Overview
Apart from public holidays, Melbourne Cup Day is the one weekday of the year where it's understood that, for some industries, no work will get done (or, at least, not much). You may not be that into watching the main event — but if you do want to sneak out of the office a little early on Tuesday, November 5, you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants across Sydney with stuff happening. In fact, there are almost too many places and styles of parties to choose from.
To give you a place to start, we've teamed up with Merivale to take a look at what some of its popular venues are offering — from buzzing Mexican fiestas and suave rooftop parties overlooking the beach to epic eleven-course feasts. Whether you want to have a big blowout, a more affordable affair or decide to just pop in for a drink somewhere spontaneously, this list has you covered.
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If you’re reading this last minute, don’t worry. For a no-pressure idea, walk-ins are welcome to the Palings Bar for an impromptu lunch and party. With its open-air bar and restaurant, it has you covered for your last-minute drink plans in the huge Ivy precinct in the CBD.
Whether you pop in on your lunch break or get stuck at the office and head down after the to-do list is completed, the beer and champagne will be cold and flowing all day. The action at Flemington will be playing on live screens and DJs will take the day into night. Palings is also offering a three-course lunch and drinks package for $120 per person if you are a little more organised.
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Don’t want to make a huge deal of it, but want to do something? Make tracks to The Beresford. With an $85 set menu in its sunny Surry Hills courtyard, it has you and your friends sorted for an afternoon of eating and drinking.
Open from 11am, the alfresco dining set menu includes five drinks each and roving canapés between 12–3pm. You’ll enjoy prawn skewers, spicy popcorn chicken, mini doughnuts and more. The party atmosphere, with DJs playing all day, will help take your outdoor session to the dance floor, and well into the evening.
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Use the early mark as an excuse to hot-foot it out of the city and head along to the Coogee Pavilion Rooftop for a lively summer soiree. With 270-degree views of Coogee Beach, the rooftop is a great spot to enjoy the warm November weather with your pals and some very tasty treats.
The $95 package includes four drinks and canapés, inspired by the Pav’s Mediterranean menu — think tiger prawns, charred octopus and mini lamb hamburgers. There’ll be all-day party tunes from DJs, too. It’s like the ultimate beachside Sunday session — on a Tuesday. Big win.
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If you’re firmly locked into party mode, book yourself and your amigos a table at The Slip Inn’s Sand & Garden Bar. You’ll get to spend the afternoon at a Mexican-style fiesta. The $99 package welcomes you in with a glass of Chandon Brut or Furphy, then you can get stuck into the food with entrees including prawn aguachile and queso flameado. Next, a DIY taco platter will land on your table, plus there’ll be paella and rotisserie lamb stations to visit. And, of course, there’ll be churros with dulce de leche to finish. With ample screens around, you’ll catch every moment of the action in Melbourne, and there’ll also be a live band and DJs to keep the good vibes coming.
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Perhaps you just want to use the day as an excuse to drink and eat (and eat and eat). If so, Queen Chow is the answer. Across both its Manly and Enmore venues, the Cantonese restaurant will be serving up huge multi-course feasts that’ll fill both your afternoon and your appetite.
In the inner west, you’ll get ten-courses, with the likes of kingfish sashimi, honey-glazed cha siu pork and deep-fried ice cream, with a glass Chandon Brut or Furphy for $110. Meanwhile, in Manly, the eatery is offer an eleven-course banquet, featuring steamed dim sum, garlic butter prawns, salt and pepper squid and more, alongside a glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial or Furphy — and delightful water views — for $130 a head.
Image: Steven Woodburn.