The Galt House Hotel, Louisville’s landmark waterfront hotel is offering this year’s exciting slate of programming to celebrate the 149th annual Kentucky Derby, taking place on May 6, 2023. The hotel will be an ideal home base to experience the festivities for America’s longest-running sports event, offering travelers a unique and immersive Kentucky Derby travel experience. From a bourbon themed art exhibit to an expert-led Derby Betting analysis session ahead of the big race to an exclusive fashion pop-up shop with Draper James – the historic hotel is the spot for guests and locals alike to immerse in some of Louisville’s most beloved traditions.
Guests and visitors of The Galt House will enjoy a series of derby weekend activations from a spirited welcome reception to delectable food and beverage specials, with nightly live entertainment throughout the hotel. Other standout offerings include wine tasting experiences with Jackson Family Wines plus bourbon tastings with Old Forester Bourbon, Michter’s, New Riff, Heaven Hill and more, plus Mint Julep stations throughout the hotel for guests to enjoy the classic derby cocktail. Additionally, hotel guests will receive themed keepsake amenities to commemorate their derby experience.
“Bowtied Together” Art Exhibit
Derby guests and visitors will have the opportunity to visit “Bowtied Together” – a philanthropic art exhibit on-site at the Galt House, showcasing 50 wooden bowties hand-carved out of bourbon barrels. Like the perfect bourbon pairing, the bowties were hand-carved out of old bourbon barrels by US Military veterans from Cruise Customs then transformed by local artists to create a unique art display. The exhibit is put on by Bourbon with HeART, Kentucky’s first and only arts-focused bourbon charity. Select bow ties will be available for purchase - proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The exhibit debuted April 1 and will run through Derby Week. Located in the 1st Floor of the East Tower Veranda Lobby Bar.
The Derby Dozen – Gear Up for The Big Race at The Galt House
Join professional horse racing handicappers for an exclusive event to take a deep dive analysis of twelve key questions for this year’s Derby Race. The session is presented by three legendary professional horse racing handicappers. The expert speakers will be Peter Fornatale, a renowned, published author within the world of racing who holds credentials as a handicapper and an expert on tournament play, Jonathon Kinchen, former handicapping champion and current horseplayer advocate and Maggie Wolfendale - a host, analyst, and reporter for the NYRA produced show “America’s Day at the Races” and “Saratoga Live” for Fox Sports.
The three will discuss and analyze the 2023 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. Ticket proceeds will go to Thoroughbred Charities of America. The event will take place Thursday, May 4th from 7pm - 9pm in the Willis Clements room located on the second floor of the East Tower of the Galt House Hotel. Tickets are $100, and include admission into the event as well as food and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage. Full information and tickets for the event can be found HERE.
Derby Fashion with Draper James
The quintessentially Southern fashion brand Draper James will be returning 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 from Thursday, May 4 - in the lobby from 1pm – 4pm and at the Call to The Post Reception from 4pm-7pm, Friday, May 5 – 8am – 11am, Saturday, May 6 8am– 11am. Located on the 3rd floor of the West Tower, directly outside of the Conservatory.
Call to the Post Welcome Reception
Held on the third floor of 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel, Weller Antique, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Jefferson Twin Oak and Four Roses Single Barrel. 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 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is a complimentary event for hotel guests only.
Culinary Offerings and Experiences
Embodying Louisville’s intersection of rich Bourbon history and Southern culinary excellence, 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 a daily boozy brunch and 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.
Primely positioned in the central hub of Louisville, the Galt House allows travelers to revel in the best of the city’s liveliness and the unique spirit of the Kentucky Derby. With 1,310 sophisticated guest rooms and suites, 130,000 square-feet of function space, and six inventive dining concepts onsite, The Galt House provides the very best of Southern hospitality. The hotel offers quick accessibility to the city’s buzziest attractions including Whiskey Row, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Muhammad Ali Center, Urban Bourbon Trail, Fourth Street Live and more.
For more information, please visit www.galthouse.com/derby-program-2023
