Five New Canberra Bars

Posted on 16 April, 2016

Sick of the same old weekend routine?

It’s time to find a new watering hole. Here are five recently-opened Canberra bars to wet your whistle.

Bar Rochford

Image: Martin Ollman.

A cracking wine list and food influenced by European, Spain and Modern Australia — Bar Rochford (above) looks set to be the new destination for those who love ‘very fine times’. It’s sophisticated with a touch of grunge and great for a quick drink after work, or for settling in for a lengthy food and wine session.

Bar Rochford | First floor, 65 London Circuit (Melbourne Building), Canberra City | www.barrochford.com

Suke Suke

Suke Suke promises a “fun, high paced underground food and drinks venue” in Civic’s Sydney Building. An Izakaya (or Japanese gastropub) serving up “Japanese inspired food, beers, whisky, sake, Canberra district wines and a range of over 60 gins,” this is one to visit this weekend.

Suke Suke | Verity Lane, Canberra City | www.sukesuke.com.au

Betti Bravo’s

Betti Bravo’s is a popular new watering hole at Kingston Foreshore.

The Kingston Foreshore space formerly occupied by The Rum Bar is transformed into a Spanish/Caribbean-influenced watering hole and Betti Bravo’s is packing them in!

There’s a lively menu of pintxos and some more substantial meals—our pick  is the Crisp confit chicken wings, corn puree, jamon crumbs, asparagus, tonka bean mayo—and some interesting important drops. The beer bottles being delivered in paper bags is undoubtedly meant to be hipster, but we’re not sure it will catch on.

Betti Bravo’s | 6/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore | www.bettibravos.com.au

Ducks Nuts

Dickson has received a much-needed injection of new blood with Ducks Nuts—a bar and grill modelled on a traditional pub. It takes over the corner spot previously occupied by O’Neill’s Irish Pub, and it’s had quite the makeover.

Danny Russo of Russolini Group, who worked on Braddon’s Marble & Grain has been brought in to devise a classic gastropub menu with a twist. Expect to find favourites like various cuts of steak with classic sauces, burgers and dishes for grazing. There will also be inventive sides and desserts, craft beers on tap, and ‘mini mains’ for kids under 12—all at a price point that make Ducks Nuts an inviting and affordable ‘local’.

Get the full story here. Ducks Nuts Bar & Grill | 30 Woolley Street, Dickson | ducksnuts.net.au

Vincent

A sophisticated wine bar, where the food is every bit as good as the accompanying drops.

Vincent brings sophisticated European fare and some great drops to Barton,  in the Governor Place development. We love a good wine bar and this place takes it (and food) very seriously – check out their Facebook page for some mouth-watering food inspo.

Vincent | 48 Macquarie Street, Barton | vincentrestaurant.com.au