Whether you’re a racing enthusiast or you’re just a huge mint julep fan, here are some fun- and food-filled Kentucky Derby celebrations around the Valley to bet on May 4.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Bourbon Steak hosts is adored annual Kentucky Derby lawn party with a delicious menu, great cocktails, live music, a photo booth and fun games, sponsored by AZ Foothills! The action takes place from 12:30 to 4 p.m., and guests can dig into festive eats like Southern-style deviled eggs, pickled shrimp, fried oysters, fried chicken biscuit, Derby Pie, red velvet cupcakes, mint juleps and much more deliciousness. There will be multiple TVs inside and outside to watch the 145th running of the “fastest two minutes in sports.” Southern belles and gents: wear your fanciest hats and sharpest suits to compete for prizes in the men’s and women’s Derby hat and fashion contest.
Arcadia Tavern hosts a Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 4. Wear your best hat for a chance to win prizes and enjoy $4 Blue Moons, $7 Bulleit Bourbon mint juleps and $5 Wild Turkey mules all day. Blue Moon will be on site from 1 to 2 p.m. with giveaways, and Bulleit Bourbon will be doing tastings from 1 to 3 p.m.
Prepare to party at the All New Bulleit Bourbon Derby DayClub at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on Saturday, May 4. Enjoy air-cooled tents, Turf Paradise private betting terminals, televisions to watch the local races as well as the Kentucky Derby itself, a DJ, Champagne and the Bulleit Bourbon mint juleps. It opens at 10:30 a.m. with live racing at Turf Paradise starting at 11:30 a.m. Several seating options are available, including front-row, second-row and third-row tables and reserved seating. General admission DayClub tickets into the tent start at $30 in advance, or $35 at the door. Reserved seats start are $60. Space is limited.
Join Chef Beckett at Southern Rail for a Kentucky Derby celebration on Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sip on mint juleps while you cheer on your favorite horse and enjoy a special Derby Day menu in addition to the restaurant’s regular all-day menu items. Guests are encouraged to wear their best derby-inspired attire. Prizes will be awarded for the best men’s and women’s derby hats, as well as best dressed overall. Reservations are recommended.
Ocean Prime is offering freshly made mint julep cocktails from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Bourbon selection for the cocktail is guest’s choice.
Join friends and neighbors from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, for a Derby Day Porch Party at Mowry & Cottonat The Phoenician. Attendees can look forward to a viewing of the 145th Kentucky Derby, plus Instagrammable photo opportunities and the chance to win top prizes by participating in a “Best Hat” or “Best Southern-Style Attire” contests, as well as through a special raffle. Included in the price of admission are two mint juleps, a keepsake copper cup and an indulgent, all-you-can-eat Southern-inspired spread by Mowry & Cotton’s Chef de Cuisine Tandy Peterson. Tickets are $95 per person and gratuity. For reservations, call 480.423.2530 or email PHXLCReservationsAgents@marriott.com.
Padre Murphy’s in Glendale will be hosting its annual “Run for the Roses” Derby Day celebration. Beginning with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. (served until 11:30 a.m.), the celebration will also include Derby Day drink specials (mint juleps, peach mimosas and Blue Moon drafts), off-track betting, a live telecast of the 145th Annual Kentucky Derby on 100-plus TVs (post time is 3:46 p.m. MST) and a Derby Day hat contest at 2 p.m. Prizes include a $100 happy hour at Padre Murphy’s, a $50 gift card to Gaston Jewelry Store and a dozen red roses.
Stop by NPX – Neighborhood Joint to watch the race on its 195-in. TV while enjoying $5 mint juleps. Guests who wear a big hat will also receive a free appetizer.
Head to Rhythm + Wine for its second-annual Derby party from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy Southern bites, wine tastings, a best hat contest and much more. Reservations recommended.
Home to the only Off-Track-Betting (OTB) window in Downtown Scottsdale, the Bevvy in Old Town hosts its Kentucky Derby watch party from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Get there early to place your bets and stake out your spot either inside or outside on the expanded street-front tent featuring outdoor bars, temporary betting windows, cozy seating and even more HD TVs so you can catch all the action. The Bevvy will be hosting Derby-themed contests for “Best Dressed” (male and female) and more, with winners receiving amazing prizes. The Bevvy will also be mixing up special Kentucky Derby cocktails for the day.
MODERN OYSTERBAR CHOPHOUSE in Scottsdale is having a special for the Kentucky Derby as well as a viewing party. The event will happen on the patio, and the restaurant is opening an hour earlier (3 p.m.) to honor the day’s festivities. Those who wear a Derby-inspired hat can enjoy one MODERN mint julep (limit one per person) as well as a chilled shrimp and crab cocktail appetizer for free. The specials will be honored on the patio and inside bar from open to close.
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Grace for the Cure will be hosting Cuatro de Derby. Bringing together two of the best events of the year, you are invited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and watch the 125th running of the Kentucky Derby. All proceeds from the event will go to Grace Unger’s campaign for Woman of the Year in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help find a cure for cancer. The event includes an open bar, Mexican barbecue, a pool, lawn games, a Derby watch party, DJ and more. Come decked in your Derby finest. Click here for tickets.
