Grab your favorite straw hat and prepare yourself for all the mint juleps you can handle — the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday. Can't make it all the way to Churchill Downs? Not to worry — the Twin Cities is host to a ton of Derby-themed viewing parties where dressing up for the races is part of the fun. Here are nine ways to watch this year's telecast (airing at 5:24 p.m. Sat.) in style.
Canterbury Park
If you're looking for authenticity, the viewing party at the Shakopee horse-racing track is the way to go. Bet on horses and watch the race telecast live — as well as more than 20 other races around the country — on one of 500 TVs, and take advantage of mint julep specials and a red-carpet selfie station. Live racing returns to Canterbury on May 15. (Doors at 8 a.m. Sat. Free. 1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee. 952-445-7223. www.canterburypark.com.)
The Woman's Club of Minneapolis
The rarified confines of the historic Women's Club of Minneapolis hosts the most stylish soiree of the bunch. It includes outdoor patios and tents, live sets from DJ Strangelove, live music from a five-piece band, photo booth, drink specials all day (including mint juleps), beer from 612 Brew, cigar rolling, whiskey tasting and the race on big-screen TVs. A ticket includes derby-themed food and complimentary overnight parking. (2-8 p.m. Sat. $65–$75. 410 Oak Grove St., Mpls. 612-332-2292. ezregister.com/events/13460)
Betty Danger's Country Club
Country-club-on-crack Betty Danger's is tailor-made to host a Kentucky Derby–themed party, and they're pulling out all the stops for their inaugural Kentucky Derbatante. It includes a derby hat contest, a mint julep bar, live ponies (!), inflatable horse races, roving musicians performing Southern Kentucky tunes, a vintage photo booth, brews from Bauhaus Brew Labs and derby ball. (3–10 p.m. Sat. $15–$20. 2501 Marshall St. N.E., Mpls. 612-315-4997.)
The Loop West End
