Where to Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Brooklyn

Liz Norment — Thu, 02 May 2019 22:55:22 +0000

It’s derby day, baby. my second favorite holiday (to Beaujolais day, of course) and such a beautiful culture of celebration. bourbon, hats, dancing, pastels, betting, horses, short men finally having their moment; all of the best things in life. I’ve outlined everything you need to know, from a tried-and-true julep recipe AND all the words to my Old Kentucky Home, a few of my theories about betting, and of course, all of the best events in the borough.

Let me talk derby to you.

This is how you julep.

Ah the mint julep. Nearly synonymous with the derby, and the best way to get in the spirit. My tried and true recipe is below, to tie one on and tip your hat and practice saying, with a Southern drawl that drips off your tongue like molasses, “I do declare that this is the finest julep I’ve had all season!”

Ingredients

Kentucky bourbon

Simple syrup

Mint leaves

Crushed ice

Thirst for mischief

Ok this is where things get complicated so please pay attention. Muddle the mint and simple syrup together until they seem aromatic and friendly with each other. Add ice. Pour in bourbon. Sip, swallow. Sip sip, swallow. Now start over from the beginning.

My Old Kentucky Home

It’s imperative to sing this song, not only as the horses promenade to the gate, but as many other times as possible on derby day, if this seems weird to you, please call my mother; she’ll explain it to you, in so many words.

The lyrics are below. Get acquainted.

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,

Tis summer, the people are gay;

The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom

While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor

All merry, all happy and bright;

By ‘n by hard times comes a knocking at the door

Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!

Weep no more my lady.

Oh! Weep no more today!

We will sing one song

For my old Kentucky home

For the old Kentucky home, far away.

Where to Celebrate

The greatest two minutes in sports requires you to put in a lot of pre- and post-work celebrating. I’ve listed the best parties in Brooklyn to watch, sip, bet, and feel alive and good reveling in this charming southern holiday. Choose your poison below, however you want it. All bets are off Brooklyn. And your hats are on.

Or maybe if all your bets are on, your hat is off. And everything else too.

Anyway, come on let’s go.

A Party for the Bourbon Enthusiast

The Moonlight Mile in Greenpoint

It’s rather fitting that Brooklyn’s best bourbon bar would be throwing one hell of a Derby Day party. The race will be on the big screen and if you don’t win your bets, there’s still a chance that you can win some great raffle prizes or take home the award for best hat. Or you know, just take a few shots of bourbon and feel like a winner. The bar opens at 2pm. Info here. 200 Franklin St.

For those who take this very, very seriously.

The Brooklyn Derby in Greenwood Park, Park Slope

These guys love the Derby even more than me, and they’ve dedicated so much time, energy, joy and love into creating Brooklyn Derby, a culture and brand that arguably is only relevant for 2 minutes every year. But they don’t care. You know why? They understand that that Derby feeling doesn’t have to stay in the first Saturday in May. This Saturday they turn Greenwood Park into Churchill Downs for a day full of live music, dancing, hat parades, juleps, and all of the joy and magic of the Derby. Tickets, $95 are available here. 555 7th ave.

Your Best Bet

Parklife’s Annual Derby Party, in Gowanus

It might be the 145th annual Kentucky Derby, but it’s only the second time the race has ever been broadcasted, celebrated, and inebriated at Parklife. Good traditions are made even better when you can say, “I was there way back when…” so go so you can be smug about it, say, 10 years down the road. They’re going to have all the screens, all the contests, all the mintiness, and all of the reasons to place your bets here. Oh yeah and a photo booth, in case you forget you were ever there. Which, you know, happens. RSVP here now. 2-7pm, 636 Degraw St.

The Classic

Derby Party at Threes Brewing in Gowanus

These guys do it the biggest, the longest, and the hardest every year. Live music, southern food, southern charm, hat contests, lawn games, square dancing, and a massive bar for you to spend your winnings at freely, and all of the syrupy juleps your heart desires. Trust me, go here. Entry is free so arrive early. Infoh ere. The bar opens at 1pm. 333 Douglass St.

Brooklyn, I'm Trying