Melbourne Cup at The Elford: Beaufort Street’s Race Day Celebration
When Melbourne Cup Day arrives, Mt Lawley locals know exactly where to be. The Elford, Beaufort Street’s iconic corner pub housed in the historic Clarke’s Building, transforms into the perfect setting for celebrating the race that stops the nation. For those seeking Melbourne Cup venues in Perth that combine heritage charm, contemporary style, and genuine local atmosphere, The Elford delivers an experience that’s impossible to replicate.
Bid farewell to boardroom blues and swap KPIs for cocktails this Melbourne Cup at your Beaufort Street local. The Elford brings back its beloved bottomless tradition with hours of free-flowing drinks, exceptional food, live entertainment, and the kind of atmosphere that’s made this venue a favourite among Perth’s inner-north community.
Art Deco Elegance Meets Race Day Glamour
There’s something special about celebrating Melbourne Cup in a building with genuine history. The Clarke’s Building dates back to 1934 when its art deco construction began, and that heritage infuses every corner of The Elford with character that modern builds simply can’t match. The moody, dark green tones reminiscent of a classic pub are contrasted with warm timber and hand-made Italian tiles, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and thoroughly contemporary.
On Melbourne Cup Day, this architectural elegance provides the perfect backdrop for race day fashion. The original art deco windows that open onto Beaufort Street, the carefully considered lighting, the thoughtful design touches throughout, it all adds up to a venue that makes you feel like you’re somewhere special. When you’ve put effort into your outfit, you deserve a venue that matches.
For those searching for Melbourne Cup events in Perth with genuine atmosphere, The Elford’s blend of heritage and style creates something truly memorable.
The Bottomless Tradition Returns
The Elford knows how to do bottomless right. Their Melbourne Cup celebration features hours of free-flowing premium drinks paired with a share-style menu designed to fuel an afternoon of celebration. Whether you’re toasting with Chandon, mixing Belvedere and Tanqueray cocktails, or enjoying the selection of tap wines, beers, and ciders, the drinks package ensures nobody’s running to the bar when the big race is about to start.
The share-style food menu reflects The Elford’s commitment to seasonal, local produce. This is contemporary pub fare done properly, dishes designed to be enjoyed communally, sparking conversation and keeping energy levels high throughout the celebration. It’s the kind of food that earns compliments and keeps guests coming back year after year.
For those who prefer to keep things alcohol-free, The Elford offers a dedicated package featuring mocktails, non-alcoholic sparkling, and refreshments, ensuring everyone can participate fully in the celebration regardless of their drink preferences.
Entertainment That Keeps the Energy High
Melbourne Cup at The Elford isn’t just about watching the race, it’s a full afternoon of entertainment. Live music sets the tone and keeps the atmosphere buzzing, while an MC ensures the energy never dips. Between the racing action, there’s sweepstakes to get everyone invested in the results, best dressed competitions to celebrate the fashion efforts, and spot prizes throughout the afternoon to keep surprises coming.
This is Melbourne Cup done the way locals love it, with the perfect balance of excitement, entertainment, and easy-going fun. The Elford understands that the best race day celebrations are the ones where you’re genuinely having a great time, not just going through the motions of a corporate function.
Your Beaufort Street Local for the Big Day
There’s something to be said for celebrating Melbourne Cup at your local. The Elford has become the heart of Mt Lawley’s social scene, a place where familiar faces gather and new friendships form. On Melbourne Cup Day, this community spirit amplifies the celebration, you’re not surrounded by strangers, you’re sharing the excitement with fellow locals who’ve chosen the same spot to watch the race.
For residents of Mt Lawley, Highgate, North Perth, Inglewood, and the surrounding suburbs, The Elford offers a Melbourne Cup experience without the hassle of heading into the city. Located at 639 Beaufort Street, the venue is easily accessible by public transport, walking distance from multiple bus stops and within fifteen minutes of Mt Lawley train station. There’s also parking along Beaufort Street and Grosvenor Road for those driving.
Being on the Beaufort Street strip means the celebration can continue after the official event wraps up. You’re right in the heart of one of Perth’s most vibrant hospitality precincts, perfectly positioned for wherever the evening takes you.
A Venue That Delivers
The Elford spans two storeys, offering different spaces for different vibes. The main bar buzzes with energy, while the upstairs Common Room, with its dedicated bar, private balcony, and versatile layout, provides options for groups wanting something more contained. The street-side deck, warmed by the November sun, offers prime position for those who like fresh air with their champagne.
The thoughtfully curated wine and beverage list reflects what makes Mt Lawley locals proud. This isn’t a generic drinks selection, it’s been considered and crafted to offer genuine quality across every category. Combined with a kitchen that takes contemporary pub fare seriously, The Elford delivers on every front.
Gather the Team
Melbourne Cup is inherently social, and The Elford is built for exactly that. Whether you’re organising the work team’s annual escape from the office, gathering friends for a long lunch, or celebrating with family, the venue accommodates groups of all sizes with ease.
The share-style menu encourages interaction, plates passed around the table, dishes sampled and debated, the kind of communal dining that turns a meal into an experience. It’s the opposite of sitting silently over individual plates, and it’s exactly what Melbourne Cup gatherings should be about.
For corporate groups, The Elford provides a setting that’s impressive without being stuffy. It’s the kind of venue where business relationships strengthen naturally over good food, flowing drinks, and genuine entertainment. Your team or clients will remember the experience long after the last horse crosses the line.
Dress the Part
Melbourne Cup fashion deserves a worthy stage, and The Elford’s art deco elegance provides exactly that. The best dressed competitions add incentive to put extra thought into your outfit, but honestly, the venue itself is motivation enough. When your surroundings look this good, you want to match them.
Break out the fascinators, the statement pieces, the outfits you’ve been waiting for the right occasion to debut. The Elford’s sophisticated atmosphere welcomes the dressed-up crowd without making things feel overly formal. It’s that perfect balance, elevated but still genuinely fun.
Why Mt Lawley Chooses The Elford
Since reopening its doors, The Elford has become the venue that Mt Lawley locals are proud to call their own. The historic building, the contemporary approach to food and drinks, the weekly specials, the live music, the trivia nights, the bottomless brunches, it all adds up to a pub that genuinely serves its community.
Melbourne Cup at The Elford is an extension of everything the venue does well. The same attention to quality, the same focus on atmosphere, the same understanding that great hospitality is about making people feel welcome and looked after. It’s why the event sells out year after year.
Secure Your Spot on the Strip
Melbourne Cup at The Elford sells out consistently, the combination of heritage venue, quality offerings, and local atmosphere proves irresistible to Beaufort Street regulars and newcomers alike. If you’re planning to celebrate Melbourne Cup in Perth’s inner north, booking early is essential.
Rally the work crew, gather your friends, or book a table for the family, and get ready to swap those KPIs for cocktails. The race that stops the nation deserves a venue that matches the occasion, and The Elford delivers.
