Last weekend, as the chequered flag fell on another scintillating Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne once again reminded us all why it is regarded as one of the world’s great sporting and cultural stages.
The opening race of this Formula 1 season had it all: an early exit from the homegrown hero, the first 1-2 of the year, and a record-breaking Australian crowd. Yet the race is only ever a chapter within the theatre of the Victorian capital’s wider cultural spectacle.
Nowhere was this more evident than behind the rope at the Belvedere Garage Party, returning to the Australian Grand Prix with a singular ambition: after the speed, comes the spectacle. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the Official Vodka Partner of Formula 1.
Since joining the grid last year, it has been a welcome addition to the event’s proceedings – if you were lucky enough to attend Belvedere’s Official F1 Afterparty in 2025, you will know exactly what I mean.
Within every hospitality suite at the Melbourne Podium Club and The American Express Lounge, guests were served a selection of Belvedere’s signature expressions, led by its Organic Vodka and pours of Belvedere 10, for those who prefer their luxury with an age statement.
This year also marked the long-awaited Australian debut of Belvedere Dirty Brew: an expertly curated cocktail that marries the silky, smooth flavours of Belvedere Vodka with the rich taste of robusta coffee. Served either neat or as a Dirty Affogato serve, the Dirty Brew was exclusively available in the American Express Lounge and Club Dirty Brew from Friday to Sunday of the Grand Prix weekend.
It was the perfect choice as the city went from day to night, and a welcome pick-me-up as we were led to the Garage Party’s undisclosed location.
A short drive from Albert Park led to a secret Docklands warehouse, where Belvedere had reimagined the Formula 1 circuit across sculptural F1 installations, caviar stations, and a fleet of race-ready cars. With a stacked guest list dancing to Tame Impala, it was a clear reminder that the LVMH brand rarely does things in halves.
The party also marked the release of the Belvedere Organic Vodka F1 Edition: a bottle with dimensional track motif wrapping the frosted glass, and accented with signature F1 red and subtle chequered-flag detailing.
For any motorsport fan, this limited edition collectable represents a rare piece of Formula 1 history; one that celebrates not only the inherent velocity of the track, but the enduring partnership between Belvedere and the world’s fastest sport.
The chequered flag may signal the end of the race, but Belvedere ensured that the Formula 1 spectacle continued well into the Melbourne night. And for that, Australian Grand Prix after-parties have never looked – or felt – like anything else on the racing calendar.
This article is presented in partnership with Belvedere Vodka. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
