Torali Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is rolling out the red carpet for the 150th Kentucky Derby with high tea, bourbon tastings, Derby Day-inspired Fleurs de Villes displays and specialty cocktails traditionally featured at Churchill Downs.
The Old Forrester Mint Julep, made with Old Forester 86 Proof, simple syrup and mint leaves, and the Brown Derby, made with Woodford Reserve, grapefruit juice and honey syrup, garnished with a grapefruit twist. The specialty cocktails are available now through May 5 at the Torali Bar inside The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.
Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Cody's Public House
Cody’s in West Lakeview will host a Beer Garden Infield Derby Day party on Saturday, May 4 starting at 2 p.m. The dog-friendly event will feature a Doggy Derby Best-Dressed Contest (hat or outfit) with prizes including a $100 gift card, Old Fashioned kit and more.
Guests will be offered a sampling with Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey along with giveaways. Drink specials will include $5 Blue Moon, $6 Bulleit and Bulleit Rye shots, $8 Blade and Bow Mint Juleps, and a $10 Triple Crown cocktail menu.
The Graystone Tavern
For the big race, The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville will celebrate with a viewing party and a chance for guests to win 50-percent off their tab by picking the winning horse. Party-goers will be offered themed menu specials like $5 Tequila Rose shots, $10 Woodford Mint Juleps and $10 Kentucky Mules.
The Rambler Kitchen + Tap
The Rambler will offer a Down & Derby Package for $40 per person on Saturday, May 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The package includes food items like fried chicken, pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, mac & cheese, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and rolls. Drinks include Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps and Old Forester cocktails along with import and domestic draft beers, and house red, white and sparkling wines. There will be free Derby swag available and guests can participate in a Best Dressed Contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
Guests can watch the race in The Rambler’s enclosed beer garden outfitted with several flat screen TVs.
Photo courtesy of Cody's Public House
LG’s Bar and Kitchen
Derby Day is around the corner and LG's Bar & Kitchen located in the heart of Chicago’s Old Town is a spot to follow all of the horse racing action! LG's features 20 flat-panel HD televisions and Derby Day cocktail specials will include Triple Crown Cooler, Julep Jamboree, Run for the Rosé, Derby Day Highball. LG’s will also be offering Derby hats, swag, and prizes for the day. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
BLVD Steakhouse
BLVD’s beverage team is offering a number of traditional drink specials. A traditional Mint Julep made with Old Forester 100 and Mint Syrup or BLVD’s Old Fashioned poured from the Woodford Reserve Exclusive BLVD Steakhouse Single Barrel Bourbon. With Cinco de Mayo celebrations the same weekend, BLVD is spicing up their specials with a Herradura Margarita available all weekend long. Reservations for Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo on BLVD’s Atrium are available on OpenTable.
Vol. 39
At Vol. 39, you’ll be greeted with a complimentary Mint Julep upon arrival. On Saturday, May 4 from 3-7 PM, Vol. 39 will be serving options for a Derby party – from handcrafted cocktails including Mint Juleps, Whiskey Smashes, French 75s and Sazerac Rye Old Fashioneds at the champagne bar and bites from Executive Chef Luis Silva to live music, a fascinator display and a vintage photo booth. Come in your finest racing fashion for a chance to win the “Best Dressed” and “Best Hat” competitions. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Photo courtesy of Vol. 39
Time Out Market Chicago
Time Out Market Chicago is hosting a Kentucky Derby Watch Party at Tony's Rooftop. Food, drinks, giveaways and photo ops will be available. Featuring Whistlepig Bourbon and Rye, Mint Juleps and Sazeracs, and don't forget to wear your best derby attire for a chance to win prizes. Admission is free but RSVP via Eventbrite.
I|O Godfrey
I|O Godfrey is hosting its 10th Annual Kentucky Derby Viewing Event on Saturday, May 4, 2024 starting 12 p.m. The event will feature bourbon tasting classes every half hour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., allowing attendees to reserve a spot along with their tickets. A special Derby Day menu, a photo booth, and a live mint wall will be available. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest Derby attire, with prizes awarded for the best dressed, best hat, and best couple. Tickets range from $40 per person for general admission to $2,500 for Premium Large Booth for 20 guests and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila West Loop is hosting a Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday, May 4, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will feature multiple TVs and a projector for race viewing, alongside food and drink specials. Post-race entertainment includes DJ sets. General admission ($10 per person) includes entry, one White Claw Hard Seltzer, socializing, and fun. Table reservations range from $96 for 8 tickets and $240 for 20 tickets. Individual and table tickets reservations can be made on their website.
Old Town Pour House
Old Town Pour House hosts a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday, May 4, with the race displayed on large HDTV screens. Old Town Pour House provides their Rock N' Roll Brunch, offering a culinary experience while watching the Derby unfold. Brunch-goers can start with "Jon Bun Jovi" cinnamon rolls or "Donut Stop Believin” doughnuts, and then rock on to mains like the "Sweet Child O’ Mine" French toast or "The Boss" steak and eggs. Served Saturday and Sunday, from opening until 3 p.m, the Rock N Roll Brunch is available at at these locations:
Oak Brook (8 Oak Brook Center)
Naperville (1703 Freedom Drive)
Chicago (1419 N. Wells St)
Photo courtesy of I|O Godfrey
Yardbird Chicago
In River North, Yardbird serves up Southern options to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. This May 4th from 3-6pm, Yardbird will be hosting a party consisting of costume contests, a live jazz band, and other programming to celebrate.
Tickets are $65 and includes passed appetizers and three cocktails including Mint Julips (in the fashion of Southern decadence) and Yardbird’s signature Old Fashioned, as well as a variety of other drinks. Reservations can be made on Eventbrite
Yardbird will be circling with Southern comfort classics such as their Deviled Eggs, Kentucky BBQ Sliders, and Green Tomato & Pimento Cheese Saltines.
Yardbird will be hosting costume contests for guests to show off their Derby Day hats, florals, and other attire fitting of Southern debutantes and their accompanying beaus. Here are the current costume categories and accompanying prizes:
Best Hat - Engraved bottle of Angel's Envy
Best Couple - Engraved bottle of Angel's Envy
Best Dressed - $100 Shops at North Bridge Gift Card
For those looking to keep the party going Yardbird will also be hosting a post-derby Winner Circle Dinner! Complete with champagne and caviar, this pre-fixe menu is a tribute to Southern decadence. For those looking to break in to their Derby Day winnings, Yardbird’s bourbon collection will be available, with over 60 labels to sample.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Torali Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is rolling out the red carpet for the 150th Kentucky Derby with high tea, bourbon tastings, Derby Day-inspired Fleurs de Villes displays and specialty cocktails traditionally featured at Churchill Downs.
The Old Forrester Mint Julep, made with Old Forester 86 Proof, simple syrup and mint leaves, and the Brown Derby, made with Woodford Reserve, grapefruit juice and honey syrup, garnished with a grapefruit twist. The specialty cocktails are available now through May 5 at the Torali Bar inside The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.
Cody's Public House
Cody’s in West Lakeview will host a Beer Garden Infield Derby Day party on Saturday, May 4 starting at 2 p.m. The dog-friendly event will feature a Doggy Derby Best-Dressed Contest (hat or outfit) with prizes including a $100 gift card, Old Fashioned kit and more.
Guests will be offered a sampling with Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey along with giveaways. Drink specials will include $5 Blue Moon, $6 Bulleit and Bulleit Rye shots, $8 Blade and Bow Mint Juleps, and a $10 Triple Crown cocktail menu.
The Graystone Tavern
For the big race, The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville will celebrate with a viewing party and a chance for guests to win 50-percent off their tab by picking the winning horse. Party-goers will be offered themed menu specials like $5 Tequila Rose shots, $10 Woodford Mint Juleps and $10 Kentucky Mules.
The Rambler Kitchen + Tap
The Rambler will offer a Down & Derby Package for $40 per person on Saturday, May 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The package includes food items like fried chicken, pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, mac & cheese, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and rolls. Drinks include Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps and Old Forester cocktails along with import and domestic draft beers, and house red, white and sparkling wines. There will be free Derby swag available and guests can participate in a Best Dressed Contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
Guests can watch the race in The Rambler’s enclosed beer garden outfitted with several flat screen TVs.
LG’s Bar and Kitchen
Derby Day is around the corner and LG's Bar & Kitchen located in the heart of Chicago’s Old Town is a spot to follow all of the horse racing action! LG's features 20 flat-panel HD televisions and Derby Day cocktail specials will include Triple Crown Cooler, Julep Jamboree, Run for the Rosé, Derby Day Highball. LG’s will also be offering Derby hats, swag, and prizes for the day. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
BLVD Steakhouse
BLVD’s beverage team is offering a number of traditional drink specials. A traditional Mint Julep made with Old Forester 100 and Mint Syrup or BLVD’s Old Fashioned poured from the Woodford Reserve Exclusive BLVD Steakhouse Single Barrel Bourbon. With Cinco de Mayo celebrations the same weekend, BLVD is spicing up their specials with a Herradura Margarita available all weekend long. Reservations for Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo on BLVD’s Atrium are available on OpenTable.
Vol. 39
At Vol. 39, you’ll be greeted with a complimentary Mint Julep upon arrival. On Saturday, May 4 from 3-7 PM, Vol. 39 will be serving options for a Derby party – from handcrafted cocktails including Mint Juleps, Whiskey Smashes, French 75s and Sazerac Rye Old Fashioneds at the champagne bar and bites from Executive Chef Luis Silva to live music, a fascinator display and a vintage photo booth. Come in your finest racing fashion for a chance to win the “Best Dressed” and “Best Hat” competitions. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Time Out Market Chicago
Time Out Market Chicago is hosting a Kentucky Derby Watch Party at Tony's Rooftop. Food, drinks, giveaways and photo ops will be available. Featuring Whistlepig Bourbon and Rye, Mint Juleps and Sazeracs, and don't forget to wear your best derby attire for a chance to win prizes. Admission is free but RSVP via Eventbrite.
I|O Godfrey
I|O Godfrey is hosting its 10th Annual Kentucky Derby Viewing Event on Saturday, May 4, 2024 starting 12 p.m. The event will feature bourbon tasting classes every half hour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., allowing attendees to reserve a spot along with their tickets. A special Derby Day menu, a photo booth, and a live mint wall will be available. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest Derby attire, with prizes awarded for the best dressed, best hat, and best couple. Tickets range from $40 per person for general admission to $2,500 for Premium Large Booth for 20 guests and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila West Loop is hosting a Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday, May 4, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will feature multiple TVs and a projector for race viewing, alongside food and drink specials. Post-race entertainment includes DJ sets. General admission ($10 per person) includes entry, one White Claw Hard Seltzer, socializing, and fun. Table reservations range from $96 for 8 tickets and $240 for 20 tickets. Individual and table tickets reservations can be made on their website.
Old Town Pour House
Old Town Pour House hosts a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday, May 4, with the race displayed on large HDTV screens. Old Town Pour House provides their Rock N' Roll Brunch, offering a culinary experience while watching the Derby unfold. Brunch-goers can start with "Jon Bun Jovi" cinnamon rolls or "Donut Stop Believin” doughnuts, and then rock on to mains like the "Sweet Child O’ Mine" French toast or "The Boss" steak and eggs. Served Saturday and Sunday, from opening until 3 p.m, the Rock N Roll Brunch is available at at these locations:
Oak Brook (8 Oak Brook Center)
Naperville (1703 Freedom Drive)
Chicago (1419 N. Wells St)
Yardbird Chicago
In River North, Yardbird serves up Southern options to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. This May 4th from 3-6pm, Yardbird will be hosting a party consisting of costume contests, a live jazz band, and other programming to celebrate.
Tickets are $65 and includes passed appetizers and three cocktails including Mint Julips (in the fashion of Southern decadence) and Yardbird’s signature Old Fashioned, as well as a variety of other drinks. Reservations can be made on Eventbrite
Yardbird will be circling with Southern comfort classics such as their Deviled Eggs, Kentucky BBQ Sliders, and Green Tomato & Pimento Cheese Saltines.
Yardbird will be hosting costume contests for guests to show off their Derby Day hats, florals, and other attire fitting of Southern debutantes and their accompanying beaus. Here are the current costume categories and accompanying prizes:
For those looking to keep the party going Yardbird will also be hosting a post-derby Winner Circle Dinner! Complete with champagne and caviar, this pre-fixe menu is a tribute to Southern decadence. For those looking to break in to their Derby Day winnings, Yardbird’s bourbon collection will be available, with over 60 labels to sample.
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