Racing fans book out pubs and venues ahead of Melbourne Cup
Racegoers will swap the grandstand at Flemington Racecourse for bars across the city as they toast to a very different Cup Day.
Victoria
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Racing fans are raring to celebrate a Melbourne Cup Day with a difference from their loungerooms, front lawns and local parks.
With no crowds allowed for the festivities at Flemington Racecourse, bars and venues across the city are set for a bumper Tuesday, even with capacity limits.
Racegoers, who would normally be cheering on from the grandstand or sipping champagne in The Birdcage, snapped up bookings after restrictions were eased last week.
The famous race meeting will be shown at Preston brewery Moon Dog World, which has been separated into three sections to manage social distancing restrictions.
Marketing manager Brook Hornung said all 170 seats at the venue had been booked up for the Melbourne Cup.
“There will be plenty of people here celebrating Cup Day. We’re delighted to be open – it’s been fantastic to see everyone getting back out, the vibe has been amazing,’’ Mr Hornung said.
“We’re also very happy to see our casual staff back and to have everyone getting back into the swing of things.”
At The Smith in Prahran, business is blooming with the bar and restaurant – decorated in cherry blossoms ahead of race day – also booked out.
Shakira Leric, marketing manager at the venue, said that reservations for tables at their lavish Cup Day celebrations galloped in after hospitality businesses were given the green light to open their doors again.
“I think everyone is just excited to celebrate outside of their home,” Ms Leric said.
“The response has been really great. The team is just happy to be back in the venue and Melbourne is excited to be out and about again.”
Meanwhile, Bruce Keebaugh, of The Big Group, has opened a new hospitality site, The Commons, on St Kilda Rd, which is licensed for 1500 people. He is hosting a VIP Melbourne Cup party on Tuesday.
Sports fans who didn’t manage to nab a table at their favourite pub will be able to watch the races on the big screen in Fed Square.
The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast on the venue’s digital facade for racing fans to watch from socially distanced ‘comfort zones’ marked out by white circles on the artificial turf.
A spokesman for Fed Square also confirmed that outdoor dining areas will be extended for Fed Square’s restaurants, bars and cafes to allow customers to watch the races.
“Visitors will need to either be at a table of one of the hospitality establishments or secure one of the comfort zones to be able to enjoy the race at Fed Square, in the interests of keeping everyone safe,” he said.
After months of lockdown restrictions, punters will also be able to place a bet while enjoying a pint now TABs have reopened in pubs.
Tabcorp managing director of wagering and media Adam Rytenskild said: “While this year’s Cup may look a little different to other years, both on track and in-venue, the spirit of this great day will be on display across the country, including in our venues.”
“It’s great to have our pub and club TABs, along with TAB agencies, operating for Cup Week and able to provide betting for customers in a social environment, albeit with some restrictions,’’ he said.
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