Fasten your fascinator and don your freshest suits, because Melbourne Cup is just around the corner and we’ve scoured our beloved city to bring you the most glam Melbourne Cup events in Brisbane. From rooftop extravaganzas to luxe restaurant affairs, we’ve found them all. So mark your calendars for Tuesday 5 November and get ready to make it one for the books—it's time to get fancy.
Soko Brisbane
7 Symes Street, Fortitude Valley
Welcome to the jungle, otherwise known as Soko’s Rooftop in the Valley. They are calling all glamazons to take Tuesday afternoon off for an unforgettable day of celebrations. Go wild for their eclectic set menu of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, including a live cheffing station of Anticuchos Carretilleros (street-fired wagyu beef) with Soko’s special sauce. Wash this down with their three-hour drinks package, including draft beer, wine a-plenty and your choice of two divine spritzes.
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Price: $225pp
Lina Rooftop
74/80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane
Join the lively team at Lina Rooftop for their Spring Chic daytime event. Round up your friend group for a sparkling beverage poolside and indulge in the roaming canapes on offer. Let Flemington Racecourse come to you, while you bask in the warm Brisbane air. Take in our gorgeous city views and don’t forget to check out the live oyster, grazing and dessert stations.
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Essa
181 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley
We've found a truly exclusive experience available at Essa you don’t want to miss. Start at The Nixon Room next door for caviar bumps and frozen vodka on arrival, followed by champagne and snacks. Then it's off to Essa for more snacks (think tuna tartare and wagyu empanadas, before the main event: Essa fried chicken and even more caviar. Don’t want the good vibes to end? The cup after party continues at The Nixon Room next door.
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Tillerman
71 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Foodies unite. Come to the riverside to enjoy a seven-course banquet at Tillerman. This promises to be a sophisticated dining experience with fresh seafood and world class service, not to mention a juicy Wagyu MB9+ steak. It wouldn’t be a race day without a three-hour drinks package on offer, so make the most of the many fine wines and French champagne. This leisurely lunch will be complemented by prizes for best dressed, a photo booth and live race coverage.
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Iris Rooftop
458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Say ‘hola’ to a sensational Spanish soirée for Cup Day this year. Join in on this pumping party for the ages, way up high above the streets of Brisbane. Prepare yourself for an agenda stacked with canapes and a three-and-a-half-hour beverage package of champagne, premium wines, beer and cocktails. Sip in style all afternoon and don’t forget to suit up for the best dressed prizes.
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Donna Chang
3/171 George Street, Brisbane CBD
If there was ever a venue that epitomises the springtime luxury of the racing season, it’s Donna Chang—so it’s only fitting that they’re hosting one of the best Melbourne Cup parties in Brisbane. Featuring a lavish banquet, there’s also a 3.5-hour bevvy package that includes Champagne and premium wines, beers and cocktails. Do we even need to mention the live music, entertainment, charity sweepstakes and prizes for best dressed?
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Agnes
22 Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley
Moody, sophisticated, and of course, delicious, Agnes is the place to go if the menu is the most important part of your Cup Day. From spanner crab tartelettes to yellowfin tuna and smoked spatchcock, you might just need to rethink your outfits and consider one with a stretchier waistband. And if that isn’t enticing enough, Agnes’ lunch will also include an array of signature cocktails, champagne, beers, and wine. It’s already hard to snag a booking on a regular day, so let’s not dilly dally and grab your bookings now.
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sAme sAme
46 James Street, Fortitude Valley
One of Brisbane’s favourite Thai restaurants is about to become your favourite Cup Day venue. Against the backdrop of its sleek and modern decor, sAme sAme is offering a banquet of punchy flavours to level up the day. Between their aromatic Moreton Bay bug red curry, banana flower salad, and famous chicken burger (iykyk), this is a mouthwatering menu you cannot afford to miss. You'll also sip on signature cocktails, champagne, beer and wine, so all the bases are covered here.
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Gerard's
This James Street restaurant's Melbourne Cup banquet is an annual staple—but this year they're doing it with a sleek new look thanks to their recent renovations. Escape the heat and into their desert oasis-inspired interiors while you savour a menu of the finest local seafood and a curated selection of Gerard’s classics, alongside no less than four hours of Louis Roederer champagne, handcrafted cocktails, premium beer, wine and spirits.
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Longwang
144 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD
Who doesn’t love a long lunch? Leave it to Longwang to sort you out on Cup Day with one of four decadent pan-Asian banquets of your choosing. One of which, The Longwang Experience banquet, features showstoppers like oysters, lobster, kingfish sashimi, beef dumplings and even matcha tiramisu. If the complimentary glass of French bubbles you receive on arrival isn’t enough, you and your crew can also indulge in a two-hour bottomless beverage package of house lager, session ale, and an array of wines–day complete if you ask us.
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Opa Bar + Mezze
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Greek banquets await this Melbourne Cup Day at Opa Bar. Soak up the Story Bridge and river views in your glitzy and glamorous getup, complete with a glass of complimentary Veuve Clicquot–because obviously. Seafood plays a sizable role on the banquet menus they’re dishing out, from fresh oysters and chargrilled octopus to bug spaghetti and chilled king prawns with taramasalata. With a live DJ spinning from 2.30pm and best dressed prizes, what more could you want? Here’s where you can book.
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Tenya Japanese Restaurant & Bar
300 George Street, Brisbane CBD
If sushi, sashimi, mussels and prawns paired with Japanese slippers and French martinis tickle your fancy, head into the city for Tenya’s Cup Day celebrations. Tucked away inside Brisbane Quarter, this top notch Japanese eatery offers spectacular views with a huge 200-seat capacity. There’s no doubt it will be bustling with energy levels high for Melbourne Cup, so book now to secure a riverside spot for your group.
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Summa House
43 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Giddy up Brisbanites, Summa House has Cup Day fever, so this is a deal you are not going to want to miss—they’ve even promised to put the bubbly on ice for your arrival. We recommend taking advantage of their POW WOW package which guarantees you and your mates a table for two hours of cocktail jugs, beer, wine and sparkling. Your ticket also includes a seven-piece tapas menu to soak that all up. Still thirsty? That’s not a problem because they are hosting kick-ons from 2pm. Keep the party going well into the evening and strut your stuff to the epic lineup of DJs.
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Massimo Restaurant
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Eat Italian while watching the stallions (yeah, we went there), and sip from a stunning wine list. Massimo’s bottomless banquet lunch will have you drooling for more, with a taste of Italy on our very own Brisbane River. If the two hour package doesn’t satisfy you, there’s always the option to extend your drinks for another hour at $35pp. Don’t forget to upgrade to their signature banquet option for an additional fee, if you’re feeling extra.
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Howard Smith Wharves
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
Struggling to figure out your lunch plans for Tuesday? Meander down to Howard Smith Wharves, who have your back (and appetite). For all of you dreaming of a hot girl summer in Italy, Ciao Papi is the place to be, with a garden party feast on the cards that sounds bellissimo. If you’re after a more sophisticated affair, head to Stanley Restaurant for an exclusive four-course banquet.
There’s always the classic Mr Percivals, for those of you who love to pick from a long list of cocktails, seafood and canapes, while Yoko’s banquet promises a delectable miso caramel dessert for all you sweet tooths. Next door Greca is calling your name, with a tempting Karpouzi Spritz on arrival and mouth-watering shared menu of succulent scallop crudo, lamb shoulder and saganaki. And for the rooftop seekers, there's always Fiume's canape-filled soiree. We know it sounds like a tough choice, so feel free to check out all of the details here.
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The Prince Consort
230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Straighten up the old bowtie, it’s time to unleash your inner glamour at The Prince Consort. Get swept away in the spectacle and let their premium drinks package leave you feeling like royalty. Pour over a mouth-watering cocktail list and quench your thirst with a bubbly glass of champagne (courtesy of Mumm). Don’t worry, you won’t be braving this on an empty stomach—they’ve got you covered with an oyster station, paella and yiros stations, as well as grazing boards jam-packed full of canapes to enjoy. The party doesn’t start until the sun sets, when the festivities will amp up with a live band, so you and your crew can boogie the afternoon away.
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Cloudland
641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Do Cup Day at Cloudland with a majestic carnival of colour, champagne, cocktails and culinary delights. There is something for everyone to enjoy, with various unique package options spanning across the entire venue. Are you feeling like indulging in a lavish sit down lunch in the Rose Room? Or perhaps a relaxed approach to Cup Day in Cloudland Gardens better suits your style? Then there’s the rooftop bar serving up stunning views and delicious brews. And that’s not even all the options. The point we’re trying to make is, if you want it, Cloudland has got it.
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Bacchus
9 Glenelg Street, South Bank
The latest tea is that a gorgeous afternoon in the luxe surroundings of Bacchus restaurant is where it’s at, and we can’t help but agree. Gather your besties to celebrate in style with an elegant Melbourne Cup High Tea. Your ticket includes a glass of bubbly on arrival and a bespoke High Tea menu. We have been warned that this event is piping hot and sells out year after year, so get in now to avoid disappointment.
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Blackbird
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Blackbird is inviting you into the opulent Gatsby bar for a Riverside Soirèe, where you can enjoy canapes, a grazing table and 3.5-hour beverage package. Or choose to step into the truly opulent riverview room for a three-course luncheon and four-hour beverage package featuring Champagne, premium wines and cocktails. With either option, we know you can’t go wrong with these sweeping river views and live tunes all afternoon long.
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Dapl
200 Creek Street, Brisbane City
Join Dapl in their Cup Day celebrations with a buffet-style lunch and 3.5 hour beverage package. Dapl spotlights native Australian ingredients, so expect fresh flavours such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed and peppermint gum to pair with your fascinator as you sip on a selection of local brews from Revel Brewing Co. And, of course, dress to the nines as there is a prize for the best dressed attendee.
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Babylon
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Saddle up because this riverside restaurant has two luxe spaces to spend Cup Day, each with their own irresistible perks. For those in Babylon Garden, their stunning riverside bar, expect to indulge in a selection of their meze-style share menu. For those in the restaurant, you’ll munch on a similar spread, but with a few more luxury additions like slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Either way, each banquet is accompanied by a three-hour beverage package, which you can enjoy alongside the live entertainment that'll keep the party pumping.
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Madame Wu
1A Creek Street, Brisbane CBD
Promising a day of elegance, excitement, and endless fun, Madame Wu invites you to experience cup day with a stellar three-course banquet and a glass of Moet on arrival. Famous for their punchy Asian flavours, this luxe river restaurant teases the appearance of some of their most famous dishes. Plus, with stunning views of the Story Bridge, your fit pics will never look better. And with prizes for best dressed being on offer, this really is the time to dress to the nines.
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Little Miss Sunshine
80 Ann Street, Brisbane CBD
Prepare yourself for a mega feast of Mediterranean goodness as Little Miss Sunshine is offering up a sprawling banquet that includes the likes of beef fillet, batata harra, Arabian rice, and baklava cigars. But you didn’t think that was all right? Of course, as one of the newer local breweries, Little Miss Sunshine is weaving in a three-hour drink package and two spritz flavours to keep the party (and the excitement) forever flowing.
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CLAW BBQ
56 King Street, Bowen Hills
Glitz and glam may not be the first thing you think of when entering this crabshack and grill, but CLAW BQQ might just surprise you with its electric atmosphere of fun and excitement. Enjoy a two-hour package of house wine, beer, bubbles and spritz cocktails, all the while munching on some American canapes that will probably be lit by the mega screens that line the room.
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Maggie May
84 Longland Street, Newstead
What better way to engage in the mingling of Cup Day than by exploring a fun-filled cocktail atmosphere, with delectable roaming canapés and a premium beverage package. Better still, with its glam retro 70s decor, Maggie May is the perfect backdrop for those social pics, so let their warm colour palette inspire you to dress for the occasion. It’ll come in handy since Fashions of the Field is on the itinerary, as are prizes for the best dressed.
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Supernormal
443 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Ready to splurge for a day of luxury? Supernormal invites you to consume only the best of the best so that whether you’re watching the TV screens or savouring the stunning river views, you can indulge in a rich four-course menu with perfectly matched beverages. Indeed, only your classiest attire will match the vibes of the unlimited pours of Ayala Brut Majeur Champagne. So don’t sit idle and grab a table if you’d like a moment of opulence.
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The Alliance Hotel
320 Boundary Street, Spring Hill
Why not experience the excitement of Cup Day in one of Brisbane’s oldest pubs? From their award-winning restaurant, the Whisky Warren, to their stunning Leichhardt Room, The Alliance Hotel has a range of packages to suit your party needs. There’s roaming canapes or a full feasting menu, a four-hour beverage package or a simple cash bar. Either way, there’s something for everyone. And don’t forget to snap a pic on their stunning staircase that sits in front of their main entryway.
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Victoria Park
309 Herston Road, Herston
Promising a day of sophistication and fun, Victoria Park has two celebrations for this year’s Melbourne Cup: a canapés event and a special two-course luncheon—each with their own unique quirks and packages. But regardless of which one you attend, we guarantee you’ll be doing more than just sitting, eating, and watching. Indeed, with a DJ and a live band, it’ll be hard to ever leave the dance floor. Plus, you might just find yourself treating yourself to a new trinket among the market stalls, or perfecting your pout in the photo booth. There really is a lot to do in this one.
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Sokyo
33 William Street, Brisbane CBD
Still yet to check out Queen’s Wharf? Well you can knock it off your list by heading to Sokyo for an extraordinary Japanese dining experience for Cup Day. You’ll get to indulge in a four-course shared menu curated by Executive Chef Alex Yu, while also embracing Fashions off the Field and stellar live entertainment. Plus, the party vibes will continue to flow with their three-hour premium beverage package.
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Portside Social
10/39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
For the first time ever, Portside Social is hosting a Spring Fling Melbourne Cup Garden Party that promises to go all night long. Enjoy complimentary French Champagne on entry, as well as a two-hour package of all-inclusive beer and house wines. There’ll also be roving canapés, with an additional vegan menu, and live acoustic music to set the vibes right. Better still, if that location doesn’t work out, you can also head over to Newstead Social who’ll also be hosting some festivities, but with free entry.
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Reef
76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead
Indulging in a relaxed but delectable seafood banquet may not be the most obvious way to celebrate Cup Day, but Reef is offering you that exact experience. Indeed, with a menu that includes free flowing oysters, black caviar blinis, Moreton Bay bug sliders, and tempura king prawns, you might just need to reconsider the stretchiness of your outfit. And this isn’t even acknowledging the wagyu sirloin and the three-hour premium drink package that also includes cocktails.
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The Green
1/27 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Looking to spend the day savouring some rich Middle Eastern flavours? Why not head to The Green where they’re offering just that—and at a price that won’t necessarily break the bank. Choosing between two standard menus, you’ll enjoy some fluffy Lebanese breads, a range of decadent dips, numerous salads, as well as delicious meats like chargrilled chicken and their famous slow roasted lamb. You can even add on a two-hour Garden Spritz package just to round out the whole experience.
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BOS Restaurant
480 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Prepare your best Cup Day outfits because the illustrious BOS Restaurant is promising a day of elegance, excitement, and mouth-watering food. With stunning views of the Story Bridge, you can enjoy a curated menu with tantalising options that include: steak tartare, Hokkaido scallop ceviche, saffron risotto, wagyu tenderloin, and cognac crème brûlée. You’ll even receive champagne on arrival and also participate in classic Cup Day antics like a best dressed competition and charity sweepstakes.
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Italia Lane
900 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Celebrate the race that stops the nation at Brisbane’s own Italian-style ristorante. Italia Lane will be serving up a shared-style Italian long lunch including antipasti and spuntini plates from their new spring menu, as well as iconic Italia Lane substantial plates that we know and love. Frolic in the open-air laneway with bottomless Aperol spritz or move indoors for a more relaxed vibe. It wouldn’t be a race day without full coverage of the event, sweeps and prizes for best dressed, so dust off those fascinators for an amazing afternoon.
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The Wolf
260 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Join The Wolf for a fancy three-course lunch with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival to set the mood. Sip on premium wines from across the globe while indulging in delectable dishes, with entrees such as ocean trout and quail ballotine and mains featuring the market fish de jour and the cote de boeuf. We’re drooling already. Prizes for best dressed and sweeps will be available on the day, and of course, the main event will be live-streamed and turned up loud at 2pm.
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If you’re Christmas party planning, check out our favourite silly season venues here.
Image credit: Urban List | Supplied