photo by Saxon + Parole
Travel
Top 15 Spots For an Equestrian Themed Gathering
It's Derby season, y'all! While the "most exciting two minutes in sports" may come and go-go-gallop away this weekend, that doesn't mean we can't gather with our gals in serious style for the rest of the summer!...
photo by Saxon + Parole
It's Derby season, y'all! While the "most exciting two minutes in sports" may come and go-go-gallop away this weekend, that doesn't mean we can't gather with our gals in serious style for the rest of the summer! We're thinking fresh mint juleps, chic chapeaus & an homage to one of the greastest & oldest gatherings in the history of the good old U.S. of A just about anytime we please! (Yes please). This means plenty of equestrian decor because who has time for DIY in the summer sunshine? If you're looking for an intimate hotspot, a purposeful wild West adventure or a chic twist on this classic gathering, put your pretty pennies on one of these 15 luxurious private dining spots to host a horsey party of your own, equestrian decor included.
Is there a more perfect place to park your pony-loving posse than in an real-life "Old Kentucky Home?" Better yet, 21c Museum Hotel Louisville isn't "old" at all but a chic, art-filled gathering spot, boasting a beautiful cocktail menu + fresh, innovative food. Cock your chic chapeaus to the side, the rotating roster of eye-catching and thought-provoking art make for THE most perfect Insta backdrops. Bonus: bring everyone you know and dance under the light of a "disco ball" (aka silver site-specific ceiling art installation) or have a more intimate gathering at award-winning onsite restaurant, Proof on Main. Make sure you click to the end of this round-up for a super special Mint Julep recipe courtesy of 21c Museum Hotel Louisville that you can make at home!
Could there be a better place for a Derby themed gathering than at a hip NYC eatery named for two New York-bred winning racehorses with their own brand of whiskey? The restaurant features rich design elements and modernist details, paying homage to the numerous horse stables that once populated Lower Manhattan. Saxon + Parole’s multi-award winning beverage program features a fresh approach to bespoke spirits, syrups, bitters, fresh-squeezed juices, and house-made sodas, and includes Parole Whiskey – Saxon + Parole’s very own house brand of whiskey.
What else would you name a bar located on Hay Street? The beautiful Stables Bar was once home to Perth’s first horse stables in the 19th century, the public house is now a modernized, two-story bar and restaurant with stunning skyline views of magical Perth from its chic outdoor space. Perfect for I-do's or a special dine-in.
If you're looking for a luxurious wild, wild West experience, head to Wyoming and saddle up sassy sojourners!
The spirit of the American West is alive and wonderfully well at this spectacular Saratoga, WY ranch & spa at the base of the Sierras! Kick up your heels and gather at this 30,000 acre ranch with luxury lodge & gorgeous glamping accommodations, a natural rock amphitheater and yes, a Cowboy Dance Hall. Think interiors in sumptuous saddle leathers, equestrian artwork, antler chandeliers and bohemian rugs - hats of all kinds - cowboy, oversized or otherwise would be welcome here.
The spirit of the American West is alive and wonderfully well at this spectacular Saratoga, WY ranch & spa at the base of the Sierras! Kick up your heels and gather at this 30,000 acre ranch with luxury lodge & gorgeous glamping accommodations, a natural rock amphitheater and yes, a Cowboy Dance Hall. Think interiors in sumptuous saddle leathers, equestrian artwork, antler chandeliers and bohemian rugs - hats of all kinds - cowboy, oversized or otherwise would be welcome here.
Where Louisville may be a bit more au courant, 21c Museum Hotel Lexington certainly stands out in the Bluegrass State's distinctly more traditional city. Once the Fayette National Bank Building, it's historic features have been preserved including the original Bank Vault - now called the Lockbox which was turned into a stunning private dining space. Our cards are on this beautiful table and baby, they’re just showing hearts.
If you're looking for a spot where the glamour of Old Hollywood meets the thrill of the horse races and the simplicity of a picnic at the beach coalesces into a cosmopolitan capital of California cool... you'll find it at Relais & Chaeteux hotel, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. The Pony Room in particular is where you'll find the ritzy after-work Del Mar crowd, making deals, shaking hands & sipping hand-crafted cocktails among rich and supple leathers. Gather your specials and head to this spectacular resort a hop, skip & a jump from the Del Mar Racetrack... where in the words of Bing Crosby... 'the surf meets the turf."
Tally ho old chap! March your comrades over to the finest urban sporting club in all the land, Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club. You'll find the most luxurious of everyman's leisures - take up arms, arrows, fishing poles, ride ponies or golf clubs. After a day o' sport, pop your peeps over to the equestrian stables or polo fields for an apres-pony cocktail hour or picnic! BOOK THIS VENUE
What better place to get up close and personal with these majestic equines than in their natural habitat? Mustang Monument is a sustainable resort and preserve for wild horses. Surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, the resort encompasses over 900 square miles just south of Wells, Nevada, and provides guests with unforgettable, customized safari adventures, glamorous glamping adventures and plenty of top notch amenities. Who wouldn't want to glamp in the midst of a wild mustang preserve in their own pony-print tipi? Bonus: All guests leave knowing that their stay at Mustang Monument directly contributed to the preservation of the wild Mustang.
Does it get more pony-inspired than Ralph Lauren's classic logo? We think not. Lucky for all of us equestrian lovers, we can get our pony fix at the new Equestrian Room, recently opened within Ralph Lauren's eponoymous Polo Bar in New York. Think a Henry Koehler polo-match mural on the exterior and saddle leather and equestrian art on the interior with a full menu of Ralph's American fare faves. Bonus: does it get fancier than the waitstaff decked out in custom grey flanner trousers, leather wingtips & silk repp ties? Sink into sumptuous eats, pop on a pretty print and clink a mint julep with your mains at this homage to all things Americana... and Ralph Lauren.
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What better place to perch your pretty posse either before or after taking in a race at local Del Mar Racetrack than nearby CUCINA enoteca Del Mar? It's truly got everything you want for a cool, coastal equestrian themed gathering - it's a California inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop in a whimsical bohemian cool setting. Nosh with your nearest on Italian classics served with a modern twist, family-style and with house-infused liquors. We likey. Don't miss: the SUPER cool horse art installation going up the stairs!
If you're looking for more of an equestrian adventure, then yee-haw, cuz #yolo at the world's only Forbes Five-Star Guest Ranch. Nestled neatly in one of Montana’s most vibrant valleys, The Ranch at Rock Creek offers an opulent and authentic 19th century homestead-away-from-home. Experience awe-inspiring views from The Top of the World on horseback and drift off in a bespoke glamping tent under the Big Sky. As for dining you and your crew will spend nights in the onsite Silver Dollar Saloon - where you'll lasso up some luxurious eats, drinks & entertainment. BOOK THIS VENUE
How in the heck does decor that mixes posh Piccadilly with tropical Tampa at this historic 1910 event space work? But it does, it so beautifully does. Can't you imagine being cuddled up in theis tufted booth, sipping on some sweet spirits, digging into fresh, local fare & gabbing delightedly with a girlfriend or two? Horse image, included, naturally.
The 21 Club is a a New York City icon inside and out, guests are welcomed back in time to the only townhouse on the block amidst a sea of skyscrapers. Thirty-three vintage jockey statues adorn the exterior behind an iron gate that predates '21'. A capped doorman ushers guests into this former speakeasy and a cozy yet sophisticated lounge awaits inside. Get nice and cozy with your crew at this equestrian themed upscale club, '21' still features an original Prohibition-era wine cellar, complete with camouflaged entrance, which you can rent for all kinds of private parties, pony-themed or neigh. BOOK THIS VENUE
Just a hop, skip and a jump (gallop) across the pond, is the stately Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel where tea for two is an experience and the whiskey is even better. While we may as well set the fine china and settle in with our sojourners for a spectacular soiree with a sophisticated spot of tea in the glass Conservatory or host a beautiful bash at Butlers Restaurant - we're here for the whiskey in The Terrace Bar. If these walls could talk it would tell you about Grace Kelly taking to the dance floor on opening night and John Lennon hosting Sean's birthday party. But expect perfect plaids, a massively curated cocktail list, equestrian art & a private club feel.
The recently renovated Michigan gem, White Horse Inn is now open for business! The legendary spot in Metamora has quite the pedigree, it's served as a stop for stagecoaches and trains, a hotel, a brothel, an Underground Railroad stop, and, most recently and once again, a restaurant. The multiple-story, white clapboard building, which was built in 1850, has been lovingly refurbished to feel similar to an 1800s establishment, but with practical updates. Think All-American comfort foods with a 2nd floor perfect for large groups and private parties. The first floor features a large stone fireplace and hearth that is perfect for visiting with friends on a cold winter day.
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