This isn’t a one-horse race!
The Honorary Homer Fink Kentucky Derby Gala at the Bell House is certainly a favorite for Derby day, but there are plenty of other pony parties taking place around the borough. Here is our form guide to some of the best.
All that jazz
Likely Kings County’s biggest bash, the Brooklyn Derby returns to Greenwood Park with over 600 racing enthusiasts dancing to live tunes from Park Slope’s alt-country five-some the DeLorean Sisters and Dandy Wellington and His Band, which plays ’30s and ’40s jazz tunes.
Greenwood Park (555 Seventh Ave. between 19th and 20th streets in Greenwood Heights, www.brook
Suds and studs
Berg’n, the new mega beer hall in Crown Heights, makes its Derby day debut with a costume contest, $5 Sixpoint Brewery drafts, slushie mint juleps, and Derby food specials. Sixpoint will also release its new German gose Jammer at the bash.
4–10 pm at Berg’n [899 Bergen St. between Classon and Franklin avenues in Crown Heights, (718) 857–2337, www.bergn.com].
Southern comfort
For an authentic southern Derby experience, trot over to Williamsburg barbecue joint Mable’s Smokehouse, which promises derby pie, $7 mint juleps, and “friendly wagering.”
3 pm at Mable’s Smokehouse and Banquet Hall [44 Berry St. between North 11th and North 12th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 218–6655, www.mable
Ladies’ night
The Junior League, a Brooklyn Heights’ women’s volunteer organization, is posting up at Putnam’s Pub and Cooker in Fort Greene for a mad-hatter-themed part y. There will be prizes for the best hats and outfits, raffles, and free finger food. Entry is $55 at the door and there’s a cash bar. But, a portion of the proceeds supports league programs.
4–8 pm at Putnam’s Pub and Cooker [419 Myrtle Ave. at Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill, (718) 488–7253, www.event
Big spenders
Want to win big without betting on the ponies? Union Hall in Park Slope will give $100 cash to the best hat and best suit at its bash. There will also be corn-hole, bocce, and give-aways.
2 pm at Union Hall [702 Union St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 638–4400, www.union
