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Matt ReevesState and Lake is serving up Hot Browns at its Derby Day party.
Matt Reeves

Derby Day parties in Chicago

Celebrate the most exciting two minutes in sports at Kentucky Derby Day parties with mint juleps, hot browns and more

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On May 2, the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby will air live from Louisville's Churchill Downs. If you can't take a weekend getaway to Louisville, don't worry—Chicago restaurants and bars are jumping in the race by hosting Derby Day parties. Dust off your biggest hat and don your best seersucker suit and head to these barbecue restaurants, bars and other spots for mint juleps, pig roasts and more.

Derby Day parties

  • Barbecue
  • Rush & Division
  • price 3 of 4
Chicago q is featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet with bacon cheddar hush puppies, smoked deviled eggs, pulled pork sliders and more. It'll also have beer and special cocktails, like bourbon punch. Tickets are $60 and a portion of proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
  • Gastropubs
  • North Center
  • price 2 of 4
Commonwealth Tavern
Commonwealth Tavern
Commonwealth Tavern will have specials all day, with $2 14-ounce Miller Lite drafts, $4 Blue Moon pints and $6 Buffalo Trace mint juleps.
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  • Contemporary American
  • River West/West Town
  • price 2 of 4
Frontier will have $7 Woodford Reserve mint juleps, $6 blackberry punch, $5 Apex Predator drafts and a $12 fried chicken plate. Watch the race in the beer garden.
  • Contemporary American
  • Streeterville
  • price 2 of 4
Howells & Hood
Howells & Hood
From 2–6pm, Howells & Hood will be hosting a Kentucky Derby party to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. A Southern-inspired buffet will be available with dishes like blackstrap ham, hush puppies, bourbon-glazed baby back ribs, Derby pie and more. Mint julep snow cones will also be available.
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  • Contemporary American
  • River North
  • price 3 of 4
The party goes from noon–8pm at IO, which is hosting a Bourbon 101 tasting class at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. No Kentucky Derby party is complete without hats, so wear your own or pick one up at the party—there are prizes for best hat, among other categories.
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  • Barbecue
  • Wicker Park
  • price 2 of 4
Lillie's Q
Lillie's Q
Lillie's Q is offering a $35 prix-fixe menu which features dishes like Western Kentucky mutton barbecue. Drinks, like the mint julep and Lillie's julep, will also be available. 
  • Sports Bars
  • Bucktown
  • price 1 of 4
Lottie's
Lottie's
Besides its best Derby hat contest, Lottie's Pub will have $5 mint juleps and $15 bourbon flights.
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  • Sports Bars
  • Old Town
  • price 1 of 4
The festivities start with live music at 11am, and include hot brown sandwiches and Woodford Reserve mint juleps. Wear your best Derby attire—there are cash prizes for best dressed.

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