10+ places to celebrate the 2019 Melbourne Cup

Posted on 18 September, 2019

Dust off your fascinator—the Melbourne Cup is just around the corner.

On Tuesday 5 November, Canberra will come to a standstill (along with the rest of the country) to witness the nation’s most prestigious horse race.

If you’re planning on joining the party, there are plenty of glamorous Melbourne Cup celebrations happening around the city. Here’s our guide to picking a winner.

Pialligo Estate

This year, Pialligo Estate is going all out and throwing a sophisticated affair, Fascinators and Fizz. With exceptional dining experiences, incredible views and an abundance of style and glamour, guests will leave this year’s Cup Day exhausted from all the excitement.

Throughout the spaces, there’ll be quality music, fashion parades, sweeps and prizes, and there’s something for everyone with a choice of three packages.

The Glasshouse package will start your festivities with champagne and oysters on arrival, before indulging in a 3-course sit-down feast and quality drinks package – perfect for large or small groups!

The Pavilion package will keep the bubbles flowing with a Prosecco Bar and will be a feast to remember with numerous gourmet grazing stations (such as seafood platters, sushi and charcuterie), a Live Cooking station and even a Dessert Bar.

On the Fields, there’ll be no shortage of atmosphere with an informal, stylish affair with food stations and a DJ. The afterparty will continue at Pialligo Fields from 4 pm till late.

Glass House: $165, Pavilion: $130, the Fields: $49 | 1/18 Kallaroo Rd, Pialligo | 6247 6060 | thepialligoestate.com.au/whats-on

QT

At the annual QT Melbourne Cup Party, the hotel’s ground floor will be transformed into a Spring racing carnival.QT

Two packages are on offer: a sit-down lunch from Capitol Bar and Grill or a garden party with roving canapes, Wapengo oysters and a premium antipasto station. Both include a three-hour Lerida Estate beverage package and a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival.

The race will be shown on multiple screens, accompanied by live music from the Cherry Pickers. There’ll also be pop-up bars and photo walls, and guests can join in Fashions on the Field hosted by Janette Wojtaszak, from The Statement Life and The Fashion Vault, sweeps and lawn games on the deck.

The open after-party in Lucky’s Speakeasy will kick off from 4 pm, soundtracked by Ashley Feraude on the decks.

Sit-Down Lunch: $180, Garden Party: $130 | 1 London Circuit, Canberra | 6267 1262 | qthotelsandresorts.com

Amici

Canberra’s freshest new wine bar and deli is partnering with Chambord to throw a Spring Fling garden party. Celebrate the Melbourne Cup European-style with vino, cheese, hand-stretched pizzas, sunshine and spritzes.

Tickets include a complimentary French Martini on arrival. VIP food and beverage packages are available on request.

Amici will also be open from 8 am for your champagne breakfast before you head off to the track. And if you need office catering, Amici is offering free delivery on in-office platters and beverage packages of wine, beer and charcuterie delivered straight to your address. From $10pp, minimum of 20 guests.

Garden Party tickets $15 | 59 Northbourne Ave, Canberra | 6179 8973 | amici.bar/bookings

Royal Hotel Queanbeyan

Celebrate in style on the rooftop of the Royal Hotel Queanbeyan with bubbly on arrival, sweepstakes, games, onsite TAB facilities, live music from Chicago Charles, and a delicious two-course lunch feast, as well as grazing and dessert canapes.

When the big race comes around, it’ll be live and loud on a four-metre screen.

Tickets $80 | 85 Monaro St, Queanbeyan | 6179 8973 | www.royalhotelqbn.com.au/events

Hotel Realm

At Hotel Realm, guests can choose between two exclusive options. Enjoy a VIP experience in Buvette with a four-hour food and beverage package including charcuterie station and premium beverages or start the party in Ostani with a three-hour food and beverage package. Both packages include entrance to the afterparty at Ostani Bar.

In conjunction with Piper Heidsieck, Rolfe Classic BMW and Lion Nathan, both venues will have roaming canapés, live cooking stations, pop-up bars, entertainment and the race on the big screen.

Buvette VIP experience $175, Ostani package $109 | Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton | 6163 1800 | hotelrealm.com.au

Molly

Molly is doing things the speakeasy way, with a roaring Kentucky Derby-style celebration, thanks to Woodford Reserve.

$10 Mint Juleps, bottles of sparkling and meat and cheese platters will be on offer as you watch the racing action on a big screen. Entry is free and VIP food, beverage and private booth packages are available.

The Vault is also available as a private event space on the day, with your very own full-service bar for up to 54 guests. No venue hire fees.

Free Entry | Wooden Door, Odgers Ln, Canberra | 6179 8973 | molly.bar/bookings

Agostini’s

For a low-key Melbourne Cup, Agostini’s is offering a luxurious long Italian lunch for $95 per person. Get the gang together and settle in for afternoon of Aperol spritzes, house-made pasta, tiramisu and more.

Enjoy canapés and Aperol in the beautiful East Hotel lobby as you arrive, then head into Agostinis for a shared-style Italian lunch. The main race will be shown on East’s 11-metre high screen while you enjoy sumptuous dessert canapés.

There’ll be live music throughout the afternoon and a sweep for everyone to try their luck on the race that stops the nation! Want to continue the celebrations post-race? Joe’s Bar will be open so you can keep the party going!

Free Entry | 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston | 6295 6925 | easthotel.com.au 

88mph

True eighties kids will know that 88 miles per hour is the speed the Delorean had to reach in Back to the Future to time travel, and on Cup Day this subterranean, neon-lit venue will be transporting you to the city’s wildest afterparty.

You and your mates can belt out The Horses (Daryl Braithwaite eat your heart out!) in your very own private karaoke room, then bust a move on the dance floor with an eighties DJ on the decks ‘til late. Show your trackside ticket for a free beer, wine or Blue Lagoon on arrival.

Free Entry | 8/10 Hobart Pl, Canberra | 6179 8973 | 88mph.bar/bookings 

Kokomo’s

If you’re looking for a tropical vibe this Melbourne Cup, Kokomo’s is where you want to go. To kick things off, the bar will be serving $10 glasses of Moët champagne all day.

In the restaurant, the Melbourne Cup Day banquet, including a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, will feature delicious Pacific and Asian-inspired seafood, veggie and meat plates.

There’ll be big screens with the race, and DJs and entertainment after the race until late, plus a prize for best dressed just before the race, and sweepstakes to be won.

Banquet lunch $49 | 1 Genge St, Civic | 6171 2092 | kokomos.com.au

Public

Credit: Tim Bean Photography.

Hey Canberra, have you heard about Canberra’s Birdcage?

Public Bar is throwing its annual Melbourne Cup festivities! With a four-hour package for $140, why not celebrate the day at Manuka’s brightest pub with its friendliest staff?

Expect Mumm champagne, special cocktails and a selection of food ranging from canapés, antipasti and desserts. You can’t go wrong with live music at Public, and you’ll be able to soak in all the sunny vibes throughout the day with their favourite musician playing before and after the race-action is streamed across the venue.

Secure your spot. Book your ticket. And wear your best to win the Best Dressed competition!

Public will be open to the public from 4 pm.

Food and drinks package $140 | Manuka Arcade, 1-33 Flinders Way, Griffith | 6161 8808 | publicbar.com.au

Bleachers

Keen racing fans will appreciate the direct views of a screen from every seat and a whopping 4.5-metre main screen at Bleachers Sport Bar.

The laidback Melbourne Cup day event will be filled with beer towers, burgers, wings and front row seats to the biggest event on the Aussie sporting calendar.

With both indoor and outdoor seating available, it’ll be live and loud all day, plus running sweeps, door prizes and live music after the race. Packages are available for groups of 10 or more.

Free entry | Melbourne Building, 33 Northbourne Ave, Canberra | 6113 9058 | bleachers.bar/bookings

Thoroughbred Park

Whether you’re arriving by limo or light rail, Thoroughbred Park is the traditional home of the Melbourne Cup in Canberra. Frock up and treat yourself to a glass of sparkling while experiencing the excitement of live racing.

There’ll be decadent dining options, fine wines and a truly glamourous atmosphere, making Thoroughbred Park a great bet for the Cup. Afterwards, there’ll be a free shuttle available to The Duxton in O’Connor to keep the party going.

Tickets $25 | 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham | 6204 0000 | thoroughbredpark.com.au

The Highball Express

With a complimentary glass of French Champagne on arrival, Highball’s bright and airy upstairs bar is your ticket to celebrate in style. Watch the racing action on the big screen while you sip on a cocktail, or contact the team for VIP food and beverage packages.

Highball’s private space, the Business Class Lounge, is also available on Cup Day, with a separate bar and space for 25 to 60 guests.

Choose from an impressive selection of food and beverages, with everything from champagne to cocktails, signature punch bowls and substantial canapés all on the menu.

Tickets $15 | 82 Alinga St, Canberra | 6179 8973 | www.highballexpress.com.au/bookings

Bookings are essential on Melbourne Cup Day, so choose your venue ASAP and secure your spot.

This is a sponsored post, presented in partnership with the featured venues. Find out more by reading our Sponsored Post Policy.