Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner American Pharaoh could become the first Triple Crown victor since 1978, if the colt wins Belmont Stakes this Saturday.
If you aren't interested in making the trip out to Long Island to watch the race, which should run between 6 and 7 p.m., here's where you can watch the races with the comforts of air conditioning, high quality booze and plenty of seating.
► 21 Club, 21 West 52nd Street in Midtown
"There are only three times throughout the year when televisions can be found in Bar '21' & Lounge," the club assures the public in a statement on its website. "It's not the Super Bowl or the Academy Awards. It's not the World Series either. It's the Triple Crown." Admission to this part is $55 a person, which does not seem unreasonable considering there is nowhere more appropriately iconic for this specific event.
► Mad46 Rooftop Lounge, 45 East 45th Street in Midtown
If you feel like trying your hand at race day fancy dress, here's a party for you. Smartly attired attendees can win a prize for their efforts. Do your best not to spill a Belmont Jewel cocktail on a white dress — pomegranate juice leaves quite a stain.
Eat pizza topped with lobster and truffles while watching the Belmont Stakes at the Plaza. At $136 a head, this is probably not your cheapest option, but that might seem like small change compared to what you'll win if the odds are in your favor on the race track.
► The Tempest Bar, 407 8th Avenue in Midtown
The independently-owned and managed Tempest takes fierce pride in being a first-wave New York pub. It caters to a community of patrons that includes sports fans of every stripe and Madison Square Garden's panoply of concert attendees. This Belmont viewing experience promises to be good old-fashioned fun.
► The Triple Crown NYC, 330 7th Avenue at West 29th Street Midtown
If any bar seems like a natural place choice of venue for watching the races, the Triple Crown is it. A staff member says they'll have "TVs everywhere" around the bar during Saturday's sporting event. Also, just to be clear — it's a Triple Crown-themed bar. 'Nuff said, right?
► Sweetwater Social, 643 Broadway in the West Village
The cocktail menu at this West Village bar, combined with the viewing booths that Belmont viewers can reserve for free, make it a great place to go to watch the races if your viewing companions need some convincing to sit through a horse race. And if they lose interest, they can go play foosball.
Happy race day!
