Five Ways To Stay In Sydney For Melbourne Cup

Rebecca Varidel
23rd Oct 2016

1. 84 Union Street

Somewhere between a bar restaurant and a pub, somewhere between Darling Harbour and The Star, somewhere to eat drink be merry and watch The Race, Aussie icon 84 Union Street, is out of the city and away from work but close enough to get there, and to get home. There's 6 screens and a generously priced 3 course menu (set but with options) for $65 per person that gets the party started for that price with a glass of bubbly on arrival. Options for mains: Crispy skin salmon served with roasted chat potatoes and a tomato salsa salad atop a spicy orange carrot and honey puree; 250g Northern NSW grain fed rump served with mash potato and green beans topped with a red wine jus; Street style nasi goreng - a mix of capsicum, carrots, beansprouts, wombok and a touch of chilli, wok fried with chicken and rice topped with a fried egg. It's a good bet.

2. Q Dining Circular Quay

If you are wanting to stay in the CBD there couldn't be a nicer view for when you don't have your eyes on the racetrack, the fashions in the field, and the race, than of our own Sydney Harbour. For Melbourne Cup, Q Dining is offering champagne upon arrival, delicious a set 3 course lunch, a live broadcast of all the action, along with those money can’t buy picturesque waterfront views, for just $129 per person. Options for mains: Roasted spatchcock, mixed mushrooms and salsify; Ocean trout, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and capers; Ricotta gnocchi, Bredbo asparagus and truffled percorino.

3. Martin Place Bar

Giddy-Up! Here's the best way to stay in the city for the race that stops a nation. Drinks, canapés, sweepstakes, hamper giveaways, prizes for best dressed, DJs and 6 big screens to watch all the action and much, much more, all in the air-conditioned comfort of MPB. Enjoy a 3 hour canapé and drink package for $85 per person from midday to 3pm.

4. The Tilbury Hotel Woolloomooloo

If you want to tipple over to the other side of town, celebrate Melbourne Cup Day from midday to midnight at The Tilbury Hotel in Woolloomooloo in the bar area upstairs and al fresco. Special entertainment is planned for the entire day including DJs Jesse Sewell and Criag Wilson, Gin and Vodka cocktails, a Mumm Champagne cart and SABRAGE – Champagne’s most spectacular ritual. Reservations are not necessary for the bar area so just turn up. The grill menu will be available. (There is a $170 per person 4-course special Melbourne Cup lunch in the restaurant however it has sold out.)

5. One Penny Red

And to escape the city totally, head to this inner west favourite. One Penny Red is throwing a Melbourne Cup bash with a value 5 course menu for only $75 per person including bubbles on arrival. Punters can take in the action on the al fresco terrace and deck and stunning light filled dinning room. They’ll also be running sweeps, best dressed awards and lucky door prizes. The TAB is less than 400 metres away and a wine list set to impress even the most selective connoisseurs!