Wednesday, May 2, 2012

This Week in Lounge: Kentucky Derby Destinations

The Classic Mint Julep at Maison Premiere
This Saturday, May 5th is a veritable tri-fecta of major drinking related events. Supporters of English football will soak in the lager while sporting heavy weights Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC battle for the silver in the annual FA Cup. Expect pubs to be showing the match and a sea of red and blue kits battling for supremacy.

It is also Cinco de Mayo, a national Mexican holiday celebrating the victory over an invading French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Tequila, Mezcal, Dos Equis, Margaritas, and even a few Mexican Firing Squad Specials will be flowing at the bars while revelers munch on mucho grande amounts of Mexican food.

When you are finished with England and Mexico, come back to your Ole' Kentucky home and celebrate a true American tradition in style at the most exciting two minutes in the sport - 138th running of The Kentucky Derby. The Derby party is as "lounge" as it gets and combines everything we love: a chance to dress up sharp, fancy cocktails in silver chalices, and a sporting wager.

We recommend the following destinations to enjoy the finest mint juleps in a crowd of clad in seersucker and elegant straw hats.

Maison Premiere - Annual Derby Party featuring Four Roses Bourbon
12pm -8pm
Fresh off the victory winning Best New Cocktails Award by TimOutNY, Maxwell Britten and his crew of dapper drink slingers will be throwing one hell of a pre-game BBQ in Maison Premiere's backyard. Icy platters of oysters will be plentiful and an extensive menu of mint juleps served in silver beaded tins will be available. The House Band starts at 3 and goes to 7. The Derby will also be broadcast live on the cocktail den’s famous old fashioned radio from 6:28 to 6:30.

Maison Premiere - 298 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn - 347-335-0446; 

Clover Club - Kentucky Derby Party featuring Bulleit Bourbon
4:30pm -7pm
Bulleit Bourbon will provide complementary passed hors d' oeuvres and mint juleps. Mixtresses Elayne Duke and Julie Reiner will set up shop in the front of Clover Club with their julep bar again this year. They will wear fancy hats, and crank out juleps for all. Oh yeah, there will be a very short horse race shown;) Don't miss it!

Clover Club - 210 Smith Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn - 718-855-7939

Rum House - Derby Day Party featuring Maker's Mark bourbon
5pm-7pm
The gang at Rum House break out the julep cups, crushed ice, and copious amounts of mint and partner with Maker's Mark for Julep drink specials. Come watch "the most exciting two minutes in sports" on the big screen with Maker's Mark cocktails and fabulous prizes. There will be food. There will be hats. And there will be ponies.

The Rum House at the Edison Hotel - 228 West 47th Street, New York, NY  - 646-490-6924

My money is on Stay Thirsty (20:1) to take the derby and Chelsea to win the cup!

(Photo courtesy of SeriousDrink.com)

1 comment:

  1. Our usual party won't be on this year...we still don't know what we'll be doing. I wish we could be in town and take up one of your suggestions. The Maison Premiere especially takes my fancy!

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