Where To Go Pre, During and Post Spring Carnival Races this Spring Racing Season
The celebrations don’t stop when the horses do. As the crowd spills out of Flemington and the champagne bubbles fade, St Kilda is just warming up. Whether you’re after brunch before the big day, cocktails after the final race, or a beachside recovery the morning after, Republica and Captain Baxter have you covered from sunrise to sunset.
Start Your Day Right: Breakfast at Republica
Before you head trackside, fuel up beachside with breakfast at Republica St Kilda. The coffee’s hot, the ocean breeze is fresh, and the menu is stacked with everything from classic big breakfasts to fresh fruit bowls and recovery juices.
Gather your race day crew early, grab a beachfront table, and ease into the day with sea views and good vibes before the chaos of Cup Day begins. It’s the calm before the carnival, and the perfect photo op spot for that first race day outfit post.
Pre Race Energy: The Brunch Set at Captain Baxter
If your idea of pre races prep includes cocktails and a soundtrack, Captain Baxter’s Brunch Set is your new tradition. DJs spin from late morning, filling the room with easy house beats while the bay glistens through floor to ceiling windows.
Think shared plates, endless bubbles, and that perfect St Kilda energy where brunch slowly becomes a party and the dress code is linen, laughter, and a little bit of sparkle. It’s the ultimate Spring Racing warm up before you head to Flemington or decide that the beach view beats the grandstand any day.
And the best part? You’re only ever a few steps (and a few sips) from the ocean.
After the Races: Where the Real Party Starts
When the last race is run, skip the city traffic and trade turf for surf. Just 20 minutes from Flemington, St Kilda becomes Melbourne’s ultimate post races after party destination. Here’s where to go when the horses are done but you’re not.
Republica St Kilda: Beachfront Bliss & Live Music ’til Late
At Republica St Kilda, the racing crowd swaps fascinators for sunnies and heels for sand. The courtyard hums with live acoustic music from 4 pm, Aperol Spritzes glisten under fairy lights, and the salty breeze takes the edge off a long day of bubbles.
It’s a relaxed, effortlessly cool after party scene, the kind that feels like a summer holiday, not a Tuesday in Melbourne. Pull up by the bar, share a few pizzas and small plates, and let the live music carry you into golden hour.
Check out the live music lineup here.
Captain Baxter: DJs, Cocktails & Ocean Views
If Republica is your barefoot beach party, Captain Baxter is your coastal luxe rooftop recovery. From brunch beats to sunset sessions, DJs spin all day long, and the cocktails are every bit as sharp as your race day outfit.
Sip a Baxter Martini as the sun dips over Port Phillip Bay, or book a beachside bungalow for the crew and settle in for the night. The atmosphere is electric but easy, where every track feels like a winner and the only race left is to the bar.
Explore the live music and DJ schedule.
How to Get There from Flemington Racecourse
Getting to your post races after party at St Kilda couldn’t be easier.
- Rideshare or taxi: Around 15 to 20 minutes, about 13 km straight down through the city.
- Public transport: Take the train from Flemington Racecourse to Southern Cross Station, then hop on the 96 tram to St Kilda Beach.
Arrive ready for beachside cocktails, not traffic lights, and maybe swap those stilettos for sandals before you hit the sand.
Sunday Recovery Sessions
The races might be done, but the weekend energy lives on. Sundays at Republica are made for recovery: slow mornings, live acoustic sets, and brunch that drifts into lazy afternoon cocktails under the palms.
Upstairs at Captain Baxter, the Brunch Set rolls into Sunseeker Sundays, with DJs on deck and beach club energy flowing late into the afternoon. It’s the perfect way to close out a week of Spring Racing celebrations, relaxed, sun kissed, and unmistakably St Kilda.
The Final Word
The Spring Racing Carnival may start at Flemington, but it always ends by the beach. Whether you’re joining us for a pre races brunch, the ultimate post races after party, or a laid back Sunday recovery, Republica St Kilda and Captain Baxter deliver the best views, vibes, and cocktails on the south side.
Because in St Kilda, the party doesn’t stop when the race does, it just gets a better view.