Townsville hospitality businesses roll out the red carpet for a busy Melbourne Cup Day
Venues around Townsville are gearing up for massive Melbourne Cup day with a variety of menus, drink packages, and competitions to entice punters. Check our full guide here.
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Townsville’s businesses are saddled up to welcome a well-dressed field of racing fans through their doors to celebrate “the race that stops a nation” – the 2024 Melbourne Cup – which is running for the 164th time.
From the traditional go-to cup venues like Cluden Park and The Ville, through to the new entrant Twin City Hotel, there’s plenty of places around town where you can grab a decent bite to eat, a couple of drinks, and maybe have a cheeky flutter.
Check out our comprehensive guide of local venues celebrating the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Cluden Park
Cluden Park’s 2024 Melbourne Cup Race Day is a must-attend event for all horse racing enthusiasts, featuring the finest in dining, live racing, and entertainment.
Cluden Park Partnership Coordinator Donna Rose looked forward to celebrating the cup in style trackside with live racing and full coverage of Flemington across three airconditioned spaces: Members Lounge, Tanqueray No. Ten Sky Suite and Sports Bar trackside.
“We will have Fashions on the Field on the day for the ladies and gents with fabulous prizes to be won,” Ms Rose said.
The Tanqueray No. TEN Sky Suite will showcase signature cocktails and a four-hour beverage package, and a delectable tasting menu taking punters on a “culinary journey that perfectly complements the day’s festivities”.
Gates open at 11.30am, with the first Cluden Park race at 1.00pm. General admission costs – $20 Adults, $10 Concession, Children under 18 years free with a paying adult.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
The Ville Resort-Casino
Visitors are being encouraged to “giddy up”, and grab their tickets for three big Melbourne Cup events at The Ville.
The Ville Resort-Casino Marketing Executive Lisa Bathe said they were expecting 500 hundred beautifully dressed and ready-to-party race goers in The Pavilion.
“It’s going to be the biggest celebration of Melbourne Cup in Townsville once again – it’s truly a signature event for the city that we just love offering locals every year, inspired by Flemington’s Birdcage event and this year themed vintage-chic,” Ms Bathe said.
Costing $230 per person, the Pavilion’s cocktail-style event runs between 11.30am and 3.30pm, offering canapes and interactive cooking stations and a 4hr premium beverage package including three signature cocktails by Chandon & Grey Goose, fashions on the field, screens to view the race, photo booth, TAB, live entertainment and DJs.
“In the Quarterdeck will have 200 people in a more casual environment with great views, live music and a more relaxed vibe, (with tickets costing $37),” she said.
“Afterwards all guests are invited to the after-party on The Ville Lawns and anyone else that wants to attend from other celebrations across the city or after work – everyone is welcome at this free non-ticketed event with ocean views, live entertainment and an amazing social atmosphere.”
The afterparty will host a DJ set from ‘The David’ along with live entertainment from Club Sol Band, with the good times continuing at the Quarterdeck and Ardo Rooftop.
For bookings, visit: www.the-ville.com.au.
Twin City Hotel
Twin City Hotel general manager Chris McNeill was excited to welcome racing fans in their finest race day attire to the hotel’s first Melbourne Cup event.
“We have plenty of activity planned in Downtown Bar and Kitchen such as sweepstakes, fashions on the field, raffles, live music and the team all dressed in their race day best,” Mr McNeill said.
“We have had some great Spring Carnival race days in Downtown and TAB this year, so I’m expecting a great atmosphere on Melbourne Cup day. We have also organised additional betting terminals for the day, so we are fully stocked and ready to go.”
Unfortunately Plaza Bar, the venue’s new cocktail bar “very close but unfortunately won’t be ready for Melbourne Cup.
“We are expecting a great day in the Buffet with the race live and loud and a bit of extra Melbourne Cup activity for the Buffet Punters,” he said.
“Our TAB will be open from 8am tomorrow, a great opportunity to grab a coffee from Herveys Cafe and get your bets on early.”
OBJ’s Sports Bar
Townsville’s premier sports bar is offering a thrilling Melbourne Cup experience with live race coverage on the big screen, and TAB facilities operating from 11am.
A two-course lunch and beverage package will jump from the gate at 12.30pm, featuring “sizzling garlic prawns and a showstopping topped chicken parmigiana”, for $90.
For bookings, visit: objsportsbar.com.au
The Beach Hotel
To celebrate its first Melbourne Cup, The Beach Hotel on The Strand is taking the party to the next level upstairs, with panoramic views of Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay setting the scene for an unforgettable day.
For $130 per person, there will be roving canapes, four hours of bottomless sparkling, beer, Patrón Margaritas, Grey Goose Vodka Sodas, live music, sweepstakes, fashions on the field, and the big race live and loud on the big screen, between 12pm – 4pm.
For bookings, visit: thebeachhoteltownsville.com.au.
Watermark Townsville
Punters will be able to soak up a drink and the electric spring carnival atmosphere on the big screen while diving into the Watermark’s Trawler Tuesday special: a half kilo of prawns or fish and chips for $25 from 11am.
Those reserving their spots at watermarktownsville.com.au will be entered to win a Travla Esky packed with goodies.
Cowboys Leagues Club
The Race that stops the Nation will be broadcast on TVs throughout the club with limited tickets available for a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet luncheon in Match Restaurant & Grill.
It includes a glass of sparkling wine, lucky door prize entry, exclusive gift bag, fashions on the field, live entertainment, with $1500 in prizes to be won.
Entry is $80 members and $100 non-members, with bookings here: https://bit.ly/clcmelcup.
Shaw & Co
An exciting afternoon of Steaks & Stallions is planned for Shaw & Co’s exclusive Melbourne Cup event celebrating sports, food and fashion.
From 12pm to 4pm, visitors will be greeted with a Tanqueray cocktail on arrival before indulging in a mouth-watering two-course menu featuring all of the restaurant’s classic dishes, with entry into the Fashions on the Field and prizes for best dressed.
Tickets are $99 per person, with bookings at www.shawandco.com.au.
Rambutan
Visitors dressed to impress are invited to join the Rambutan crew at their Rooftop for a day of glamour, great food, and excitement.
For just $75pp, they can indulge in a three-course set meal with a glass of Seppelt Sparkling or Peroni on arrival, choosing between prawn cocktail or pork belly bite, scotch fillet or linguine ai frutti di mare, and tiramisu or leche flan.
There will be racing action on multiple screens, sweepstakes, fashions on the field, a $250 lucky door prize, and Rambutan’s StreetFront is also welcoming punters.
To book: rambutantownsville.com.au.
The Australian Hotel
“The Aussie” is ready to showcase all the racing action live on the big screen, with full TAB facilities on-site and sweeps being run all day.
To make it the “full experience”, they are offering 400g rump steaks with gravy, chips, and salad for $19.
The Metropole Hotel
Also celebrating its first Melbourne Cup since its three-year hiatus and renovations, The Metropole filled with food, fashion, and all the live race action.
Greeting “dressed to impress” guests with a cocktail on arrival, the venue has carefully curated two-course lunch, backed by fashions on the field, and exciting prizes and giveaways
For bookings: www.trybooking.com/CVWTD.
Townsville RSL Club
Enjoy all the fun and frivolity with buffet lunch and sweeps, as the anticipation builds to the big race.
Doors open at 10am for a 10:30am start, with guests receiving a glass of bubbly on arrival, followed by buffet luncheon and dessert, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available.
Sweeps and TAB are available throughout the day, with best dressed and lucky door prizes up for grabs.
Tickets are $95 for members and $115 for non-members, with bookings at: www.townsvillersl.com.au.
Tom’s Tavern
Gather your friends and get ready for a fun-filled day of racing, great food, and good times at Tom’s Tavern where you’ll be able to indulge in a three-course luncheon with a beverage on arrival for just $76 per person, starting from 11:30am.
The TAB opens bright and early at 8am.
Kirwan Tavern
Enjoy a day filled with thrilling races, delicious food, and refreshing drinks at the “KT”, where the TAB opens from 7am.
The bar will have juice and muffin bars will be available for a gold coin donation and sweeps, while the bistro will have lucky door prizes, sweeps, mimosas for charity, best hat and best dressed competitions, with️ an a la carte menu and elegant food specials.
Bookings are essential: www.kirwantavern.com.au
Kirwan Sports Club
A 2.5hr Melbourne Cup Luncheon is planned at the Kirwan Sports Club, kicking off from 10.30am, with lunch served at 12pm.
Tickets $40 per person include a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, two-course alternate drop menu of confit chicken or lamb shank and chocolate cheesecake or
lemon meringue tart, plus raffles, sweeps, TAB facilities, prizes for best dressed
Book at kirwansportsclub.com.au.
Irish Finnegan’s
An unforgettable Melbourne Cup Luncheon is planned at “Finnos” with all the racing excitement and sweeps backed by a delicious three-course meal and a glass of bubbles or wine on arrival.
For $60, you also get entry for the lucky door prize and the best dressed competition with fantastic prizes up for grabs.
To book, visit: www.irishfinnegans.com.au.
Brothers Leagues Club
Doors open 11am for Brothers Leagues Club’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon, with lunch served at 12.30pm from its Circa 20 Restaurant.
The event features champagne on arrival, two-course alternate drop menu of
chicken breast or lamb rump plus vanilla panna cotta or chocolate hazelnut tart, along with live entertainment, sweeps, TAB facilities, lucky door, best dressed and best hat prizes.
Tickets cost $60, with bookings by calling (07) 4773 8000 to book.
North Shore Tavern Townsville
Ready to unleash a day of fantastic food, music, and surprises, North Shore Tavern is offering visitors a delightful two-course set meal (entree and main) for just $59 per person, or indulge in our 3-course set meal (with dessert) at just $65 per person.
It features a prawn cocktail with fresh oysters, soy honey pork chop or barramundi with deconstructed cheese cake for dessert.
Attendees will be able to watch the race on one of Townsville’s largest sports screens, TAB opens at 10am, there are sweepstakes, lucky door prize giveaways, fashions on the field and best dressed competitions.
Upper Ross Hotel
Join the fun of the day at the Upper Ross Hotel by gathering your family and friends to enjoy a dedicated menu, cold beverages and a full race day action on their TVs.
The TAB will open from 8am, sweeps are available and visitors are encouraged to dress up to win fabulous fashion prizes.
To book, visit: www.upperrosshotel.com.au.
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Originally published as Townsville hospitality businesses roll out the red carpet for a busy Melbourne Cup Day
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