Giddy Up! Here’s Our Pick Of The Best Melbourne Cup Events In Brisbane
Trot on over
By Stamatina Notaras | 26th September 2023You didn’t think we would let Melbourne have all the fun, did you? Saddle up and trot on over to Brisbane’s best Melbourne Cup events full of all the fun outside of Flemington. With champagne in hand and delicious dishes to keep you all fueled up, here are our favourite ways to spend Tuesday 7 November in style.
By the way, we consider everyone in this list the best of the best! To make finding your next favourite that much easier, we’ve ordered the list alphabetically by suburb and also have filtering tabs for your convenience. Did we miss someone from the list? Let us know here! Hide the form
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- Brisbane CBD
- North Brisbane
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- Sunshine Coast
- A - Z
- Z - A
The Jetty
South Bank
Giggle and gallop down to South Bank where The Jetty South Bank is bringing all the race day fun on the riverside, with a four-course feast. From 12pm, set your sights on the big screen as it airs all of the live action straight from Flemington, while your palates stay pleased on a spread of divine dishes, from a chargrilled lamb rack with roasted sweet potatoes to crispy calamari with lemon and garlic aioli. For tipples, whether you’re after sips of vino or a couple of cocktails here and there, you can order up as you please and saddle in for one hell of a day – we’ll take a spritz, please!
Victory Lane
Ascot
Gather the gang and pull up a seat at Victory Lane as they serve up delicious dishes and tantalising tipples fit for a win. All the Melbourne Cup excitement is sure to work up a hunger, which is why you’ll be delighting in a five-course degustation, courtesy of the venue’s in-house chefs. Or, if you don’t want to commit to a seat, go for the stand-up cocktail-style event where you’ll be treated to a day of elegance, where you can dig into snack-sized eats and be a part of oh-so-much excitement. With live coverage all day long, you’ll be feeling all the luck and more!
Soleil Pool Bar
South Bank
Perch yourself poolside for this year’s Cup Day at Soleil Pool Bar, and you’ll be in for a right treat! Serving up all your fan faves such as Stone & Wood, Gordon’s Pink Gin, Chambord, and Mumm Marlborough, there’s plenty to cheer for. As for eats, you’ll be digging into the bar’s grazing menu, featuring the likes of street tacos, crab & prawn rolls and lollipop lamb cutlets. Don’t miss a beat (or the race) as live coverage straight from Flemington will be taking over the screens all day long. Plus, with a DJ set setting the mood for the afternoon, you’ll be grooving away with the stunning surrounds of South Bank as your backdrop.
Bacchus
South Bank
Fancy an elegant soiree to kick off your Cup Day? Grab your neigh-bours, friends and everyone in between, and then frock up and rock up to Bacchus for a rendezvous to remember. Perched in the prime location of South Bank, let this sophisticated restaurant treat you to a high tea filled with noshable nibbles – from scones with jam and cream to salmon sandwiches, and mac and cheese croquettes. Be greeted by a flute of Mumm Marlborough on arrival and sit, sip and saddle in as live coverage is screened all day long.
Riverland
Brisbane City
Race down to Riverland and dig into a three-hour all-inclusive soiree of canapés by the water this Melbourne Cup Day. Enjoy a parade of fashions on the deck, get in on the sweepstake, and tune in to live entertainment dedicated to keeping the vibes high. And, although there are unbeatable views of the Story Bridge at eye-gaze, you won’t be able to take yours off the mega-screens. keeping you updated with live coverage straight from Flemington. You’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of all the action – sans the travel!
Eagles Nest
Kangaroo Point
Champagne and canapés? Sounds like our kind of party! Dress to impress and make your way to Eagles Nest for exclusive access to the rooftop while a lavish selection of eats and drinks float around for your grazing. Feel like a winner as you mingle among the marvellous as a four-hour beverage package of beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks quench your thirst, and a three-hour canapés service keeps you fun-filled and frivolous. Plus, the fanciest fascinator and best-dress race-goer gets a prize, so don your best and book it in!
Howard Smith Wharves
Brisbane City
Saddle up for a spring affair this Melbourne Cup and head to the riverside at Howard Smith Wharves. With feasts in surplus and diners spoilt for choice, take your pick from the venues sitting pretty below the Story Bridge. If you fancy an Italian moment, book a seat at Ciao Papi’s three-course feast with Veuve Clicquot Champagne, savour a spread of seasonal flavours with an ice-cold beer in hand at Felons, or step onto the overwater decks at Mr Percival’s where seafood and canapés await. Fancy a Greek-style feast? Then galavant to Greca and dig into a share-style menu, or book next door at Yoko for an abundance of Japanese flavours. There’s a vibe for every Cup Day tribe here! And, while you and the crew are dressed to the nines, keep the good times rolling at Mr Percival’s official Melbourne Cup After Party – giddy up!
Novotel Brisbane
South Bank
It’s all about Champagne and gourmet delights at Novotel Brisbane as they set their sights on an electrifying Melbourne Cup Day. So, don your most dashing attire and get ready for a bountiful bash of canapés, heart-pounding races, and plenty of prizes. With packages from $180, embark on a three-hour culinary journey at Spice Central Kitchen & Bar where a serving of delectable canapés, a lavish charcuterie spread, and an assortment of cheeses, are perfectly paired with Taittinger Champagne. The menu of the day features cold and hot selections such as duck liver pate, roasted beetroot tartlets, garlic prawns, and slow braised lamb shoulder, as well as a dedicated dessert station. Revel in the Race Day festivities, and yeehaw your day away!
Cloudland
Fortitude Valley
Be swept away in the magic of Cup Day at Cloudland and pick your perfect package, all boasting a carnival of colour, Champagne, cocktails and culinary delights. Take a seat in the Rose Room where a lavish G.H Mumm Gala Luncheon awaits, or head to the Moon Room for the luxe Perrier-Jouët Bubbles & Pearls Pavilion – think seafood stations, grazing boards, premium canapés, and everything from cocktails to reserve wines for you to wash it all down. Of course, you can also flock to the Birdcage at Madame Hedges & Crystal Palais for a three-hour race day adventure, or gather the crew and pull up to the booths at Crystal Palais, where Champagne and charcuterie will be delivered straight to you!
Valley Hops Brewing
Fortitude Valley
Giddy up to Valley Hops Brewing, which will be transformed into a rooftop pavilion complete with wood-fired pizza, massive screens, and plenty to quench your thirst! For three hours, indulge in Valley Hops’ core range of craft beers as well as ginger beer, cocktail carafes, Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige, premium wines, rosé, and prosecco, while the race is screened live and large on giant LED screens. As well as live entertainment and race day sweeps, make sure you dress to impress for the fashion on the fields featuring amazing prizes for best dressed Duke and Duchess, best race day hat, and a whole lot more!
The Island
Surfers Paradise
Feel like getting out of Brissy, but can’t quite make it to Flemington? Take a drive down the M1 and don’t stop until you hit The Island Gold Coast, where whistle-whetting tipples are flowing and canapés, woodfired pizza, and decadent desserts are on the menu. Take your pick from the G.H. Mumm Birdcage on The Island Rooftop to ruffle some feathers, the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Private Booths with your fave crew, or glam it up with the cocktail soiree in The Island Penthouse. Hungry for more? Then opt for the G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon in The Island Glasshouse, featuring a premium drinks selection, a three-course spread, and entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Blackbird Bar & Restaurant
Brisbane City
Trot on over to Blackbird where guests have the choice of two extravagant Melbourne Cup Day blowouts. Get giggly with your gang at The Cup Luncheon where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch, flowing Taittinger Champagne, and an exclusive view of the race on live screens. Or, if the Riverside Soiree set in Blackbird’s waterfront bar sounds simply spectacular, book it in and graze on an assortment of substantial canapés, while you sip on flutes of Veuve Clicquot and more thanks to the four-hour beverage package. A Race Day by the river? Yes, please!
Byblos Brisbane
Hamilton
Savour Mediterranean flavours at Byblos this Melbourne Cup, and see the day out by the river. Gather the crew and make your way to Hamilton as a delicious spread of Byblos’ best awaits. With lavish canapés roaming throughout the venue, you’ll be sipping on a four-hour beverage package of Chandon sparkling, fine wines, and cocktails, guaranteed to keep the good times rolling. As live music fills the air and sets the mood for all the Flemington fun, catch Cup Day coverage on the big screens and don’t miss a beat (or a gallop). Plus, frock up in your finest and you might just be crowned best-dressed – what an honour!
Iris Rooftop
Fortitude Valley
For those looking for an elevated occasion this Melbourne Cup, a spot atop Iris Rooftop is the place to be. Take a seat sky-high and you’ll be treated to a rooftop celebration, with the city skyline serving as your backdrop. Here guests will be grazing on a Spanish-inspired gourmet spread, as they cheer to the race with a four-hour package of cocktails, premium wines, tap beer, spirits, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. You’ll be on the edge of your seat thanks to the epic race day coverage, before grooving the day away to the tune of live entertainment. Got a passion for fashion? Then pop on your favourite fascinator for your chance to be crowned best-dressed. Cup Day truly reaches new heights at Iris!
Donna Chang
Brisbane City
Boasting a reputation as Brisbane’s darling for contemporary Chinese dining, Donna Chang also knows how to throw a fabulous Melbourne Cup soiree! You’re invited to dig into a specially curated menu for the day, filled with lavish dishes and fine flavours across four indulgent courses. As for tipples, a deluxe four-hour beverage package will be pouring up the best, including Taittinger Champagne, wine, cocktails and spirits. Surrounded by the opulent details of this heritage-listed restaurant, soak in the live coverage of the race that stops the nation, then enjoy an arvo filled with live music, entertainment, and charity sweepstakes.
Eagle Farm Racecourse
Ascot
Where else would you be on Cup Day than Brisbane Racing Club itself? Spring to life at the Canadian Club Melbourne Cup Raceday, offering an array of ways to celebrate. Whether you and your fabulous friends are posted up at the Nova Lawn Party with cocktails, canapes, and oh-so cool vibes, or partying it up at the Spring Social where tasty bites, premium beverages, and DJ entertainment will be setting the mood, you can rest assured all eyes will be on the Eagle Farm super-screen when the race that stops the nation is out of the gates. But, of course, the fun never stops at BRC, with a calendar of unforgettable events all season long with the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival. Giddy up and don’t miss out!
Cuisine On Cue
ALL
Stuck in the office on Cup Day? Keep the spirits high with a catered lunch from Cuisine On Cue who have pulled together a show-stopping Melbourne Cup Hamper that can be delivered straight to your desk. Feeding 10 hungry mouths per hamper, this delish spread features petite bread rolls with butter and condiments, a smoked hen, Kalbar speck with truffle pecorino, désirée potatoes in a green onion and celery salsa, and a cocoa sponge topped with gold. Cuisine On Cue will also be firing up the kitchen to dish out their signature grazing boxes, cold canapes, sushi collection, ribbon sandwiches, and housemade sweet treats. Guarantee yourself a winner by placing your order before 12pm on Thursday 31 October!
