Where to spend the Melbourne Cup Carnival

Newmarket Hotel is throwing a slightly different Melbourne Cup after party this year. Get some post races action at the Day of the Dead theme party. Tickets include beer, wine and house spirits, as well as free gourmet BBQ canapés from 5pm – 11pm. DJs and live entertainment will keep the beat pumping into the night. Tickets available here.

The Duke of Wellington is an inner-city bar that knows how to have a good time. For those not going to the races during the Melbourne Cup Carnival (or those who need some pre-race fuel), the ground floor area is open for breakfast from 7am on weekdays and 9am on weekends. After the race, head upstairs at the Duke and show your race ticket to receive a $10 cocktail to help you debrief over the day's wins or losses.

The Auburn Hotel will be showing all races live and loud this Spring Racing Carnival, from Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington. Have a flutter on the in-house TAB and stick around for the race day Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm, where drinks will go for $8. 

This South Melbourne pub will be serving up $10 cocktails on each race day throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival. And on Cup Eve, knock off on Monday night with $5 Happy Hour drinks from 4-6pm. Enjoy a night of live music and follow up with a caffeinated kick from the $10 Espresso Martinis from 6pm until late.

Follow up Derby Day with the Derby Day After Party at South Yarra's Imperial. There will be live acoustic music from 7pm, and DJ sets from 9pm, featuring the best top 40 and RnB hits until late. Drop in on Oaks Day for delicious $5 tacos and two for one cocktails that will take you through the action on the racetrack.

The Vincent will get in on the Melbourne Cup action the night before, so come on down for Cup Eve celebrations, where $5 drink specials on Happy Hour (4-7pm) will keep you well fuelled while the live entertainment will get you going all night. 

On Cup Day and Oaks Day, settle into a decadent champagne brunch from 9am, where you'll receive a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival.