Hat and horse aficionados know that the first Saturday in May means Derby time, and even though we’re 1,112 miles from Churchill Downs, Coloradans still appreciate a good party.
Whether you’re serious about watching the fastest two minutes in all of sports, serious about millinery, or serious about mint juleps, these Front Range Derby parties will serve up the full triple crown.
Denver Derby Party
Location: Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St.
When: May 5, 1 p.m.
Cost: $130/early bird online; $280/VIP
Website/Tickets:
This four-block-long party is the biggest around, and it’s probably the best bet (oh, snap!) for serious Derby watchers.
Curio’s Derby Party
Location: The Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St., Denver
When: May 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $30-$40/pre-sale; $50/door
Website/tickets:
Apparently food halls are the places to be for Derby parties. (See: Stanley Marketplace, Zeppelin Station and Avanti. We haven’t heard about one happening at The Source, so maybe they didn’t get the memo.)
The Denver Mini Derby
Location: The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
When: May 5, 1-6 p.m.
Cost: $79-$169
Website/tickets:
All you need to know about this one is that it will have mini horses trotting around and a corgi race.
Derby Day Party
Location: St. Julien Hotel & Spa, 900 Walnut St., Boulder
When: May 5, 1-5 p.m.
Website:
Party on the St. Julien’s terrace with all your nearest and dearest hatted Boulderites.
KenTaco Derby
Location: Zeppelin Station patio, 3501 Wazee St., Denver
When: May 5, 1-4 p.m.
Website:
BBQ, tacos, bluegrass, derby and drinks — these were all , right?
Boulder Lifestyle’s 6th annual Derby Days
Location: Highland City Club, 885 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
When: May 5, 2-8 p.m.
Cost: $45-$125
Website/tickets:
After the race there will be a dance party, which we hope lasts longer than the race.
Derby Day with Denver Union Station
Location: 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
When: May 5, 12-5 p.m.
Website:
The Union Station party is free and open to the public, but VIPs can head up to the Cooper Lounge to escape the rest of us for $100/person.
Run for the Rosé
Location: Del Frisco’s Grille, 100 St. Paul St., Denver
When: May 5, 2 p.m.
Cost: $50
Website:
Party on the rooftop with everyone’s favorite trendy pink beverage. (There will be mint juleps for the traditionalists.)
Woodford Reserve Derby Party
Location: Avanti Food and Beverage, 3200 Pecos St., Denver
When: May 5, 12-5 p.m.
Website:
Food courtesy of The Regional, and epic photo booth pics courtesy of all the mint juleps you’ll be drinking.
2018 Boulder Derby Party
Location: Byron R. White Club at Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave., Boulder
When: May 5, 3-8 p.m.
Cost: $100/person
Website:
This seated dinner includes live music, auctions, casual betting and, presumably, fancy Boulder hats.
Denver Derby Day
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Denver, 3rd floor pool terrace, 1111 14th St., Denver
When: May 5, 2-7 p.m.
Cost: $40-$200/person
Website:
Bronco legend Rod Smith is a host of this VIP party on the hotel’s pool terrace. Dress to impress, or at least to not look like a slob in front of Rod Smith.
Derby Party 4
Location: School House Kitchen and Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
When: May 5, 1-6 p.m.
Website:
Music by Bowregard, food/drink by School House and snazzy hat by you.
Stoney’s Derby de Mayo
Location: Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St., Denver
When: May 5, 1-11:30 p.m.
Cost: $25-$50/person
Website/tickets:
There will be crawfish and sombreros and Coronas and, oh yeah, the Kentucky Derby on TV.
Cinco de Derby
Location: Julep, 3258 Larimer St., Denver
When: May 5, 12-5 p.m.
Cost: $55/person
Website/tickets:
The restaurant is called Julep, people. What better spot to sip on its namesake drink? Oh, and there will also be a whole pig roasted.
Twisted Party
Location: Social Fare inside the JWMarriott Denver Cherry Creek, 150 Clayton Lane, Denver
When: May 5, 2-6 p.m.
Website/tickets:
It’s the best of both worlds: tequila juleps and whiskey margaritas.
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