What to do, where to eat for the 147th Kentucky Derby in Lexington, Ky 2021?
The 147th Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
From Derby themed treats to special watch party events, we’ve compiled a sampling of how to celebrate the Kentucky Derby in the Lexington, Ky area for 2021.
PRE-DERBY EVENTS
Azur hosts their 10th annual Bourbon and Bets to kick off the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday, April 28 at 7 pm. Call to reserve your table.
WHAT TO ORDER FOR THE DERBY
Celebrate Derby Day with Dupree Catering. Derby Day Dinner option features hot brown casserole, southern corn pudding, chicken croquettes, and more (serves 8-10). Derby Day Party Box features “hot” brown biscuits, smoked salmon gougers, pimento cheese deviled eggs, bourbon sorghum grapes, and more (serves two). Derby Day Cocktail Party includes deviled eggs, Kentucky biscuit bites sampler, mini hot brown puffs, and more, fried chicken sliders (serves six). Items available a la carte. Place your order by 5 pm on April 23. Pickup or delivery between 3 and 6 pm on April 28, 29 or 30; or 11 am to 2 pm on May 1.
Grab some Great Bagel for your Derby Party. Order by Wednesday, April 28 for Saturday, May 1. Custom orders available for groups of any size, including bagels, sandwiches, salads, desserts, coffee, and more. Email or order online.
Jeff Ruby’s has Derby Meal Kits (to serve four people). Each kit includes four uncooked 8-ounce Black Angus filets, pimento cheese with crostini, benedictine spread with cucumbers, biscuits from Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey with salted honey butter, a Freddie salad, roasted baby carrots with a bourbon glaze, macaroni and cheese, and Derby butter pie as well as fresh mint and mint simple syrup to make a proper julep. Booze for your cocktail is not included, but Ruby’s will provide its classic mint julep recipe. Kits are limited and can be purchased online; available for pickup April 29-May 1.
Get your Derby Day party eats with Wild Thyme custom party boxes and a la carte. Party Boxes: Light Bites Party Box (serves 2), Ky Comfort Party Box (serves 4), Ultimate Derby Party Box (serves 4). A la carte options: burgoo stew bowl, fried chicken sliders, mini hot browns, country ham biscuits, and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. Pick-up is May 1 from 10 am to 3 pm. Call or email to order.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK
Belle’s reopens to the public on Derby weekend, Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1.
Bluegrass Hospitality Group hosts an Oaks Day Watch Party on Friday, April 30 from 10 am – 7 pm at Malone’s Prime Events & Receptions on Tates Creek Road (Lansdowne Shoppes). Arrive/depart at your leisure. Live races from Churchill Downs, Cocktails & Southern Cuisine, Handicapping Session & Challenge, Contests & Giveaways. $60/person
Celebrate Derby Weekend at Goodwood with cocktail specials and their special hot brown on April 30 through May 2.
Head to J. Render’s Southern Bar & Table to celebrate the Derby with BBN cocktails, dinner, live music, and pie.
Pivot Brewing hosts a Derby Watch Party on Saturday, May 1 from 6-8 pm.
DERBY DAY TREATS
Martine’s Pastries offers Derby themed treats including horse cakes, French pastries, among more.
Wilson’s Grocery has chocolate bourbon and pecan pies, available at Wilson’s on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1—in limited quantities. Kenwick location will sell full-sized pies for $18, and Greyline location will have small pies for $6.
WHAT TO DO
The Elkhorn Tavern hosts a Kentucky Derby watch party on Saturday, May 1 at 5 pm.
Rockhouse Brewing hosts Kentucky Derby Trivia on April 29 from 7-9 pm.
Waveland State Historic Site hosts a Derby Breakfast on May 1 at 10 am. $50 per person, seating is limited. Call to make a reservation.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch the Races on TV. Oaks Day on NBCSN on Friday, April 30 from noon to 6 pm. Derby Day on NBCSN and NBC on Saturday, May 1 from noon to 2:30 pm, 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
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