Kentucky Derby Day Watch Parties Around Houston

Get your Derby on at one of our 10 Kentucky Derby Day picks around Houston on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

It’s time to pony up for a good time as the Kentucky Derby returns in early May, bringing with it a slate of events at local bars and restaurants that will you have you sipping mint juleps, gathering among some of the most elegant hats you’ve seen, and toasting to two minutes of horse race madness.

Check out our 10 picks for where you can catch the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs (race time is around 5:30pm), along with food and drink specials, and more.

2024 Kentucky Derby Day Parties in Houston

• Kentucky Derby Day at Sam Houston Race Park – Start your Derby Day with some morning horse racing at the park before festivities kick off in the afternoon. Wager on the entire Churchill Downs card, plus sip on mint juleps, snag a commemorative glass, and vie for top prize at the derby hat contest. $5. Racing begins at 10:30am through the afternoon.
• Derby Day at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House | No Cover – The seafood destination in San Leon hosts an all-day Derby bash with a best dressed contest, mint juleps, and a live DJ after the race. 11am to 9pm.
• Talk Derby to Me at The Rustic Downtown | No Cover – The Rustic will be hosting its annual Kentucky Derby watch party, featuring live music kicking off after the race, plus drink and food specials, and a best dressed contest with prizes. 11am to 11pm.
• 10th Annual Derby Day Party at Julep – Southern cocktailery Julep will once again host its epic Kentucky Derby Day Party, inviting guests to dress up and enjoy a classy lawn party, fully tented with more than 5,000 fresh cut flowers throughout. Expect main bars, a whiskey bar and hydration station, eats from Top Chef contestant Chef Michelle Wallace, Kentucky Derby viewing, live DJs, and more. $20 and up. 1pm to 6pm.
• Kentucky Derby Hat Party at Brasserie 19 – Sip on a mint julep, don your best hat, and cheer on this year’s prized stallions at the French restaurant in River Oaks. Reservations recommended. Prices vary. 1pm to 7pm.

• Derby Down the Bayou Wine Fest at Brenner’s on the Bayou – Brenner’s springtime Wine Fest goes Derby-style, inviting guests to sip wines from exclusive makers, stroll the gorgeous bayou-side grounds, and enjoy some Kentucky Derby action. Chef-crafted bites will be served from seven of Houston’s top restaurants including Brenner’s on the Bayou, Grotto Downtown, Cadillac Bar, Willie G’s, Babin’s and a dessert station from Landry’s Signature Group. $150 and up. 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
• Derby Day at Bayou & Bottle | No Cover – Grab your seersucker for a Downtown celebration featuring Woodford Reserve mint juleps and a live stream of the most exciting two minutes in sports. 3pm.
• Derby HTX at RockHouse Southern Kitchen – This annual blowout Kentucky Derby watch party in West Houston will feature live DJ music, Derby-inspired cocktails, Southern cooking, and good old-fashioned fun. $25 and up. 3pm to 8pm.
• Derby Day at William Price Distilling | FREE – Wear your freshest threads and join William Price in the Heights for a day of Derby with mint juleps and the race on a 20-foot screen. 3pm to 10pm.
• Derby Watch Party at Daily Gather – The CityCentre dining destination spills out onto the patio for an afternoon of derby-themed cocktails, light bites and Derby Day attire. $65. 4pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!