If you find yourself in Melbourne on the first Tuesday in November then you owe it to yourself to find a great venue to enjoy Australia’s biggest horse race, The Melbourne Cup.
If you can’t make it to the track at Flemington to watch it live then don’t worry because there are plenty of other great venues around Melbourne running special events where you can enjoy lunch, drinks and watch the race on a big screen.
To make it easy for you, we’ve done the legwork and curated this list of venues that are amongst the best Melbourne has to offer to watch the Melbourne Cup and can guarantee you’ll have a big day out.
If you love to bet on the races, and especially like to place free bets in Australia then check out this site where you’ll find info about where you can place free bets on horse races and other sports.
The Melbourne Cup started way back in 1861 and has grown to become the most prestigious horse race in Australia and one of the biggest in the world.
The prize for winning first place in the 2023 Melbourne Cup is $4,400,000 in cash, plus the winning owners, trainer, jockey & strapper each receive beautiful 18 carat gold Melbourne Cup trophies.
The 3200m race draws thoroughbred horses from around the world with horses from New Zealand, Ireland, England, USA, Germany, France and Japan collecting the winners trophy over the years.
It's a day of fashion and culture and is celebrated as the "race that stops a nation" on the first Tuesday in November.
So let’s look at our top picks for venues to watch the Melbourne Cup this November.
The Sporting Globe, Richmond
TIME: From 12 PM
PRICE: Pay as you go
- Complimentary drink on arrival.
- You won't miss a minute of the action, live throughout the entire venue on 50+ screens, you'll have a clear view from every vantage point!
- Plus live music throughout the day and best dressed prizes.
The Albert Park Hotel, Albert Park
TIME: 12 PM
PRICE: $140 pp
Banquet Lunch | Glass of Taittinger on arrival | Sweepstakes ticket
Melbourne Cup Day is getting the signature Albert Park Hotel treatment, combining classic race day style with a modern Chinese twist.
Enjoy a Happy Valley banquet menu, plus a glass of Taittinger on arrival and a ticket in our sweepstakes. We’ll also have the big screens out so you can watch each of the races live from your seat!
For the fashion-forward amongst us there will be prizes for the best-dressed man and woman, plus stick around for cocktails in the pop-up garden bar as well as DJs playing well into the evening.
The Terminus Hotel, North Fitzroy
TIME: 1 PM
PRICE: $99 pp
Saddle up for the ultimate Melbourne Cup Bash at the Termi! Kicking off at 1 pm on November 7th, we’re throwing down for an epic spring arvo packed with zesty, refreshing vibes and non-stop fun.
For just $99, you can dive into Aperol spritzes from 1 to 2 pm, and enjoy 3 hours of non-stop select beer & wine, and some seriously good bites that’ll have your taste buds cheering.
Once you’ve settled in for the arvo, we’ll be streaming the race that stops the nation LIVE & LOUD on the big screen where you can catch every heart-stopping second of the action.
And the party doesn’t stop there – live music kicks off at 3:30 pm, taking the good vibes up a notch.
So, dust off those fascinators or pull out those suits – we’re in for a ripper of an afternoon at the Termi.
Bistro Guillaume at Crown Casino Melbourne
TIME: 11:30 AM
PRICE: $175 pp
Celebrate the Spring Racing season in style at Bistro Guillaume and enjoy Guillaume Brahimi’s French bistronomy showcased over a three-course set menu, including two hours of flowing Champagne and mimosas for $175pp.
Dine on the open terrace in true Parisian style with views of the Yarra River and cityscape. Select from the set menu as you watch the races projected across the restaurant on television screens. Enjoy delicious in-house smoked salmon and horseradish, fish of the day à la Meunière, as well as Parisian gnocchi with pumpkin, pine nuts and Meredith goat cheese. Finish the day off with something sweet like vanilla bean Crème Brûlée and Profiteroles, served with vanilla bean ice cream and Valrhona chocolate sauce.
Left Bank Melbourne
TIME: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
PRICE: $139 pp + 15% public holiday surcharge
Left Bank Melbourne & G.H. Mumm Present: Melbourne Cup Lunch
Step Back in Time with Our Roaring '20s Spring Racing Soiree
- 3-course menu: Savor Spring Carnival with a chef-curated 3-course feast, spotlighting fresh, seasonal produce.
- Unlimited premium beverages: Indulge in our Gold Beverage Package—valued at $64 pp—featuring premium selections like Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige.
- Best-dressed competition: Showcase your style in our Best-Dressed Competition for a chance to win an exclusive G.H. Mumm prize package.
- Glam bar: Elevate your look with a complimentary touch-up at our chic Glam Bar.
- Spring racing exclusive: Receive a FREE vintage G.H. Mumm poster with the purchase of a bottle of G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon.
- Live racing action: Engage in the heart-pounding excitement of live racing action, broadcasted for your entertainment.
The Crafty Squire, Melbourne
TIME: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
PRICE: $65 pp
Ignite your Melbourne Cup thrills at The Crafty Squire!
Dive into our Melbourne Cup Day Package for just $65 pp – revel in 2 hours of bottomless cocktails, tap beers, select wines, and soft sips from 2pm-4pm.
Fuel up the excitement with our Brewer’s Board, a steal at $35 per board.
Let’s race!
Prahran Hotel, Windsor
TIME: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
PRICE: $82 pp
- Enjoy the Cup Day festivities with us!
- Ahead of the main race, book in for our roaming canape and 2 hour beverage pack.
- Drinks include all tap beers, house wine and house sparkling.
- Bookings are essential.
Conclusion
So there you go guys, book yourself into one of these venues and settle in for an afternoon of fun and festivities as you watch The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation.
IMAGE CREDITS: Tourism Victoria, Chris Phutully, Venues
