These local spots are hosting Kentucky Derby parties with mint juleps, ornate hats and all the action surrounding the “fastest two minutes in sports.” Parties are on Saturday, May 7, unless otherwise noted.
Plan B Burger Bar offers Derby specials at all of its locations during lunch and dinner, including a mint julep with Four Roses bourbon, Kentucky mint julep Jello shots, and themed food like country ham and biscuits, Hot Brown turkey burger and mint julep tiramisu. bourbonburgersbeer.com.
Cure, 55 Mill St., Unionville, kicks off its Derby celebration at 2 p.m. with food specials, including a Kentucky hot brown sandwich, ham and cream cheese biscuit sliders, mint julep Jell-O blocks and chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Themed drink specials include a raspberry bourbon smash, classic mint julep and hibiscus Palmer. 860-321-7821, curerestaurantct.com.
Hot Tomato’s, 1 Union Place, Hartford, offers a special Derby Day menu with barbecue spare ribs, pulled pork sandwich and Southern fried chicken. 860-249-5100, hottomatos.net.
Zingarella, 84 West Main St., Southington, hosts its annual Derby Day party from 2 to 7 p.m., featuring selfies with a rescued thoroughbred, dinner, games, raffles and door prizes. 860-628-9464, zingarellas.com.
Rooftop 120, 120 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, hosts a Derby party starting at 4 p.m., with specialty Southern food items, mint juleps and a best-hat contest. 860-430-9989, rooftop120.com.
Max Downtown, 185 Asylum St., Hartford, hosts a Derby Day party at 5 p.m. Tickets are $39 (plus tax and gratuity) per person for hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner and dessert. There’s also a best-hat contest, prizes and cocktails made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon. 860-522-2530, maxdowntown.com.
Trumbull Kitchen, 150 Trumbull St., Hartford, offers a “one to the gun” special from 1 to 6:30 p.m., with a bacon-bourbon slider and mint julep for $7 in the bar area. 860-493-7412, trumbullkitchen.com.
Max’s Oyster Bar, 964 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, features race day specials in the bar from 4 to 6:30 p.m., including themed drinks (mint julep, brown derby, Kentucky mule, Southern tea) and food (barbecue oysters, Kentucky hot brown sliders, pimento cheese sandwich, bourbon-glazed chicken wings and pickled shrimp). 860-236-6299, maxsoysterbar.com.
