Old Parliament House: the people’s house hosting events for the people!
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It’s one of Canberra’s oldest and most iconic buildings (celebrating its 100th birthday in 2027) and sharing memories of special events with generations of locals.
From the place to cast a first vote to the scene of weddings, graduations, and many a school trip, Old Parliament House – affectionately known as OPH– also enjoys a unique history of housing our nation’s first Parliament (before they all traipsed up the hill to bigger digs in 1988).
But don’t think for a minute that the imposing Stripped Classical architecture contains a dusty historic remnant. This spring, OPH comes alive with music, champagne, good food, good music and good times as it ramps up with events aimed at drawing the people to Canberra’s original people’s house.
For one thing, the Courtyard Café has received a facelift and is ready to welcome everyone in need of a wind-down and beverage with monthly Friday Night Drinks starting tomorrow, and repeating every month until the end of summer.
Running from 4 pm until late, Capital Brewing Co will have plenty of beer on hand, alongside a selection of wines, with hot and cold food available. Keen to catch up with friends or workmates to celebrate the end of the week in style with a playful vibe? Perhaps you fancy a game of giant Jenga with your wine? You can.
If, however, your style is more formal, stay tuned for the restaurant’s impending opening date with a new rotating menu and a fine dining flavour.
And if High Tea’s your thing, book in for the Floriade High Tea on Sunday 13 October. Taking place in the Members’ Dining Rooms from 2 pm, the high tea will bring to mind the formalities of a building that was opened by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother, whose daughter, Queen Elizabeth II would visit OPH nine times during her reign.)
Keen to host your own soirée? The spaces of OPH are versatile and open for hire for any sort of event – whether you want to hold a formal awards dinner or conference in the Members’ Dining Rooms, a cocktail party in Kings’ Hall, a wedding, casual Christmas Party drinks in the courtyards, or just want to pop in for a nice family meal in the café.
According to Sales & Marketing Manager Juliet Ratchford, staff have worked closely with the Museum of Australian Democracy to ensure the building caters to modern-day demands of functions and events and all the fun they entail, while keeping all of its its heritage safe.
“Historic buildings in Canberra are few and far between so our team works closely with MoAD to implement numerous measures that preserve the building’s interior furnishings whilst allowing guests to still be able to enjoy the spaces. For example, when we have a dinner in Kings’ Hall the Events Operations Team lays special matting to protect the beautiful, historic flooring.”
Juliet noted that most Canberrans have very fond memories of the place and experience a bit of awe whenever they are in the building.
The Members’ Bar has a beautiful baby grand piano that dates back to the 1920s (and yes, it can be played for events). The clocks in every room (which have red and green lights that flashed when MPs and Senators needed to go and vote in the chambers) remain. As does the original wallpaper which has been left in some areas of the Members’ Dining Room.
Antique furniture abounds throughout the event spaces, meaning you may be eating your lunch in the cafe and can dine off a 100-year-old table, or better yet, be sitting in a chair once perched on by a former Prime Minister!
“We have a really passionate group of chefs, events, operations and café teams, who understand the special nature of this building and have worked so hard to reinvigorate The People’s House,” says Juliet.
And if you catch this Friday’s drinks, please say a silent word of thanks for the building that brought an end to Canberra’s Prohibition era. It was actually a Bill proposing the approval of the construction of Old Parliament House’s Members’ Bar which forced the end of a 17-year dry spell in Canberra.
And we say cheers to that!
You can stay in the loop with functions at OPH through its Instagram or Facebook.
For Functions, Christmas Lunch bookings, party bookings and to be added to the mailing list please email moadophevents@restaurantassociates.com.au or call 02 6261 7200.
