Within the hospitality industry, there are single days that we must prepare for as there are vast increases in customers pouring into our venues. These days such as ANZAC day, New years and Australia day all have one thing in common… they fall on public holidays. Whilst in Victoria Melbourne cup day is considered a public holiday, and amongst all of Australia a half day, It defies all normal principles of a successful event, falling on a non-public holiday Tuesday at 3pm. For almost all in the hospitality industry, the Melbourne Cup is in fact the largest profiting day of the year, toppling them all!
The Cup has always been big but since the TAB has ventured into pubs and clubs this event has taken off in NSW. Many companies, including ours enjoy staff functions in various venues across the country, not just at the races on a Saturday such as the rest of the spring carnival.
The cup is frequently associated with dressing up in suits or your finest frocks, donning a hat, and adding in a satisfying tipple of bubbles. In fact, around this time each year, we can expect to sell more than half of our annual sales in champagne flutes and I’m sure there would be an increase in Sparkling Wine sales too.
Something else to think about for your Melbourne Cup event is your venue’s Responsible Service of Alcohol, and more specifically the Plimsoll line. There is no definitive set volume within the industry, although many people prefer wine glasses marked either around 150mL or 250mL. Mathematically 5 and 3 glasses respectively per bottle of wine. Champagne flutes on the other hand are commonly marked at 100mL. This especially makes sense for functions like the Melbourne Cup that offer glass of champagne upon arrival.
Some venues are already gearing up for the Melbourne cup so we have to make sure you are ready we have compiled a list of the most relevant things that your venue can do to prepare for the largest event of your year!
- Stock up on Champagne flutes
Melbourne Cup is a celebration; so make sure you are prepared prior to the event with excess stock of flutes. This month only, we are offering all venues a special on Champagne Flutes. For this month only buy 8 dozen of any flutes and get 1 dozen free – this way you can ensure you have enough! Get a quote from us today.
2. Invest in Plimsoll lines
As mentioned above, Plimsoll lines make second and third tier price point wines reachable. When ordering your glassware, ask for added Plimsoll lines – we promise you’ll thank us later!
3. Prepare a sweepstakes
Get your venue into the spirit of Melbourne Cup with your very own sweepstakes. Offer customers a chance to win prize money with a small donation for a sweepstake. It will enhance the vibe of your event and bring your patrons together!
4. Get your bubbles ready
To match your surplus of flutes, you’re going to need to fill it with a few extra bottles of champagne. Champagne glasses come with friends such as ice buckets, stoppers, flute glass wash baskets, polishing cloths and much more. You may even want to offer champagne on arrival as a gesture to your patrons.
5. Prepare for numbers this is an opportunity to shine.
Being the single biggest event of the year, we definitely recommend devising a simple advertising plan. Flyers, website banners and social media can all be great avenues to get your event message out. Include bookings necessary! Many Melbourne Cup visitors will be first time patrons – so plan to impress them with your successful Melbourne Cup event.
6. Develop a Melbourne cup inspired food menu
Draw in patrons not just for the race, with an inspired menu that brings them back. Prepare a banquet menu, or even several group canapés to really bring your event to life!
7. Don’t forget the clean up.
How do you get sequins out of the carpet? Your consumables need attention. Our product No problem vomit clean up is a must for the over indulgent…