The race that stops the nation. Yes, it is almost that time of year again. When the Champagne flows, inappropriately large hats are worn, TVs are dragged into offices, bets are placed and everyone’s eyes are glued to that one race. The Melbourne Cup is universally loved, mostly for the fact that it is another excuse to have a day off work and enjoy a fab day of food, fun and frivolity. For those lucky enough to get to Melbourne for the big day, we say, enjoy! But not to worry, for those of us left in Adelaide, there are so many things to do to enjoy the big day. We just couldn’t wait to tell you about them!
We have done the hard work to make it easy for you to choose your event of choice for cup day. Check out our guide to some of Adelaide’s favourite Melbourne Cup events (and you are welcome):
Adelaide Convention Centre – Variety SA Melbourne Cup Luncheon
Held in the stunning new Panorama Ballroom at the Adelaide Convention Centre, this year’s Variety SA Melbourne Cup Luncheon will be hosted by Jane Reilly and Mark Aiston. With a stylish fashion parade from one of Adelaide’s hottest fashion designers, Greta Kate, and rock band Keep The Change, this lunch is more than just food (although there will be plenty of that too)!
Where: Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide.
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Price: $155pp
Phone: (08) 8293 8744
Website: www.variety.org.au/SA/Events/Melbourne-Cup-luncheon/
Adelaide Town Hall – The Divas Ultimate Melbourne Cup Luncheon
With bubbles on arrival, The Divas know how to get the day off to a fabulous start! A delicious three course meal, a premium beverage package, live race action, a bookie on site for all those bets, fashion on the field and a fashion parade featuring Liz Davenport… And all this fun to raise money for The Epilepsy Centre of SA & NT. It sure sounds good to us.
Where: Adelaide Town Hall, King William Street, Adelaide.
Time: 11.30am – 4.00pm
Price: $1500 per table of 10
Phone: (08) 8448 5665
Website: www.thedivas.org
Chandelier Bar at the Casino
Drink specials all day… Yes, for a more chilled out approach to the day enjoy $5 Morgans Bay Sparkling and $6 James Boags while watching the action live from a big screen. With your chance, also, to win gaming related prizes for the best dressed of the day, this could be a starter, an ender or the ‘all dayer’ for your Melbourne Cup day.
Cos 18 Leigh
A long table luncheon…. Now that sounds like our kind of jam! Cos 18 Leigh will be dishing up a delicious three course menu and a premium drinks package featuring wines from their official partner for the event, Shaw + Smith. You had us at delicious food but good god, the Shaw + Smith wine, that’s a deal sealer!
With all the usual suspects including a big screen and live entertainment, the lunch will be even more special as $10 from every ticket sold will be donated to Australian Cancer Support Services.
Did we mention that there is also the chance to win a Shaw + Smith Wine Flight voucher valued at $60? That’s 4 flights with cheese at $15pp. Cheese, wine… It just keeps getting better and better!
Time: 12pm start
Tickets: $120 per person
Book: (08) 8231 7611
Crowne Plaza
Saddle up and trot along to the Crowne Plaza Adelaide for this year’s Melbourne Cup. Enjoy endless bubbles, a three course luncheon, smooth tunes, the best of the best of Adelaide fashion, big screen streaming for your punting pleasure and live silent auctions.
This year they have partnered up with the Leukaemia Foundation with $10 from every ticket going to an amazing cause that funds research and provides free services to support people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, and their families.
Where: 16 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide
Time: 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Price: $125pp
For more information call The Crowne Plaza on (08) 8206 8813 or hit up their website here.
Electra House
Bookings will be absolutely essential for this stylish event. With delicious Canapés served from 11am – 6pm and a glass of Pol Roger or Peroni on arrival, Electra House has you covered!
Time: 11am – 6pm
Tickets: $50 per ticket
Book: 08 7123 4055
Ginza Miyako
Now if you really feel like mixing it up this Melbourne Cup Day why not pass on the lunch and hit up Ginza Miyako for their famous fusion Japanese High Tea. With a complimentary sparkling wine on arrival, you will continue on your merry (and it will be merry) way with a feast of bite-sized Japanese sweets and savouries.
Apart from the fact that Ginza Miyako features a stunning setting, with its choice between Japanese style traditional seating (that is on the ground – with cushions of course) or in the sleek Western style dining room, we just love this idea for its point of difference.
Menu highlights will include and assortment of sushi rolls, beef tataki, ocean trout confit, panna cotta with black sugar wine sauce, chocolate mousse and strawberry mille-fuille with marscapone cream cheese. But you had us at sushi rolls….
Where: Level 1, Stamford Plaza, Adelaide
Time: 12.00pm
Price: $55 per person
Call (08) 8221 6147 or visit their website.
Grace The Establishment
Enjoy this stunning venue in ultimate style this Melbourne Cup. Soak up the sunlight as the beautiful dining area spills into the picturesque courtyard, all while sipping on some bubbles. A three course set menu, premium (that means the nice stuff) drinks package and of course sweeps and prizes across the afternoon. Giddy up!
Where: 127 The Parade, Norwood
Price: $75pp
Time: 12-3pm
Contact: Call 8333 1007 to book
Grandstand Bar at the Casino
The home of sport in the Casino, the Grandstand Bar’s screens will be covered in the race, live and all day. With great food deals and access to place your bets with their full TAB and Sportsbet facilities, this one is for the diehards!
Hotel Royal
The place to be for the race that stops the nation! Dabble between their delicious a la carte menu, cash bar, sweeps and prizes for the best dressed, this will be one event you want to throw the fascinator on for! Part proceeds are also being donated to Autism SA which makes this a good time for a great cause!
Call 8352 7855 now to book your table.
InterContinental Adelaide
Riverside Restaurant – SOLD OUT
Celebrate in style this year with the InterContinental. One of the most luxe hotels in Adelaide has you covered for the day with live coverage of the big race, sweepstakes and prizes for the best dressed on the day.
The Riverside Restaurant will be serving up a veritable feast, with an exquisite deluxe seafood buffet (we want it now) all sourced from local suppliers (this just gets better and better). Plus there will be chefs stationed at ‘live cooking stations’ so you can watch a selection of mains being lovingly prepared. Finishing on an abundance of sweet desserts created by the hotel’s very own Pastry Chefs, we are hungry just thinking about it.
When: 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Tickets: $115 per person
There are two options in regards to the beverage package for the day (important stuff)…
You can enjoy their beverage package featuring NV G.H Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne, InterContinental Adelaide ‘Five Squares’ red and white wine, beer and soft drink.
Cost: Add $40 per person
Alternatively, upgrade to their premium beverage package featuring Perrier-Jouét Champagne, Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, St Hallett Shiraz, Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Peroni Beer.
Cost: Add $80 per person
For bookings or more information contact their Event Coordinator on 08 8238 2400 or via email on [email protected].
The Atrium Lounge
The Riverside Restaurant may be booked out, but never fear, there is still a Melbourne Cup function that you can attend at the InterContinental this year!
Enjoy a delicious shared lunch and indulge in a G.H. Mumm Champagne Cocktail on arrival in their stunning Atrium Lounge!
Time: From 12.30pm
Tickets: $90 per person
Lakes Resort Hotel
Raising money for Canteen SA, Lakes Resort Hotel at West Lakes are throwing a huge bash for the headline act in Spring racing. Featuring an exclusive fashion parade showcasing the new season race wear from Westfield West Lakes top notch boutiques, plus amazing food, wine and entertainment, this is truly one not to be missed!
Where: 141 Brebner Drive, West Lakes.
Price: $99pp
Phone: (08) 8356 4444
You can buy tickets on their website here.
Madame Hanoi
Join Madame on Melbourne Cup Day as she hosts a special shared lunch menu and drinks package to celebrate the big race. With Magnums of Billecart given to Madame’s best dressed man and woman, that is reason enough for us to hit up this stunning venue.
Each table of 8 will receive a horse in Madame’s Sweep, there will be fabulous live entertainment downstairs after the race and the food will, of course, be nothing short of mind blowing.
Time: 12.30pm
Tickets: $95 per person
Call the lovely lady on (08) 8218 4166 to find out more or to make a booking.
Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
Saddle up and get over to the Majestic Rood Garden Hotel for a beautiful three course lunch in their Nandina Function Rooms, sky high on the top floor! Along with the fab food, enjoy a three hour beverage package, with live music, sweeps, personalised betting service and prizes for best dressed and best hat!
Time: 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Tickets: $79 per person
To book call 08 8100 4494 or head here.
Mayfair Hotel – Mayflower Restaurant and Bar
A specially designed menu by Chef Bethany Finn that looks a little something like Heirloom tomato salad, buffalo mozzarella, sweet basil and olive oil, Salt cured salmon fillet, kombu caramel, pickled cucumber, Japanese seasoning sushi rice and several other options… Delish! Plus dessert involves a trolley and multiple choices including choux swans, raspberry tarts, sacher torte and iced fruit cake. Ok, so now our mouths are watering.
With a Petaluma Croser Sparkling on arrival, after race live entertainment, race sweeps and prizes for best dressed this is all sounding too good!
Tickets: $95 per person
You can call (08) 8210 8888 or email [email protected] to make a booking.
Morphettville Racecourse
It all seems rather obvious, but why not spend the day at the home of racing in Adelaide? Besides, they throw the biggest Melbourne Cup party in the State! With live entertainment from Wasabi and a search for the most stylish fashionista – the day is set to be one of the best!
Did we mention that the winner of the Fashion at The Races heat will qualify for the Fashion at The Races SA State Final on Saturday 7 May, where they have the opportunity to win a luxury racing holiday to Asia valued at $25,000. Yes please!
Where: Morphettville Racecourse, 79 Morphett Road, Morphettville.
Time: 9am
Price: General Admission from $25pp
For more information head to the SAJC website.
National Wine Centre – Little Heroes Foundation Melbourne Cup Luncheon
This one sounds fun! A lolly bar and a photo booth are just the start to what can only be described as an awesome day. With Channel Seven’s Rosanna Mangiarelli hosting the day, there will also be a bookie onsite, silent and major auctions, a fashion parade featuring Two Pairs Homeware AND that infamous after party.
Where: National Wine Centre, Corner of Botanic & Hackney Roads
Price: $170pp
Tickets can be purchased online at www.littleheroesfoundation.com.au
Oasis at the Casino
Head to an oasis in the middle of the city for lunch, drink specials and an all round great day. You can enjoy a chicken basket and bubbles or a schnitty and Boags for $15. Kick on with $5 bubbles and $6 Boags all day (yes, all day).
A live band will be kick starting the after race party from 4pm onwards.
Starts: 12pm
Penny’s Hill & Africola
Enjoy the big day amongst the vines at Penny’s Hill Winery in McLaren Vale. With French Champagne, canapes and live music on arrival, followed by what could only be an absolutely spectacular three-course lunch from superstar Chef Duncan Welgemoed of Africola. Plus a four hour wine package from The Black Chook and Thomas Goss – oh goodness, this sounds unbelievable!
Of course all the action will be shown on screens but there will also be some beautiful racehorses in the flesh! There will be the chance to buy into a racehorse syndicate, a live tote, big screens, craft beer from The Old bush innand Yenda, fashion from some gurus and so much more.
This ‘Flemington in the Vines’ experience will see all of the proceeds from the sweepstake supporting the “Youth Opportunities” programme at Willunga High School.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Tickets: $120 per person
Tickets can be purchased here.
POP
Opening especially for the big occasion, from 4pm onwards, celebrate your win (or drown the sorrows of your loss) with a bottle of Veuve, or one of POP’s other beautiful Champagnes from their bespoke menu.
With a live DJ, this is the place to kick on the Melbourne Cup party after the lunches are done.
Republic Norwood
Let Republic look after you this Melbourne Cup… With entertainment from Harry Baulderstone and Australian idol’s Tom Williams, a live fashion parade, sweeps and a pop up beauty bar, you can’t really go wrong. Plus they have two ‘lunch’ options depending on how hard you want to go for the big race!
Let Dan Serafin cook you a three course menu with ‘At the gates…’ shared entrees, ‘The Main Straight…’ mains and the Photo Finish with a delectable shared dessert selection.
Time: 12 noon – 3.30pm
Tickets: $49 per person
Or how about you go all out and enjoy a five course menu in ‘The Corporate Box’. With a big screen and full audio to watch the races plus appropriate race day decorations and a three hour beverage package, the amazing menu won’t be the only winner at this event. Although we have to admit, the menu sounds absolutely mouth watering.
Time: 12 noon – 3pm
Tickets: $125 per person
Call 08 83624657 to snag tickets to one of these cracking events.
Sean’s Kitchen
You just know that the four course Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon at Sean’s will be absolutely phenomenal. With a glass of French Champagne on arrival, sweeps and a live forecast of the race, plus fashion on the field prizes and luck draw prizes, it won’t just be the food that will get you to Sean’s Kitchen come cup day (although it is reason enough for us)!
Price: $135 per person
Head here for more information.
Sfera’s Park Suites & Convention Centre
A ‘bigger and better’ Melbourne Cup Luncheon… Do we have your attention? Ok, so this sounds like an absolute winner that we would back!
For a start this luncheon will be hosted by the divine Kate Collins, it will feature a fashion parade showcasing the hottest looks from Westfield Tea Tree Plaza plus there will be a Birdcage Bar where guests can enjoy watching the races live whilst indulging in a cocktail (or two…. or three….).
With an all inclusive three course food and beverage package, prizes to be won on the day for best dress male and female, sweepstakes (from which the proceeds will go to local children’s charity Cora Barclay Centre) this will be a day of fun and frivolity!
Hot tip: A limited number of guests will be treated like a celebrity with an exclusive Sfera’s VIP Experience. You will arrive at 11am for pre lunch canapés and drinks, plus you will receive a complimentary Melbourne Cup Cocktail voucher AND front row seating. Hello rockstar!
Time: 12pm – 3.30pm
Where: Marquee Ballroom, 191 Reservoir Road, Modbury
Tickets: $90 per person
To book call 8397 8600 or 0403 051 110.
The Arkaba Hotel
With a plethora of events happening at the Arkaba this Melbourne Cup Day, there really is something for everyone. Heck, they even have somewhere for you to stay if you decide to go a little hard. Take your pick from a range of events and stay and dance the night away once the horses have run their race.
Join host, Michelle Nightingale, in the Arkaba’s Top Room for an exciting day of racing! With a delicious three course meal and premium four hour beverage package, there will be plenty of sweeps, prizes and dedicated TAB facilities plus the Punters Club. With proceeds going to Variety, The Children’s Charity, this is a good time for a cause!
Price: $135pp
Time: 11:30am
Sportys Bar and Arena will be open to all those who want to have a bet and watch the races on the Arkaba’s huge screens. With The Incredible’s, one of Adelaide’s best party bands, set to rock the stage from 4.30pm, the party just won’t stop.
You can also book a table in the Bistro, with all day dining from 7am. You won’t have to worry about food and drink packages, just take your pick from the A La Carte menu, sit back and relax. The Melbourne Cup atmosphere will be alive and kicking with sweeps and best dressed prizes for diners.
And like we mentioned above, if you want to make a night of it, then you could even stay in one of their 62 rooms once you are done partying. Enjoy a discounted rate in one of their plush spa suites and recover with a free cooked and continental breakfast for two in the Ark Bistro as well as a midday check out!! Seriously, they have thought of everything!!
Where: 150 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton
Website: www.arkabahotel.com.au
Phone: (08) 8338 1100
The Bath/Base Bar
Spots are filling fast for the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Bath Hotel and we aren’t surprised because their three course menu sounds absolutely divine! We don’t know what we are more excited about, the Herb Crusted Eye Fillet, Potato Rosti, Pea Puree, Parmesan Crisps and Dark Ale Glaze, the Crème Brulee with Tuile Biscuit or the actual big race itself. The food is pretty hard to ignore.
Tickets: $65 per person includes a three course menu
Not to be outdone, the Base Bar will also be a veritable feast of deliciousness with a share style Melbourne Cup Menu. They have Nutella Pizza on the dessert menu. We don’t think much more needs to be said than that.
Tickets: $50 per person includes a three course menu
Call 8431 5171 to ask about booking a place at either The Bath or Base Bar.
The Colonist
With live music by Zkye and Damo from 3pm, an open A La Carte menu, plenty of sweep stakes, a best dressed prize AND a best hat prize, our little fingers can’t type anymore! The Colonist will not disappoint this Melbourne Cup Day, with the party set to continue well after the big race has ended. Please note: you may lose your hat as the night goes on!
Find out more here.
The Hackney
Get special tips from the man himself, Mark “Roo” Ricciuto this year at The Hackney’s amazing three course Melbourne Cup Lunch. With lots of sweeps and the big screens to catch all the action live, you can’t go wrong!
Tickets: $60 per person
For more information or to make a reservation please contact Kate McCarten on 8362 9282 or email [email protected]
The Highway
The Highway is putting on another party for the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Their event, hosted by Georgina McGuinness, will include a superb 3 course lunch and premium beverage package (always a must), including Bird In Hand Sparkling. Our fave!
There will be live entertainment by ‘Enuf Said’, three super screens to watch all the action live from Flemington and TAB Facilities available should you wish to place a little bet here or there.
This year’s event will be supporting Adelaide4Africa.
Price: $130pp
Tickets can be purchased online at thehighway.com.au.
The Kensi
For a three course meal with cash sweeps, don’t trot, gallop down to The Kensi on Melbourne Cup day.
Where: 23 Regent Street, Kensington.
Price: $75pp
Phone: (08) 8332 1300
Website: www.kensingtonhotel.com.au
The Lion
Giving you the best of both worlds, you can have a more casual Melbourne Cup experience, or go all out at The Lion.
Experience a three course dining feast in the restaurant, with some of the best food you could imagine being served up! Dine outside in the sunshine, under the Hackberry Tree or dabble inside the stunning restaurant.
Time: 12 noon – 3.30pm
Tickets: $120 per person, beverages are not included
After something a bit more chilled out? The Lion Express And Bar has you covered with some delicious platter style mains and a great vibe. We like the look of the Tempura Salmon with Soba Noodles, Toasted Coconut Sambal and Yuzu Caramel. Yum!
Time: 11.30am to 3pm
Tickets: $57.50 per person, beverages are not included
Find out more here.
The Mile End
At The Mile End they don’t just celebrate the cup on one day. Oh no. They get starting in October with their special “The End Cup” event. So basically a horse racing arcade game will be setup in the venue in the lead up to the big day. Get into the carnival spirit and you will have a chance to take out the weekly prize. Plus, the weekly winners will be instantly entered into the cup day race finals which will have a major prize! We like what they are putting down! But not to worry if you don’t win, because you can also register and compete in the heats to qualify for the finals.
When the big race day rolls around, The Mile End will have you sorted with an open A La Carte menu with all day dining options, sweep stakes and drink specials.
The Ramsgate
The best in the west? It is certainly up there! Enjoy the race that stops a nation at everyone’s favourite western beaches haunt, The Ramsgate. With a delicious three course menu and an optional beverage package and live screening of the big race on their large screen (of course) this is one hot ticket.
Without Drinks Package: $60 per person
With Three Hour Drinks Package: $90 per person
Head here to purchase tickets.
The Stamford Grand
Head to the beach for the Melbourne Cup this year, with The Grand’s stylish lunch. The menu is set to delight with the dessert of Blackberry, Apple and Cinnamon Tart with Honeycomb Ice Cream and Pistachio Anglaise just reason enough to book in fast for this one.
Of course there will be big screens so you don’t miss any of the actions, sweeps and a 2.5 hour standard beverage package included, they have covered everything.
Time: 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Tickets: $95 per person (includes lunch menu and 2.5 hour standard beverage package)
Contact The Promenade Restaurant on 08 8375 0622 or [email protected]
The Unley
Let The Unley blow your trumpet for this year’s Melbourne Cup with their stunning rooftop the perfect spot to watch the race (their rooftop bar also features in our Adelaide’s Rooftop Bar Guide). Enjoy some bubbles, with plenty of drink specials on the day. Plus an open A La Carte menu, sweepstakes, a best dressed prize and a best hat prize. Did we mention there are drink specials? We did but let us get more specific:
$15 Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne
$10 42 Degrees South Sparkling
$7 James Boags Premium Lager
To top it all off, all sweep stakes entries will receive a raffle ticket for which the prize is a Louis Roederer Premier Champagne Gift Basket. We will cheers to that!
2KW – SOLD OUT
Although this event is now sold out we can only imagine the glorious Melbourne Cup lunch that 2KW will put on! We have no doubt that those lucky enough with a ticket will enjoy a ridiculously scrummy lunch whilst enjoying some of the best views that Adelaide has to offer. Along with a cocktail on arrival, there will be a stunning fashion parade put together by Denim Inequity. The whole experience will be a true feast for the senses!
Guests will have exclusive access to the venue until 4pm which means anyone looking for a place to hit at the end of the day need look no further! With an after race DJ, the party is set to continue…
Glam Tip: Get in early next year to avoid disappointment.
Whatever you find yourself doing on race day, we hope you have an amazing (and lucky) day full of fun, laughs and good times. Oh and Champagne. And food. Lots of food.