Spring racing season is almost upon us once again, and you know what that means, Gold Coasters? Champagne, fancy frocks, and swish-looking suits for everyone.

Because we know you love a party as much as we do, we’ve collated a list of top spots to watch the race that stops the nation while also enjoying bulk food and beverages and probably placing the odd bet or two. Here’s where to spend your day on Tuesday 2nd November — get in quick they’re already selling fast!

The Gold Coast Turf Club
Trackside is the perfect place to be to watch the horsies this year. The Event Centre Package includes entry to the racecourse, non-reserved cocktail style seating, a select beverage package including beer and wine, a grazing menu, watching on the big screen and live entertainment. Tickets are $160pp. Or join in on the inaugural Fashions Luncheon at the Glasshouse with an exclusive Fashions on the Field competition. The Glasshouse package includes a prosecco on arrival and an impressive 6-hour drinks package, two-course lunch, TAB and bookmaker facilities, and reserved seating on long tables — perfect for those bigger groups. Cost is $221pp for members and $260pp for non-members. Or head to the Perch for an event with a difference. For $295pp race-goers will enjoy a five-hour premium beverage package including Veuve Clicquot, premium beer and wine with basic spirits and a delicious grazing style menu served from 12.30pm.
Where: Racecourse Drive, Bundall

Hideaway Kitchen & Bar
Everyone’s favourite Asian-inspired eatery in Broadbeach is back once again with a Melbourne Cup offering you have to get around. Besides a whopping 4-hour drinks package — with nothing held back — you can enjoy an Asian street feast with delectable food stations featuring dumplings, noodles, oysters, and hawker-style BBQ. The talented muso Nick Waters will take you through the afternoon before deciding to continue on or to go home early — the choice is yours!
Where: 2657 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Videre Restaurant
Take in the exquisite views across the Gold Coast whilst indulging in a high tea. For $99pp, a 3-hour beverage package is included accompanied by the sensational high tea Videre is revered for. You cab watch all the live action along with sweepstakes and lucky door prizes. Grab your tickets here.
Where: RACV Royal Pines, Ross Street, Benowa

The Island Gold Coast
Choose between The Birdcage, a G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon at The Island Glasshouse or their Bubble and Pearls Pavilion at The Penthouse. A Birdcage ticket is $109pp and will include premium beverages and plenty of share-style canapes, live entertainment and fashions on the field from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The G.H. Mumm Gala Luncheon (from 12pm to 3.30pm) includes G.H. Mumm Champagne (of course), a three-course luncheon, live entertainment and the chance to be crowned the best dressed Duke and Duchess! Tickets are at $209pp, with $10 of every ticket going to their charity partner on the day. Or indulge in the ultimate seated cocktail event on The Island’s Penthouse between 12pm – 3.30pm. You can expect 3.5 hours of beverages (including G.H. Mumm Champagne, select cocktails like espresso martini’s and Aperol spritz and more), a selection of hot and cold canapés with shared plates (with fresh seafood), live entertainment and fashions on the field, numerous prizes for best dressed and hat, sweeps and more! Tickets are $259pp. Whichever ticket you get you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself!
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Bine Bar & Dining
One of the locals favourite bars on the Gold Coast is inviting you down for an afternoon like no other. For a reasonable $35pp, you will get a drink on arrival, and copious amounts of delicious finger food will be doing the rounds. Zak Keenan will be serenading the crowd throughout the day, so all you need to do is show up looking your best and be prepared to let your hair down.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Avenue, Nobby Beach

Southport Sharks
Southport Sharks have not one but three unique ways for you to enjoy the day. At the main club, you can enjoy a succulent-looking seafood buffet, sweepstakes and best-dressed competitions, a Mr Consistent pop-up bar, a huge screen and handy TAB facilities for your convenience. Tickets are $65pp for members and $80pp for guests. Their Events Centre will take things up a notch with a decadent three-course menu accompanied with a three-hour drinks package, multiple screens, (so you don’t miss any of the action), and live entertainment. Available are tables of up to ten with prices at $99pp for members and $110pp for guests. Why not take things up a level at Aviary Rooftop Bar? Whilst you take in the stunning skyline, you’ll be spoilt with a three-hour premium drinks package, handmade pizzas, a pop-up spritz bar, and a fabulous fascinator competition for all you ladies out there. Early bird tickets have already sold out, so tickets are now $149pp — so don’t hang around.
Where: Corner Olsen & Musgrave Avenues, Southport

The Cavill Hotel
Celebrate Melbourne Cup in style whilst you take in the action from Surfers Paradise’s largest screen. Tickets are $119pp; for this, you’ll have access to onsite TAB facilities, a three-hour food and beverage package, sweeps, fashions on the field and lucky door prizes — more than enough to keep you and your friends entertained!
Where: 46 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a grand event, look no further than the Grand Ballroom Melbourne Cup Luncheon. A 3 course spring lunch, 3 hours of luxury wine, beer and soft drink accompanied by live entertainment, a fashion show, sweepstakes and giveaways will have you entertained for the afternoon. Tickets are $169 and you can book yours here.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Club at Parkwood
With two sparkling yet different events, you’re bound to have a day you won’t forget in a hurry. Choose from a cocktail party with a difference with a 2-hour drinks package, canapes and platters galore, and prizes for the best dressed for a very modest $79pp. Or if you prefer something a little grander, their sit-down experience in the Grandview room with a 4-hour drinks package and three-course menu should do the trick for $125pp. Live music is being played through both parties, and there’s a good time guaranteed for everyone!
Book your tickets here.
Where: 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood

The Star
Yet again, the Gold Coast’s biggest and best entertainment space comes up with the goods for Melbourne Cup day. So many options and so many venues, which will you choose? More of an Italian lover, opt for a 5-course and 3-hour drinks package at Cucina Vivo for $185pp, grab your tickets here. Looking for a location to boogy and eat some roaming canapes with a 2.5-hour drinks package – look no further than Atrium Bar for $100pp, grab your tickets here. Keen punter? Head directly to the Sports Bar and enjoy all the action uninterrupted, plus enjoy a buffet-style feast for just $66pp, grab your tickets here. Want to have a bit more of a relaxed Cup day amongst some greenery? Garden Kitchen & Bar spoils you for choice with the option to sit outside on the lawn tables with up to 9 of your friends for $1500 per table (grab your tickets here) or inside with a 3-course meal and 3-hour drinks package for $169pp, grab your tickets here. If these events still aren’t delightful enough, elevate the day with heading to Nineteen at the Star with their tickets from $179pp and choose between their bar or restaurant offerings – both accompanied with Veuve Clicquot Champagne of course! And once the race is all done and dusted head to Kiyomi for a post-race feast with their Melbourne Cup Day specials to round out for your fun-filled day.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

The Collective
Always one to pull out the stops, it’s a Spring Fling at Palm Beach fave The Collective Palm Beach. With three varying packages available between $79pp and $179pp you’ll be sure to find the event for you and your mates. The Stables is perfect for groups of ten or more, set on high tables and chairs at the venue’s front. You’ll enjoy bubbles or beer on arrival and a 4-course set menu. ($79pp) The Courtyard area is available with high and low seating in their courtyard space, where you’ll be treated to a glass of bubbles or beer upon arrival, followed by a 4-course set menu while enjoying Fashions On The Field and live music. ($99pp) Or go the extra mile with a ticket to their Parade Ring ($179pp) which is a cocktail Rooftop party including an oyster bar, extensive roaming canapés and a 3-hour premium beverage package!
Where: Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

The Pink Flamingo
Giddy up and think pink at The Pink Flamingo this Melbourne Cup Day! Enjoy a day of racing, raunchiness and rivers of flowing champagne. Limited First Release tickets are currently $125pp; if you decide to get involved, you can enjoy a fork and walk at various food stations and substantial canapes plus a glass of Mumm Champagne on arrival, followed by a three-hour beverage package. Amongst all this, you’ll capture the action on a whopping 10-metre screen before being encouraged to stay for a fun-filled after-party with live DJ. The dress code is (naturally) sexy and sassy!
Where: 88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

What could be more Australian than spending a sunny Sunday afternoon with mates indulging in a slew of drinks and generally celebrating life? It’s a given right to live it up on a Sunday no matter what the week is!

Because if you’re going to that Monday morning performance review/toolbox meeting a little worse for wear, where do you go to stretch out the weekend just that little bit longer? We’ve rounded up the places that embrace Sunday frolics and are the perfect way to round out the week.

Burleigh Pavilion
Very few places offer a better view and, therefore, a better Sunday session option than Burleigh Pavilion. Right on the ocean in the heart of bustling Burleigh Heads and offering both a sit-down (The Tropic) and more casual menu paired with all of the lovely sips and buzzing atmosphere: there’s no way you’re not having a good time at ‘The Pav’.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Cali Beach
If you haven’t been to the multi-million-dollar entertainment precinct in Surfers Paradise, can we ask what rock you have been living under? The rooftop venue is a behemoth day and night club with a multitude of seating options around several pools, and always has a stellar line-up of DJs on rotation. All-day Sunday Sesh, here you come!
Where: 21a Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Hood 4221
We know RNB Fridays are a thing, but why can’t we coin the idea of a Sunday spin-off of nothing but epic 80’s/90’s songs playing? And if this sounds like your sort of Sunday (welcome to the group) you’ll get exactly that at The Hood. Hot tip, order The Hood Cosmo to get things started! Because Sunday sessions were made for cocktails, not the other way around!
Where: 10 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach

Justin Lane Rooftop
Quite possibly the alfresco place to be, not only on a Sunday but any day of the week. The rooftop bar is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon, lavishing your eyes with views of the Burleigh foreshore and stunning Gold Coast skyline. Oozing personality, this Burleigh Heads institution never disappoints!
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Aviary Rooftop Bar
This venue takes care of your Sunday sessions with everything your heart could desire. Think imaginative cocktails, authentic Italian Pizzas, and live entertainment between 4-8pm every Sunday. Get comfortable — you’re going nowhere.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, Melia Court, Southport (next to Southport Sharks)

Surfers Pavilion
Arrive by boat or jet-ski and slip into an oasis of sublime food, decadent cocktail jugs and a generally all-round good time! Take things slowly with oysters and champagne on high tables or turn it up with on-tap frosé on the decking area. A guaranteed good time will be had here.
Where: 30-34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Nineteen at The Star
Looking to round out the weekend at the fanciest rooftop bar on the entire Gold Coast? Look no further than Nineteen at The Star. Perhaps you should treat yourself to an indulgent meal on the restaurant side and then head over to the bar for kick-ons overlooking the city and the ocean. There’s a stunning drinks menu (yasss), and the bonus is, you get to dress up and that cute new dress you bought!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Garden Kitchen & Bar
Wind down the weekend at Garden Kitchen & Bar, where lazy afternoons meet steamy nights. Think live tunes on the deck, flirty banter on the lawn, frosty drinks at the bar, and tasty bites… all the ingredients for an A-grade Sunday session in our book.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Tropic Vice
As if you needed any more encouragement to hit up Nobby Beach on a Sunday. This rooftop stunner is one of the leading places to sip drinks and mingle in the afternoon sun on the GC. Backed by an incredible Floribbean/South American-led menu and exclusive Champagne packages, Sundays have just been elevated a notch.
Where: Upstairs, 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

Burleigh Hill
Want to keep it casual and not spend the big bucks? Head to Food Works in Burleigh’s James Street, stock up on cheese and crackers, pick up a bottle of wine and make your way to Burleigh Hill for a Sunday session Burleigh style. Simples!
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Local Distilleries
Ok, so if it wasn’t already obvious enough, the main point of a Sunday session, is to have a session. Period. So why not distillery-hop or better yet, grab the crew and settle in at one of your favourite local distilleries? Guaranteed to have your favourite drinks flowing, your local watering hole should be the OG Sunday session spot. So go on and get into the spirit!
Where: Multiple locations

Local Breweries
Nothing quite compares to being perched in the sun on a Sunday arvo sinking your favourite amber ale. And being on the GC we are spoilt for choice of where to do exactly that. Lucky for you, we have a handy list of where to get a quality Sunday session underway. Yipee-IPA!
Where: Multiple locations

Surf Clubs
How could we create a list of Sunday sessions and not include our beloved surf clubs?! Look, we all have our favourites, and for the most part, they are all amazing places to grab frosty beers, tuck into some great and often modestly priced food, whilst enjoying a relaxed and uncomplicated atmosphere. And what about the views! There’s far too many to mention here, but everyone has their unique attraction and they equate to being one of the best ways to spend a Sunday arvo.
Where: Multiple locations