10 pubs in Canberra for a well-deserved pint
Posted on
A cold beer in a pub is Australian culture at its finest – here’s where to do it in Canberra.
Ideal for casual catch-ups, Sunday sessions or a quick and delicious dinner and drink when you don’t feel like cooking, these pubs in Canberra are the places to go. And with big screens for sports fans, live music and more, there’s plenty to keep you entertained while you enjoy the classic brews and bites.
The Duxton (O’Connor)
Buzzy with eclectic pub food and live music, The Duxton offers a full pub menu from lunch through to dinner and late nights – ranging from traditional classics to seasonal Modern Australian cuisine options.
Known for their steaks cooked on a chargrill with wood embers and their live sports bar, it’s always a good time to pop in. Plus, with GIO stadium only a 10-minute drive away, it’s the ideal spot for a pre- or post-game feed…
8 Macpherson Street, O’Connor | theduxton.com.au
Edgar’s (Ainslie)
More of an intimate venue for those seeking something more casual, Edgar’s is a hidden gem for locals.
Serving coffee and breakfast from 7 am, and open until 11 pm, you can bond over a burger at lunch, catch some live sport in the evening and make the most of the beer garden when the weather is warm.
Serving elevated pub classics (they had us at the Chicken Parmi with Xmas ham), there’s something on every night, from meal deals to trivia. Think of it as your home away from home.
1 Edgar Street, Ainslie | edgarsinn.com.au
Dickson Taphouse (Dickson)
Located in the heart of Dickson, right in the middle of Woolley Street, Dickson Taphouse has over 100 beers to choose from – including 18 different taps – making it the ideal stop when you’re craving a cold beer.
Serving all the pub staples with a special gourmet twist, from pasta (with gluten-free options available) to a buttermilk fried chicken burger as well as weekly rotating specials, there’s something for everyone.
Make sure to catch the live music every Friday and Sunday, Trivia every Wednesday, half price pasta Mondays, Pool Comp Tuesdays and Burger Mania on Thursdays.
30 Woolley Street, Dickson | dicksontaphouse.com.au
Assembly (Braddon)
You can’t talk about pubs in Canberra without mentioning The People’s Pub. This sprawling, vibrant venue not only has a bistro, two bars and a beer garden offering pub grub, but also TV sports and DJs for live music.
Ideal for catching up with friends over a cocktail, a cold beer and some footy or dancing after dinner, they have everything covered – from breakfast until dinner and long into the night.
11 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | thepeoplespub.com.au
BentSpoke Brewing Co (Braddon)
Here you’ll find 18 varieties of beer and cider available at any one time, all brewed on-premises. Home to 26 different draught beers, cider and two hand-pumped beers, at BentSpoke Brewing Co, you can sit down with a pint (or two) and soak up the casual, industrial atmosphere while watching the world go by.
As for the food? BentSpoke’s pub menu features dishes that incorporate beer brewing ingredients and highlight great local produce, bending the rules of the classic pub menu.
38 Mort Street, Braddon | bentspokebrewing.com.au
Lighthouse Pub (Belconnen)
Overlooking Lake Ginninderra, a drink at the Lighthouse is a time-honoured Canberra experience. With an outdoor beer garden with views of the lake, big screens to watch sports and live music on Saturday nights, it’s a great spot for a casual drink.
For those looking for a bite to eat, the menu is packed with pizza, burgers, steak and more, offering you plenty of fuel to help you cheer on your favourite footy team.
Unit 6/80 Emu Bank, Belconnen | lighthousepub.com.au
Fenway Public House (Woden)
Leaning more towards casual and contemporary, Fenway is the perfect spot for when you want a relaxed dinner and drink. Serving a range of snacks, classics, pizzas and specials (including a deep-fried Tex-Mex chicken burrito) alongside beers, wines and cocktails, you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy.
And with a sunken indoor beer garden, marquee-inspired cocktail sunroom and a small stage to facilitate regular live acoustic music Friday through to Sunday sessions, there are plenty of reasons to make it your new local.
9 Bradley Street, Phillip | fenwaypublichouse.com.au
Prospect Eatery (Kambah)
This local café, bistro and bar is in the heart of Kambah, perfect for those in the south looking for a pub experience. And with 25 beers on tap and 48 different cocktail options, you won’t be disappointed.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food is classic and comforting, with the Lamb Shank, Chicken Schnitzel and Steak Sandwich obvious choices for curing pub-food cravings.
19 Primmer Court, Kambah | kambahinn.au
Southbound Club and Grill (Tuggeranong)
Tuggeranong’s newest dining and social destination can be found at the Southern Cross Club, and it’s taking your pub experience to a whole new level.
A pub within a club, here you’ll find three dining options – The Terrace, Henry’s and The Café – as well as an expansive beverage selection featuring local wines, beers, and classic cocktails.
The real highlights? You can’t go past the giant LED screen, the Parrilla menu and the kids’ play area.
Corner Pitman & Holwell Street, Greenway | southboundclub.com.au
The Kingston Hotel (Griffith)
The “Kingo,” as locals call it, has been pouring beers since 1936 – and that kind of longevity doesn’t happen easily in Canberra.
Live sport flickers across screens in one bistro, while the other offers a quieter retreat for those after good food without the commentary. The outdoor courtyard is where you’ll find Canberrans making the most of those balmy spring evenings.
It’s exactly what a local pub should be.
73 Canberra Avenue, Griffith | kingstonhotel.com.au
Public (Manuka)
Manuka’s dining strip finds its neighbourhood pub heart at Public, where the vibe shifts from morning coffee culture to evening wind-down with effortless ease
The kitchen turns out modern pub fare, with share plates and mains that show genuine attention to ingredients and technique. Combined with an impressive drinks list spanning craft beers, local wines and carefully crafted cocktails, it’s the kind of spot that works just as well for a Tuesday knock-off drink as it does for weekend celebrations.
When Manuka’s al fresco tables fill up on a warm evening, you’ll understand why this has become such a fixture for locals.
1 Flinders Way, Manuka | publicmanuka.com.au
The Dock (Kingston)
If the idea of a lakeside pub appeals to you, The Dock is where you want to go. The winner of AHA’s Best Sports Pub in the ACT seven years running (2015-2022), the vibe here is loud and fun with a beer garden, sports bar and more.
Serving classic pub grub and drinks, enjoying a sunset session while overlooking Lake Burley Griffin has never sounded so good.
7/81 Giles Street, Kingston | thedockkingston.com.au
Feature image: Assembly. Via Facebook.
