Where to celebrate mid-week in Canberra
Posted on
We’ve all been there—a big birthday (one that we actually *want * to celebrate) falls on a weeknight.
Maybe your best friend just got engaged or nailed that big promotion. You want to celebrate, damn it! But heck, it’s Tuesday! Cue the teeth grinding. Because really, what’s happening on Canberra mid-week? A lot, actually.
To help you plan these last-minute celebrations or big events in advance, we’ve got some ideas—from karaoke and light-up dancefloors to bellydancing and food trucks.
Live it up at Bar Beirut
Who waits for the weekend to party? Not Bar Beirut. Raised on the week-long nightlife scene of Lebanon’s capital, owner Soumi Tannous know a thing or two about putting on a party, no matter the night.
With a focus on inclusion, their set menus seamlessly accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free diners, all meat is Halal-certified and there’s a separate vegetarian set-menu that can be made vegan. The restaurant is also physically accessible, with a mixture of high and low tables and wheelchair access.
Cocktails from Soumi and his talented team (recently named one of the best cocktail bars in Australia by The Australian) are delicious regardless of whether they have alcohol, low alcohol or no alcohol—and did we mention they have the largest champagne list in Canberra and are open until 2 am weeknights and 4 am on weekends?
Want to elevate your celebration even further? On Thursdays, the Garema Place restaurant and bar plays host to belly dance and burlesque performances and you can keep an eye on their website for other performances.
Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm – 2 am, Fridays 12 pm – 4 am, Saturdays 5 pm – 4 am | Garema Place | barbeirut.com.au
Live jazz at Molly
Molly. Image via Facebook.
Some like it hot—and no one serves (free!) live jazz hotter than Molly, the wood-panelled speakeasy nestled in the heart of the Melbourne building.
On Tuesdays, find the door in Odger’s Lane and head upstairs from 7.30pm for Jazz on the Rocks as you sip a glass of something cold and delicious from their talented bartenders.
Celebrating later in the week? Each Wednesday night Molly hosts a Chicago-style Pro Jazz Jam from 8.30 pm and on Thursdays, drink in the sounds of the Deep South with live Bourbon Street jazz from 9.30 pm.
Odger’s Lane | molly.bar/event/jazz-on-the-rocks
Set sail on MV Southern Cross
Canberra Southern Cross Club’s own MV Southern Cross boat boasts weekly events on-board, so you can sail into the sunset.
We can’t promise you’ll be able to snap up tickets last minute (these cruises are popular!) but if you’re looking to plan something truly different in advance, all aboard!
Neon nights at Kingpin + The Alby
View this post on Instagram
If you’re corralling a rowdy bunch of office mates or just mates for a last-minute mid-week celebration, Kingpin and The Alby are your new best friends.
For northsiders and city workers, head to Kingpin. Located above Bunda Street in Canberra Centre, this neon-lit playground boasts bowling, karaoke, escape rooms, table tennis, pool tables, laser tag and over 100 arcade games as well as a restaurant and bar. Buy the object of celebration a fishbowl cocktail as big as their head and let your inner kid run wild.
If you’re based south of the lake, The Alby in Woden offers an elevated pub experience with a basement full of good clean after-hours fun. With duckpin bowling (a more accessible and easier version of ten pin bowling), pinball machines and pool tables (as well as food, drinks and big-screen TVs) it’s perfect for groups to kick back and entertain themselves (although obviously if you can book ahead, do).
Kingpin | Monday – Sunday | Bunda Street, Civic | kingpinplay.com/en-au/venues/act/canberra
The Alby Games Basement | Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm – 11 pm | Furzer Street, Woden | thealby.com.au
Take in a show at Canberra Theatre Centre
You never know what could be showing at Canberra Theatre Centre mid-week. From hilarious live comedy to Shakespeare, cutting-edge modern dance to uplifting musicals, keep an eye on their website—you never know when theatre tickets could serve as the perfect ‘Congratulations!’ gift.
Besides, you should never give a gift you can’t also enjoy yourself (as their plus one).
Get messy at Kickin’Inn
View this post on Instagram
Looking for a truly unique dining experience? Dinners don’t get more hilarious than a trip to Woden’s Kickin’Inn.
Armed with gloves and a bib (believe us, you’ll need it), you’ll tackle the Kickin’Inn’s signature seafood boil bags, where fresh prawns, mussels, Blue Swimmer Cab and potatoes are combined with Kajun flavours and emptied onto your table (yes, table) to be eaten with your hands. It’s crab-cracking fun and perfect for the adventurous foodie (or those who miss the tastes of American’s south).
Monday–Sunday | Hindmarsh Drive and Ball Street, Woden | kickininn.com.au
Belt out the classics at K Bar Karaoke, Beatles Coin Karaoke and 88mph
View this post on Instagram
In my humble opinion, karaoke is the ultimate mid-week celebration and in Canberra, we’re spoilt for choice.
88mph caters for the karaoke-then-party set who want 80s-only tracks and slick private karaoke rooms with the opportunity to kick on to 88’s light up dancefloor. If you’re looking to accommodate a large group west of the city, Belconnen’s K Bar Karaoke has more than 300,000 songs and 12 private rooms on Emu Bank and if it’s just you and a mate (it happens!) Beatles Coin Karaoke on City Walk in Civic has teensy four person rooms where you can pay per song and feel instantly transported to Seoul.
88 mph | Wednesday 6 pm – late, Thursday and Friday 6 pm – 4 am | Hobart Place, Civic | 88mph.bar
K Bar Karaoke | Monday – Sunday 5 pm – 2 am | 7 Boardwalk, 114 Emu Bank, Belconnen | kbarkaraoke.com.au
Beatles Coin Karaoke | Monday – Thursday 2 pm – midnight | beatles-coin-karaoke.business.site
Indulge at The G Spot
View this post on Instagram
Spoil that mate who just nailed a promotion with a visit to a Canberra icon—your shout. The G Spot (yes, you may have to do some explaining before you send them a meeting request) is an iconic Canberra food van located next to Gungahlin Lakes Club in Canberra’s north run by the talented Laura and Sophie.
This takeaway paradise includes a menu of everything from inventive burgers, schnitzels and Hot Dogs to nachos, deep-fried Kit Kats and Mars Bars and thickshakes. That’s living, Barry.
Tuesday – Thursday 6 – 11 pm, Friday 6 pm – midnight, Saturday 6 pm – 11 pm | Gungahlin Lakes Club carpark | @the_g_spot_canberra
