Race in for food, fashion and fun at the South Australian venues preparing to party on Melbourne Cup day
Put on your best fascinators, suits and frocks and prepare for racing – and people watching – at Adelaide’s top Melbourne Cup Day events.
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It’s the race that stops the nation.
And while eyes will be on Melbourne, heads will still turn in Adelaide as the A-list turns out to celebrate the cup.
So where will they be racing to? We’ve listed our top picks for SA’s most exclusive Melbourne Cup events below.
THE HIGHWAY – ON THE DECK AND FUNCTION ROOM (SOLD OUT)
290 Anzac Highway, Plympton
11am – 2:30pm
Tickets: $125 – $155pp
The Highway is hosting two packages for South Australians looking to enjoy the Cup Day fun and is expecting more than 600 attendees.
The deck package for $125 includes an unlimited selection of food from the on-site stalls and roaming canapes paired with six drink tickets.
The more expensive function room package serves a three-course meal, afternoon tea and unlimited beverages for four hours.
Both packages include live music, private TAB facilities and all races shown live on The Highway’s super screen.
2KW BAR AND RESTAURANT – LUNCHEON (SOLD OUT)
2 King William St, Adelaide
Tickets: $185pp
The inner city venue is offering a Melbourne Cup day lunch of three courses with a glass of NV Pol Roger Champagne on arrival.
Guests will have the chance to be sketched in their Cup Day outfits by local fashion illustrators Peter Prodanovic and Frankie Francis.
The event will be MC’d by Tom Rehn while the in-house bookie and sweeps will be available all day.
MORPHETTVILLE RACECOURSE – MELBOURNE CUP RACE DAY
79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville
From 11am
Tickets: General admission starts at $35pp and packages range to $365pp
The Morphettville racecourse is preparing a wide range of exclusive packages for Melbourne Cup race day with options for a range of budgets.
Options include lunch, full beverage packages, food vouchers, and cocktail packages with some offering views of the live horse racing in Adelaide and the events in Melbourne on the big screen.
Betting facilities are available on site.
Packages include:
The Winning Post Premium (SOLD OUT)
The Winning Post
The Cup Room (SOLD OUT)
Diva Lounge
Champagne on the Champagne Lawns
CC Giddy Up Club VIP Booth (SOLD OUT)
CC Giddy UP Club
Private Suites
General Admission
THE ARKABA HOTEL – MELBOURNE CUP DOWNSTAIRS @ THE ARK
150 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton
From 12pm
Tickets: $75pp
The Arkaba Hotel is hosting a noon event with big cash prize sweeps, TAB facilities and racing and fashions live on screens throughout the venue. Part proceeds from the sweeps will be donated to Variety SA.
Packages will include a three-course meal, Wicks Estate wine specials and an after-party featuring Adelaide band The Incredibles.
KOOMO RESTAURANT & BAR – MELBOURNE CUP @ KOOMO
Level 10/27 Frome St, Adelaide
12pm – 3pm
Tickets: $199pp
A four-course meal alongside a three-hour Bremerton Wines beverage package will be on offer at KOOMOO Resturant & Bar for the Melbourne Cup. Chardonnay, pinot noir, sparkling wines and roaming canapes will be followed by fashion highlights, free sweepstake, prizes, live entertainment and more.
WARRADALE HOTEL (SOLD OUT)
234 Diagonal Rd, Warradale
Tickets: $70
The six-time winner of the AHA Award for Best Sporting Entertainment Venue is once again hosting a sold out event for the Cup.
Two packages were on offer this year, including a two or three course meal offering with beverages.
INTERCONTINENTAL ADELAIDE – MELBOURNE CUP LONG LUNCH
North Terrace, Adelaide
12:30pm – 3:30pm
Tickets: Adult tickets start from $190pp for non-alcoholic packages
There will be live music, best dressed prizes, sweepstakes and three screens broadcasting live from Flemington.
A variety of culinary options including stations for live carving, live cooking, themed deserts and a Belgian Chocolate fountain with be paired with two drinks packages for those looking for alcoholic or non-alcoholic options.
MORPHETT ARMS – LOUNGE (SOLD OUT) AND DINING ROOM (SOLD OUT)
138 Morphett Rd, Glengowrie
Tickets: $65 – 75pp
The Morphett Arms Hotel is offering two distinct packages for the Melbourne Cup in 2023.
The dining room package includes a three-course set menu, sweeps, the quiz that stops the nation and best dressed prizes.
The Lounge package includes a food and four drink per person beverage package, live music from 3:30pm and prizes for best dressed.
FIRE AND VINE – MELBOURNE CUP AT FIRE AND VINE
2 Bevington Rd, Glenunga
12pm – 4pm
Tickets: $130pp (plus booking fee)
The new Greek-owned restaurant taking over the Cork and Cleaver venue is hosting their first Melbourne Cup function after opening in September.
A four-hour drinks package including beer, wine and soft drink alongside a three-course lunch will be on offer while punters cheer on their favourite horses and participate in sweep stakes.
MCLAREN VALE HOTEL – BELLEVUE DINING LUNCHEON (SOLD OUT)
208 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
From 12pm
Tickets: $90pp
The recently crowned Best Country Hotel 2023 at the AHA Hotel Awards is hosting an exclusive luncheon for the Cup.
Ticket holders will enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival and a three-course meal while judges choose the best dressed male and female guests and the most fabulous hat.
Door prizes will be drawn alongside sweepstakes, TAB facilities and all the live action.
LUCIANO’S ON THE MARINA – WATERFRONT LUNCHEON
Shop 13-15 Holdfast Shores, Glenelg
12pm – 3pm
Tickets: $170 pp
Following last year’s sold out Melbourne Cup Luncheon, Luciano’s on the Marina is preparing for another event featuring award-winning Sidewood Estate wines and a three-hour lunch package prepared by Head Chef Michael Ielasi.
The event is sponsored by Shahna Smith, founder of Amplified Beauty, who will host a ‘Fashion on the Fields’ runway with prizes for best dressed, best headpiece and more.
Charity partner Flinders Foundation are putting on crowd favourite sweeps, a mystery wine pull and Cash is King.
Big screen TV’s will stream all the action live from the Melbourne Cup and DJ Ashlee Grindle will provide the entertainment.
LION HOTEL – MELBOURNE CUP DAY
161 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
12pm – 3pm
Tickets: $99 – $205pp
The Lion is celebrating the day with three different packages for punters wanting to enjoy the day of racing.
Each package has a different three or four-course menu with beverage packages.
Packages include:
Dining Room + Outside Tables
Jerningham Room
Bistro + Courtyard General Admission
THE DISTRICT AT SKYCITY – MELBOURNE CUP PARTY
SkyCity Adelaide, 125 North Terrace, Adelaide
12pm – 4pm
Tickets: $149pp
The District is putting together a four-hour bottomless package including food, drinks, free entry to sweepstakes, access to private TAB betting terminals and more to celebrate the Melbourne Cup.
Ticket holders for the event will automatically be entered in the draw to win a stay at Eos by SkyCity thanks to the Sammy D Foundation.
After the race, a Melbourne Cup After Party will commence with live music into the night.
CREMORNE HOTEL – MELBOURNE CUP
207 Unley Rd, Unley
12pm – 5pm
Tickets: $99 – $199pp
Recently awarded the Best Hotel at the AHA awards for the general category, the Cremorne Hotel is hosting separate packages in their restaurant and beer garden for the Cup.
TAB betting facilities and prizes for best dressed will be drawn on the day.
The restaurant package will include a four-course meal and three-hour drinks package while the beer garden and bar will include a three-course meal and three-hour drinks package.
KHOU – MELBOURNE CUP AT KHOU
65 King William St, Kent Town
12pm – 4pm
Tickets: Non-ticketed event
KHOU is hosting it’s first Melbourne Cup event that you won’t require a ticket, for those looking to partake in a leisurely lunch and watch the race.
KHOU’s full menu will be available, with the addition of special cocktails and canapes for the Cup.
ADELAIDE OVAL – MELBOURNE CUP LUNCH
War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide
11am – 3pm
Tickets: $243.50pp
Adelaide Oval, SACA and SANFL have collaborated in support of Unite4Kids to host a three-course lunch with champagne on arrival and a four-hour drinks package.
Patrons can expect live music, a fashion show, an auction and an interview with SA star jockey Clare Lindop, all while the races are displayed on the big screen.
Following the race, attendees can kick on to the exclusive MTX Club after-party featuring local band The Cast and a cocktail bar with proceeds going to Unite4Kids.
LITTLE BANG BREWERY – MELBOURNE CUP AT LITTLE BANG
25 Henry St, Stepney
12pm – 8pm
Tickets: Free
Little Bang Brewery will be hosting a Melbourne Cup function inside its tap room for the first time.
The event will be unique compared to others on the list, with all day $22 cheeseburger and beer deal, $35 Melbourne Cup “Feed Me” menu as well as prizes for best and worst dressed.
The brewery will host Happy Hour from 3pm – 5pm and a free beer will be given to the first 100 guests to present their losing main race ticket.
COAST GLENELG – MELBOURNE CUP LUNCHEON
18 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg
12pm – 3pm
Tickets: $99pp
Those looking to enjoy the races in Glenelg can join Coast for a three-course menu and three-hour drinks package from The Lane Winery located in the Adelaide Hills.
A guest MC will host sweeps, and prizes for best dressed and best fascinator.
Attendees will also have access to TAB betting facilities for every race.
CHINATOWN PLAZA – MELBOURNE CUP LUNCH
17 Moonta St, Adelaide
1pm – 9pm
Tickets: Prices start from $20 – $200 for different packages
Adelaide Events and Green Street Distillery have collaborated to present a Melbourne Cop lunch in the Chinatown Plaza.
Those looking to book will have a variety of package options ranging from ticket entry to a full VIP experience with an eight-course banquet and four-hour drinks package.
Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, a roast carving station, desert booth, gin cocktail bar and prizes for best dressed.
Packages include:
VIP 8-course banquet (4-hour house drinks package)
8-course lunch banquet
4-hour house drinks package (no food)
3-hour house drinks package (no food)
2-hour house drinks package (no food)
Lunch banquet with champagne and gin
After-party access
SOL ROOFTOP – MELBOURNE CUP AFTER PARTY
Level 9 SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide
3pm – 10pm
Tickets: General Admission $20pp or 2-hour bottomless drinks package – $99pp
Once the races conclude, Sôl Rooftop at SkyCity will host DJ Leslie Williams and DJ Pheobe Snow for a Melbourne Cup After Party.
Two ticket options are available for the event: general admission and a two-hour inclusive drinks package for an extra $79 per person.
The race that stops the nation is on the horizon and South Australian venues are being prepped to welcome punters and socialites alike for Tuesday’s festivities.
Melbourne Cup races will kick off at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday at 2.30pm Adelaide time, with more than 24 horses racing for a prize pool of $8m.
South Australians looking to don their fascinators and dress to the nines will have the chance to soak in the atmosphere at a variety of different venues across the state – each with unique offerings.
Some events have already sold out but here are the places to be in SA this Melbourne Cup Day.
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