Every so often, the planets align and two holidays ripe for debauchery fall on the same day. This year, the Kentucky Derby coincides Cinco de Mayo, and the two very different celebrations will presumably give birth to one epic fiesta we're dubbing Cinco de Derby. (Kentucky de Mayo doesn't focus-group so well.) So this Saturday presents the perfect excuse to pull out your best pastels and seersucker blazers, slap on a sombrero, stick a mint sprig in a bottle of Corona, and remember the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Puebla by betting next month's rent on Daddy Nose Best. Here's where to do it:
Lowcountry: This Derby brunch has all the makings of a heart attack: French toast with bechamel, smoked turkey, tomato, Benton's bacon, melted cheddar, served with Old Bay Fries (called Kentucky hot brown, $16) and Derby pie sundae served with vanilla ice cream, Derby pie crumble and bourbon sauce ($10). Top it off with a $38 pitcher of ginger juleps, and you’ll have a rousing good time before 6 p.m. post.
Lowcountry // 142 West 10th Street // (212) 255-2330
mad46
: Take in the Manhattan skyline from the swank rooftop bar mad46, hosting a best dressed competition and offer awards to the most “polished gentleman” and the most “Derby chic” lady. Feeling a little more reserved? Don your best Derby hat and drink in one of the featured drinks of the evening: oaks lilly, sweet bourbon punch or the classic mint julep. Festivities start at 4 and continue until 10 p.m.
mad46 // Madison Avenue and 46th Street // (212) 885-6095 // reservations recommended
Pine Box Rock Shop: This casket factory-turned-chic, pine-lined bar is the perfect mix of Derby fun and Mexican flair in celebration of Cinco de Derby. Each year The Kentuckians of New York throw a Derby celebration at the Pine Box, and this year they’re adding a little Mexican flair, featuring live music, munchies from Champ’s Family Bakery, classic Derby cocktails, a Derby hat contest and, of course, a broadcast of the Kentucky Derby. The party starts at 2 p.m.
Pine Box Rock Shop // 12 Grattan Street, Brooklyn // (718) 366-6311
The Bell House: Arrive at 1 p.m. for drinks and Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps ($6) and ice cream by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. As with every Derby party, dress your sharpest and vie for either the best formal or informal hat. (What’s an informal hat?) Brooklyn milliner La China Loca will be selling hats in the early afternoon followed by square dancing, a call to post—there will be a bugler—and then they’re off!
Bell House // 149 7th Street, Brooklyn // (718) 643-6510 // tickets available in advance, must be 21+
Mexican Wrestling Party: Elsewhere in Brooklyn, a rager is in the works at a secret party palace near the Morgan L stop, with two dance floors with two different sounds, a roof deck, and pro-wrestling arena. Presented by BangOn!NYC, this Cinco de Mayo party promises TWO live Mexican wrestling shows, pinatas filled with "adult" party favors, "body-building Luchadors pumping iron, and thumping electro/funk/disco/dubstep beats from atop our new boombox stage!" It all goes down Saturday night from 10 p.m. until dawn at a location disclosed only to ticket-buyers.
Near the Morgan L stop // $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Stone Rose Lounge: Grab your seat at 1 p.m., settle in and feast on Derby fare, including a “hot brown” open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and mornay sauce ($15) and the staple dessert: Derby pie made with chocolate pecans and Kentucky bourbon ($5). Stone Rose will feature a variety of Maker’s Mark-based speciality cocktails ($13 each). Of course, dress your Derby best for Stone Rose’s outfit competitions. If you forget a Derby hat, fear not, there’ll be a pop-up shop on site.
Stone Rose Lounge // 10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor // (212) 823 - 9769 // live races will be televised
Shanghai Mermaid: These atavistic Jazz Age speakeasy parties have been a hit for years among people who enjoy dressing retro, dancing to old-timey music, and knocking back classic cocktails in secret locations. Now, for the first time, Shanghai Mermaid is throwing a Cinco de Mayo party. On Saturday night you're invited to "step back with us into the mexico of the 1920s and '30s, and bring your glamorous and revolutionary selves to our fiesta. Dress in Jazz Age attire, or throw on your sombreros and huipiles and come dance to traditional Mexican music and hot jazz! Cme as a matador, a zapatista, a soldadera, or a Mexican movie star." (Seriously, dress retro you won't be allowed in.)
Undisclosed location // tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door
Forty Four
: Forty Four invites you to don your Derby fit, pull out your pastels, your seersucker suits and Derby-inspired hats and enjoy an evening of racing, cocktails ($16) and class. The Derby and Cinco de Mayo-themed cocktail menu includes a the inventive Broadway's Alibi made with silver tequila, fresh carrot and grapefruit juice, lemon and agave nectar, served with a twist of lime. And another one with a racing horse-esque name called Prospective made with Bulleit rye whiskey, fresh mint and simple syrup. Start pre-partying at 3 p.m., watch the two-minute race on one of three TVs—or all three at once!—and then get back to your Derby cocktails and keep the festivities going until 9 p.m.
Forty Four // 44 West 44th Street // (212) 869 - 4400 // complimentary mint juleps served from 3 to 4 p.m.
Gran Electrica: In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Gran Electrica in DUMBO will open its 50 seat garden overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge for an all day fiesta with food, drinks and music. The event will feature signature cocktails like the Margarita de Remolacha with blanco tequila, fresh beet juice and cilantro syrup and Margarita de Toronja Picante with tequila, grapefruit juice and jalapenos. The a la carte menu will include Guacamole; Aguachile with fresh scallops, cilantro and mint; Coctel with clams and tomatoes; Tostadas with fresh crab; and Tacos of carnitas, lengua and suadero.
Gran Electrica // 5 Front Street, Brooklyn // (718) 852-2789
Eleven Madison Park: In the landscape of New York City-based Kentucky Derby parties, Eleven Madison Park is Churchill Downs. Because every $175 ticket sold out within 15 minutes of going on sale this year, here are all the things you won’t be able to enjoy: a food spread, including a raw bar with moonshine mignonette, a candy bar with mint julep macaroons and the lot, live performances by The Crooners and The Defibulators, more mint juleps than you can possibly drink in an afternoon and a silent auction to benefit the New York Horse Rescue.
11 Madison Park // 11 Madison Avenue, New York // (212) 889 - 0905 // It's already sold out, don’t even try.
