Making the most of Melbourne Cup

Whether you’re a punter, a day drinker or just love a long lunch, Melbourne Cup is the perfect opportunity to indulge. Pop the champagne, splurge on some new threads and book a table for the race that stops the nation. Novocastrians are spoilt for choice with events around town for any crowd.

Bubbles

Soak in the spring sunshine and sip on bubbles while you place your bets. At Foghorn Brewhouse you’ll be treated to champagne on arrival, canapes and three courses for $75 per person. Chill in The Clarendon’s courtyard with $5 bubbles and $11 cocktails. If you’re doing Melbourne Cup for the ‘gram, then you can’t beat Merewether Surfhouse’s cocktail party for $99pp. Spam your story with shots of tantalising canapes, bubbles in hand and stunning ocean views as the backdrop. Can’t decide between champagne or a cocktail? Why don’t you have both? The Landing has a party for every appetite and champagne cocktails on arrival. Graze on canapes for $79 or devour a three-course banquet for $120 per person.

Eat, bet and dance

At Queens Wharf Hotel, you can hit the dancefloor while you’re counting down to the big race. For $120 per person you can feast on a three-course meal, splurge on the 4.5-hour drinks package and boogie to live music. Newcastle’s iconic tower might be missing from the scenery, but the sparkling harbour will still leave you in awe. Step back in time at Babylon with their nostalgic, Gatsby vibes and live jazz band. For a party that continues into the night, you can’t miss the Sydney Junction Hotel. Relax in their lush beer garden then head to the dancefloor when the sun sets.

The Grazer

Do you love to tantalise your tastebuds with tiny bites packed with flavour? Lucky for you The Lucky Hotel have teamed up with Campari for an unbeatable Melbourne Cup event. For $129 per person you can devour unlimited roaming canapes, dive into moorish pails and sip Aperol Spritz while you watch the race. Hop over to The Hop Factory and graze on bar snacks and craft beer for $80 per person. Sick of waiting for the canapes to come around to you, then having to politely take one portion? Load up on snacks without judgement at the Honeysuckle Hotel’s lavish grazing tables. Their VIP lawn party features three hours of drinks, roving canapes and indulgent spreads for $130 per person.

Feast with friends

What better excuse to feast with friends than an early mark from the office. Head to Six Degrees and devour 5 delicious courses with matching wines for $99pp. Escape the city and splurge on a mid-week stay at The Anchorage in Port Stephens. You’ll need a bed to nurse that food baby after binging on fresh oysters and three mouth-watering courses. If lush vineyards in the Hunter Valley are more your style, head to Esca at Bimbadgen Estate for seafood canapes and three courses for $90 per person. The Flying Tiger know that just because you don’t support the race, doesn’t mean you don’t support ditching work for a delicious spread. Say nup to the cup with a glass complimentary sparkling when book in for their banquet menu.

Message the group chat, bust out an extravagant hat and head to one of Newcastle’s Melbourne Cup events. You might not come out a winner on the books, but your tastebuds will thank you for the afternoon delight.