Louisville is a fascinating city steeped in historical tradition. And at the center of that tradition is the world-famous Kentucky Derby.
Every year, on the first Saturday in May, legions flock to Derby City to attend the horse race known as the most exciting two minutes in sports. For Kentucky horse racing fans, this is the Super Bowl of their sport.
The weekend is full of horse racing events not only for equestrian lovers but also for those just looking to have a good time since everyone likes to do “Lou” a little differently.
But with crowds of over 150,000 attending the Kentucky Derby each year, getting tickets isn’t always easy. Annual attendance of events over the weekend has passed 150 million in recent years.
Still, if you live in Louisville, or are traveling from another city, there are plenty of places where you can catch the live event.
ALSO READ: This Is The Final Kentucky Derby Before The State Launches Sports Betting
Best spots to enjoy the race in Louisville besides Churchill Downs
The Blind Squirrel
Located in Louisville’s East End, this 10,800-square-foot sports bar, complete with 20 HD TVs, including one enormous 16 by 20-foot number is a prime venue to watch the race.
The Blind Squirrel is hailed by many as Louisville’s best sports bar. You’ll find a menu of sharable classics like wings, pizza, and fried shrimp as well as 40 beers on tap and more than 100 bourbons.
Club and Coterie
Held in the Omni Hotel, the event new for 2023, offers a private space with vibrant interiors, a professional mixologist, official track cocktails, and live entertainment. More importantly, this urban oasis in downtown Louisville also has suspended screen broadcasting of Oaks and Derby race action.
Tickets should be purchased ahead of time to enjoy this private house lounge during Derby weekend, where you can watch the races or meet up with friends before heading to the tracks.
8Up Elevated Drinkery Kitchen
Set in the vibrant entertainment district, this trendy rooftop den offers breathtaking city views and lulls its guests in a sexy, lounge-like ambiance. The place presents three distinctive atmospheres: the open-kitchen restaurant; the swanky lounge; and the rooftop bar plus event space.
A modern take on Southern classics, this is a great place to fuel up before the race and enjoy top-shelf cocktails.
The eatery is located at 350 W Chestnut St and can be reached at +502-632-4180.
Galt House Hotel
Looking for the perfect place to get dressed up and be in the Derby weekend scene? Why not head to the Galt House Hotel, Louisville’s only waterfront hotel and the official hotel of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs?
With a rich history dating back to the 1800s, the legendary hotel on 4th & Main offers a unique Derby weekend experience.
Dave and Busters
How about celebrating the race with a fun twist at Dave and Busters in downtown Louisville? This spot has state-of-the-art games, mouth-watering menu items, and the most innovative drinks in town.
And, of course, you can watch the Kentucky Derby on one of the massive HDTVs with epic racetrack sounds.
Betting on horse racing is legal in Kentucky
Gambling on horse racing is permitted in Kentucky and has been for years. It uses a pari-mutuel system where bets are placed in a pool and doesn’t involve fixed odds.
This differs from legal sports betting involving participants placing bets on fixed odds determined by a bookmaker.
Besides heading to Churchill Downs, where all the action occurs, bettors can go to Derby City Gaming, located east of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Derby City Gaming is the only licensed gaming facility in the state. The 85,000-square-foot, $65 million-dollar facility features 1,000 historical racing machines with more than 70 themes. And all within the 45,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment floor.
The gambling house is the perfect spot for fans looking to catch live sports broadcasts and perhaps place a few wagers on the races. With 100 bourbons and craft beers on tap, you can enjoy the run for the roses in style.
Betting on the Kentucky Derby online is legal too. The most popular online method is using the FanDuel Racing Kentucky app.
To gamble through FanDuel, the only Kentucky Derby sports betting sponsor, bettors must create an account with a username and password, and there is no sign-up fee. Users then transfer money from their bank account to their account to place bets.
