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Silver julep glasses with mint.
Derby Day juleps.
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Kentucky Derby 2023: Where to Watch the Horse Race in Austin

Cheer on with mint juleps and hot browns

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Derby Day juleps.
| Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Don your biggest hat, sip those mint juleps, and get ready for one of the country’s biggest stylish sporting events, as the Kentucky Derby takes place soon. Even though the actual action is happening in Louisville, Austin is still getting in on the fun with race-watch parties, drinks, and more.

Whether you’ve got a favorite horse you’re hoping will win, really like fancy hats, or need an excuse for mint juleps, these Derby Day parties in Austin have it all covered, from fancy juleps at the Four Seasons, hat-making parties at Black Sheep Lodge, and more. Keeping with the theme of the day, seek out Austin’s best mint juleps too.

Everything below occurs on Saturday, May 6, unless otherwise indicated. Keep in mind that the approximately two-minute race probably begins at 5:57 p.m. CST that day.

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The League Kitchen & Tavern

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All locations of the American mini-chain restaurant will air the game, plus offer $5 mint juleps and host best hat contests where the winner will get an $100 gift card.

The Tigress Pub

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The North Loop bar will screen the race while serving mint julep specials

Haymaker

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The Manor Road bar will host its regular Kentucky Derby party again with mint juleps, a hat-making station, racing forms, and a best-dressed contest. It starts at 2 p.m.

Skinny's Off Track Bar

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The Central East Austin bar’s Derby Day festivities include Makers Mark mint juleps, other cocktails, carnival games, horse betting, and best hat contests. Dressing up is also encouraged. It starts at 1 p.m.

The W Austin hotel restaurant is screening the game with free Angel’s Envy bourbon tastings and an outfit contest to wine a free bottle and mint julep kits. It runs from 11 a.. to 4 p.m. on the restaurant’s patio.

The Cavalier

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The East Austin restaurant/bar is hosting a crawfish boil for the Derby, plus it’ll air the games, serve mint juleps, and dressing up is encouraged. It starts at 11 a.m. with crawfish at 3 p.m.

Fulton Bar

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The downtown lobby bar within the Fairmont is hosting a watch party with plenty of drinks made with Elijah Craig bourbon including mint juleps, the Triple Smash, and Southern Derbys, as well as best-dressed contests, live music, and raffles. It runs from 4 to 7 p.m.

Lefty's Brick Bar

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The hotel bar within the Arrive East Austin is showing the race with a drinking game: people can vote for their predicted horse winner with every drink purchased and will win a free drink if said-horse wins. There will be $10 mint juleps too. The bar’s also hosting a best hat contest. It runs from noon to 1 a.m.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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The downtown hotel will throw its annual Derby Day party in the Live Oak bar with cocktails, food, and more. Tickets are $55, which comes with one julep and one race betting form. Partial proceeds will go towards nonprofit Palomino Ridge Ranch Horse Rescue. It runs from 3 to 7 p.m.

Crushed ice in a silver metal cup with sprigs of mint in it.
The mint julep at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Galdones Photography

Black Sheep Lodge

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The South Lamar bar’s annual Derby Day party includes mint juleps, best-dressed and hat contests, a hat-making station, and racing forms. It runs from 3 to 7 p.m.

Bouldin Acres

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The South Lamar bar’s Derby party includes food, drinks, games, and contests.

The League Kitchen & Tavern

All locations of the American mini-chain restaurant will air the game, plus offer $5 mint juleps and host best hat contests where the winner will get an $100 gift card.

The Tigress Pub

The North Loop bar will screen the race while serving mint julep specials

Haymaker

The Manor Road bar will host its regular Kentucky Derby party again with mint juleps, a hat-making station, racing forms, and a best-dressed contest. It starts at 2 p.m.

Skinny's Off Track Bar

The Central East Austin bar’s Derby Day festivities include Makers Mark mint juleps, other cocktails, carnival games, horse betting, and best hat contests. Dressing up is also encouraged. It starts at 1 p.m.

Trace

The W Austin hotel restaurant is screening the game with free Angel’s Envy bourbon tastings and an outfit contest to wine a free bottle and mint julep kits. It runs from 11 a.. to 4 p.m. on the restaurant’s patio.

The Cavalier

The East Austin restaurant/bar is hosting a crawfish boil for the Derby, plus it’ll air the games, serve mint juleps, and dressing up is encouraged. It starts at 11 a.m. with crawfish at 3 p.m.

Fulton Bar

The downtown lobby bar within the Fairmont is hosting a watch party with plenty of drinks made with Elijah Craig bourbon including mint juleps, the Triple Smash, and Southern Derbys, as well as best-dressed contests, live music, and raffles. It runs from 4 to 7 p.m.

Lefty's Brick Bar

The hotel bar within the Arrive East Austin is showing the race with a drinking game: people can vote for their predicted horse winner with every drink purchased and will win a free drink if said-horse wins. There will be $10 mint juleps too. The bar’s also hosting a best hat contest. It runs from noon to 1 a.m.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

The downtown hotel will throw its annual Derby Day party in the Live Oak bar with cocktails, food, and more. Tickets are $55, which comes with one julep and one race betting form. Partial proceeds will go towards nonprofit Palomino Ridge Ranch Horse Rescue. It runs from 3 to 7 p.m.

Crushed ice in a silver metal cup with sprigs of mint in it.
The mint julep at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Galdones Photography

Black Sheep Lodge

The South Lamar bar’s annual Derby Day party includes mint juleps, best-dressed and hat contests, a hat-making station, and racing forms. It runs from 3 to 7 p.m.

Bouldin Acres

The South Lamar bar’s Derby party includes food, drinks, games, and contests.

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