Features Holiday Kentucky Derby Guide To Kentucky Derby Events & Parties in Connecticut (2024 Edition) Carly Terzigni April 25, 2024 This year marks the 150th Running of the Roses at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, and businesses across Connecticut will host viewing parties on Saturday, May 4th to make sure you can enjoy the action. Derby-themed food, mint juleps, and more will be available throughout the day at several restaurants around the state. Make sure you don your fanciest hat – many restaurants are holding contests! Some events are fun for the whole family, while others will have age restrictions, so make sure to double-check ahead of your Derby Day festivities.BJ Ryan’s BanC House and Greer Southern Table-Norwalk https://www.bjryansbanchouse.com/https://www.greersoutherntable.com/Rockin’ River Street presents THE ULTIMATE DERBY BLOCK PARTY! River Street will be CLOSED to make room for the best Derby party in town! Featured locations include BanC House and Greer Southern Table for food and specialty drinks, including classic Mint Juleps, of course! The party starts at 3 pm and goes until 10:00 pm with live music and entertainment on their Wall Street Stage and a view of the races from a large screen prompter. Contests for Best Dressed and Best Hat so be sure to dress to impress! This event is pup-friendly, too! Catch the Cherry Pie Band from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Otis & The Hurricanes from 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm, and a live DJ!The Benjamin-Ridgefield https://thebenjaminrestaurant.com/Join The Benjamin for the 150th Running of the Roses!! Come join them for a day filled with excitement and horse racing at The Benjamin! Prepare to sip on mint juleps, win prizes, and watch the thrilling Kentucky Derby race unfold. The event will be held at 20 West Ln at The Benjamin Restaurant, so make sure to mark your calendars and gather your friends and family for a fun-filled day. Tickets include a buffet and an open bar. In addition, there will be face painting, balloon animals, games, raffles, a photo booth, and more! This is a tented event with hopes that the lawn will also be open, weather permitting, to soak in the sun! A 25-foot blow-up movie screen with a laser projector will stream the race live with sound. ADULTS $100 - KIDS $60.Ron Foley Foundation-West Hartord https://www.ronsrun.org/It’s time to don your Derby Day best for the 15th annual Ron’s Run for the Roses! The Ron Foley Foundation is thrilled to announce its annual Derby Day fundraiser will take place on May 4th from 2:30 to 7:30 PM at the Farmington Polo Club. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation's mission to promote early detection and awareness, and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid. Guests at Ron's Run for the Roses can expect an afternoon filled with southern fare, refreshing mint juleps, lively music, and an array of exciting activities, including live and silent auctions with unique items and experiences up for bid. The highlight of the evening will be a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby on a big screen. For tickets or more information, visit www.ronsrun.org. Aquila's Nest Vineyards-Sandy Hookhttps://www.aquilasnestvineyards.com/Join Aquila’s for their Derby Day Hats & Croissant Wine Brunch on Friday, May 3rd at 12 PM. Come dressed in your best Derby Day hats and enjoy freshly baked croissants by Uncle Matt's Bakery and some of Aquila's Nest delicious wine, along with delicious food from one of our food trucks! More info available here. Back 9 Social-Wallingfordhttps://www.back9social.com/Enjoy the Kentucky Derby at Back 9 Social Doors open at 5:00 pm and the cost is $75 per person. Kentucky Derby Style Dress is the requested attire. Enjoy Kentucky Derby-themed food, mint juleps, best hat contest, and more!The Blind Rhino-South Norwalk, Black Rockhttps://www.theblindrhino.com/The Blind Rhino will be the SPOT to watch the Kentucky Derby! Every one of their 28 TVs with sound will be available, plus juleps & menu specials! Be sure to wear your biggest hat!Bobby V’s Restaurant-Stamfordhttps://www.bobbyvsrestaurant.com/Join Bobby V’s for the greatest two minutes in sports. Doors open at 10 AM on Derby Day; reservations are recommended. Bar seating, front restaurant dining, and wagering carrels are first come, first serve. Bobby V's will be 21+ on race days.The Estate-New Havenhttps://theestatenewhaven.com/Enjoy an open bar with festive cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and live music, while the Derby is streamed live beneath their sailcloth tent. Showcase your finest and most fashionable Derby attire to compete for the title of “Best Dressed” and “Most Stunning Hat or Fascinator.” Event takes place on Derby Day from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Tickets are priced at $125 per person; learn more here!FanDuel Sportsbook at Mohegan Sun-Uncasvillehttps://mohegansun.com/Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook is the place to be to watch the 150th Kentucky Derby Party! Don’t have time to make it to the racetrack? No worries! You won’t miss a second of the action on the 140-foot video wall, the largest in the Northeast! The event takes place from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. More info available here.Hidden Acres Farm-Naugatuckhttps://www.hiddenacrestrc.org/Hidden Acres Farm is hosting its 5th annual Kentucky Derby party at Naugatuck Lodge of Elks #967 (note the new location!) on Derby Day from 4 pm-8 pm. The event includes live music, food, a cash bar, dancing, and more. Tickets start at $60 pp.Hops Company-Derbyhttps://www.thehopscompany.com/Saddle up for our Kentucky Derby Event! Pre-game “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports” with Hops Company. They will have a full day starting with live music from Bobby Wheeler, followed by a live DJ, frozen drinks, giveaways, and their annual Hat Contest. Doors open at 12:00 pm. FREE ENTRY!Jazzy’s Cabaret-New Havenhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-upn-presents-kentucky-derby-watch-party-iii-ft-terryl-lee-le-sillion-tickets-880889011747?aff=erelexpmltJazzy's Cabaret hosts its 3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Watch Party! Food, Cocktails, 4 TV's, & Fun! Join VIP Guests & Tastemakers from across the State of Connecticut for the Premiere Kentucky Derby Watch Party hosted by Jason V. Watts & Morgan Watts (Owners of Jazzy's Cabaret). Tickets include a Light Brunch Buffet & Open Bar VIP Options. Little Treasures Farm-Chaplinhttps://www.littletreasures.farm/Join Little Treasures Farm for their Derby Day Fundraiser! Meet the rescues, touch-a-truck, drill team demonstrations, food, raffles, and more are available. Fun for all ages! The event starts on Derby Day at 3:00 pm.Milestone Restaurant-Reddinghttps://www.milestonect.com/Giddy up for Cinco de Derby at Milestone! They have a Derby Party at their Georgetown (Redding) location, featuring a Big Screen with a Hat Contest and House Made Mint Juleps. Reservations are recommended.Palmer’s Market-Darienhttps://www.palmersdarien.com/Celebrate a delicious Derby Day with Palmer's award-winning Gourmet-to-Go! Choose from fun classics like Southern-style deviled eggs topped with pimento and sweet pickles, Kentucky hot brown sliders, and pimento cheese pretzel poppers! Order online here.Pequot Library-Southporthttps://www.pequotlibrary.org/event/derby-day-celebration/Experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby on Pequot Library’s Great Lawn. Festive tailgates are included with your ticket, as well as an open bar in the Main Tent.Revolutions Bowling & Lounge-South Windsorhttps://www.revolutionsct.com/Grab your fanciest hat and join them for an evening of horse racing excitement. Come enjoy derby day themed food and drinks while watching 'the most exciting 2 minutes in sports' on a 16ft Hi-DEF projector screen. The Kentucky Derby will stream live @ 6:45pm. See you there!Romanacci-Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Westporthttps://www.romanacci.com/Join Romanacci in celebrating the Kentucky Derby with two special craft cocktails: the Kentucky Martini and the Kentucky Mule, crafted to perfection with a touch of Southern charm only at Romanacci.Sally’s Apizza-Stamfordhttps://sallysapizza.com/Sally's Apizza is hosting the ultimate Kentucky Derby experience with an unforgettable afternoon of live entertainment, Sally’s Apizza X HooDoo Brown BBQ cuisine, ice cream from Caffe Panna, and a chance to win Free Apizza for a Year!Washington Prime-Norwalk https://www.washingtonprimect.com/Washington Prime is hosting its 9th annual Kentucky Derby party from 5 - 7 pm. The TVs and sound system will be playing throughout the restaurant, so there will not be a bad seat in the house! It is always a packed house, so do not wait until the last minute to book your reservation. There is a two-hour limit per table, so plan accordingly. The Wharf Restaurant-Madisonhttps://thewharfmadison.com/Overlooking the Long Island Sound, The Wharf Restaurant is the perfect spot to watch the greatest two minutes of sports for the 150th Running of the Kentucky Derby. Beverage features include the Belmont Jewel with Woodford Bourbon, Lemonade, and Pomegranate Juice, and of course, Mint Juleps.
