15+ places for a great Sunday sesh
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Sundays: a day of rest, relaxation and a cheeky drink with friends.
If you’re thinking of heading out for a relaxed bevvy or two on a lazy Sunday afternoon, there are plenty of options all over Canberra. With pub food on the menu and the promise of cocktails, there’s only one question left to ask: meet you at the bar?
Armada Outdoor Bar
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Boasting local beverages on the drinks list, a curated but classic cocktail menu and an elevated menu from The Boat House that stretches beyond traditional bar snacks, Armada is the ultimate Sunday (and Friday and Saturday) session destination.
Sip on a glass of Nick O’Leary, enjoy steamed bao buns with ginger soy eggplant and take advantage of The Boat House’s prime position on the lake’s edge (which includes spectacular sunset views).
Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton | Open 4 pm until late Friday, 12:30 pm until late Saturday and 11:30 am until evening (with a limited food menu from 6:00pm) Sunday | theboathouse.restaurant/armada/
Assembly
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This modern pub has everything you need: live music, good food and drinks that don’t stop flowing.
With a variety of dishes on the menu including pub classics and small shares, you can tuck yourself into one of their comfy booths for a quiet moment, or enjoy the sun in the beer garden with your four-legged friend. The drinks menu sees a diverse mix including the A Pear Of Geese cocktail which has blackberry liqueur, grey goose pear vodka, lemon juice, sugar syrup, cranberry and pineapple juice and orange wines.
11 Lonsdale St, Braddon | Open 7 am until late Monday to Friday and 7:30 am until late Saturday and Sunday | thepeoplespub.com
The Alby
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A 1,000m2 gastropub boasting multiple bars and dining spaces, a beer garden and a games basement? Drinks in Woden suddenly got a lot cooler.
Browse the extensive beverage menu which features house and classic cocktails, endless wine options and enjoy the all-day menu that has something for everyone. Think elegant grazing boards to salmon crudo to wedges or sausage rolls.
If you’re feeling a bit restless, head down into the game’s basement and try your hand at pinball, pool, and Australia’s first Duckpin Bowling where the snacks menu has a definite Mexican bent—featuring tacos, nachos, and empanadas, among other things.
Ground Floor, Albemarle Building, 45 Furzer Street Phillip | Open Wednesday to Sunday 11 am to late | thealby.com.au
BentSpoke Brewing Co
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Home of some of Canberra’s best local beers, the BentSpoke Brew Pub opened in 2014 and continues to be one of the coolest locations to go for a cheeky bevvy.
With a wide range of beers made by their award-winning head brewer, hand crushed apple cider and gluten-friendly ginger beer available, even the food is crafted with their beer. The modern take on pub classics includes options like Crankshaft chicken Maryland with smoked labneh, charred carrots and mandarin kosho and confit duck bao with chilli soy pickled cucumbers, bao buns and Brindabella Cider plumb sauce.
There’s even gluten-free options available!
38 Mort St, Braddon (Entry from Elouera St) | Open Monday to Sunday 11 am until late | bentspokebrewing.com
Brindabella Hills Winery
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Only 25 minutes from Canberra and ringed by hills, this picturesque winery offers a swank way to spend your Sunday. Book a table to enjoy a flexible range of options from Sweet Pea catering including charcuterie boards. It’d be rude not to have a glass or two of wine while you’re there.
156 Woodgrove Cl, Wallaroo | Open 10 am – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday | brindabellahills.com
Capital Brewing Co
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One of the largest independent craft breweries in Australia, Capital Brewing Co is the place to go if you crave a cheeky burger and a drink. With a beer garden and courtyard, there’s plenty of space to drink a beer next to the tank it was brewed in.
They’ve even teamed up with the legendary Brodburger to bring you the finest burgers and hotdogs from a permanent van in the taproom. Broddog anyone?
Building 3/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick | Open 11:30 am until late, Monday to Sunday | capitalbrewing.co
The Dock
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This light-filled, waterside pub is a perfect Sunday sesh destination. Known for its outdoor beer garden, the space is perfect for catching up with the girls or cheering on Aussie sporting legends.
While there are regular food and drinks specials, the menu is full of elevated pub classics like the Dock Special pizza with chicken, garlic prawns, mushrooms, Spanish onion, avocado salsa, sweet chilli and mozzarella and the Fardy’s Fried Chicken Burger with fried breast fillet, spicy buffalo sauce, oak lettuce, American cheese, and blue cheese mayo.
Of course you can order a beer or a wine but The Dock is also known for their signature drinks list which includes a Golden Gaytime cocktail: think Underground Gin salted caramel vodka, butterscotch schnapps, Frangelico, blended with vanilla bean and chocolate ice cream topped with candy glazed walnuts.
7/81 Giles St, Kingston | Open 4 pm – 11pm Tuesday and 11:30 am- 12am Wednesday to Sunday | thedockkingston.com
Frankies at Forde
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Sunday afternoon calls for a refreshing drink or two at one of Gungahlin’s favorite locals. With a relaxed vibe and friendly atmosphere, there’s plenty to eat and drink.
Start with a sharing plate like the chicken nachos with homemade beans, chicken, avocado, cheese, jalapeno, corn salsa and sour cream before moving on to pan-fried barramundi fillet served with polenta fries, bok choy, pineapple and chilli salsa. There’s also plenty of burgers and pizzas which will pair perfectly with the beer, wine and cocktails on offer.
The best part is from 3 pm until 5 pm on Sundays, your favourite drinks will be served at happy hour prices (yes, including the cosmopolitans).
1/26 Francis Forde Blvd, Forde | Open 8 am – 4pm Tuesday and 8 am – 9pm Wednesday to Sunday | frankiesatforde.com
Honeysuckle
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Offering local wines and craft beer, and a delicious menu with all the classics, Honeysuckle is a neighborhood hangout with everything you need for a good time. The licensed eatery has everything from pan-seared salmon with minted green pea risotto, seasonal roasted veggies and Cafe de Paris butter to a pulled pork burger with cabbage slaw, Honeysuckle smokey maple sauce and pickled gherkins on a brioche bun.
But on Sundays, their 2 for 1 pizza deal is hard to go past. Add a Sex on the Beach cocktail jug and you’re good to go.
Denman Village Shops, 1 Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect | Open 11 am – 10 pm Monday to Thursday 11 am – 11:30 pm Friday and Saturday and 11 am – 9:30 pm Sunday | facebook.com/honeysucklecbr
Hopscotch
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A long-lived favorite, Hopscotch provides good food and a guarantee of a good time. With an extensive cocktail menu, a wide selection of fine wines and craft beers on tap, you’ll have a hard time choosing what to start with.
Add in the choice of sharing boards, pub classics and pizza and you’re set for a day full of food and fun.
5 Lonsdale St, Braddon | Open 11 am until 12 am seven days a week | hopscotchbar.com
The Jetty
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Located on Lake Burley Griffin at Queen Elizabeth Terrace, The Jetty is a beer garden that offers so much more.
Owned by The Dock, they’ve teamed up with BentSpoke to serve up some of Canberra’s best beers. There’s also a wine bar, cocktail stands and mouth-watering food. Choose from
Peruvian street food from Mr Papa, The Dock’s take on focaccias, baguettes, and salads, as well as cheese, and grazing boards.
Grabbing a seat will be a case of first in, best dressed so get in quick!
Lake Burley Griffin at Queen Elizabeth Terrace | The BentSpoke Beer Garden is open Thursday – Sunday from 12 pm | @thejettycbr
Lerida By The Lake
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Everyone likes a gentle stroll around Lake Burley Griffin but how about a wine and antipasto pit-stop instead? Lerida Estate has taken over the deck at the Canberra Visitor’s Centre for a pop-up wine bar for a five-course tasting experience which comes with an antipasto platter put together by the team at The Italian Place to share.
Sip on five different wines whilst you graze on meats and cheese by the lake, or if you’d prefer you can always take a trip out of town and have a drink amongst the grapevines at the Collector based winery.
Canberra Visitors Centre Barrine Drive, Parkes | eventbrite.com.au/e/lerida-by-the-lake-wine
Lighthouse Pub
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A day at Lighty is a day well spent. Known for its pub food, lake views and fun atmosphere, it’s the perfect location in Belconnen for a Sunday sesh. With plenty of pub favorites, bar snacks and drinks on the menu, you’ll be set for a few hours in the sun at this timeless local.
80 Emu Bank, Belconnen | Open 12 pm – 10 pm Sunday and Monday, 12 pm – 12 am Tuesday to Saturday | lighthousepub.com
Parlour
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Good food and good company can always be found at Parlour. Set amongst the historic NewActon precinct and open until late they offer delicious tapas from the kitchen (charcuterie plate with pastrami, sopressa, smoked ham, house pickled seasonal vegetables and sourdough anyone?), local and international boutique wine, as well as classic and house cocktails – all delivered with friendly and personalised service. With a special Sunday sessions menu and infamously cozy lounges, discover exactly what makes Parlour so unique.
16 Kendall Ln, Acton | Open 12 pm – 3 pm Tuesday, 12 pm – 10 pm Wednesday to Saturday and 12 pm – 6pm Sunday | parlour.net.au
The Pedlar
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Campbell’s first local pub, The Pedlar, is the perfect place to relax with a drink in hand. Offering a diverse menu of food and drinks which includes burgers, a range of fresh salads, plenty of sharing options, wines and cocktails, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
65 Constitution Ave, Campbell | Open 11 am – 10 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am – 10 pm Saturday to Sunday | thepedlar.com
Rose Cottage
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Home of loaded schnitzels that are smothered in toppings that range from tomato sauce, avocado, bacon, mozzarella cheese to bacon, egg and BBQ sauce, a Sunday sesh at Rose Cottage will have you saying ‘holy Schnitt!’
Located in one of Canberra’s most well-known heritage buildings, you can spend the day in the new beer garden while watching some live entertainment or relax inside and watch the world go by. They even provide a free courtesy bus to get you home safely after a fun night that can be arranged to pick up and drop off groups of passengers who live in the local area.
1 Isabella Dr, Gilmore | Open 3 pm until late Wednesday and 10 am until late Thursday to Sunday | rosecottagecanberra.com
The Ruc
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The perfect place to catch up with friends, The Ruc in Turner has a full range of offerings including bar, bistro, TAB, a gaming room, bowling greens and a sun deck.
Choose from beers, cider and ginger beer on tap, as well as an extensive wine, bottled draught, and cider list. They also have frozen margaritas and your favorite spirits handy if you want your Sunday sesh to feel more extravagant and the member specials could see you saving a few cheeky dollars between 4 pm and 5 pm.
For the foodies, the menu boasts traditional club favourites with a contemporary twist. Think burgers, pizzas, and chicken schnitzels as well as lighter options like salads and vegetarian eats.
54 McCaughey St,Turner | Open 11 am until late Monday to Sunday | theruc.com
Siren Bar
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Featuring modern Australian cuisine, an amazing wine list and a diverse cocktail menu, Siren Bar is a landmark venue in Gungahlin. While you can order a pizza and a beer, Siren is the home of Fiesta Sundays, a celebration of tacos and tequila.
Order 10 tacos for $10 and sip on $10 margaritas all day while enjoying live music. It’s the only way to end a Sunday.
30 Anthony Rolfe Ave, Gungahlin | Open 8:30 am until late Monday to Thursday and 8 am until late Friday to Sunday | sirenbar.com
Stonehouse Amaroo
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This family-run pub has wholesome food and an inviting atmosphere, perfect for making it your home away from home for a few hours. From Celtic ale beef pie to homemade popcorn chicken, all you need is a local beer and your day with friends will be perfect.
Marquee, Comm 7, 12 Pioneer St, Amaroo | Open 11 am until late Monday to Friday and 9 am until late Saturday and Sunday | stonehousepub.com
Two Blind Mice
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Curtains’ newest local, Two Blind Mice is a relaxed but stylish pub that boasts a casual dining experience with not so casual food and drinks.
Offering pub classics with a European twist, from 11 am until late you can nibble on a roast pumpkin and walnut pizza, shoestring fries with chicken salt and lime aioli, a cheeseburger with pickles and red onion, handmade pasta and more. There are even gluten-free desserts and a coffee machine if you need a pick-me-up before heading home.
Book a table or drop in for a vino, a beer or a cocktail. We have our eye on the Apple Crumble, an indulgent combination of whiskey, cloudy apple juice, orgeat, vanilla, lemon and shortbread. Sundays are for treating yourself, aren’t they?
6/44 Curtin Place, Curtin | Open 11 am-11 pm seven days | twoblindmicecurtin.com
Feature image via facebook.com/Parlourcbr
