It doesn't matter which horses you pick, or which bourbon you drink. ~ Said no Kentuckian ever.
Derby Day Drinks All Week
The Kentucky Derby may be over in two minutes, but Mint Juleps will be on the menu all week at One Market, for only $5. The Monday-through-Saturday restaurant is even opening on Sunday so you can bring Mom to a sophisticated Mother's Day brunch and treat her to the classic bourbon cocktail, made with muddled mint, sugar, water, and crushed ice. Fancy hats not required (but encouraged!). // 1 Market St. (Embarcadero), onemarket.com
Seven New Cocktails at Smokestack
We tend to think of Magnolia's Smokestack as a beer and barbeque destination, so it bears reminding that the full-service bar is well-stocked with whiskey and the bartenders aren't afraid to play with it. The latest bar menu includes seven spring cocktails made with small-batch spirits, including "A Curtis Brown Mystery," featuring mellow corn whiskey, crème de cacao, lime, almond milk, honey, Nut Job Bitters, and cinnamon. // 2505 3rd St. (Dogpatch), magnoliasmokestack.com
Five Days of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo lasts a lot longer than the Kentucky Derby, but not long enough to satisfy Uno Dos Tacos. The Mexican taqueria and tequila bar is celebrating Cinco de Mayo all week with all-day happy hours Monday through Friday. In addition to special prices on margaritas de la casa, sangria roja, cerveza, and Mexican treats, Chef Luis will be serving his special café de la olla - a coffee spiced with cinnamon, ginger and piloncillo during breakfast. If you stop by on May 5, you'll find selfie photo booths on the patio, plus prizes and fun schwag. Uno Dos Tacos opens at 7am, Monday through Friday. // 595 Market St. (SoMa), unodostacos.com
Maifest at Schroeder's
As if Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo weren't enough, there's a German holiday afoot as well: Maifest. The traditional celebration of the spring harvest just happens to coincide with the 123rd anniversary of Schroeder's restaurant—which calls for a party! The giant beer hall will be decked out in colorful, handmade paper flowers the entire month, and on May 5th at 5pm, everyone is invited to gather for food, beer, dancing, and beer hall games, including stein holding contests. Polkalicious will bring the oompah, starting at 6:30pm. // 240 Front St. (FiDi), schroederssf.com
Derby Party at Hog & Rocks
If you're looking for the full Kentucky Derby experience with horse race gambling, live bluegrass music, seersucker suits and sundresses, you can't beat Hog & Rocks' annual Derby Party. Slated for this Saturday, from noon to 4pm, the party menu includes pulled pork sliders, mini corn dogs, pimento cheese with housemade pretzels, an oyster "shuck and suck" contest, craft beer, bubbles and, of course, Mint Juleps. Tickets are available online for $30 each. // 3431 19th St. (Mission), hogandrocks.com
