Central Ohio bars join the Kentucky Derby party with mint juleps and other specials
The Kentucky Derby should last two minutes on Saturday − from 6:57 to 6:59 p.m. if it starts on time − but the party will go on all day.
Central Ohio bars open as early as 11 a.m. for Derby parties, which around here consist of equal parts mint julep and fancy hats.
Here's a sampling of Derby Day events and drinks around our area. If you're watching at home but need some help on the Derby's signature cocktail, here's a collection of mint-julep recipes from The Courier-Journal, our fellow USA TODAY Network newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Barrel & Boar
The Kentucky Derby party at Barrel & Boar's Creekside restaurant in Gahanna coincides with the suburb's annual Herb Day. (People have cultivated herbs in Gahanna back to the 19th century, and it is designated by the Ohio General Assembly as the official Herb Capital of Ohio.)
In addition to Woodford Reserve mint juleps, the restaurant is to serve lemon-peppered salmon pesto pasta as a nod to the local event. Live music is scheduled, as well.
Details: Starts at 2 p.m. Barrel & Boar is at 121 Mill St. in Gahanna. (barrelboar.com)
Chubby's Sports Bar & Grill
The far northwest side pub is doing more than making mint juleps for Derby Day. It also is to be serving up Kentucky hot browns, an open-faced broiled sandwich with turkey, bacon, tomatoes and cheese.
Drinks include two riffs on a Moscow mule, one with Penelope Bourbon's toasted series and another with Tito's vodka. There's also Oaks Lily punch, a Kentucky tradition usually served on the day before the Derby. It's a fruity punch with vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon and simple syrup.
Details: Starts at noon. Chubby's is at 1846 Hard Road on the far northwest side. (sportsbarcolumbusoh.com)
Combustion Brewery & Taproom
Combustion Brewery taprooms in Clintonville and Pickerington plan an all-day party with mint juleps and their own selection of draft beers. Each location has more than 20 on tap.
Details: Starts at 11 a.m. Combustion Brewery has two locations: 2971 N. High St. in Clintonville and 80 W. Church St. in Pickerington. (combustionbrewing.com)
Eastside Brewing Co.
The craft brewery in Reynoldsburg is doubling the themes of the weekend with a two-in-one party Saturday for the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo. Derby de Mayo features the debut of two new beers from Eastside Brewing Co.: Mint julep scotch ale and ancho chile black IPA.
Details: Starts at noon. Eastside Brewing Co. is at 1421 Davidson Drive in Reynoldsburg. (facebook.com/eastsidebrewingcompany)
Heart State Brewing
The Gahanna brewery's taproom is to offer prizes to the person wearing the best Derby hat. It will serve mint juleps in addition to its regular beer, cocktail and food menus.
Details: Starts at noon. Heart State Brewing is at 750 Cross Pointe Road in Gahanna. (heartstatebrewing.com)
Loose Rail Brewing
Loose Rail Brewing is celebrating the Kentucky Derby and its seventh year in business with a special Derby cocktail menu and the rerelease of a tren de carga, a Mexican lager brewed with flaked corn and matuka hops that create a lemon and lime flavor.
Hourly raffles are planned, and prizes are to go to those in the best Derby attire. Live music starts at 7 p.m.
Details: The party goes from 5 to 11 p.m. Loose Rail Brewing is at 37 W. Waterloo St. in Canal Winchester. (looserailbrewing.com)
Park Street Tavern
Park Street Tavern near the Arena District is putting the emphasis on fashion for its Derby party. There's a best-dressed competition planned, and the winner is to receive a gift that commemorates this year's 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby.
The bar also is to serve mint juleps and host Woodford Reserve tastings.
Details: The event is from 1 to 5 p.m. Park Street Tavern is at 501 Park St. just north of the Arena District. (parkstreettavern.com)
TownHall
The Short North bar is to serve Woodford Reserve mint juleps and a "Run for the Roses" cocktail. People who pick the correct horses will be eligible to win prizes from Woodford Reserve and TownHall.
Details: Starts at noon. TownHall is at 792 N. High St. in the Short North. (townhallohiocity.com)
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kentucky Derby parties, drink specials in Columbus and central Ohio
