The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a pint and a burger at the Curragh?

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from the Curragh

Curragh

Date visited: Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Was it a big day?

There was a low-key feel about it. The card, despite featuring a couple of valuable handicaps, did not include a stakes race, rare indeed for the Curragh.

How much was entry on the gate?

€20 (€15 for senior citizens and young adults aged 18-25)

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

The choice of outdoor catering, reasonable at the bigger meetings here, was absent for this fixture so it was necessary to go inside if you wanted to eat or drink.

The main bar open was in the ground floor of the Aga Khan Stand, and the public bars on the first and second levels were also open, although both were struggling to muster any sort of a crowd.

All of the public bars offer the same variety of drinks. For the draught lover, there was just about something to satisfy most palettes and the prices were just above standard.

As regards food, the only available options, unless you count the ice cream van, were confined to the Aga Khan Stand. The choice of mains in the Food Court consisted of standard fast food options, most of it pre-prepared and waiting in line to be served.

The most exotic offering was the slow-cooked Irish beef & Guinness pie at €13.50, and all meals could be topped with a dessert for €4.50. If you just fancied a sandwich, the Atrium Cafe in the corner of the hall could do you a panini for €6.80 or a Waterford Blaa for €5.80. I settled for the chicken fillet burger and a can of Coke Zero, which came to €15. It would keep you filled up for the day, but at that price it would need to.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: €3.20
Cheapest pint: €5.80 (Smithwick's)
Guinness: €5.80
Champagne: €95 for a bottle of Brut, €39 for a bottle of Prosecco and perhaps the more sensible option
Burger: €12.50 from the Food Court

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random. In this case, the Guineas Bar.

What was the burger like?

Perfectly fine. The chicken fillet was good, thick and quite succulent. The beef burger looked good too, with a nice thick pattie covered in melted cheese. It came with a sizeable portion of skin-on chips, too.

And the queues?

Minuscule. And judging by the fact the cashier in the Food Court was a trainee needing plenty of help, they were not expected to be rushed off their feet later on!

The Racecourse Prices Index:

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