It might not be a public holiday, but the Gold Coast is still celebrating the Melbourne Cup in style.
Whether you’re into horse racing or not, there’s no denying that the Melbourne Cup has a certain grip on Australia and Australians as a whole. I mean, it’s a bit hard arguing the opposite when 2019 saw something like $106 million being gambled just on the cup race alone. (If you’re wondering, $160 million was gambled on the first Tuesday of November last year.)
Nonetheless, the day is now also synonymous with fashion, friends, and having a good time. Subsequently, the Gold Coast’s restaurants and bars put on an array of fabulous lunchtime events featuring oysters, champagne, and any number of bottomless drinks or food packages.
So, if you’re lucky enough to get the day off and you’re in the mood to get dressed up to drink champagne, eat oysters and frolic in the sunshine, this is our pick of Melbourne Cup events.
1. The Star, Broadbeach
All but two of the Melbourne Cup events held at venues at The Star Casino have sold out, which means there is still time to grab tickets to the Atrium Bar and Nineteen Bar.
On the casino floor, Atrium Bar will see guests sip on sparkling wine on arrival, savour canapes, and choose from a selection of three wines or beers. Nineteen Bar, on the other hand, is a much more stylish affair on the nineteenth floor of the Star Casino. Watch the race or check out the Gold Coast skyline as you dive into the four-hour drinks and food package. Careful not to spill anything on your outfit because this is one Fashions on the Rooftop (Field) you will want to win.
💰 $102pp (Atrium) and $179pp with optional $49 Veuve Clicquot upgrade (Nineteen)
2. The Island, Surfers Paradise
Do you want the Rooftop, the Glasshouse, or the Penthouse for this year’s Melbourne Cup? The choice is yours but depending on what you select, you’ll be treated to a varying selection of drinks, canapes, and live entertainment throughout the day. However, no matter which setting you choose, you will sip and savor to your heart’s content for three or three-and-a-half hours.
As always, Fashions on the Field makes a return with the best race day hat included in the competition. We’re hoping that there will be one ultimate winner chosen from the three events.
💰 $129pp (Rooftop), $209pp (Glasshouse), $259pp (Penthouse)
3. The Yot Club, Main Beach
For a Melbourne Cup unlike any other on the Gold Coast, then look no further than The Yot Club’s Cup Day celebration cruising the Gold Coast’s waterways. Tickets are sold in grouped allocations for both the main deck and the upper VIP deck. All guests will be greeted with a signature cocktail on arrival before the yacht departs for fun on the water. There will be prizes to be won for ‘Fashions on the Broadwater’, ‘Best Dressed Filly’ and ‘Most Striking Stallion’ as well as sweepstakes to test your luck. Canapes will be served at your table and so will your free-flowing drinks. And although the yacht returns to shore at 3:30pm, the dock bar will keep slinging drinks till 5pm.
💰 $195pp or $350pp (grouped allocation)
(Featured image: Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash)