Giddy-up Brisbane, because the Melbourne Cup is sweeping through the nation on Tuesday 3rd of November 2020 and we have found the best locations to enjoy a day of bubbles, beers and betting! Unfortunately, we can’t really help you to pick the winning horse or which fancy fascinator to wear. What we can help you with, however, is finding the perfect Melbourne Cup Day party to pop some champagne and watch the race that stops the nation!
THE FOX HOTEL – South Brisbane
South Brisbane’s favourite bar will be hosting two boozy Melbourne Cup parties under one roof! Guests can watch the race live and loud in the ground bar or head upstairs for the Dandy’s Rooftop Long Lunch with live commentary. The venue will be serving up an A La Carte menu all day long so that even the pickiest of eaters will be satisfied, Think rump steaks, artisanal pizzas, seasonal salads and plenty of share platters. There will also be a champagne, sparkling, and cocktail list available. Be sure to try the Brookies Dry Gin cocktail with Long Rays Tonic, pink grapefruit and rosemary sprigs!
Time: Midday arrival time.
Cost: Free entry venue wide. For a table at the Dandy’s Rooftop Bar, bookings are essential, so click here to secure your spot!
FRIDAY’S – Brisbane City
Brisbane’s favourite riverside terrace bar is hosting an afternoon full of fun, excitement, and booze! Located along the Brisbane River Foreshore, there is no better backdrop to celebrate the biggest race of the year! Dress to impress and unwind in the beautiful lush terrace bar as you indulge on one of the two luxurious food and drink packages available, a two-course lunch and standard drinks package for $125pp or a two-course lunch and premium drinks package for $155pp. Bookings are essential, so be sure to book now!
Time: Midday arrival time.
Price: Standard package $125pp, Premium package $155pp. Bookings are essential, click here to secure your spot!
THE BRISBANE RACING CLUB – Ascot
What better place to celebrate the nation’s biggest race than at The Brisbane Racing Club? Experience an atmosphere like nowhere else in Brisbane as Doomben hosts their annual Fashions on the Field, multiple pop-up bars and restaurants, as well as trackside super screens broadcasting the great race. Whether you’re celebrating casually with friends, or hosting a premium Cup Day function, this will be a Melbourne Cup Day to remember.
Time: 9:30am arrival for members, 10am arrival for general public.
Price: General Admission $35pp, Premium Trackside Lawn Package $60pp, Membership Season Pass $105. Be sure to grab your tickets here before they fly out the door!
RIVERBAR & KITCHEN – Brisbane City
Another one of Brisbane’s riverside gems is turning it up and on for the big race day with venue-wide sweeps, prizes for the best dressed, live music, and a whole lot of screens to watch every second of the action! The team at Riverbar separated the day into 3 separate arrival sections to ensure absolute COVID safety. For only $69pp you can grab a chair at the Riverbar’s pony party and enjoy a lunch of shared entrees and one of their delicious main-course options, paired with a glass of Chandon or any Carlton United Brewery beers on tap. Bookings are essential so grab your tickets today!
Time: 11:30am, 12:00pm, or 1:00pm session arrival times.
Price: $69pp. Click here to secure your tickets today!
DARLING AND CO – Paddington
Dress all the way up and celebrate the opulence of cup day at Darling, back by popular demand. The Melbourne Cup Luncheon will take place in the floral-adorned, open-air eatery. From killer cocktails to super fancy canapés, Darling & Co is sure to impress with their three-course lunch and three-hour cocktail package for $125pp. These guys will be dialling up the race day vibes with interactive sweeps and prizes for the best dressed! Seating is limited so bookings are essential!
Time: Midday arrival time.
Price: $125pp. Seating is limited, book your tickets here before you miss out!
X-CARGO – Fortitude Valley
There ain’t no party like a garden party, especially when that garden party just so happens to be the X-CARGO Melbourne Cup Garden Party! Watch as this tropical shipping container oasis transforms into an exclusive celebration of the biggest must-attend event of the year. These guys will be hosting sweeps, Fashions on the Field, prizes for best dressed, and best race day hats! For only $99pp guests can enjoy a brilliant 3-hour food and drink package, offering tap beers, tap wines, house spirits, sparkling, and plenty of canapes. Just because the race will eventually come to a stop, doesn’t mean that these guys will be! The X-CARGO Garden Party and entertainment will be continuing well into the evening.
Time: Midday arrival time.
Cost: $99pp. Book your tickets here as places are limited!
CLOUDLAND – Fortitude Valley
Let your troubles melt like lemon drops and indulge in the sweet deliciousness of an oh-so-stylish Melbourne Cup soirée with one of their four package deals. Enjoy all of the excitement of the nation’s biggest race while indulging in a five-star feast of food and drinks, live entertainment and special guests, fashions on the field and race day sweeps.
The Birdcage package, hosted in Cloudland’s Madame Hedges and Crystal Palais, offers a three-hour canape and drinks package for $139pp. Birdcage ticket holders can upgrade their groups to an exclusive Crystal Palais Booth for $1000 for groups of 10 and $1500 for groups of 15. Enjoy the Birdcage’s three-hour canape and drinks package with the addition of free-flowing G.H Mumm Champagne! For an intimate sit-down gala luncheon experience, guests can enjoy the $209pp G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon in the Rose Room. Guests will be treated to a luxurious three-course luncheon and a three and a half hour G.H. Mumm drinks package. For a heightened Melbourne Cup day experience, guests can lounge in the Moon Room’s luxurious Perrier-Jouet Bubbles & Pearls Pavilion for $259pp. Indulge in a premium four-hour Perrier-Jouët Champagne drinks package, as well as a plethora of hot and cold canapes, fresh and cooked seafood, and delicious desserts throughout the day.
Time: 11:30am, 12:00pm, or 12:30pm arrival times.
Cost: Birdcage package $139pp, with G.H. Mumm Booths available for groups of 10 or 15 people holding Birdcage tickets, G.H. Mumm Rose Room Luncheon $209pp, Perrier-Jouet Bubbles & Pearls Pavillion in the Moon Room $259. Click here to secure your package booking for the big day!
QA HOTEL – New Farm
Celebrate in style this Melbourne Cup day at James Street’s prestigious QA Hotel! Race day at QA is nothing short of amazing, with two generous package deals to ensure a brilliantly boozy day out. The stunning Botanical Bar & Kitchen, located on the ground floor, will be hosting a playful afternoon of live entertainment, sweepstakes, and race viewing as guests enjoy an exclusive two-course meal and four-hour drinks package! Just a short ascend up the QA staircase is where you will find the Private Function Room Race Day event that offers a luxurious three-course meal and four-hour drinks package, live entertainment, sweepstakes, and personal TAB terminals located at every table to ensure that you can back the winner!
Time: Midday arrival time.
Cost: Botanical Bar & Kitchen package $119pp click here to secure your spot. Private Function Room Race Day package $149pp click here to grab your tickets.
OSBOURNE HOTEL – Fortitude Valley
The Osbourne Hotel is delivering its biggest Melbourne Cup day event so that you can graze, drink, and play the day away! Their fabulous race day celebrations will be Sponsored by G.H. Mumm, so there certainly won’t be a shortage of bubbles while you bet. Indulge in a boozy four-hour drinks package with G.H. Mumm, premium wine and beer, as well as plenty of margaritas and gin-spritzers at the multiple cocktail stations located around the venue. Guests can also expect live DJ performances, easy access to race viewing and TAB terminals, fashions on the field and individually packaged picnic boxes full of tantalising treats! But wait, it gets better, sponsor G.H. Mumm will get this party popping (literally) with champagne sabrage and an interactive photo booth for everyone!
Time: 11am-3pm
Cost: $155pp, Group bookings of 4 or more are required, click here to secure your booking!
STAMFORD PLAZA – Brisbane City
Enjoy the nation’s biggest race day in style, at the Brisbane’s riverside Stamford Plaza Hotel! Gather your group, and dress to impress for a magical afternoon of race day style, glamour, great food, and plenty of fun! The Stamford Hotel has three brilliant package deals on offer throughout the day. Start your day with a glass of bubbles in either the lush Riverside Garden Pav Bar, Lobby Lounge High Tea, or the Restaurant Seafood Buffet.
For $149 for two people, you can unwind in the tranquil open-air courtyard Pav Bar with an impressive seafood tower, a glass of bubbles, sweeps and raffles. If you are after a more refined Melbourne Cup Day experience, book a table at the Lobby Lounge’s High Tea Luncheon. For $79pp guests can indulge in a selection of sweet and savoury tastes including fresh out of the oven scones with a glass of bubbles, live race coverage, sweeps, and raffle prizes. However, the creme de la creme of The Stanford’s Melbourne Cup celebrations is the Riverside Seafood Magic Buffet. For $195pp guests can enjoy a sumptuous seafood buffet, a delicious variety of hot and cold dishes, a decadent dessert bar, a boozy beverage package, as well as live music, sweeps, raffles, and easy viewing of the big race! Bookings are essential, so be sure to book your tickets today!
Time: Riverside Seafood Magic Buffet from 12pm-3:30pm, Lobby Lounge High Tea from 1:00pm-3:00pm, Riverside Garden Pav Bar seating sessions available all day.
Cost: Riverside Seafood Magic Buffet $195pp, Lobby Lounge High Tea $79pp, Riverside Garden Pav Bar $149 for two people. Click here to secure your package deal today!
BOUNDARY HOTEL – West End
This year The Boundary is saddling up for a truly luxurious race day experience and will offer two packages, inspired by a European Summer, The Gordon’s Backyard package and the premium Veuve Clicquot package. Both of these events will be sure to impress with a plethora of screens to view the race and multiple TAB facilities so that you won’t miss out on backing a winner! There will also be fashions on the field, a photo booth, and live entertainment.
For those keen to sit back, relax and enjoy the spring sunshine then the Gordon’s Backyard package is for you. For $129pp guests will receive a Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon Cocktail upon arrival before dining in the Boundary’s chic outdoor dining area with a two-course meal and three-hour drinks package. For a truly luxurious race day experience, from the comfort of the private air-conditioned Hardgrave Room, guests can enjoy the Premium Veuve Clicquot package. This $199pp package includes a three-course meal and three-hour premium drinks package, where the bottles will be poppin’ and the Veuve will be flowing!
Time: 11:30am-2:30pm
Cost: Gordon’s Backyard package $129, Premium Veuve Clicquot package $199. These event is selling out fast so click here to secure your package deal!
LING LINGS – Fortitude Valley
Ling Ling’s invites you to celebrate like an Emperor for their first ever Melbourne Cup Luncheon! Round up your inner circle and fellow punting pals for Ling Ling’s premium 9-course banquet and 3-hour drinks package for only $110pp. Guests can expect a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne upon arrival next to the media wall before sitting down to enjoy a feast fit for kings. Indulge in fire crackers, prawn and ginger dumplings, veggie dumplings, Buddha spring rolls, panda greens, pork fun buns, sweet chilli lime chicken karaage, suk mi pork belly and apple pie dumplings. Paired with this plethora of Asian delights is a 3hour drinks package that includes Twin Island Sauvignon Blanc, Marty Block Rose, NV Angas Brut Premium Cuvee, West Cape Tempranillo and Ling Ling’s Lager.
This underground late night party palace will be hosting live DJ’s and a special guest saxophonist to keep the festivities flowing before and after the big race is broadcasted live from Flemington!
Time: 12:00-3:00pm
Cost: All Inclusive 3hr Package $110pp. Be sure to book your tickets here before they fly out the door!
MR PERCIVAL’S – Howard Smith Wharves
For the second year running, Mr Percival’s will bring the extravagance of Melbourne Cup to Howard Smith Wharves with an exclusive, Italian inspired race day event for $285pp (strictly groups of 4+). Prepare to delight the senses as Mr Percival’s transforms into a vibrant, Mediterranean outdoor party on the overwater decks. Guests will be treated to a generous 3.5 hour drinks package including Mr P’s cocktails, Louis Roederer Champagne, Felons Brewing Co. beer, red and white wine and spirits. Paired with this, each table will enjoy a seated, share style lunch inspired by the tastes of Italy. Mr P’s will be hosting live DJ’s, Fashions on the Deck, charity race day sweeps, and of course, plenty of screens to view the race live and loud!
Time: 11:30-3:00pm
Cost: $285pp (strictly groups of 4+). Click here to book your Melbourne Cup feast at Mr P’s today!
FELONS BREWING CO. & FELONS BARREL HALL – Howard Smith Wharves
Grab a seat on the shoreline of the Brisbane River at the biggest brewery in town, Felons Brewing Co, for a Melbourne Cup day like none other! The team at the brewery and the newly opened Barrel Hall are offering two lavish package options, the $82pp Feast at Felons or the $89pp Brewers Feed Me package at the Barrel Hall.
The Felons Feast includes one Felons schooner or Sonny Cider upon arrival, followed by a seated, shared feast of flatbread and hummus, seasonal veggies, freshly shucked oysters, coral trout, rib-eye, hot chips and sorbet! For those dining in the Barrel Hall, guests will be treated to oysters, Moreton bay bugs, sweetcorn fritters, a plethora of seasonal salads, grilled red emperor on banana leaf, wagyu short ribs, and fresh fruit and gelato for dessert! But if you want to keep it casual, there’ll be plenty of space throughout the brewery with no bookings required. Join the team at Felons for an afternoon of icy cold Felons beer, delicious food and plenty of screens to watch the race!
Time: 11:00am-1pm Felons Feast, 12:00-3:00p Brewers Feed Me at The Barrel Hall
Cost: Feast at Felons package $82pp, click here to secure your tickets. Brewers Feed Me package $89pp, click here to secure your tickets.
STANLEY – Howard Smith Wharves
Experience Melbourne Cup at Stanley with a lavish, unforgettable 5-course Cantonese banquet for $280pp (strictly groups of 4+). Guests will enjoy an exciting 3.5 hour bottomless beverage package including Stanley signature cocktails, Louis Roederer Champagne, spirits, wine & Felons on-site brewed beer. Stanley will have plenty of large screens to view the big race as well as prizes and charity race day sweeps! Sit back and enjoy the moody, waterfront setting as you indulge in Stanley’s signature dishes, premium beverage package and watch the race that stops the nation.
Time: 11:30-3:00pm
Cost: $280pp (strictly groups of 4+). Be sure to book your table here before tickets run out!
