The Racecourse Prices Index: how much was Leopardstown's 'proper' burger?

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 Leopardstown

Leopardstown

Leopardstown is the focus for the latest in our seriesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Date visited: Thursday, June 9, 2022

Was it a big day?

It was the second of Leopardstown's summer Thursday evening fixtures, which always included an open-air concert after racing before Covid, but has been slimmed down this year, with just four gigs organised.

Last night was not one of them, but reportedly well-renowned DJ Doireann Garrihy was playing in the large marquee after racing.

How much was entry on the gate?

€22, but it was €10 for senior citizens and students.

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

The redevelopment at Leopardstown has managed to leave a lot of the older eating establishments as they were and while they are good and varied, it is not a particularly cheap experience.

The public eateries are on the ground floor and first floor of the grandstand and the Paddock Food Hall became very familiar to the racing press in the past couple of years, as it was where we were based during the behind-closed-doors fixtures.

There is plenty of choice, although you could not be drawn to the choice of beef or salmon at €14.50 and €15.50 respectively and it makes you wonder whether the menu was drawn up in honour of the 2007 Hennessy Gold Cup winner.

The racecourse staple of sausage, beans and chips was available for decent value at €9 while the main cuisine of any establishment, the chicken curry, could be purchased for €13.

Across the hall, Colts Cafe had paninis for €6.50, a selection of sandwiches for €4.50 or the popular Waterford Blaa for €5.80.

For the guilty pleasure of the burger, you had to trot to the Mane Course Burger Bar, where you had your choice of the Gourmet Beef Burger, the Korean Style Crispy Chicken Burger or the Beetroot and Kale Veggie Burger.

Each went for €9 or €12.50 if you wanted chips with that, and I got the beef burger, chips and a Coke Zero at €15.

The Champions Bar beside the parade ring and Hurricanes Bar (formerly Madigan's) beneath the tunnel offered the usual drinks selection, while the Legacy Lounge Champagne Bar was open too, with champagne going for €99 and Prosecco at €45.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: €3.20
Cheapest pint: €5.90 (Five Lamps Pale Ale)
Guinness: €5.90
Champagne: €99
Burger: €9 from the burger bar

All drink prices were taken from Hurricanes Bar.

What was the burger like?

Proper. It had a big burger, cheese, pickle, a very nice sauce and the chips were fluffy and moist. It hit every spot.

And the queues?

Not too big and they were very manageable.

The Racecourse Prices Index:

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