The Derby in DC – Saturday, May 4th, 2013 (Updated Post)
One of the more underrated weekends of the year, this upcoming weekend claims both the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo. I’ll have a post later this week about the 5th of May (that’s Cinco de Mayo translated, word) parties, but I’ll focus on the Derby here. Check out the already comprehensive posts from Girl Meets Food and, of course, the Post’s Going Out Gurus for further details on Kentucky Derby watch parties (lot of overlap) [UPDATE: Washingtonian’s Best Bites Blog with its own post], but I sum up the info below and a few spots that could be a wild card to check out after Game 2 of the Caps-Rangers series (12:30p-3p), in order of cheapest (free) to most expensive [Bars added after initial posting in brown]:
Jack Rose (Adams Morgan)
- Free admission
- 4-7p on both rooftop and saloon
- Free snacks from 4-6
- $9 mint juleps, $7 bourbon sweet tea
- Barred in DC went here last year, crowded but not overwhelmingly so, was able to get a seat early
Bourbon (Adams Morgan/Glover Park)
- Free admission
- 11a-7p at both locations
- 8th annual celebration in Adams Morgan; 10th annual in Glover Park
- craft juleps, derby punch & complimentary Kentucky cuisine
- Barred in DC made this a couple times, good spot to watch, guessing less crowded now Jack Rose hosts
The Brixton (U Street)
- Free admission
- Opens at 2p – rooftop party
- Derby punch, mint julep specials, Miller Lite buckets
- Burgers & dogs
- Best Southern gentleman/belle dressed prize
Fado (Chinatown/Penn Quarter)
- Free admission
- Opens at noon
- Ridiculous hats & seersucker suits gets free Bulleit drink from 5-7
- Hot Browns & Derby Pie for sale
- $7 mint juleps & margaritas & Mexituckys (can of Dos Equis & shot of Bulleit)
Bourbon Steak (Georgetown)
- Free admission
- 5-7p
- Patio and lounge
- Appropriately dressed chance to win bottle of restaurant’s private-label bourbon
- “Julep bar” on patio also with $60 (seriously) Mint julep called the “Prescription Julep”; $16 juleps with Southern food specials
Acadiana (Penn Quarter/Chinatown)
- Free Admission
- 4-6:30p
- $5 mint juleps
- $5 burgoo stew, derby pie, & hot browns; free samples of Bulleit bourbon
Vinoteca (U Street)
- Free Admission
- Opens at 11a (Great patio)
- $8 mint juleps
Red Derby (Petworth)
- Free Admission
- Mint juleps until 6:30p
- Free Derby pie
Occidental Grill (Downtown)
- Free Admission
- Woodford Reserve tasting 4-6p
- patio party, $200 prizes for best hat & seersucker
- 1st 30 guests to order mint julep get free keepsake glass
Old Glory BBQ (Georgetown)
- Free admission
- 11 screens (including back 2nd floor deck)
- $5 mint julep after 6:30
RFD (Chinatown/PQ)
- Free admission
- $5 mint juleps after Caps game (roughly 3p)
Little Miss Whiskey (H Street)
- $5
- opens at 5p, race shown on big screen upstairs
- includes one sample of Angel’s Envy bourbon, mini Crunckcake
- DC Brau porter & Angel’s Envy Rhubarb Punch + bbq on back deck
Bayou (Foggy Bottom)
- $20/25 advance/door
- Benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- 3-7p
- includes appetizers and souvenir cup
- $3 Mint julep, $2 PBR/Bud light, $4 all other beers
- raffles and prizes
Penn Social (Penn Quarter/Chinatown)
- $25/30 advance/door
- Hosted by Perry Center
- 4-7p
- lots of prizes, guest DJs, best dressed competition
BYT Presents: Prancin’ A Derby Day Party at Hill Center (Eastern Market)
- $64/$74 advance/day of advance
- Full open bar with mint julep takes, beer, wine
- Free from Spike (burgers & street corn)
- Real horses/ponies!!! to ride, free music
Round Robin (Downtown)
- $75
- 27th annual Bonnets & Bow Ties parties
- Includes two juleps (or other cocktails) & a buffet
- Live music, prizes, & raffles
