Where to celebrate Melbourne Cup

Anason, Barangaroo
Experience Melbourne Cup on the waterfront at Anason. Chef Somer Sivrioglu prepares a four-course Turkish set menu with dishes including cured salmon pastirma with fennel and pickled chillies; and lamb shoulder tandir with house pickles. Get the drinks flowing with an optional three-hour drinks package including selected Turkish wines, beers and soft drinks.

Price: $95pp for a four-course set menu. $45pp for a three-hour drinks package of wine, beer and soft drink
Time: from 12pm
Bookings: anason.com.au
Address: 5/23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

Lotus Galeries, Sydney
Lotus Galeries offers a nine-course banquet menu this Melbourne Cup. Feast on dishes including steamed jade prawn dumplings; and slow cooked wagyu beef shank with tomato broth. The race is broadcast on screens throughout the restaurant. Add the two-hour beverage package and sip on a selection of wines, prosecco, beer and cider. Make sure you dress to impress, there’s spot prizes for best dressed.

Price: $75pp for a nine-course banquet menu. $115pp for a nine-course banquet menu and two-hour beverage package
Bookings: lotusdining.com.au
Lunch hours: from 12pm
Address: The Galeries, Level 1, 500 George St, Sydney

Lotus Barangaroo
Head chef Chris Yan prepares a five-course Melbourne Cup feast at Lotus Barangaroo. Sip on a glass of complimentary Champagne Taittinger and share Shanghai-inspired dishes including BBQ duck and mandarin pancake with sweet miso; and grilled wagyu beef with heirloom tomato and truffle oil. Watch the racing action on screens around the restaurant.

Price: $129pp for a five-course banquet menu and a glass of Champagne Taittinger on arrival
Bookings: lotusdining.com.au
Lunch hours: from 12pm
Address: Shop 8/9 Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo

Gidget Foundation Melbourne Cup Luncheon with Marie Claire
Gidget Foundation Australia hosts its inaugural Melbourne Cup luncheon in partnership with Marie Claire at the ‘Bar at the End of the Wharf’, Sydney Theatre Company. Enjoy canapes and a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, followed by a two-course feast and tipples. Indulge in a day of luxury with emcee, Nicky Briger, editor of Marie Claire, to support The Gidget Foundation, a not for profit organisation that provides programs to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents.

Price: $165pp for canapes, two-course lunch and accompanying beverages, and a glass of Veuve Clicquot
Time: 11:30am for a 12pm start
Bookings: trybooking.com/RVJA
Address: ‘Bar at the End of the Wharf’, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Bungalow 8, Sydney

This Melbourne Cup, escape to the Moet and Chandon x Seafolly coastal jungle at Bungalow 8 and be one of the first to check out the new look of this recently reopened venue. Sip on a glass of bubbles before you feast on a three-course lunch while watching the race that stops the nation. Join in Bungalow 8’s sweepstakes for some extra fun and kick-on at the after party with live entertainment from 4pm.
Price: $125pp for a three-course set menu and glass of Moet and Chandon on arrival
Time: from 12pm
Bookings: bungalow8sydney.com.au
Address: King Street Wharf, 3 Lime St, Sydney

Cargo, Sydney

Experience Melbourne Cup in the newly renovated Cargo Bar by the water. Downstairs, there’s a three-course set menu and complimentary glass of Moet Ice Imperial. Upstairs, a cocktail-style party with canapes, beer, wine and bubbles flowing with a three-hour beverage package. Don in your most stylish fascinator and try your luck with Cargo’s sweepstakes. From 4pm, saddle up for Cargo’s epic after party as DJs hit the decks and play well into the evening.
Price: $125pp for a three-course set menu and a glass of Moet Ice Imperial on arrival (downstairs) OR canapes and a three-hour beverage package of $125 (upstairs)
Time: from 12pm
Bookings: cargobar.com.au
Address: 52-60 The Promenade, Sydney

Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly

Celebrate Cup Day harbourside with a three-course lunch and a glass of Chandon or James Boags Premium on arrival at Manly Wharf Hotel. Catch all the action on the 10 plasma screens around the venue. On-site TAB facilities make it quick and easy to place bets. Don your most stylish fascinator and put on your finest frock as there are prizes for best dressed.
Price: $110 per person for a three-course lunch and a glass of Chandon or James Boags Premium
Time: from 12pm
Bookings: manlywharfhotel.com.au
Address: East Esplanade, Manly

The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks
Enjoy Melbourne Cup with a two-course lunch and three-hour beverage package at The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks. Feast on black Angus sirloin steak with truffled mash or crisp skinned salmon with sweet potato. To finish, indulge in Nutella crème brulee with strawberry salad and biscottis. Live entertainment and sweeps make it a great day out at one of Sydney’s most iconic pubs.

Price: $99pp for two-course lunch and three-hour beverage package
Time: 12pm or 1pm sittings
Bookings: australianheritagehotel.com
Address: 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks

The Tudor Hotel, Redfern
Grab a two-course pub feed and watch the live racing action on the big screens at the Tudor Hotel. Indulge in a feast of salt and pepper squid; chorizo and parmesan croquettes; grain fed sirloin and rosemary potatoes; and crispy skin barramundi. Wash it all down with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon or schooner of beer. There’s also a TAB Mystery Trifecta, sweeps and prizes for best dressed.

Price: $48pp for a two-course lunch and a glass of Moet & Chandon or schooner of beer on arrival
Time: 12pm-3:30pm
Bookings: tudorhotel.com.au
Address: 90 Pitt St, Redfern

The Royal Hotel, Leichhardt
Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a two-course lunch and a complimentary glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne at the Royal Hotel, Leichhardt. Enjoy a selection of braised beef cheek croquettes; and octopus carpaccio with baby radish, edamame and white soy for the table. Mains include pan fried salmon, crushed garden peas and baby capers; or roast scotch filled, grilled asparagus and field mushrooms. Catch the live action on the big screens and try your luck in the sweeps. Make sure your suit or frock is on point as there’s prizes for best dressed.

Price: $75pp for a two-course lunch and glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne on arrival
Time: 12pm-3:30pm
Bookings: theroyalleichhardt.com.au
Address: 156 Norton St, Leichhardt

Seabreeze Beach Hotel, South West Rocks
Seabreeze Beach Hotel hosts Melbourne Cup by the sea at South West Rocks. Enjoy canapes and drinks in the beer marquee and show off your threads in a fashion on the field competition. Don’t miss the chance to win shares in a race horse in the Calcutta on Monday 6 November from 7pm.

Price: $55pp for canapes and four drink vouchers
Time: 12pm-4pm
Bookings: seabreezebeachhotel.com.au
Address: Cnr Livingstone St & Prince of Wales Ave, South West Rocks

The Toormina Hotel, Toormina
The Toormina Hotel hosts Melbourne Cup celebrations from 7am with full TAB facilities and breakfast served. Enter in the sweeps and fashions on the field competition for your chance to win some great prizes.

Time: from 7am
Website: toorminahotel.com.au
Address: Lot 1 Minorca Pl, Toormina

After parties

The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks
Celebrate your winnings (or commiserate your losses) at The Glenmore Hotel’s massive Melbourne Cup after party.