25+ ways to spice up life after your nine-to-five
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Sick of living exclusively for the weekend?
If you work a traditional nine-to-five, you might be feeling a little bit…stuck…in a routine of waking up, working, and then heading home to scroll through TikTok and watch Netflix before doing it all again.
And while there’s nothing wrong with a lazy Netflix night (in fact we love them here at HerCanberra), if you’re looking to spice up your life, there are plenty of fun things to do around town.
Perfect for boosting your mood—and giving you something to look forward to—here are 25+ things to do after the work day ends.
Have a picnic
There’s no better way to enjoy a warm afternoon in Canberra than with a relaxing picnic. Dinner date anyone?
Throw an axe
With sessions available until 8:30 pm, let out your frustrations in a unique (but cathartic) experience. Think: bowling, but with axes instead of bowling balls and a wooden target instead of pins.
Take to the lake
Hire an electric Go Boat from the Kingston Foreshore to float around the city’s waterways. Perhaps pack a picnic basket and make an evening of it.
Pamper yourself
Open until 6 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights (and 8 pm on Thursdays), why not pamper yourself with a Bellini and blow-dry at Saloon in Braddon?
Travel to the Mediterranean without leaving town
Book into Saint Malo for dinner and have your tastebuds transported to a sunny table in San Sebastian in seconds.
Zen out
Get your Savasana on at one of these fab Canberra yoga studios—perfect for decompressing after a busy workday.
Design (and name) your own cocktail
Consider yourself a cocktail connoisseur but bored of the same martinis, mojitos, and margaritas? Take after work drinks up a notch with a new intimate cocktail experience to Braddon—including the opportunity to make (and name) your very own unique concoction.
Smash something (safely)
‘Smash a computer with a baseball bat…?’. That’s exactly what ‘break room’ Breakr offers until 8:30 pm—the chance to decimate office furniture, dinnerware or whatever you like really with a weapon of choice. Wearing full safety gear, of course.
Explore Verity Lane Market
Head to Civic’s Sydney building for hawker-style dining from local food vendors who aim to wow and surprise.
Get moving
Feeling one with nature? We’ve rounded up 13 of the best Canberra walks, so strap up your shoes and get moving!
Say cheers at Canberra’s hidden bars
Check out these hidden bars worth your visit—if you can find them.
Go skiing!
Chill out at Vertikal Indoor Snow at the funky Dairy Road Fyshwick precinct, where you can train for skiing and boarding and get snow fit in a simulated snow terrain until 8 pm Wednesday to Friday (minus the snow!).
Sip a glass of Grange
Or choose from another 50 wines available by the glass (or 400 by the bottle) at Canberra’s newest wine bar, Brunello. Settle in for some Spanish flavours from head chef Nacho Castells Rusiñol.
Enjoy a drink at Australia’s Best Bar
Well, according to Australian Gourmet Traveller in 2018. Bar Rochford is seriously cool and seriously about the drinks it serves up. While you’re there, stay for the food—it’s every bit as good.
Shake your booty
Whether it’s Latin Tuesdays at Highball or spicing up your night at the Subsdance Moonlight studio, there are plenty of places to book into and boogie.
Try indoor bouldering at BlocHaus
Think rock climbing, but without ropes or a harness, and on shorter walls, protected by padding on the ground to bounce off. Open daily until 10 pm, it’s better than TikTok (almost).
Visit Phillip Ice Skating Centre
The perfect way to destress after a busy day on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until 10 pm. Lessons and skate hire are all available onsite.
Get back to nature
Forget heading home, change it up and sleep under more than five stars with these camping spots and cabins.
Read a book
Resist the urge to check your emails and unplug with a good book. We recommend picking up something from a local author.
Go racing!
Embrace your inner hoon at Power Kart Raceway until 9 pm, Mondays to Thursdays and until 10 pm on Fridays.
Get crafty
Whether you want to learn a new hobby, hang out with friends, or create a unique gift, we can guarantee that there is an art class for you here in Canberra. Paint and Pinot anyone?
Explore Kingston Foreshore
Stroll along the Kingston Foreshore, grabbing drinks at The Dock or dinner at Molto Italian or Morks.
Live out your Ninja Warrior fantasies
From free jump trampolines, dodgeball—that’s right, DODGEBALL—wall climb, X-Park ninja course, cliff jump, and more, flip and hurl yourself into the air until 7 pm Monday to Thursdays and 9 pm on Fridays.
bounceinc.com.au/bounce-belconnen
Head to the theatre
From breathtaking contemporary dance, dazzling burlesque, poets and goosebump-inducing productions, there’s plenty to see at the Canberra Theatre Centre after your work day ends.
Cook up a storm
Don’t want to leave the house but want to do something different? Cook up a storm and try a new recipe that’s sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
Enjoy some international cinema
Showcasing high quality international and local art-house films, as well as mainstream movies, Place Electric Cinema will level up movie night (and don’t forget about the Prosecco bar that’s waiting for you to indulge in both pre and post film).
Start gardening
Cost of living starting to impact your grocery bill? Snap off a snow pea, nibble on some kale and start your own garden after work, perfect for prepping some healthy snacks.
