Coming in hot! The greatest two minutes in sports, the 145th renewal of Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday, May 4 at 3:50 p.m. PST. But if you can’t make it down to Louisville, don’t feel like you lost a bet. Put on your biggest hat and dapper duds and race to one of these 6 Derby parties in L.A.
DerbyDayLA
For the fourth year in a row, DerbyDayLA brings the South to Southern California with the ultimate Kentucky Derby experience. The event, held at Will Rogers State Historic Park, will feature live satellite Kentucky Derby coverage, premium craft cocktails featuring G.H. Mumm, Absolut Elyx, Avion, and Glenlivet, champagne sabering station, gourmet food trucks, live polo matches and a celebrity red carpet. Guests can also experience Best Dressed and Best Hat Contests, lawn games, VIP Cabanas with table service high touch brand activations and social media moments and a DJ to follow the race’s conclusion. The fun starts at noon to 6 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $75.
1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd., Pacific Palisades, derbydayla.com, @derbydayla
Baltaire
Baltaire will celebrate Derby Day with its annual Kentucky Derby Viewing Party from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., complete with a DJ and live stream of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” on multiple screens. Classic Derby cocktails by Bar Manager August O’Mahoney will be served alongside Executive Chef Travis Strickland’s favorite Southern dishes, including Kentucky Hot Browns. Guests are encouraged to let their preppy Southern style shine with wide-brimmed hats, blazers, and bowties fit for the Churchill Downs Millionaires Row. Baltaire will award prizes for Best Hat and Best Outfit and a portion of proceeds from raffle tickets will be donated to No Kid Hungry.
11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, Baltaire.com, @baltaire
40 LOVE
40 Love, the classic American country club style bar, will be hosting a good old fashion Kentucky Derby Brunch at noon complete with $22 bottomless mimosas, $10 mint juleps, dishes such as Fries Egg Sandwiches and Brioche French Toast and sounds by William Lifestyle, Von Wurz and Edski. There will also be a hat contest where the winner will receive a bottle of Virginia Black Whiskey signed by Drake. Stick around to watch the race on one of the bar’s 25 flat screen TVs.
829 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, the40love.com, @40Love
Station Hollywood and The Living Room
Station Hollywood and the Living Room at W Hollywood are throwing a Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dapper day will feature extra TV’s, a “Best Hat or Bowtie Contest, Southern-inspired food like Kentucky pulled pork nachos and Derby-themed drink menu including Woodford Bourbon Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. While you are at the hotel, also dip inside restaurant/bar Delphine and order its special Fresh Berry Mint Julep made with Makers Mark, mint leaves, blueberry syrup, raspberries, blueberries and simple syrup.
6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, stationhollywood.com, @whollywoodhotel
Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach
Derby Day by the beach? Shade Motel in Manhattan Beach is hosting 5th Annual Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday. While betting on their favorite horses, revelers are invited to indulge in southern fare, 14 Hands wine, classic Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps and other Derby-inspired cocktails, There will also be fun contests and prizes from Walk With Sally, entertainment by DJ John Lock and a Vineyard Vines Manhattan Beach photo booth. So ladies get out your stylish dresses and hats, and of course, dapper derby-attire for the gents. Tickets are $20 and available at southbayderby.com.
1221 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, shadehotel.com, @shadehotelmb
Prank
DTLA’s beloved walk-up bar Prank is getting in on the Derby Day fun. On Saturday, May 4, Prank will serve Kentucky Fried Chicken by Chef Ricardo Sanchez and Bulleit Snow Cone Juleps in a variety of flavors for guests to choose from. Instead of betting on horses, Prank will allow guests to “gamble” on the price of their cocktail – could be $5, could be $1, could be $15.
1100 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, Prankbar.com, @prankbar
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