Even if you're not into horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is the perfect opportunity to break out your fanciest hat, drink a few mint juleps, and gamble away a Saturday. Which is why it's important to find Dallas' best Kentucky Derby parties for all your fancy festivities this weekend.
Whether you're looking for a low-key celebration or a full Southern shindig, head to one of these 12 bars and restaurants for the perfect way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. Cheers, y'all.
Start the party early at Capitol Pub, where $6 mint juleps will be on offer starting at 11 a.m. Don’t forget to pace yourself, though – the ponies don’t head to the post until 5:34 p.m.
If you’re good at picking the ponies, Henderson Tap House could be the spot for you. If you choose the winner of the Derby, you’ll earn a $10 gift certificate toward food. Otherwise, stick around for $7 Jim Beam mint juleps and the bar’s exclusive Derby pizza, bourbon glazed wings, and other snacks.
This Southern-fried establishment in Addison will celebrate the Derby with a horse race of their own. On Saturday, May 7, Ida Claire will host the first-ever Julep Bartender Challenge, where three bartenders will each offer their unique take on the classic cocktail. Attendees will reap the benefits of the competition with $5 juleps all day long.
The mint juleps at Parliament are some of the best in Dallas, offering decidedly fancier riffs on the original. Let one of the bartenders mix you up a traditional julep, complete with Old Forester bourbon, for an authentic experience.
Larceny Bourbon from Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillery will be showcased at Resto’s Derby Day party, mixed into perfectly smooth (and strong) mint juleps. The best dressed diner will win a $25 gift card, and anyone wearing a Derby hat will receive 10% off their check. Score.
For the swankiest Derby party this side of Churchill Downs, head to the Warwick Melrose Hotel and settle in at The Library. A special menu for the event featuring shrimp salad tea sandwiches and Bulleit bourbon balls will be on offer, in addition to the Derby Hibiscus Cooler, a refreshing sip mixed with Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemon, hibiscus syrup, and sparkling wine. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. The festivities kick off at 3 p.m., just a few hours shy of poll time.
If a dive bar is a bit more your speed, you can still indulge in Derby finery. Head to Pour House, where your Derby hat could win you $100 in the best hat contest. Even if you don’t win, you won’t care after enough mint juleps.
Head to this Uptown bar for an al fresco day at the races. Dress in your finest Derby attire for a chance to win $200 in gift cards, or simply show up and drink as many mint juleps (made here with lemon mint and a splash of Ysabel Regina brandy) as you possibly can. The Rustic will screen the race, along with serving up a special Kentucky Hot Brown for the festivities, which kick off at 11 a.m.
In case you’ve sworn off booze, Unleavened Fresh Kitchen has a decidedly healthier option on offer. The Lakewood eatery will serve up Kentucky’s signature sandwich, The Hot Brown, lightened up with turkey, pimiento cheese, and parmesan ranch dressing. Available as a bowl or salad all weekend long.
Fancy hats aren’t required in the dimly lit Windmill Lounge, but go ahead and get gussied up anyway. $5 mint juleps mixed with Woodford Reserve will be on offer until 7 p.m., alongside a cozy spot to watch the race.
Celebrate the Derby with a Texas twist at Y.O. Ranch, where the bartenders will be mixing up the Dirty Marshall, a south of the Bluegrass State take on a traditional julep. Pimiento cheese fritters will also be on offer, and sound decidedly more delicious than boring old sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
Start the party early at Capitol Pub, where $6 mint juleps will be on offer starting at 11 a.m. Don’t forget to pace yourself, though – the ponies don’t head to the post until 5:34 p.m.
If you’re good at picking the ponies, Henderson Tap House could be the spot for you. If you choose the winner of the Derby, you’ll earn a $10 gift certificate toward food. Otherwise, stick around for $7 Jim Beam mint juleps and the bar’s exclusive Derby pizza, bourbon glazed wings, and other snacks.
This Southern-fried establishment in Addison will celebrate the Derby with a horse race of their own. On Saturday, May 7, Ida Claire will host the first-ever Julep Bartender Challenge, where three bartenders will each offer their unique take on the classic cocktail. Attendees will reap the benefits of the competition with $5 juleps all day long.
The mint juleps at Parliament are some of the best in Dallas, offering decidedly fancier riffs on the original. Let one of the bartenders mix you up a traditional julep, complete with Old Forester bourbon, for an authentic experience.
Larceny Bourbon from Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillery will be showcased at Resto’s Derby Day party, mixed into perfectly smooth (and strong) mint juleps. The best dressed diner will win a $25 gift card, and anyone wearing a Derby hat will receive 10% off their check. Score.
For the swankiest Derby party this side of Churchill Downs, head to the Warwick Melrose Hotel and settle in at The Library. A special menu for the event featuring shrimp salad tea sandwiches and Bulleit bourbon balls will be on offer, in addition to the Derby Hibiscus Cooler, a refreshing sip mixed with Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemon, hibiscus syrup, and sparkling wine. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. The festivities kick off at 3 p.m., just a few hours shy of poll time.
If a dive bar is a bit more your speed, you can still indulge in Derby finery. Head to Pour House, where your Derby hat could win you $100 in the best hat contest. Even if you don’t win, you won’t care after enough mint juleps.
Head to this Uptown bar for an al fresco day at the races. Dress in your finest Derby attire for a chance to win $200 in gift cards, or simply show up and drink as many mint juleps (made here with lemon mint and a splash of Ysabel Regina brandy) as you possibly can. The Rustic will screen the race, along with serving up a special Kentucky Hot Brown for the festivities, which kick off at 11 a.m.
In case you’ve sworn off booze, Unleavened Fresh Kitchen has a decidedly healthier option on offer. The Lakewood eatery will serve up Kentucky’s signature sandwich, The Hot Brown, lightened up with turkey, pimiento cheese, and parmesan ranch dressing. Available as a bowl or salad all weekend long.
Fancy hats aren’t required in the dimly lit Windmill Lounge, but go ahead and get gussied up anyway. $5 mint juleps mixed with Woodford Reserve will be on offer until 7 p.m., alongside a cozy spot to watch the race.
Celebrate the Derby with a Texas twist at Y.O. Ranch, where the bartenders will be mixing up the Dirty Marshall, a south of the Bluegrass State take on a traditional julep. Pimiento cheese fritters will also be on offer, and sound decidedly more delicious than boring old sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58680609/Benny_3.55.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67708027/The_French_Room_Dining_Room.7.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68793487/image_15_03_23_10_19.14.png)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49476379/julep-shutterstock-brent-hofacker.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530230/capitolpub-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530231/hendersontaphouse-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530232/idaclaireFB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71768277/priscilla_du_preez_W3SEyZODn8U_unsplash.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70570006/colin_michel_7N8amvEYF_0_unsplash.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530233/parliamentKD6.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55918203/081722_Apothecary_KathyTran_IMG_0806__1_.20.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71388012/Eater_OFWImage1800x1800.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530234/GarrettHall_Resto6.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530235/warwick-melroseFB.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530236/thepourhouse-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530237/therusticGH.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59095781/Meridian_HH_Patio_1.35.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55749553/Pepino_Margarita__2_.36.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530238/Unleavened__Marple_082.0.0.0.jpeg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66138578/royal_china.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59894489/malibu-poke.0.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530239/Screen_Shot_2015-10-08_at_9.51.57_PM.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62530240/yoranchFB.0.0.0.jpg)