How to nail a night out in Canberra: the city’s best bars, pubs and nightclubs
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From the best bars and pubs to places where you can get your boogie on, here’s how to nail a night out in Canberra.
Canberra isn’t a city that is known for its nightlife, but where many people see a city driven by politics, there’s a bustling hub of clubs and bars coming to life when the sun goes down.
From dancing to drinks, here are some of the best bars and clubs to visit for a night out that you (hopefully) won’t forget.
BARS
With so many amazing bars to choose from in the city, it can feel overwhelming when it comes to choosing where to go. Ranging from tequila bars to wine bars, add these options to your itinerary for your next night out.
Bar Rochford
The vibe: Canberra’s most acclaimed wine and cocktail bar. Enough said. The food is every bit as good as the drinks.
Level 1, 65 London Circuit, Canberra City | barrochford.com
Dear Prudence
The vibe: Sophisticated enough for serious wine drinkers, fun for those who aren’t.
106 Alinga Street, Canberra City | dearprudencebar.com.au
Highball
The vibe: Tropical cocktails, vibrant bites, DJs and Latin dancing.
Level 1, 75 London Circuit, Canberra City | highballexpress.com.au
Luna
The vibe: A late-night stop for when you don’t want to have to choose between drinks and dancing.
99 London Circuit, Canberra City | lunabar.com.au
White Rabbit Cocktail Room
The vibe: Whimsical drinks for curious minds and young hearts.
65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | whiterabbitroom.com.au
Molly
The vibe: A speakeasy with live jazz and expertly mixed drinks – because the best places are hard to find.
35°16’44.5″S+149°0 Odgers Lane, Canberra City | molly.bar
Blue Eyes
The vibe: Old Hollywood glamour with classic cocktails for an indulgent escape.
Level 1/5 Garema Pl, Canberra City | blueeyescbr.com.au
Dolly’s
The vibe: Your fun friend in bar form. Think: bubbly, vibrant and always down for a good time.
50 Bunda Street, Canberra City | dollyscanberra.com.au
Hippo Co
The vibe: Far from the madding crowd above Garema Place. Cosy and comfortable with a focus on whisky and cocktails.
Unit 1/17 Garema Place, Canberra City | hippoco.com.au
Loquita
The vibe: A tequila bar with serious bite. Beware the Hot Shot – 1800 Coconut tequila infused with Carolina Reaper peppers…
17 Garema Place, Canberra City | loquita.com.au
The Pearl
The vibe: Savvy, suave and sophisticated. Singapour Sling, anyone?
1 Genge Street, Canberra City | thepearlhotel.com.au
Bar Beirut
The vibe: As close as you’ll get to the nightlife of Lebanon’s capital without leaving Canberra.
25 Garema Place, Canberra City | barbeirut.com.au
Assembly
The vibe: Casual, cool and modern with late-night cocktails.
11 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | thepeoplespub.com.au
Palomas
The vibe: Can’t afford a trip to Mexico for a margarita? This is the next best thing.
2/5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | palomas.bar
Hopscotch
The vibe: Laid back so you can kick back. But there’s no need to be sensible here…
5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | hopscotchbar.com.au
Volstead Appeal
The vibe: A cosy whisky and cocktail bar delivering old-world charm.
7/32 Mort Street, Braddon | volstead.com.au
Romanée Wine Bar
The vibe: A boutique wine bar where you’ll find an unexpected tipple.
16 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | romaneewinebar.com.au
The Howling Moon
The vibe: A rooftop bar serving more than great views.
Level 6, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | thehowlingmoon.com.au
Midnight Bar
The vibe: A hidden gem that’s both modern and luxurious.
Midnight Hotel, Ground Floor/1 Elouera Street, Braddon | midnightbar.com.au
The Inn
The vibe: Incredible views of Mount Ainslie mixed with an Art Deco feel.
Level 1, 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie | edgarsinn.com.au/theinn
Leyla Bar
The vibe: An exclusive club lounge with sweeping views of the city skyline.
1 Burbury Close, Barton | leylabar.com.au
Ambrosia Lounge
The vibe: Moody, sophisticated and luxurious as you would find in an inner-city laneway in Sydney or Melbourne. Created by the men behind the Ambrosia Distillery, Andrew Galbraith and his co-distiller Tim Stephens, refined tipples are guaranteed.
Building 2, 2/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | ambrosialounge.com
Tintino
The vibe: Elevated. This fresh addition to Old Kingston is home to curated global wines, a flavour-packed menu, and an air of effortless sophistication. Whether you’re browsing the carefully selected wine shelves, grabbing a quick bite, or settling in for the evening, everything here revolves around the wine – from the space itself to every dish on the menu.
4/11 Kennedy Street, Kingston | tintino.com.au
Ostani
The vibe: One of Canberra’s favourite Happy Hour venues with a luxe but local feel.
18 National Circuit, Barton | ostani.com.au
OHNO!
The vibe: A modern pan-Asian bar and diner with some very creative cocktails.
13 & 15 Flinders Way, Griffith | oh-no.com.au
11e Cave
The vibe: A Melbournesque award-winning wine bar that’s hidden behind a red door.
Corner of Eyre and Kennedy Streets, Kingston | onzieme.com.au/11e-cave
Joe’s Bar
The vibe: Contemporary Italian with a curated wine list and classic cocktails.
69 Canberra Avenue, Griffith | easthotel.com.au
Pubs
Public Bar
The vibe: A local Manuka favourite that will never disappoint.
1/33 Flinders Way, Griffith | publicbar.com.au
The Dock
The vibe: An award-winning sports pub with lakeside views with prime position on Kingston Foreshore.
7/81 Giles Street, Kingston | thedockkingston.com.au
Walt and Burley
With stunning views across Lake Burley Griffin, Walt and Burley serves quality pub food with a side of live music.
70/17 Eastlake Parade, Kingston | waltandburley.com.au
The Kingo
The vibe: Otherwise known as the Kingston Hotel, here you’ll find great cocktails, shareable bites, and plenty of space. Plus, they also have a bottle shop so you can take the party home!
73 Canberra Avenue, Griffith | kingstonhotel.com.au
Capital Brewing Co.
The vibe: With an outdoor beer garden featuring over 20 delicious beers on tap for summer and a cosy fireplace inside the brewery for winter, you’ll find the perfect place all season round to enjoy a locally made drink.
Building 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | capitalbrewing.co
The Alby
The vibe: A sleek pub that doubles as the ultimate sports bar. After enjoying a tasty meal (on the terrace in summer or by the fire in winter), you can head down to the basement for a game of pool and duckpin bowling.
Albemarle Building, G05/45 Furzer Street, Phillip | thealby.com.au
The Southern
A community pub feel right down to the retro carpet. Big screens, tap beers and a satisfying menu of classics.
4 Irving Street, Phillip | thesouthern.pub
The Duxton
The vibe: A pub that’s anything but casual.
8 Macpherson Street, O’Connor | theduxton.com.au
Lighthouse Pub
The vibe: A timeless local with water views of Lake Ginninderra.
2/80 Emu Bank, Belconnen | lighthousepub.com.au
The District
The vibe: Relaxed with an inviting neighbourhood atmosphere.
56 Abena Avenue, Crace | thedistrict.com.au
Tap and Toss
The vibe: A casual place for lunch or to catch up over a drink and dinner. Order yourself a beer on tap or a cocktail and enjoy the bistro fare.
Shop 5/38 Reed Street North, Greenway | @tap_and_toss
The Denman
The vibe: Local legend. With around 42 local wineries represented on their list, all tap beer brewed especially for The Denman by The Kingston Brewing Company, this may just become your newest haunt.
1 Felstead Vista, Denman Prospect | thedenmankitchen.com.au
Frankies at Forde
The vibe: Café by day and fully licensed bar and restaurant at night.
1/26 Francis Forde Boulevard, Forde | frankiesatforde.com.au
Cypher Brewing Co
The vibe: Traditional pub food, live music, tabletop gaming and 14 beers on tap. Need we say more?
Unit 3/35 Hinder Street, Gungahlin | cypherbrewing.com.au
Casey Jones
The vibe: A gastropub inspired by the American railroader Casey Jones. With a bar made from railway sleepers, and a beautiful Canberra red brick arch that’s a nod to train tunnels, it’s worth a drive (or Uber) to check it out.
15 Kingsland Parade, Casey | caseyjones.pub
Cornerstone Pub
The vibe: A sporting bar that offers something for everything – including musical bingo, free ping pong and karaoke.
51 Hinder Street, Gungahlin | cnrstonepub.com.au
PJ O’Reilly’s
The vibe: Not to be confused with PJs in the City, PJ O’Reilly’s in Tuggeranong is a classic Irish pub that offers beverages, food and culture. A Guinness is guaranteed.
78 Reed Street North, Greenway | pjstugg.com
The Valley Pub
The vibe: Eight pool tables, three large TVs and a projector, a full food and drinks menu, and seating for about 200 guests. In short, it’s friendly and fun!
9/38 Gartside Street, Wanniassa | thevalleypub.com.au
By Chance Bistro
The vibe: A hidden suburban gem that promises a relaxed feed, good vibes and a vibrant atmosphere.
Shop 25/7 Webber Crescent, Calwell | bychancebar.com
Rose Cottage
The vibe: A historic venue known for its old-world charm. With an extensive drinks list and diverse menu, make sure to check out the beer garden.
1 Isabella Drive, Gilmore | rosecottagecanberra.com
DANCING
ChiChiz Bar
The vibe: An upscale dive bar, ChiChiz Bar celebrates queer culture, creativity, and connection. Filling their calendar with everything from drag shows to karaoke, the focus is on cheeky cocktails (including glitter-garnished martinis), premium pours, and zero-proof options.
32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | chichizbar.com.au
The Embassy CBR
The vibe: Taking over the Sydney Building space that previously housed Reload, The Embassy’s lineup of live performers and DJs mixed with the handcrafted cocktails will keep you dancing long after you should have gone home. Keep an eye out for their themed nights and plan to get home in the early hours of the morning.
38 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City | theembassycbr.com.au
Fun Time Pony
The vibe: Fun Time Pony is all about bringing big bands back to Canberra. This rock dance club will keep you shaking your booty long into the night. Grab yourself a slice of their New York-style pizzas and let the night take you away.
2/122 Alinga Street, Canberra City | funtimepony.com.au
Blackbird
The vibe: There’s never a dull moment at Blackbird. Inspired by the golden age of music (AKA some good old rock and roll), from classic cocktails to live music, if you’re looking for a bar with a buzz, this is it.
114 Alinga Street, Canberra City | blackbirdbar.com.au
88mph
If you feel the need to belt out your best Wham! song or practice your moonwalk, we know just the place. Hit the dance floor and try to keep up with the flashing lights beneath your feet. When your energy flags, it’s time for pizza and more cocktails. Did someone say Duran Duran?
Level 7/10 Hobart Place, Canberra City | @88mph.bar
Fiction
The vibe: From concerts to club nights, exhibitions, theatre, live art and innovative performances, Fiction Club pushes boundaries in terms of Canberra’s sedate image. There’s a steady stream of live acts to book into and DJs who will transport you into the early hours of the morning.
50 Bunda Street, Canberra City | @fictionclub.au
Mooseheads
The vibe: Mooseheads is a nightclubbing rite of passage for most young Canberrans and always guarantees a party. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, keen for some classic pub food cravings or just after a fun night out with friends, it’s hard to go past The Moose.
105 London Circuit, Canberra City | @mooseheadscanberra
Squeaky Clean
The vibe: If you like a touch of grit on your nights out, Squeaky Clean is the place to go. Hosting a hip-hop themed house party every Thursday night, the aesthetic is grungy yet fun.
45 Verity Lane, Canberra City | squeakycleanbar.com
The Peacemaker Saloon
The vibe: Canberra’s own cowboy-themed bar is the place to be on Thursday nights with free line dancing from 8 pm. Perfect for all experience levels – beginner or pro – scoot your boots on in and enjoy.
26 Mort Street, Canberra City | peacemakersaloon.com.au
The Baso
The vibe: Canberra’s longest-running independent live music venue, The Baso hosts some big touring acts. Home to pool tables, pinball machines and three bars, there’s always something happening here.
2 Cohen Street, Belconnen | thebaso.com.au
Feature image: Bar Rochford by Lean Timms
