The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 4. Here are some watch parties in Boston including contests for “best in show” and real ponies who will make an appearance.
City Tap House
The “greatest two minutes in sports” is upstaged by a few things every year: the hats, the wardrobes, and the cocktails. In honor of this year’s 150th race, City Tap House will be channeling Churchill Downs so dapper gentlemen and charming belles can don their Derby finest. The soiree will saddle up at 3pm with a live DJ and Woodford Reserve in the house for a Derby pregame with sips and snacks worthy of the winner’s circle as well as takeaway swag like hats, keepsake cups and rose-themed Koozies. To sip, there is a Frozen Mint Julep ($15) with Woodford Reserve, simple syrup, lemon and mint; The Crown Mule ($13) with Herradura reposado, ginger beer, a splash of lime juice and dash of bitters; Kentucky Sangria ($13) with Woodford Reserve, Mirassou chardonnay, mint simple syrup and pineapple juice; and Sweet Victory ($13) with Woodford Reserve, blueberry puree, fresh lemon juice, local honey, fresh thyme and a splash of soda. To snack, there is lobster guacamole ($23) with fresh lobster meat, cilantro, jalapeño, onion and tomato served with corn tortilla chips; steak tacos ($23), a trio of sirloin tacos with fire-roasted corn avocado salsa, lettuce and chipotle aioli with hand-cut fries; crispy fried half-chicken ($19), prepared spicy with pimento cheese and hand-cut fries; and BBQ pulled pork sliders ($20), three mini sandwiches with house-marinated pork and pineapple slaw on brioche buns with hand-cut fries. From seersucker suits to feathered toppers, the moments will be captured at an IG-worthy Polaroid photo station with prizes for “best in show.” For the top finisher, there is a trophy and a $250 City Tap gift card. The runner-up will take home a $100 gift card with some Derby swag and with third place scoring a $50 gift card. As the horses approach the gates, the streaming and sound will be on throughout City Tap House.
Joe’s Waterfront
On May 4, Joe’s Waterfront will host a Kentucky Derby watch party worthy of Churchill Downs complete with actual ponies, Louisville-inspired bites, specialty sips, raffles benefiting MassGeneral Hospital for Children, and more. While guests will have their chance to compete for “Best in Show” titles in top Derby attire later in the day, the real standouts will be the event’s welcoming committee: a duo of ponies from Hunter Haven Farm (Groveland, MA) who will be decked festively in blue and with flowers for the occasion. Counting down to the “greatest two minutes in sports,” revelers will get the party noshing on passed hors d’oeuvres (caprese skewers, pimiento cheese crostinis, fried mac and cheese, Joe’s prime burger sliders, chicken satay) and stationed snacks (spinach dip, Italian hoagie, mini desserts). And because no Derby Day is complete without spirited spirits, the bar team will be shaking up themed cocktails at the cash bar. Steam those seersucker suits and add some extra feathers to your hat because there will be luxe prizes at stake for those who come best dressed to impress. If you’re not feeling all that confident with your future bet, try your luck with the raffle – with proceeds benefitting MassGeneral Hospital for Children – that includes prizes like gift cards, overnight hotel stays, and more.