Dress Code
The purpose of the Dress Code is to provide guidance on appropriate dress for guests to uphold a professional and respectful setting for everyone to feel comfortable during their visit to Churchill Downs. Our facility is host to many types of gatherings, from family reunions and birthday celebrations to business conferences. Because we have a number of different dining rooms, we hope this will clarify the expectations in each and make it easier to prepare for race day. The Dress Code may change, and we encourage even our longstanding guests to refer to this page from time to time for updates. While there is no particular dress code for guests purchasing outdoor reserved seating or general admission tickets to Churchill Downs, management reserves the right to deny admission to anyone whose attire they consider to be inappropriate including for cases where clothing has offensive symbols or language. The dress code, although encouraged, does not apply to children under the age of 12.
Please refer to the chart below to identify the applicable dress code for your seating location followed by some helpful "Do's & Don'ts" for each of the three dress code types:
Track Casual
Do's: Jackets and blazers optional. Vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts and slacks are appropriate, as are golf shorts and capris.
Don'ts: Worn or torn garments, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim, and flip-flops are considered inappropriate attire.
Smart Casual
Do's: Jackets and blazers optional. Vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts and slacks are appropriate.
Don'ts: Cargo shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim or shorts, and tennis shoes are considered inappropriate attire.
*Dress Code for Roses Lounge is Smart Casual, except for Derby Week, Mother's Day, Preakness, Belmont, Thanksgiving and the Clark Handicap when this room is considered to be Turf Club Roses Lounge. On these days the dress code is Business Casual.
Business Casual
Do's: Jackets and blazers, vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, slacks and capri pants are appropriate.
Don'ts: Jeans/denim, shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, and flip-flops are all considered inappropriate attire & are not permitted in these areas.
Other Considerations:
HATS - We encourage fascinators & fanciful hats year round, and especially during Derby Week!
FOOTWEAR - We suggest flat shoes or shoes with a block or wedge heel as well as comfortable insoles, as our facility is expansive and there may be a lot of walking involved.
FABRICS - In warmer months, we recommend dressing in breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking blends for comfort. In colder months, we suggest bringing a third layer such as a cardigan or jacket for accessing the outdoor terraces and balconies. We also recommend a stylish water-resistant jacket during the Spring, as it does tend to rain and umbrellas are
not permitted at Churchill Downs.
The Dress Code does not apply to the Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks. For more ideas about what to wear to these events, visit this link
HERE.
After reviewing this page, if you have any questions about what is appropriate to wear, please reach our team at 502-636-4400 and we would be happy to provide further clarification.
