There’s no wrong way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, but in Amarillo, the only way to celebrate is at The Drunken Oyster! The Kentucky Derby is more than just a race, it’s a long-standing, deeply historied American tradition – oh, and it’s a fantastic reason to gather with your friends! As per tradition, the annual Kentucky Derby is scheduled for the first Saturday in May at the iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, KY. The Derby pits 20 horses against one another as they race to earn one of the top five spots in the run. (We won’t hold it against them for only allowing Thoroughbreds in the race and not Amarillo’s beloved American Quarter Horses… but we can cover that on another post.)

There is no dress code for the event, but if you want to go all out, it’s sun dresses and a broad-brimmed straw hat for the ladies and a seersucker suit, a straw fedora, and a bow tie for the gentlemen. (Not required, but a heck of a lot of fun for your Instagram feed!)

We will have the race on our TVs, our Derby hats on and we’ll be serving the best Cajun food in Amarillo to go with your official Kentucky Derby drinks. Bourbon is the drink of the day and our Library Bar will be fully stocked with enough of it to serve our hand-crafted Mint Juleps all night. For Derby Day food items, we recommend enjoying our traditional Southern fare to give you that full Kentucky Derby experience. Want to start the fun a little early? Let’s Brunch Amarillo!

Stick around after the race to enjoy dinner inside or if the weather is nice feel free to book a table on the patio for the best outdoor dining in Amarillo. Or just hang at the bar with us for the best Amarillo nightlife scene around! So, if you are looking for restaurants in Amarillo that celebrate the Kentucky Derby, look no further! Come join us as we watch the Run for the Roses!