12 foodie events to put in your calendar this October
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October in Canberra is buzzing with flavour, fizz and live music.
From sultry Latin beats and rooftop rosés to hidden-laneway jazz and pup-friendly high teas, this month is all about celebrating food, drink and connection. Here’s your guide for what to sip, savour and experience.
Stop and taste the rosé at Leyla Bar
For the next month, Leyla Bar is blushing pink for rosé month. Between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm, you’ll be treated to four pours of hand-picked rosés, each paired with bites that bring out their best. Add Leyla’s rooftop views over the city, and you’ve got a spring afternoon that feels impossibly chic. Whether you’re a dedicated rosé fan or simply looking for an elegant way to spend a Saturday, this is the kind of event that turns an ordinary weekend into a celebration.
Every Saturday in October | Leyla Bar | Book here.
Amici’s Tipsy Sundaze with live music
Amici has found the sweet spot between lazy Sunday afternoons and lively weekend celebrations with its new Tipsy Sundaze series. From 1 pm – 3 pm, enjoy free-flowing cocktails, crisp wines, wood-fired pizzas, and cheese platters while soaking up smooth live music from some of Canberra’s best performers. The lineup is a rotating who’s-who of local talent, from soloists to string ensembles, so every Sunday offers something fresh. With its combination of sunshine, sips and song, Tipsy Sundaze feels like a love letter to spring itself.
Every Sunday, October–December | Amici | Book here.
Jazz on the Rocks
Every Tuesday night, Molly’s Bar transforms itself as the soul of Canberra’s jazz scene. Hidden away in Odgers Lane, this moody speakeasy delivers more than just signature cocktails – it offers an atmosphere soaked in sophistication and intimacy. Local musicians set the scene with smooth, custom-made sounds that fill every corner, creating the perfect evening for a date night or catch up with friends. Whether you’re escaping the workweek hustle or chasing a night out, Jazz on the Rocks is the kind of experience that reminds you why live music is so magical.
Tuesdays, until 29 December 2026 | Molly, Odgers Lane, City | More information here.
Havana Nights at Highball
We have found the perfect cure to fix those Hump Day Blues! Highball is transforming your Wednesday nights into a Latin fiesta. Inspired by the sultry streets of Cuba, this event has everything from live music, luxury cocktail specials, and a dance floor dying to be used. Each week features a brand-new lineup of musicians, so no night is every the same. Whether you find yourself swaying to the rhythm or lounging with friends over a margarita, Havana Nights proves that midweek can be just as fun as the weekend!
Wednesdays, 1 October – 24 December | Highball, 77 London Circuit, Canberra | More information here.
Rhythm & Booze at Molly
If you’re after a Friday night that blends spontaneity with style, we have something for you! When Friday rolls around, Molly turns up the heat for Rhythm & Booze – a late-night celebration of everything jazz. Expect everything from hard bop and gypsy jazz to playful pop covers, all delivered with energy that infects the room. With the whisky and cocktails flowing, platters piled high with charcuterie, and an electric late-night crowd, the vibe strikes the perfect balance between exhilarating and indulgent.
Fridays, 3 October – 19 December | Molly, Odgers Lane, City | More information here.
Sunday Supper Club
Sundays at Molly is the perfect place to wind down without compromise. The Sunday Supper Club brings the golden sounds of New Orleans, traditional jazz and ragtime to Canberra. The perfect place for a soulful backdrop for evenings spent grazing on Molly’s signature cheese and meat platters, it’s a weekly tradition that strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined — and truly, what better way to wrap up the weekend than with live jazz? It’s the kind of Sunday ritual that keeps locals coming back, week after week.
Sunday, 5 October | Molly, Odgers Lane, City | More information here.
Pup High Tea at QT Canberra
QT opens its doors to both you and your pup, making them the cutest plus one you could ask for. While you enjoy scones, sandwiches, and sweets, you four-legged friend is treated to their own exclusive menu of pup-friendly treats. Hosted on the Capitol Bar & Grill deck, it’s a high tea experience that’s indulgent and playful. The perfect event for dog lovers who want to spoil their best friends while treating themselves, it’s bound to get tails wagging.
Saturday 11 October | QT Canberra | Book here.
OzHarvest CEO CookOff to transform Compa
On Monday 13 October, Compa Ristorante hosts an evening where community spirit and fine dining go hand in hand for the OzHarvest CEO CookOff. This event will see business leaders trade their suits for aprons, teaming up with renowned chefs like Marr Moran, AK Ramakrishna and Mindy Woods to create a gourmet meal for charity guests. This event is a chance to raise funds for food relief in the ACT, where demand is at record heights. The night is inspiring, indulgent and impactful, highlighting how food can bring people together for good.
Monday 13 October | Compa Ristorante | More information here.
Canberra Kanpai & Canapés
For all the lovers of Japanese craftsmanship, Canberra Kanpai & Canapés offers a refined evening dedicated to artisanal sake and elegant bites. Guests have the opportunity to explore different sake styles while enjoying perfectly paired canapés, learning from the experts themselves as they sip. Blending learning with luxury, it leaves you not just satisfied but inspired by the history in every pour.
Saturday 18 October | Manning Clark Hall | Book here.
Canberra International Riesling Challenge
If Riesling holds a special place in your heart (or glass), the Riesling Experience is your chance to taste some of the world’s finest. Part of the city’s renowned Riesling Challenge, it’s an afternoon where award-winning producers meet eager enthusiasts to toast to this drop. Crisp, vibrant and bursting with flavour, Riesling shines in this showcase that offers both tasting opportunities and the opportunity to chat directly with the makers.
Saturday 18 October | Albert Hall | Book here.
VV Presents Frenzy
Frenzy is Canberra’ boutique wine festival that pours heart into every glass. Hosted at The Vault in Fyshwick, the event celebrates small-batch winemakers, brewers, and distillers from across the region and beyond. Stroll from stall to stall, try something new, and meet the faces behind each drop. With its carefree vibe and community spirit, it’s the kind of afternoon that reminds you why sharing a drink is really about sharing a story.
Sunday, 19 October, 1 pm–5 pm | The Vault, Fyshwick | More information here.
Urban Wine Walk Canberra
For those who love their wine with a side of adventure, the Urban Wine Walk is perfect for you. This self-guided wine trail transforms Canberra’s streets and laneways into one giant cellar door. You and your friends pick a starting venue, grab your glass, and make your way from stop to stop, meeting winemakers and sampling incredible drops as you go. This walk is completely flexible – linger longer at the venues you love or explore hidden gems you might not have discovered otherwise. It’s social, interactive, and a whole new way to experience Canberra’s hospitality scene.
Friday, 25 October, 12 pm–4 pm | Multiple Venues, Canberra | Book here.
Feature image via Facebook.
