First Look: Luna
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Where new meets old, and revelry unfolds—if the neon sign gracing the iconic Sydney Building has left you wondering, you’ll be excited to know that Luna is now open.
This isn’t your average drink and dining destination. Featuring refreshingly creative cocktails, a menu of elevated street food and music that will take you right into the early hours of the morning, Luna promises to deliver a unique experience for anyone hitting the town.
Because no matter if you want to dine, sip or play, Luna looks set to tick all the boxes.
From signature cocktails including the Drunken Monkey (Bulliet Rye whiskey, house-made banana and cinnamon syrup, Angostura bitters, and house-made banana leather) and Sunburnt Sake (Sake, yuzu, aloe water and prosecco) as well as an extensive shots list (think combinations like vodka, watermelon, lemon and lime), patrons can sip away while enjoying a progressive menu that combines Head Chef Adrianne ‘Adi’ De Jesus Davo Southeast Asian heritage with a modern Australian flair.
Trained under multiple Michelin Star chefs, Adi has created dishes that merge street food with complex umami flavours that are designed to be shared.
“I travelled the world to work with many grandmothers from different cultures who taught me their best-kept secrets and how to make everything from scratch. In many ways, this was the most vital training I could have undertaken and has made my take on this menu very approachable, and for everyone,” says Adi.
“My focus is on ethical and sustainable cooking. Everything on the menu is seasonal and made from scratch, utilising as much of a piece of produce as possible to ensure there is minimal waste from the kitchen.”
Her top picks? The prawn and crab roll featuring pan de leche, spanner crab, tiger prawns and kewpie, the duck taco with cherries and goat cheese, as well as the Riz au-lait rice pudding dessert. And while Luna Bar is certainly leveling up the Canberra City bar scene, according to Venue Manager Nick Muir, the idea is to offer an all-encompassing experience.
“You can enjoy after work drinks, indulge in our share-style dining menu, and kick on with a cocktail,” he says.
“Our offering is unlike any others in the city. We’ve known for some time that there was a gap in the market for a venue such as ours, with many people wanting to experience great food, amazing drinks and a place to unwind without having to go from one location to the next. By offering it all, we confident we’re going to fill that void and we’re excited about it.”
With a fitout designed by Capezio Copeland (one that pays homage to the building’s heritage and stays true to its position in an iconic part of Canberra), inside you’ll find rounded edges and arched windows, reflective of the building’s renowned archways, alongside luxe brass features, terrazzo, sink-in-your seat booth seating against exposed original brick and timber panelled walls.
No matter if you want to dine, sip or dance the night away, it should be something refreshingly different for Canberra.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Luna
When: Open Thursday until Sunday, 4pm until late.
Where: 99 London Cct, Canberra City
Web: lunabar.com.au
Photography: Ben Calvert.
