Seven things to do in Canberra after dark (that aren’t clubbing)
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When the sun goes down, Canberra comes alive – but what can you do if hitting the dance floor isn’t your thing?
Luckily, there’s plenty happening in the city to keep you entertained. From where to find late-night bites to indoor activities that don’t stop when the sun drops, here’s your guide to Canberra after dark.
Sing your heart out at karaoke
Because sometimes you need the cover of dark to really unleash your inner Beyonce and depending on the vibe you’re looking for, there are plenty of places in Canberra to belt out a set. Kingpin in the Canberra Centre has private booths that are equipped with the latest technology and an extensive, regularly updated playlist, while Hey ShowKaraoke (which is located in the Sydney Building) has over 350,000 songs in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and more. Finally, Life4Cuts on East Row has coin karaoke open until 10 pm!
Don’t want to head into the city? K Bar Karaoke in Belconnen also has an eye-watering selection of songs (about 480,000 to be exact) in various languages and have Happy Hour sessions so you can get some bang for your buck when booking!
Battle it out over Padel and Pickleball
Forget a (brisk) lake walk with a head torch, the Canberra Raquet Club has opened in Fyshwick until 10 pm to shake up your fitness routine. So fun that you’ll forget that you’re technically exercising, the 4,000-square-metre complex is home to six padel courts and four pickleball courts and offers a premium playing experience unlike anything else found in Canberra. And if that doesn’t inspire you to book a court, we should probably mention that there will be a bar opening there soon. It’s all about balance, right?
Grab a late-night bite
The best bonding is done over a night-time snack run, but forget driving to MacDonalds for a McFlurry, because Canberra has a thriving late night food scene. Bunny Beans in Kippax has opened a Japanese-style nighttime dessert café that’s open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and serves Shibuya Toast, bingsu, cheesecake, and more.
Ikigai Ramen is a modern, cosy, minimalist Japanese restaurant in Gungahlin that serves up steaming bowls of noodles until the clock strikes midnight, and you can’t mention late night bites without talking about Narrabundah’s nocturnal hotspot Kita. Here, the kitchen closes at 5 am and they serve Indo fusion food, which tastes as good as it sounds.
Spend an evening putting your stuff
Mini golf is always a good idea, especially when you’re trying to think of something fun to do after the sun goes down. Holey Moley Golf Club in the city is a unique venue filled with pop culture references that are nifty and nostalgic. And the best part is it’s open until 10 pm Monday to Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday and 9 pm on Sundays.
Canberra’s first indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course should also be at the top of your list. Open until 9 pm or 10 pm most nights, Jungle Golf in Griffith is fun for all ages – and who doesn’t love a little glow-in-the-dark 18-hole action on a cold evening?
Catch some live music
Canberra has something of a reputation for being a bit…stale…but with more live music venues than you can throw a guitar pick at, it should come as no surprise that the city actually has a thriving underground music scene.
The Baso, Transit, Dissent Café and Bar, Smith’s Alternative, the Old Canberra Inn, Gang Gang, Blackbird, Molly, Fun Time Pony, Assembly and Lighthouse are all home to live music acts, from sophisticated jazz to local bands tearing up the stage. Just make sure to check their website to see what they have coming up!
Spend a night at the theatre
A night at the theatre is always a lot of fun and there’s always something on that’s worth seeing. Everyone knows and loves the Canberra Theatre Centre but don’t forget about The Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, The Street Theatre, Canberra REP Theatre, ACT Hub, Erindale Theatre and the Belconnen Arts Centre.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, crossing the border to go to The Q in Queanbeyan is well worth it.
Get crafty
Who says that doing something after dark has to be high energy? This is your perfect excuse to tap into your creative side. Book into classes at Paint Pinot and Pinot & Picasso to unleash your inner artist, while Clay Studio Canberra has some Mud Play Workshops and Clay Classes in the evenings. At DKTUTU Studio, you can book Tufting Classes, DIY Decoden Cream Workshops and more for an after-work craft session and Food for Taught also holds some evening cooking classes!
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