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May 3, 2023
Watching the Kentucky Derby around town
These Charlotte area restaurant and bars are set for the Running of the Roses
by TM Petaccia
Supperland’s mint julep where the mint is muddled in dry ice. TM Petaccia/UP
The starting gates for the 149th Kentucky Derby will spring open at 6:57pm this Saturday, May 6 A number of Charlotte area restaurants and bars will host special events and specials leading up to the fastest two minutes in sports. Here’s a quick list. Don’t forget your hat.
Aura Rooftop & Pool, JW Marriott Hotel, Uptown
Royal Run for the Roses. Reserve a pool cabana with your friends and for your own private watch party while enjoying derby-inspired cocktails with photo ops, swag bags, raffles, and one or two surprises. 4-8 p.m. $375 for four people, $750 for eight. Reserve cabana.
Búho Bar, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Uptown
Jockeys & Juleps. Búho’s rooftop is the stage for a late afternoon of whiskey and hors d’oeuvres. Your $50 ticket ($60 if purchased day-of) includes a tasting of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Rye, and Woodford Double Oaked Bourbon – plus a Woodford Reserve mint julep in a commemorative cup and a gift bag. Prizes awarded for best hat and best bowtie. Get tickets.
Fahrenheit, Uptown
Rooftop Derby Party. Watch the Kentucky Derby from Fahrenheit’s rooftop while enjoying a pig pickin’, plus a tasting of Woodford Reserve whiskeys, including cocktails. Your $55 ticket includes two cocktails in addition to the whiskey tastings as well as the pig pickin’. 4-7 p.m. Get tickets.
The Bar at Supperland, Plaza Midwood
Derby Party. Patrons will enjoy an afternoon of the bar’s unique “dry ice” mint juleps and passed plates leading up to the event. Your $60 ticket includes two cocktails and the light bites. 3:30-7 p.m. Get tickets.
Weathered Souls, LoSo
Derby Day Fundraiser. Book a table with friends for curated cocktails, bottles of bubbly (VIP only) and light bites (VIP only). Proceeds will be donated to RYPE (Realizing Your Potential Everyday) a nonprofit organization which brings women and adolescent girls of color together to develop healthy well-being habits through the sport of triathlon. $125-$300. Individual tickets ($30) are also available. Get tickets.
The following, while not doing special events will be having Derby-related food and drink specials:
Duckworth’s, All locations
Billy Sunday, Optimist Park
The Crunkleton, Elizabeth
The Artisan’s Palate, NoDa
Haberdish, NoDa
The Hobbyist, NoDa
The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar, South End
Craft Tasting Room, Uptown
Sea Level NC, Uptown
Bin 110, Cornelius
Peninsula Prime, Cornelius
Tailored Smoke, Concord
