Sydney Eat Street: Best places to celebrate the Melbourne Cup race
It’s truly a packed field of Melbourne Cup hopefuls when it comes to venues for a party but, the best part is, they are all favourites. Here’s part two of Sydney Eat Street’s best places to watch the watch that stops the nation.
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BIBO WINE BAR
Off a leafy street in Double Bay is this discreet little wine bar. Well, seemingly little, as it actually stretches quite far back, has a second level and when the front louvred windows are thrown open reveal an expansive high-top table that spans the length of the front room.
That’s only your first clue that things are going to be interesting, as unlike most wine bars where food is a veritable afterthought the balance between both menus is perfect, a testament to the trio behind the scenes — chef Jose Silva’s (Guillaume at Bennelong) Mediterranean-influenced cooking; restaurateur Jonathan Mallet’s (Guillaume at Bennelong) Parisian hospitality and head sommelier Louella Mathews’ (Rockpool) Portuguese, Aussie and French wine selection.
Melbourne Cup Day however is one where they get to play a bit as Mallet notes that with their set menu “people are happy and more willing to try different foods and wines”.
To add to the day’s excitement, bibo wine bar will have the races on TV and a number of prizes to be won including champagne and a bespoke headpiece from the rock’n’roll queen of racing millinery, and bibo regular, Nerida Winter. ($110pp)
— 7 Bay St, Double Bay; bibowinebar.com.au
KING STREET WHARF
Celebrate Melbourne Cup the way that Sydney does best and that’s at a waterfront restaurant with plenty of friends.
You’ll also want an area with plenty of choices be it a sit-down lunch, roving canapes or just bar snacks.
Along the Promenade at King St Wharf, there are 12 different venues to be had ranging from the fresh seafood at Nick’s (cocktail-style canapes and drinks for $75pp); steaks at Steersons (champagne and three courses for $99pp); Casa Ristorante Italiano ($79pp for four-courses); All Hands Brewing House (two-courses for $60pp); and more.
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For your punting and preening pleasure, there’ll also be an 11m-long TAB van parked on site and a photo competition for the fillies and studs parading down the nine-wharf long catwalk plus lucky door prizes throughout the area.
Come for lunch, catch the race then carry on into the night.
— Lime St, Sydney; kingstreetwharf.com.au
ATELIER BY SOFITEL
Matching heels and handbags may be the safe bet for fashion, but at this Melbourne Cup soiree, the best accessory is a glass of champagne along with a smile.
Of course if you’re considering a run in the best-dressed competition – which will be overseen by fashion commentator and the day’s MC, Paula Joye — a touch of Champagne Pommery blue in your outfit probably won’t go astray.
Until then though, savour the three-course meal developed by executive chef Eric Costille and sous chef Jordan Hajek (Noma) starting with NSW oysters and a charcuterie to share, followed by baked barramundi and navarin of lamb with seasonal produce and to finish, pavlova and Chandon cake.
In addition to a glass of champagne on arrival, guests will enjoy a two-hour wine and beer package or opt for more Champagne Pommery Brut Royal ($99 a bottle).
There’ll be big screens to watch the race, followed by an after-party in the Champagne Bar with French DJ Dr Mendez spinning tunes ($169pp)
— Sofitel Darling Harbour, Level 3/12 Darling Drive, Darling Harbour; atelierbysofitel.com
KITCHENS ON KENT
The races may be on the big screen but come Cup Day, all the action will be focused on the open-kitchen cooking at this extravagant buffet which boasts an abundance of seafood, a rotisserie, Tandoor oven, and, as any great feast should, a chocolate fountain.
Guests will enjoy three-hours of free-flowing Laurent-Perrier Champagne ($266pp) or Prosecco ($148pp) along with decadent Melbourne Cup Day-themed desserts.
Dress the part to go in the running for prizes including a trip to The Langham Melbourne.
— 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point; kitchensonkent.com
EMPLOYEES ONLY
One of the best tips for the day isn’t on the track but rather tucked away in the basement level speak-easy, Employees Only, where its sister-venue in New York was just voted the 26th best bar in the world.
While the dark timber and plush seating rarely sees the light of day, the doors will open at noon on Tuesday with guests receiving a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival.
From there, on offer is a cocktail list that rather fittingly has been developed by two of Australia’s top 100 bartenders.
There’s also a menu of canapes that include lamb and smoked labneh with sumac, kingfish ceviche and steak tartare.
Watch the races on the big screen hen kick-on till late. Very late.
— 9A Barrack St, Sydney; employeesonlysyd.com
ZEPHYR
With a sweeping view over Darling Harbour from way up high in this swanky open-air bar, from 12-3pm, you’ll indulge in a limitless beverage package and a generous spread in the lead-up the big race.
There’ll be plenty of prizes to be won while a DJ spins tunes well into the evening. ($199pp)
— Hyatt Regency, Level 12, 161 Sussex St, Sydney; zephyrbarsydney.com
THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA
The lovely florals and greenery at The Grounds will have some completion come Cup Day as the pretty fillies and dapper gents enjoy the surrounds for an afternoon of canapes (12-4pm) and a drink on arrival.
There’ll be TV screening the race and prizes for best-dressed. ($90pp)
— Building 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria; thegrounds.com.au
CRUISE BAR
The race that stops the nation is probably the only thing that could take your eyes off the stunning view of the Sydney Opera House.
Starting with a glass of champagne on arrival, you’ll be treated to roving canapes and freshly shucked oysters shucked on site by Sydney Oyster Girls.
The race will be on the big screen with live entertainment from 12-3pm ($99pp + booking fee). cruisebar.com.au
— Level 1, 2 and 3, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay W, The Rocks; cruisebar.com.au