Head to the Beverly Hills Hotel for the Ultimate Kentucky Derby Party

Grab your big-brimmed hat and head on over to the Beverly Hills Hotel next weekend for the be-all end-all in Derby parties this side of Kentucky.

The Pink Palace’s Bar Nineteen 12 plans on honoring the time-old traditions and pageantry surrounding the Kentucky Derby with a fun-filled viewing party to celebrate the big race.

Starting at 2 pm on May 3, the bar will serve specialized Southern cocktails like its Giant Julep, a double serving of Evan Williams, bourbon, mint, crushed ice and sugar and served in the traditional steel julep cup. As expected, it isn’t for the faint of heart. Classic whiskey cocktails, such as Old-Fashioneds, Manhattans and Sazeracs, can also be enjoyed while watching the horse race inside the chic bar or outside on its terrace overlooking Sunset Boulevard.

To enhance the Derby signature drinks, complimentary whiskey tastings courtesy of Evan Williams Distilleries will be offered on the outside terrace from 2:00-4:00p.m.

Derby-centric snacks are also on the agenda, including The Furlong Frenzy, toasted spiced pita chips with benedictine dip, Triple Crown Wings, buttermilk fried chicken wings served with homemade “red hot” ranch, The Derby Fry, fried green tomatoes and fried oysters served with French fries and remoulade and The Derby Pie, bourbon pecan pie with maple Chantilly cream.

There’s also, naturally, a “Best Hat” contest, which encourages guests to get into the Derby day spirit in the most traditional sense of the word. The winner will receive brunch for four in the Polo Lounge. Once the race ends, the fun continues with a live ban performing throughout the evening.

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