Chase your juleps with margaritas, your tacos with Derby pie because the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are upon us. From parties to brunches, we pick the top five Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo events going on in NYC, below.Kentucky Derby
1. Pete's Candy Store's Derby Party
Get ready to dress to the nines and celebrate the Derby Louisville-style at Pete's Candy Store's annual event. Make sure to pick up a plate of their Bluegrass Blue-Plate Special (homemade bourbon-glazed ribs, Louisville potato salad, and derby pie), sip on mint juleps, and participate in the ladies' millinery competition. It's the perfect time to show off your most extravagant headpieces, because Pete's will cover the the best-hatter's bar tab.
Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg. May 3rd, 3pm
2. Kentucky Derby at Maison Premiere
Head to Bedford Ave.'s perennially popular cocktail spot to throw back a few of their signature mint juleps and a half-dozen oysters.
Maison Premiere, 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 2pm-8pm
3. Slint Documentary Screening (and Derby Celebration) at the Wythe Hotel
Are you more interested in Spiderland than "The Run Of Roses"? Well you're in luck, because The Wythe Hotel is screening the new Slint documentary Breadcrumb Trail, which you can watch while still enjoying Derby favorites like pimento cheese sandwiches, cucumber benedictine, mini hot browns, pulled pork sliders and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. As an added bonus, band members -- and Louisville natives -- Brian McMahan, David Pajo, and Britt Walford will do a Q&A following the screening.
Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 5:30pm. Get tickets HERE.
4. Kentucky Derby: Pony Joint Pre-Game at Saxon + Parole
Head to Saxon + Parole to get your drink on (and pick up a slice of Derby pie with bourbon whipped cream.) But don't forget to dress up -- the restaurant is giving out complimentary mint juleps to anyone wearing hats or seersucker pants.
Saxon + Parole, 316 Bowery, Manhattan. May 3rd.
5. Brooklyn Derby
Why fly all the way to Louisville when you can have a true Derby-palooza over in Brooklyn? The 11th annual Brooklyn Derby Party features an open bar, southern-style buffet, an official 140th Annual Kentucky Derby glass, and the opportunity to make your very own hat at their Etsy-sponsored DIY Hat Station.
Greenwood Park, 555 7th Ave, Brooklyn. May 3rd, 4pm-8pm. Get tickets HERE.
Cinco De Mayo
Salvation Taco's Rooftop Party
Get ready to kick off the rooftop party season with Salvation Taco's Cinco De Mayo party, where you can down a few frozen margaritas and munch on chicken tinga, chile relleno tamales, and more.
Salvation Taco, 145 E 39th St, Manhattan. May 5th.
Cinco De Mayo Parade
Enjoy the holiday and the (hopefully) beautiful spring afternoon with New Yorkers of all ages at the city's annual Cinco De Mayo Parade.
Central Park West between W. 106th St and W. 92nd St, Manhattan. May 5th, 1pm-4pm
Empellón Taqueria
Throw on your cutest stretchy pants because the good folks at Empellón are rolling out special brunch and dinner tasting menus -- complete with unlimited beer, wine and margaritas -- on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Empellón Taqueria, 230 W. 4th St., Manhattan; Make reservations HERE.
New York Comedy Club's Pre-Cinco De Mayo Comedy Show
Before your weekend binge marathon begins, check out NY Comedy Club's special Cinco De Mayo show this Friday featuring comedians Jared Freid, Mike Cannon, Ricky Velez, Kate Wolff, and Chris DiStefano.
New York Comedy Club, 221 E. 24th Street, Manhattan. May 2nd, 9pm. Get tickets HERE.
Cinco De Mayo Party at Posh
Head to Hell's Kitchen's famous gay bar for a celebration that'll be, uh, muy caliente. The party features drag shows; $5 tequila shots, Coronas and margaritas all night; and tunes by DJ Calvin Calvinstein.
Posh, 405 West 51st St., Manhattan. May 5th, 3pm-late
