Line dancing, mechanical bulls, retro bingo and more: fun Canberra end-of-week escapades
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After long days of emails, meetings, and the relentless ping of notifications, Canberrans are ready to swap their sensible office attire for something with a bit more pizzazz.
This weekend presents the perfect opportunity to ditch the usual drinks-and-dinner routine for adventures that’ll have you questioning why you ever thought Netflix was the height of Friday night entertainment.
When the end of week rolls around, consider stepping outside your comfort zone. Your future self will thank you for choosing adventure over another night on the sofa – and you’ll have infinitely better stories to share come Monday morning.
Boot Scootin’ and Belly Laughin’
Speaking of community spirit, Peacemaker Saloon has turned Thursday nights into boot-scootin’ bonanzas with free line dancing lessons. Whether you’re channeling your inner cowboy or simply embracing the therapeutic joy of moving in unison with strangers, there’s something wonderfully liberating about trading your keyboard for a dance floor. No experience necessary – just bring your sense of humour and prepare to discover muscles you’d forgotten existed.
Mechanical Bulls and Texas Thrills
If line dancing at Peacemaker has awakened your inner cowboy, then Saturday night at Hopscotch in Braddon is about to take things up several notches. The venue’s new Smokeout event is bringing Texas-sized chaos to Canberra, complete with a mechanical bull that’ll test both your balance and your dignity in equal measure. Launching on Saturday 28 June, this isn’t just another Saturday night out – it’s a full-blown country experience with live music, giveaways, and enough Wild West atmosphere to make you forget you’re in the nation’s capital. Dust off those boots and gather your crew, because eight seconds on a mechanical bull is about to become your new measure of weekend success.
Silver Screen, Golden Escapes
For those who prefer their entertainment with a side of sophistication, the National Film and Sound Archive is serving up cinematic gold at ARC Cinema. This Friday night (27 June) brings Hitchcock’s Vertigo – a psychological thriller that’ll make you forget all about your own workplace anxieties as you get lost in Jimmy Stewart’s obsessive spiral. Saturday is a horror lover’s delight – book in for Paranormal Activity if you fancy ending your weekend with some spine-tingling suburban scares.
Feathers, Food and Friday Night Fabulous
But perhaps you’re in the mood for something that pairs perfectly with a cocktail and leaves you with stories your colleagues definitely won’t believe. Bar Beirut is hosting burlesque nights on Friday 27 June and 25 July combine world-class entertainment with Lebanese cuisine that’ll spoil you for regular Friday night takeaway forever. Fresh from performing at the legendary Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Jazida brings the kind of showmanship that transforms an ordinary evening into something utterly memorable. With signature dishes and premium drinks flowing freely, it’s the sort of night that makes Monday morning meetings feel like a distant dream.
Budget-Friendly Belly Fillers
Those watching their wallets needn’t feel left out of the fun. Thursday nights at Dolly’s have become the stuff of local legend with dollar dumplings and retro bingo – because sometimes the best nights are the ones that don’t require a second mortgage. It’s comfort food meets community spirit, with a healthy dose of nostalgia thrown in for good measure. As Dolly’s says, ‘bring the crew, bring the energy, and let’s get chaotic with chopsticks from 7 pm!’
Cultural Fiesta, Three Days of Festa
For a cultural adventure that spans an entire weekend, Cypher Brewing Co. in Gungahlin is hosting Día de San Juan, a vibrant celebration of Peruvian culture this weekend Friday 27 til Sunday 29 June. Kicking off at 5 pm on Friday, this free festival offers everything from traditional dance and live music to community football matches and artisan markets. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand your cultural horizons while supporting local Latin American artists – and the Peruvian-inspired lager release doesn’t hurt either.
Photography: Burrows Digital
