Galt House to Celebrate Derby with Series of Events
Photos courtesy of The Galt House Hotel
The Galt House Hotel announced this year’s slate of programming in celebration of the 150th Kentucky Derby, which is set for May 4.
This year’s festivities at The Galt House Hotel will include nightly live entertainment, derby-themed art installations, Mint Julep Mixology classes and exclusive fashion pop-up shops with Draper James and Kendra Scott – the hotel will be an ideal home base to celebrate the landmark anniversary of the Kentucky Derby through immersive programming and unforgettable events.
Guests and visitors of the hotel can enjoy a series of lively weekend activations on-property, including a welcome reception, food and beverage specials and curated art installations from local and national artists. Derby goers can choose to craft themed drinks with the hotel’s expert bartenders or taste an over-the-top $150 iteration of the signature Derby cocktail, the Mint Julep in honor of the anniversary.
In addition, attendees can try on fashions from Draper James and join fellow race enthusiasts for viewing parties and pre-race celebrations on-site. Other standout offerings include bourbon tastings with Old Forester Bourbon, Michter’s, New Riff, Heaven Hill and more, plus refreshing Mint Julep stations throughout the hotel for guests to enjoy the classic derby cocktail. Additionally, hotel guests will receive themed keepsake amenities including an exclusive Kendall Jackson bottle of wine to commemorate their 150th Kentucky Derby weekend.
Hats Off to Derby Style: Draper James and In Bloom Custom Hats
Quintessentially Southern fashion brand Draper James will return to The Galt House for a highly-anticipated third year to host an exclusive pop-up shop on-property over the weekend for guests to take home their very own piece of iconic derby style. From floral spring dresses, sun hats to colorful accessories – Draper James offers contemporary, yet timeless Southern style perfect for derby festivities.
The pop=up shop will run Derby weekend: Thursday, May 2, in the lobby from 1pm-4pm and at the Call to The Post Reception from 4pm-7pm; Friday, May 3, from 8am-11am and 6pm-9pm in the Conservatory; Saturday, May 4, 8am-11am and 6pm-9pm in the Conservatory, and Sunday, May 5, from 8am-11am. The pop-ups will be located in the East Tower Lobby and the Conservatory.
The accessory that has become symbolic of The Kentucky Derby is no doubt the elaborate and elegant hats that adorn stylish derby goers. The Galt House will welcome milliner Wayne Esterle, who is known nationally for his custom Kentucky Derby hat designs. Wayne’s brand In Bloom will be on-site, offering hand-crafted Derby hats to guests and visitors alike for the perfect final touch to their Derby day attire. The hat shop will be located in the Azalea room on the 2nd floor of the west tower on Wednesday, May 1, from 9am-6pm; Thursday, May 2, 9am-6pm; Friday, May 3 8am-8pm, and Saturday, May 4, 8am-2pm.
As well, guests can dazzle this season with a new pop-up shop from Kendra Scott, offering exquisite jewelry pieces to elevate a Derby ensemble. Featuring a curated array of stunning jewelry pieces, guests can snag the perfect finishing touches to complete a Derby look – from statement earrings, to delicate bracelets and elegant necklaces. The pop-up will be located in the East Tower lobby Thursday, May 2, 4pm-7pm; Friday, May 3, 8am-11am, and Saturday, May 4 from 8am-11am.
‘Master The Mint Julep’ – Derby Cocktail Classes & Over The Top Iterations
Leaning into the iconic and signature beverage of the Kentucky Derby, Swizzle Dinner & Drinks will host a Derby Cocktail Class ahead of the Derby with talented mixologist and bartender, Frances Leary. Guests can experience this immersive and educational mixology class to learn how to create the perfect Mint Julep alongside other themed cocktails – taking place on April 30. Additional cocktails crafted will be the Tito’s Lily and Woodford Spire. The cocktail class will take place on April 30, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Down One Bourbon Bar. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Guests who would prefer to enjoy a crafted cocktail from the professionals can also enjoy a Mint Julep like never before with the hotel’s limited-time $150 Mint Julep cocktail offering, made with rare Al's Select Woodford Double Oaked and served in a custom keepsake Pewter Julep cup commemorating the historic race. For guests looking for a truly unforgettable cocktail tasting like, the $1,500 Mint Julep Experience is a luxurious and private experience meant to be shared. Served tableside, up to five guests can enjoy five Mint Juleps featuring rare 10 year aged bourbon from Pappy Van Winkle, served in keepsake glasses.
Gear Up for The Big Race with Professional Handicappers at The Galt House
Join professional horse racing handicappers for an exclusive event to take a deep dive analysis of the key questions for this year’s 150th Derby Race. The session is presented by three professional horse racing handicappers. The speakers will be Peter Fornatale, a renowned, published author within the world of racing who holds credentials as a handicapper and expert on tournament play, Vanessa Ryle, an accomplished horse racing broadcaster in the UK with Sky Sports Racing, and Phillip Shelton, expert racing manager with Medallion Racing.
The three will discuss and analyze the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Oaks racehorses, answer the top questions for this year’s event and explore the best bets for all of the other races taking place on Derby weekend. The event will take place Thursday, May 2, from 5pm-6pm in the Willow Room located on the third floor of the West Tower of the Galt House Hotel. The event is free to hotel guests and will feature light bites.
Call to the Post Welcome Reception
Held in the Archibald Cochran Ballroom in the West Tower, the Call to Post Welcome Reception will offer a spirited kickoff to derby weekend. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and bourbon tastings, and specialty cocktails with the option to engrave a custom Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve Bourbon bottle as a keepsake. Guests can also enjoy Al’s Selection of rare barrel picks available for purchase – including Weller Special Reserve, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Elijah Craig Single Barrel, Yellowstone, Whistlepig 10 year rye whiskey and 6 year piggyback rye, Four Roses Single Barrel and Woodford Double Oak. The hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour will be complemented by live entertainment and more. The Call to Post Welcome Reception will take place on Thursday, May 2 from 4:30pm-7:00pm and is a complimentary event for hotel guests only.
Derby Culinary Offerings and Experiences
The Galt House will offer distinct experiences in each of its celebrated bar and restaurant concepts. Bourbon aficionados and foodies can enjoy Swizzle Dinner & Drinks, the retro-style supper club located on the hotel’s 25th floor, offering spectacular views of the city. Swizzle will offer thoughtfully crafted dinner specials, paired with high-end Bourbons and fine cocktails. Walker’s Exchange will serve up a breakfast buffet featuring classic comfort delicacies. In the evening, Walker’s Exchange will also host the hotel’s popular ‘Cigar Lounge’ from 8:00pm-11:00pm on the patio, featuring live entertainment.
For unparalleled libations, the Galt House boasts multiple convivial bar concepts to relish in the weekend celebrations and enjoy prime derby viewing. Guests can taste the best of Kentucky bourbons at Jockey Silks, with over one hundred types of Bourbon, stop at the Veranda lobby bar for Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas and hand selected wines or enjoy vast bourbon and spirit selections at Down One Bourbon Bar for a late night drink. The transformed Conservatory Bar will offer all-day cocktail specials to enjoy alongside large screen viewing of the derby and live music – backdropped by the Louisville skyline and sweeping views of the Ohio River. For all restaurant and bar hours and dining reservations visit the website HERE.
