Derby, Before The Run

April 29, 2026 5:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Go to Website Buy Tickets
8Up Elevated Drinkery and Kitchen
350 W. Chestnut Street\r\nHilton Garden Inn Rooftop Louisville, KY 40202
Jasmine Causey
E:Jasmine.Causey@Hilton.com
P:(502) 298-5398
Admission: 75

A pre-kickoff where history, hospitality & sound collide—rooftop vibes honoring the culture behind the Derby's original excellence.

Derby, Before the Run is not just a pre–kickoff—it's a reclamation.

Before the pageantry.
Before the spectacle.
Before the world arrived.

In partnership with SisterSong, After Work Kickback brings you an experience that re-centers the legacy of original culture—the visionaries and pioneers who shaped the origins of the Derby and defined its early excellence long before it became a global phenomenon.

What to expect:

  • Unmatched premium rooftop views of Derby City
  • Local and international headlining DJs
  • An exclusive "Storytelling Room Experience" and cultural tribute honoring the untold and underrepresented legacy of Black jockeys, with globally recognized celebrity bartenders and sample cocktails
  • (2) Complimentary specialty crafted cocktails included with each ticket . Additional cocktails available for purchase.
  • Curated small bites
  • Local Vendors

Derby, Before the Run is a community gathering, remembrance, celebration, and moment in time where culture takes its rightful place at center stage—honoring the past while recognizing how it continues to shape the world today.

This isn't just where you start Derby weekend. This is where you understand it.