With Melbourne Cup just around the corner, venues around Australia are gearing up for the race that stops the nation.
But if you’re still looking for ideas or have left planning until the last minute, don’t fret – we’ve scoped out some of the best Melbourne Cup celebrations taking place on Tuesday, 5 November.
Here are a few of our top picks on where to celebrate Melbourne Cup in 2019:
Café del Mar – Sydney
Celebrate Melbourne Cup 2019 in style will a sophisticated soiree at Café del Mar in Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
For $145 per person, you can choose either the Restaurant Party, with a seated three-course lunch and a glass of Champagne on arrival, or the Terrace Party, which includes a four-hour beverage package, pop-up food stalls, canapes and a glass of Champagne on arrival.
Continue the fun at the Melbourne Cup After Party, which includes access to the venue after the race (from 5pm) and entertainment until 10pm. For $29 per person, guests will enjoy a glass of Champagne or Peroni on arrival and canapes. Enquire here.
Palace Hotel – Sydney
For something more casual, Palace Hotel in Sydney’s Haymarket is the place to be this Melbourne Cup with its large high definition flat screen to watch the race, a delicious brasserie menu and a wide range of prosecco and racing-themed cocktail specials.
Lunch can be ordered from the hotel’s brasserie menu and there will be racing sweepstakes, a fresh flower wall for photos and prizes.
Channel 7 media identity Rufus Barr will MC the event, with live Broadway-style entertainment provided by Izzy Hanly and her accompanist. Enquire here.
Ovolo Incholm – Brisbane
If you’re wondering where to celebrate Melbourne Cup in Brisbane, step inside the walls of a 1930s medical practice turned chic boutique hotel at Ovolo Incholm.
Enjoy Aperol Spritz and canapes on arrival, a three-course lunch and three-hour beverage package all while watching the action on multiple screens for $149 per person.
Enquire here.
Employee’s Only – Sydney
Hidden away behind an unassuming psychic sign in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Employees Only is a great spot to soak up all the action this Melbourne Cup.
Guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne on arrival, before watching the race on two large screens and dancing to the all-day DJ. Did we mention it’s free entry? The bubbles will be flowing from 12pm. Enquire here.
Bel & Brio – Sydney
Mary Mae’s – Brisbane
Book a table at Mary Mae’s and celebrate the race that stops a nation by the riverside. For $150 per person, enjoy a three-hour premium beverage package, a two-course meal and shared dessert platter.
There’ll also be live coverage of the race on large screens, live music and sweepstakes. Enquire here.
STUDIO – Sydney
Break away from the pack and host Melbourne Cup in the sky at STUDIO. Perched 86 levels above the CBD, enjoy the festivities with a million dollar view.
For $100 per person, corporate groups can enjoy exclusive use of the venue with a chef’s selection of canapés on arrival, a two-course alternative serve luncheon and a three-hour beverage package.
Punters can enjoy all the action on the in-house screens, plus a handheld microphone and stage piece is included. Enquire here.
The Island – Gold Coast
For groups on the Gold Coast wondering where to celebrate Melbourne Cup, The Island has two special offers this year.
The Rooftop Party, priced at $99 per person, offers French sparkling, premium wines and beers, and hot and cold canapés.
For a more premium event, the G.H. Mumm Glasshouse Party, at $169 per person, includes four hours of G.H. Mumm Champagne, a race-day spritz station, premium wines and beers, plus a charcuterie station, live paella station and hot and cold substantial canapés.
There’ll be live entertainment, installations, prizes and all the racing action on the giant screens. Enquire here.
The Grace Hotel – Sydney
The Grace Brasserie in Sydney is once again hosting its annual Melbourne Cup seafood buffet lunch and three-hour free-flowing beverage package.
A popular option for corporate groups in Sydney, the celebrations kick off at 12:30pm and are priced at $115 per head.
For an even sweeter deal, tables of 10 people or more will this year receive two free bottles of Duval-Leroy Champagne. Enquire here.
Cloudland – Brisbane
Cloudland’s Birdcage Garden Party offers three hours of drinks, food, DJs, photo moments with some very special ‘royal’ guests, plus prizes for fashions on the field and sweeps. Tickets are priced at $129 per person (first release).
Meanwhile, the G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon will welcome punters to the Rockefeller-inspired Rainbow Room and Terrace on the top level of Cloudland.
There’ll be G.H. Mumm Champagne and spritzes on offer, a three-course gala luncheon, plus entertainment by Millenium Band prizes, sweeps and more.
Tickets are $199 per person or $2268 for a table of 12, and $10 from each Gala Luncheon ticket will go towards a charity. Enquire here.
