Seven Ways You Can Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day With Your Mates Without Blowing Big Bucks

As always, Richmond’s Fargo and Co is here to indulge Melbourne’s love of bottomless brunch with a special Cup Day session that’s big on bubbles and sweet wine. For $59 per person, from 11am–2pm, enjoy endless flowing Fargo’s spritz, mimosas, prosecco and moscato — plus, a brunch item of your choice to make sure your tummy is nice and full for the big day ahead.

During this booze session, you’ll be able to watch the main event on the big screens, and maybe pick up a prize for best dressed. Then, from 7pm, there’ll be a DJ to keep the party going. To nab your spot, head this way.

To celebrate the day out of the office, The Provincial is hosting a special Cup Day brunch on its spacious and sunny rooftop — and yes, it includes bottomless beverages. Slap on some sunscreen and then head up to the rooftop in the heart Fitzroy from 11am–1pm. Once there, for $60 per person, you’ll be sipping on free-flowing bubbles, mimosas and four of the bar’s bespoke cocktails. Your belly will be catered to with your choice of dish from the new brunch menu. With limited spots and only one session, you probably want to make a booking for this one. If you’re not into brunch, there’ll also be a party happening on level one featuring bottomless beverages and bites.

The Hawthorn Hotel is ready to deliver inner east locals bottomless drinks and a grazing platter to match. For $45 per person, you’ll get a mimosa on arrival to kick it all off, and you’ll enjoy two hours of unlimited Chambord spritz, cocktail jugs and Hawthorn Pale Ale. Then, choose between a savoury or sweet platter and watch the main event live and loud on the venue’s big screens. Stick around as the sun goes down for happy hour from 4pm, before the pub’s usual Tightarse Tuesday party will ensure the tunes are playing and booze flowing until late. Bookings are essential and available here, with space for large groups as well.

Harlow Bar is bringing glitz and glam to its beloved beer garden, for the Richmond venue’s Cup Day event hosted by a delightful drag queen or two. All the action will be played live and loud across the venue’s eight screens, with prizes for both best and worst dressed. You can book here to enjoy flowing bottomless bevvies from 1–3pm, and shared snacks to feed your appetite, for $55 per person. After the affair, there’ll be a DJ keeping the party going into the night.

If you’re after a classy affair or just a casual drink surrounded by your fellow public holiday-loving Melburnians, The Smith in Prahran has just the thing for you.

Take a seat in the bar’s restaurant for lunch and, for $60 per person, be spoilt with three delicious courses alongside a glass of Veuve. Alternatively, catch the main event on the venue’s big screen in the Atrium, where there will be party-loving tunes throughout the day and plenty of booze flowing to quench your beer, wine or cocktail thirst. To make your booking, head over here.

Feel like a very important person at the Exchange by getting all dressed up and nabbing yourself a ticket to the Port Melbourne pub’s VIP package. You might even pick up a prize for looking so damn good.

For $80 per person, enjoy three hours of drinks in a private bar with grazing stations and roaming canapés to keep your belly full while you sip nonstop bubbles. You won’t miss any of the fun as you chase around the bites, as all the action will screen live and loud. Make sure you secure your spot in advance via the website.

South Yarra’s Imperial bar is getting peachy this Cup Day with free-flowing bellinis. Yes, we’re talking bottomless prosecco and peach. Is there a better drink to celebrate putting on your finest frock to enjoy a day out of the office?

Pop in for a bite to eat, and you’ll get three hours of bellinis, mimosas and wine for $45 a head. Walk-ins are welcome, but is it worth the risk? Secure your table here.