Get $10 off your tickets with promo code NYCPLUGGED*case sensitive.
Elsie Rooftop
📍 1412 Broadway
⏰ 3-7pm
🎟️ $81+
Grab your Derby hats and book a table for Elsie Rooftop’s Annual Derby Day Party. Enjoy an open bar featuring classic cocktails like the Mint Julep while you watch the big race on the big screen!
Standing Room General Admission Tickets Include Two Hour Open Bar Sponsored by Whispering Angel, Codigo Tequila, and Yellowstone Kentucky (Mint Julep and Kentucky Mules), One Hour Passed Hors D’oeuvres (Ceviche, Arancini, Pigs in a Blankets, White Truffle Croquette, Beef Empanadas, Goat Cheese Balls), Screens for Derby Viewing, Raffle Tickets to Win a Gift from Sponsors.
Premium VIP Seating Tickets include Premium Table Seating with Direct Views of the Empire State Building, Screens for Derby Viewing, Raffle Tickets to Win a Gift from Sponsors.
VIP Table for 2-3 People: Choice of 1 Bottle of Moët or Whispering Angel and 1 Appetizer Platter (Ceviche, Arancini, Pig in Blankets, White Truffle Croquette, Beef Empanadas, Goat Cheese Balls)
VIP Table and Couch for 4-5 People or 6-8 People: Choice of 1 bottle of Codigo Tequila, Yellowstone Kentucky Bourbon, Moët or Whispering Angel, and 2 Appetizer Platters (Ceviche, Arancini, Pigs in a Blankets, White Truffle Croquette, Beef Empanadas, Goat Cheese Balls)
Somewhere Nowhere
📍112 West 25th Street
⏰ 4pm
🎟️ $42.93+
Cheer on your favorite horse while sipping on refreshing Mint Juleps and win a prize for best dressed.
This year features over 2000 Roses decorating their 38th-floor lounge, a curated menu of delicious light bites and cocktails, immersive experiences, Hot Toddies Jazz Band, and DJ So Dope.
Derby Day attire is recommended, and the two best-dressed guests will receive a $500 gift certificate towards Somewhere Nowhere.
VIP Tickets include a 1-hour vodka open bar and expedited entry through separate line.
Gotham Burger Social Club x Pearl Street Caviar
📍 Pearl Street Caviar, 77 Commerce Street, Brooklyn
⏰ 3-7pm
🎟️ $135.23
Join Gotham Burger Social Club to watch the Kentucky Derby at Pearl Street Caviar. Prizes awarded for best dressed. Dress Code: Derby Attire.
Tickets include 4-hour open bar (Knob Creek Cocktails w/ Bourbon & Rye Tasting, Threes Brewing Beer, Velvet Llama Canned Cocktails, Hampton Water Rose, Liquid Death, Bloody Mary Bar, Champagne & More), Food by Gotham Burger, Pearl Street Caviar & Union Pig BBQ
SMALL BITES: Caviar Grilled Cheese Bites, Louisville Hot Brown Bites, Smoked Candied Bacon with Balsamic Glaze on a Stick, Deviled Eggs, Blacked Shrimp with Remoulade, Pimento Cheese & more.
BIG BITES: 1 Double Smash Burger, Personalized tin of Pearl Street Caviar with creme fraˆiche and potato chips, Saddle Up Sliders: Smoked Pulled Pork, Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Double Smoked Glazed Ham & Biscuits with Hot Honey & more.
The Fulton (Pier 17)
📍 89 South Street
⏰ 5:30-8pm
🎟️ $168
Want to go all out on race day? To do Derby Day in high style, snag a ticket to The Fulton’s viewing party, complete with live music, seafood towers, huge floral photo ops, and some of the best mint juleps in town. There is a Derby Hat contest on Instagram so make to dress to impress!
Tickets include front-row seats to the Kentucky Derby streaming, welcome cocktails, coursed dinner, and Basil Hayden Bourbon tastings, participation in the first annual Kentucky Derby hat contest.
Georgia Room
📍 23 Lexington Avenue
⏰ 4-8pm
🎟️ $25+
Step into a world of elegance and anticipation as Georgia Room celebrates the Kentucky Derby in style. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of their garden oasis as the electric excitement of the upcoming race fills the air.
Compete in their prestigious competitions and vie for top honors:
– Best Dressed: Show off your Southern style and elegance.
– Best Hat: Make a statement with your stunning headwear.
– Most Dapper: Display your impeccable style and flair for fashion.
Also, join in on the excitement with their Jockey Contest, where you can win prizes by picking the winning horse and showcasing your racing instincts.
Three screens will be broadcasting the race and DJ sets by Nicole GS and BUNX will keep the party going long after the winner crosses the finish line.
Tickets include a complimentary mint julep on arrival paired with delectable garden party light bites.
Art SoHo- Arlo Rooftop
📍 231 Hudson Street
⏰ 4-10pm
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Get ready for a day of excitement at Off to the Races: Kentucky Derby at ART Soho! Join at ART SoHo (Arlo Roof Top) for an exclusive Kentucky Derby Party. Put on your best hat and don your finest apparel to enjoy the races. Sip on classic juleps and mules and place your bets!
Tickets include live streaming of the races, contests & prizes, drink & food specials all night (“Sweet Kentucky Winners” Menu of Pimento Cheese Balls, Bacon Wrapped Deviled Eggs, and Homemade Bourbon Pecan Pie), live music, and more!
PLUS Kentucky Derby Harvest Brunch at Lindens (downstairs from rooftop)
Set off the races with a seasonal harvest brunch at Lindens at 11am-3:45pm! Enjoy a pre-fixe course brunch with Derby-inspired cocktail pairings. Enjoy juleps and mules while indulging their seasonal classic brunch dishes.
Reservations include a seasonal pre-fixe brunch, a complimentary Woodford Reserve cocktail, live music, and a free Mint Julep at ART Soho Rooftop’s Derby Viewing Party upstairs. $75/per person.
Maison Premiere
📍298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn
⏰ 2-8pm
🎟️ Reservation
Join Maison Premiere for their Annual Derby Party. Cocktails served until 1am, Oysters served until 12:30am, and dinner served 12-10:30pm. Featuring live music, festive mint juleps, live broadcast of the race. First come, first serve.
Mr.Purple Rooftop
📍 180 Orchard Street
⏰ 3pm
🎟️ $25+
Join Mr.Purple for their annual Derby-style party in partnership with Woodford Reserve. Sounds by Bad Ideas and Koala Mafia. Derby attire is a must.
General Admission tickets include access for standing room and one mint julep.
