What to eat, drink and do during the 2026 Australian F1 Grand Prix
Besides watching the racing, of course
By Cayle Reid
FOR ONE WEEKEND every March, Albert Park becomes a micro-city. It’s as if the CBD shifts four kilometres south, with new venues popping up, activations you just have to visit and lowkey spots the crowds haven’t found.
The same will be the case this year, but the 2026 Australian Grand Prix lands at an interesting intersection. F1 is more global than ever, dining expectations are higher than ever and the Australian Grand Prix has decided that finding something to do at the F1 apart from watching it should no longer be a pleasant surprise, but a given. And while grandstand tickets have already sold out long ago, there’s plenty to see and do across the city at non-ticketed pop-ups and events.
There’s plenty on, but you need to know where to look. Consider this your guide on what to eat, drink and do at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
What to do at the Australian Grand Prix 2026
Visit any of the Jack Daniel’s x McLaren activations
Where: Middle Park Hotel, Albert Park; The Espy, St Kilda; Crown Melbourne, Southbank
Jack Daniel’s is making the most of its partnership with McLaren by running a number of pop-up events across Melbourne over the Grand Prix weekend. Kicking off the festivities on Thursday night is an unofficial warm-up party at the Middle Park Hotel’s marquee, featuring a “surprise guest for McLaren fans”. Who that guest will be is under wraps, but it sounds promising – especially since Oscar Piastri showed up at a Jack Daniel’s event last year. Following the warm-up party, Middle Park Hotel will operate as Jack Daniel’s central race week hangout with what is essentially a McLaren-themed street party, including pop-up bars, dedicated food offerings and daily entertainment.
Jack Daniel’s is also taking over The Espy in St Kilda, turning it into “Jack’s Garage”, an after-dark live music hub. There’ll be a different Australian performer every night. It’s The Presets on Thursday, Slowly Slowly on Friday, Anna Lunoe on Saturday and Keli Holiday on Sunday.
At the Crown Melbourne, you’ll find Jack’s Pit Stop, which is taking over the venue’s pub, sports bar and jackpot area throughout the weekend.
Get in the racing spirit at Jim Beam’s ‘Roadhouse’
Where: Village Belle Hotel, St Kilda
Jim Beam, the official spirits partner of the Cadillac F1 team, is bringing its first-ever Roadhouse to Melbourne. The Roadhouse operates as an inclusive fan hub at Village Belle in St Kilda from March 4-8. Drop in for race screenings, live music, food, entertainment and signature drinks – like the Golden Mullet, a mix of vanilla, lemon and soda with Jim Beam Pineapple, named in honour of Cadillac driver and Esquire cover star Valtteri Bottas.
Speaking of Bottas, the Finnish driver will be making a guest appearance at the Roadhouse on opening night, March 4th, from 6:45pm to host an Aussie-style meat raffle. Take our advice: head to the Roadhouse now, because it’s the best place to hangout in Melbourne this week.
Stop by Lando Norris’ Quadrant pop-up shop
Where: 565 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Lando Norris’ streetwear brand, Quadrant, is launching its first ever pop-up for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. “This is such a big moment for Quadrant. We’ve built something really special online and bringing it to life with our first-ever pop-up in Melbourne ahead of the F1 is a dream,” Norris said. At the Chapel Street pop-up, you’ll be able to find all the latest Quadrant apparel from 10am to 7pm daily.
Watch a live Q&A with Valtteri Bottas at the Cadillac x Tommy Hilfiger pop-up
Where: Melbourne Emporium
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix will mark Cadillac’s first F1 entry and see our latest cover star, Valtteri Bottas, return to the grid for the first time since 2024. To get an early look at Bottas ahead of race weekend, visit the Cadillac x Tommy Hilfiger pop-up at Melbourne Emporium, which will be hosting the driver for a live Q&A at 5pm on Wednesday, March 4th.
Outside of the Q&A, the pop-up will be open until March 8th and allow visitors to explore the Tommy x Cadillac collection, race in a F1 car simulator and personalise their Tommy x Cadillac gear.
See Oscar Piastri at the Quad Lock pop-up
Where: 362 Little Collins St, CBD
Oscar Piastri’s first public appearance of race week will be at the opening of the Quad Lock pop-up on Little Collins Street at 7pm Tuesday, March 3. The pop-up doubles as a Quad Lock store and an Oscar Piastri career shrine, featuring the new 2026 McLaren range, rare Piastri memorabilia and exclusive merch and prizes. The store will be open throughout race week until March 11th.
See Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘Backyard Grand Prix’ collection at the Enchanté pop-up
Where: 250–252 High Street, Windsor
Enchanté co-founder Daniel Ricciardo is bringing his latest lifestyle collection, titled ‘Backyard Grand Prix’, to Melbourne with a four-day pop-up in Windsor. The store will transform Enchanté’s motorsport-inspired aesthetic into an immersive retail space, marking Ricciardo’s second local drop after last year’s debut quickly sold out.
Attend the F1 Fan Festival
Where: Federation Square
Outside of Albert Park, Federation Square is the home of the Australian Grand Prix. It’s the site of the F1 Fan Festival, where fans can gather and watch the live broadcast of the events. This year, there will also be appearances from current and former drivers during scheduled Q&A sessions.
Let loose at the Lakeside Festival
Where: Albert Park
The Lakeside Festival is a full-scale concert series built directly into the Albert Park circuit. It’s open to all ticket holders and turns the circuit into a waterfront music venue. This year, Rita Ora, Mallrat, Duke Dumont and Basement Jaxx are headlining the event.
If you’re a McLaren fan, Ignition Beach is a must
Where: West Beach Pavilion, St Kilda
McLaren is taking over St Kilda foreshore with Ignition Beach, a free-to-visit fan hub that’s open daily from 10am-11pm. In collaboration with Puma and Mastercard, the activation gives F1 fans the chance to get up close to a replica of this season’s McLaren, the MCL40, while also browsing the latest PUMA x McLaren kit.
Keep the party going at Overtake: the After Party by Revolut
Where: The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne
Fintech brand Revolut is taking over The Timber Yard on March 7th for a warehouse-style after party. The Port Melbourne warehouse space is known as one of the city’s best music venues. And with tickets priced at $30, it’s an affordable way to keep the party going. Headline act Baby J will ensure it’s worth your time.
Enjoy a high-end post-race celebration at the Belvedere After Party, hosted by House of 10
Where: Maison Bâtard Le Club, CBD
Belvedere Vodka is bringing its House of 10 afterparty series to the Australian Grand Prix. Underneath Maison Bâtard, the speakeasy-style Le Club is hosting a ticketed after party from 8pm on Sunday, March 8th. General Admission tickets will net you a beverage package featuring Moët & Chandon and Belvedere service, plus roaming canapés for $295.
Get a taste of history at F1: The Exhibition
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
If you want a deeper dive into the history of F1, you’ll find it at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is currently hosting F1: The Exhibition. The exhibition is a museum-style experience that features a look at the development of F1 from its early roots to the global phenomenon that it is today. What’s more, there’s an Australian-focused gallery that highlights the nation’s contribution to motorsport.
What to eat at the Australian Grand Prix 2026
Charrd
Where: Albert Park, Oval 17
Skirting the Albert Park circuit, you’ll find Charrd. The viral burger joint’s hero menu item is a fried chicken sandwich with iceberg lettuce and Caesar sauce that’s been popping up all over TikTok.
Chin Chin
Where: Albert Park, Oval 17
South-East Asian restaurant Chin Chin will have a 124-seat pop-up at Albert Park. The eatery is operating on a unique format: six-course meals served in 45-minute rotations.
Gelato Messina
Where: Albert Park, Oval 17
Messina joins the Australian Grand Prix’s hospitality suite with a special edition ‘Fast & Frozen’ ice cream sandwich. It features vanilla sable, cheesecake gelato swirled with burnt honey caramel and dipped in chocolate.
Royal Stacks
Where: Albert Park, Oval 20
There’ll be plenty of options at this year’s grand prix if you’re looking for a burger. Royal Stacks will have a limited edition one produced specifically for the grand prix. It’s called the ‘My Cousins VL’, and it comes with double crispy chicken, bacon, lettuce, ranch dressing and jalapeños.
400 Gradi
Where: Albert Park, Prost Grandstand
Sate your hunger for pizza at 400 Gradi. Look for the ‘Burning Fuel’, with Sam Marzano tomato, ham, hot salami, bacon, BBQ sauce and chilli oil.
Hochi Mama
Where: Albert Park, Oval 17
MasterChef star Brendan Pang is bringing banh mi to the grand prix. Hochi Mama’s signature banh mi with crispy pork belly is expected to be one of the biggest crowd drawers over race weekend.
Lune Croissanterie
Where: Albert Park, Oval 17
One place we guarantee will have long lines is Lune. The beloved croissanterie will have a pop-up at Albert Park with a limited-edition menu item: a croissant filled with coconut frangipane, dark chocolate ganache, vanilla sponge and raspberry gel, forming a croissant-lamington hybrid.
What to drink at the Australian Grand Prix 2026
Glenfiddich single malt
If you’re looking for a drink with a view, head up to the limited-time rooftop-style bar at the Crown Melbourne. At the Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Skyline Bar, you can sample the distiller’s latest single malts throughout the entire race weekend.
Enchanté Rosé
Truth be told, F1 doesn’t have a signature drink like tennis’ honey deuce or lemon ace. So, the closest we can get is a wine made by a former driver. Daniel Ricciardo has produced a rosé in a collaboration between his wine label DR3 and the Barossa Valley winery St Hugo, and it promises refreshing, fruity flavours.
Belvedere Dirty Brew
Belvedere is the official vodka partner of F1 and will be serving up drinks trackside. The main draw is the Dirty Brew, a fusion of Belvedere organic vodka and robusta coffee. Dirty Brew will be exclusively served at the American Express Lounge.
Heineken
The Lakeside precinct, home of the Lakeside Festival, is also the home of the Heineken Fan Zone. That’s where you’ll find Heineken beers on tap.
Jack Daniel’s
There will be plenty of places to enjoy a Jack Daniel’s beverage over race weekend – whether that’s neat, on the rocks or mixed. As we noted in our ‘what to do’ section, Jack Daniel’s will have pop-ups at Middle Park Hotel, The Espy and The Crown, all of which will be serving a heap of Jack Daniel’s drinks.
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