Kentucky Derby Events on Saturday, May 2 in Los Angeles

 

I love the Kentucky Derby and the parties! Swanning around in a big hat, sipping mint juleps while betting on funny names for horses is just a perfect day. This year, I’m still tossing around where I’m going to show off my big hat because all of these sound fun!

Santa Anita Park

Last year, I checked out the Chandelier Room at the race track, Santa Anita Park. For $85, you can get in on the fun as well. The ticket includes food from Chefs Steve Samson from Sotto, Chef Mike Khakina from Barrel and Ashes and Chef Josh Drew from Picca. There’s also a glass of champagne between noon and 2 p.m. Or Santa Anita Park has other options including a $15 ticket that gets you into the grand stands. You’re on your own for drinks and food.

 

DTLA

Seven Grand

• Doors open at 12 noon
• Guests receive horse assignment and winning horse gets a free mint julep
• Best Hat contest for ladies, Most Dapper contest for men
• $7 mint juleps, Old Fashioneds, whiskey sours
• live Southern ragtime band

Cole’s

• Doors open at 11 a.m.
• Mint julep sno-cones (!!!)

Mid-City

Melrose Umbrella Company

• Kentucky Derby party 12 noon to 5 p.m.
• $6 Old Forester whiskey cocktails including mint julep, Seelbach and Brown Derby, $3 shots
• Southern food brunch
• Live Music
• Guest Bartender Billy Ray

Westside

The Independence 

• Doors open at 11 a.m.
• $12 for the Bernheim Bugle (Bernheim wheat whiskey, apricot liqueur, mint, lemon juice, apple juice, simple syrup, Curtis smoked banana bitters)

Fun fact- Chef Tom Block’s great-great-great grandfather built the Bernheim distillery back in 1867 and it was one of the 10 distilleries legally allowed to operate during Prohibition. 

South Bay

Shade Hotel, Manhattan Beach

• Derby party from 12-3:30 p.m. in the lounge and terrace
• Mint juleps, small plates, contests
• A portion of the proceeds benefits the Richstone Family Center which is dedicated to preventing violence in families, schools and communities
• Reservations at 310-469-3466

 

If you’re planning on watching the horses at home, here’s my fave mint julep recipe from Home Bar Basics (and not so basics).

© The Minty  2015