Sadness and disbelief swept across the room as Labor supporters' worst nightmare came true.
The official function has started to empty, with people learning the coalition has won the federal election.
Broken-hearted faithful embraced with friends and loved ones as the devastating news set in.
Many worked tirelessly to elect Bill Shorten prime minister, but now Labor will spend three more years in opposition.
Nick Wilson, a branch member in Mr Shorten's electorate of Maribyrnong, said Queensland had been an issue.
"I'm still trying to take it all in really," he told AAP.
But the 20-year party member hopes Labor's work on developing a comprehensive policy platform doesn't get thrown out.
"Whether a different leader could sell it in a more positive way, I don't know."
Another Labor diehard said the result wasn't good for Australia's future.
"This is a bad call," she told AAP.
"We need to look after our young people, we need to look after the climate and to make sure housing is affordable."
Peter Dutton, who received a savage chorus of boos when his speech was shown, used Paul Keating's "sweetest victory of all" line.
As the results turned sour, the bar line grew with people looking to douse nerves and drown sorrows.
The excitement of early in the night evaporated, being outweighed by agitation and finally grief.
A raucous cheer broke out when the news former prime minister Tony Abbott will be booted from parliament was shown on the big screens.
But aside from that there was little to cheer about.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has been spending time with his family, but it's unclear what time he'll address the shattered crowd.
The stage is set with a "Fair Go For Australia" lectern.
There are red balloons adorning the room, though there's nothing festive about the mood.
Billionaire Anthony Pratt, Father Bob Maguire and Will Connolly, who shot to national attention for egging far-right senator Fraser Anning, attended the party.
ALP president and outgoing MP Wayne Swan arrived at the event early, as did Victorian senator Kimberley Kitching.
