Nightlife in Canberra

Nightlife in Canberra

1. DrinkNorth Canberra

   Ainslie Football & Social Club

   This expansive community and sporting club has been a landmark of the inner north since 1927. Highly popular with local families and sporting fans, it features a massive main lounge, a busy sports bar with giant television screens, and a relaxed, spacious outdoor courtyard. The main bar pours very affordable draft beers and local wines, while the on-site "Limestone" restaurant serves up a great range of club favorites, wood-fired pizzas, and gourmet schnitzels.

   Sun–Wed 10AM–midnight, Thu–Sat 10AM–2AM

2. SeeActon

   Australian National Botanic Gardens

   Located at the base of Black Mountain in Acton, the ANBG has the largest collection of Australian native flora in the country. It also has some interesting water dragons that live in the water features around the gardens. A delightful place for a picnic, try to grab some food from the city centre first to take with you for lunch. If you are there during summer, call and ask about the jazz evenings. These are held on the weekend and many families attend with evening picnic and champagne in tow, to chill out to the sounds of jazz in the balmy evening temperatures.

   Daily·Free entry, parking $1.40/hr or $7 all day

3. DrinkCivic

   Bar Beirut

   This energetic venue in the heart of Garema Place is a love letter to the vibrant nightlife of Lebanon. Steered by charismatic owner Soumi, who cut his teeth in the underground club scene of Beirut, it serves up exceptional Middle Eastern mezze alongside some of the capital's most creative cocktails—including their signature cucumber and vanilla-infused Wasabi Martini. The vibe is highly social and feels like a sophisticated house party, topped off with live belly dancers and burlesque performers on Saturday evenings.

   Tue–Sat 5PM–2AM·Cocktails from $20

4. SeeBelconnen

   Belconnen Arts Centre

   A stunning, multi-disciplinary cultural hub housed in an award-winning glass-fronted building overlooking the lake. The centre features a constantly evolving, seasonal rotation of multiple gallery spaces showcasing contemporary visual arts, with a prominent focus on local regional and First Nations artists. The site features a 400-seat community theatre hosting live music, dance, and independent stage plays, alongside a design shop selling artisan crafts. The brilliant on-site café, kiln, features magnificent lakeside views.

   Tue–Sun 10AM–4PM (closed Mon & public holidays)

5. DrinkCivic

   Blue Eyes

   Upstairs overlooking Garema Place, this opulent lounge transports guests to the mid-century golden age of Frank Sinatra and old-world Hollywood glamour. The bar features a concave red-brick ceiling that creates an intimate, illicit speakeasy atmosphere, complete with glittering chandeliers, plush velvet curtains, and deep leather Chesterfield booths. It is a premier destination for champagne, classic cocktails, and smooth live jazz sets which play on the floor from Wednesday through Saturday nights.

   Wed–Sat 4PM–late·Cocktails from $21

6. DoBelconnen

   Burns Golf Club Belconnen

   An 18-hole par 72 public-access course located on the western edge of Belconnen. Features a classic country-style layout with open fairways, grass greens, and basic bunkering. The club includes a bar, restaurant, and pro shop.

   Green fees from $25

7. DoBelconnen

   CISAC (Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Centre)

   A massive indoor athletic venue open to transient public visitors. The aquatic pavilion houses an indoor Olympic 50-metre lap pool, a heated 25-metre leisure pool, a whirlpool spa, and a steam room sauna. The attached multi-story complex contains a commercial health club, a dedicated weightlifting gym, and cycle studios. Paid on-site parking applies during business hours.

   Single casual swim entry from $9

8. DrinkWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

   Canberra Irish Club

   This legendary club has served as a little piece of Ireland in Canberra since 1975. Famous for pouring the finest, smoothest Guinness on tap south of the lake, the pub boasts a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. It is a major hub for live entertainment, hosting regular folk music, open-mic nights, and Celtic choir rehearsals. The on-site eatery, Molly Bloom's Kitchen, serves up exceptionally generous pub classics with Irish and Fijian influences.

   Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11:30PM·Pint of Guinness $12

9. DoCivic

   Canberra Olympic Pool

   A central public health and aquatic centre featuring an indoor 50-m Olympic lap pool and a fully equipped health club fitness gymnasium. During the summer season, the outdoor complex opens to the public, offering a dedicated toddler splash zone and a diving pool equipped with 1-m and 3-m public springboards.

   Mon-Fri 6AM-9PM, Sat Sun 7AM-7PM·Single swim entry from $8

10. EatWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

    Canberra Southern Cross Club

    Casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with several dining establishments within it. Breakfast is usually served until 11AM though there are no limitations after that. It does get a little bit crowded afterwards, so it might be wise to make an online booking, but a credit card booking guarantee applies; $5 per person.

    Daily

11. EatTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong

    An RSL club with three restaurants, which includes some good music, a bar and pretty much many different varieties of Western and Asian cuisines.

    Sun–Thu, Fri Sat

12. DrinkWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

    Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden

    This sprawling, modern social club is a beloved local anchor. The venue’s main bar, the Woden Central Clubhouse & Bar, features a warm double-sided fireplace surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs, pouring regional wines on tap and cold craft beers. The venue has numerous screens showing live sports, hosts a highly popular trivia night every Thursday, and offers casual dining at the leafy Patio dining area.

    Daily 9AM-4AM

13. DoSouth Canberra

    Canberra Yacht Club Boat & SUP Hire

    A casual watercraft rental service located at Lotus Bay on the southern side of Lake Burley Griffin. The club rents out Hobie Wave resort-style catamarans (no sailing experience required), RS Quest dinghies (for experienced sailors), and stand-up paddleboards. All hires include lifejackets. Operations are weather-dependent and may close during excessive or insufficient winds.

    Open daily during summer; seasonal hours vary depending on wind and weather conditions.·SUP hire from $60/hr, boat hire from $90/hr

14. DrinkGungahlin

    Cornerstone Pub

    This highly social, sports-focused venue serves as a fun neighborhood local. It features free ping pong tables, a relaxing balcony, musical bingo on Thursday nights, lively karaoke on Fridays, and "Pre's at the Pub" drink specials on Saturdays. The menu is casual and centered around stone-baked pizzas and classic finger foods.

    Thu–Sat 4PM–late (kitchen open 5:30PM–8:30PM); closed Sun–Wed·$10 weekly cocktail specials

15. Drink

    Cube

    Canberra's only gay nightclub with a variety of theme nights. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest.

    Opens Th 8PM, F 9PM, Sa 10PM, Su 9PM; closes 5AM

16. DrinkGungahlin

    Cypher Brewing Co.

    Located right next to the Gungahlin Place light rail terminus, this modern, industrial-chic craft brewpub is a standout addition to the northside. It features an impressive line-up of 14 beers on tap brewed directly on-site, ranging from crisp signature lagers to experimental seasonal sours. The open-plan space offers a vibrant community atmosphere with weekly live music, friendly staff, and an eclectic food menu that expertly blends traditional pub classics with diverse cultural flavors.

    Mon–Tue 11AM–9PM, Wed–Sun 11AM–11PM·Beers from $9

17. DrinkCivic

    Devil You Don't

    formerly High Jinks

    Underground in a cozy basement bunker opposite the Nishi Building courtyard in the NewActon precinct, this intimate, luxe cocktail speakeasy opened in early 2026 to replace the old High Jinks. Operated by the award-winning team behind Volstead Repeal, the moody, candlelit lounge features a blood-red and black velvet aesthetic with sleek brass accents. The mixology here is exceptional, focusing on classic cocktails thoughtfully twisted into something entirely new, alongside a rotating menu of delicious bar snacks and cheese boards.

    Tue–Sat 4PM–midnight·Cocktails from $22

18. BuyBelconnen

    Dymocks Belconnen

    A massive, well-organised branch of Australia's oldest family-owned commercial bookseller. This store is locally franchised and boasts an incredibly comprehensive inventory spanning all major genres, including massive contemporary fiction walls, biography aisles, history texts, and an extensive travel and stationery pavilion. Features a very active local book club program and frequently hosts weekend book-signing events for domestic Australian authors.

    Mon–Thu 9AM–5:30PM, Fri 9AM–9PM, Sat 9AM–5PM, Sun 10AM–4PM

19. DrinkTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Erindale Vikings

    This massive local community club is a southside institution. It features the dedicated Sideline Bar—a sports fanatic’s dream with giant screens, TAB facilities, and multiple pool tables—alongside a spacious beer garden. If you're hungry, head to "The Cookery" for excellent wood-fired pizzas, high-quality steaks, and classic pub fare. On-site amenities also include a kid's indoor play area and the Moo+Brew Cafe.

20. DoWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

    Escape Rooms Canberra

    This immersive attraction offers incredibly detailed, high-production escape rooms. Teams of 2 to 7 players are given exactly 60 minutes to solve a series of visual, linguistic, and lateral puzzles to achieve their objective—whether it's exploring witchcraft in Salem or stopping a rogue magic show. Uniquely, the venue features "Garden Party", a gorgeous hidden speakeasy cocktail bar and beer garden accessible only to customers to unwind in after their game.

    Mon–Thu 9:30AM–9:30PM, Fri Sat 9AM–10:30PM, Sun 9AM–10PM·From $35-50 per person depending on group size

21. DoAirport and East

    Fairbairn Golf Club

    An 18-hole par 70 public golf course located on the northeastern perimeter of the Canberra International Airport precinct. Operating as a not-for-profit club, it features a flat layout with bunkers and light water hazards. Visitors and social groups are welcome seven days a week.

    Green fees from $30

22. DoSouth Canberra

    Federal Golf Club

    An 18-hole par 72 inland championship course located on the slopes of Red Hill. The layout features undulating fairways, heavy bushland surrounds with resident wildlife, and a full pro shop. Social play hours are available throughout the week alongside a public restaurant.

    Green fees from $65

23. DrinkCivic

    Fun Time Pony

    Beneath the historic Sydney Building at 122 Alinga Street, this grungy, high-energy late-night dive bar is Canberra's ultimate rock-and-roll sanctuary. It packs in free pool tables, vintage pinball machines, and a loud, unhinged playlist of punk, indie, and rock. The venue serves as a major live gig space for local bands and touring acts, and serves up delicious New York-style pizza slices late into the night.

    Thu–Sat 8PM–late

24. DoGungahlin

    Gold Creek Country Club

    Though the golf course veers into the village, most of the golf course including the entrance is outside the Gold Creek Village, and requires you to drive a little bit from the village. It's an 18-hole course with par 72 layout, and golf courses of its size are rare outside the big cities.

25. DrinkGungahlin

    Gungahlin Lakes Club

    The Lakes

    Functioning as a giant social hub for the northern suburbs, it features a spacious main bar, a sprawling lounge, and a massive LED screen perfect for catching major sporting events. Guests can grab a drink on the outdoor terrace overlooking the lakes, shoot a round of pool, or head to the Lakes Bistro for classic pub favorites, specialty steaks, and fresh pizzas. Facilities also include an indoor playroom for kids, making it a favorite for family groups.

    Daily 10:00AM–2:00AM (stays open late on weekends)

26. DoGungahlin

    Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club

    An 18-hole championship layout characterized by an extensive network of artificial lakes and ponds that come into play on more than half the holes. Includes a fully equipped pro shop, driving range, and a large modern community club and gaming lounge.

    Green fees from $40

27. DrinkAirport and East

    Helix Bar & Dining

    A modern, sophisticated architectural lounge bar centred around a striking circular fireplace hub beneath a soaring seven-storey light atrium. Named after the aerodynamic airflow spiral of a propeller, this "landside" lounge serves as an excellent public alternative to standard airport lounges. The bar features a highly creative seasonal cocktail menu alongside an expansive list of regional cool-climate wines from the Canberra District and local craft beers on tap.

    Daily 6AM-10PM·Standard upscale hotel bar pricing

28. DrinkWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

    Hellenic Club of Canberra

    This massive, multi-faceted community club is one of Canberra's largest entertainment venues. It is home to the award-winning Woden Sports Bar & TAB, which features massive LED screens broadcasting live sports, and the relaxed, open-air Woden Beer Garden. If you're looking for local or Mediterranean wines, stop by Kivotos, their sophisticated Greek wine bar. Visitors can easily sign in at reception with a valid photo ID.

    Daily 9AM-4AM·Beer from $8

29. DrinkCivic

    Highball Bar

    formerly Highball Express

    Perched prominently on the upper levels above London Circuit, this upgraded, sun-drenched cocktail lounge offers views looking out over City Hill. Escaping the ordinary city pace, the venue completely embraces a tropical Cuban and Caribbean resort vibe, loading the space with lush greenery and white timber accents. Rum culture and high-end Central American spirits are the true heart of Highball, featuring exotic liquors, signature sharing punch bowls, and fresh tiki cocktails.

    Tue–Thu 5PM–midnight, Fri Sat 4PM–3AM·Cocktails from $18; signature punch bowls from $55

30. Drink

    Hippo Co

    Hippo Lounge

    Cocktail bar with an intimate setting amidst Baroque-meets-student-digs decor. There's also live Jazz on Wednesday nights.

31. DrinkCivic

    Hippo Co

    Upstairs overlooking the bustling pedestrian strip of Garema Place, this intimate cocktail bar is an absolute institution of the Canberra drinking scene. Outfitted in a unique design that beautifully blends taxidermy-adorned lodge aesthetics with cozy "Baroque-meets-student-digs" decor, it boasts a remarkably warm, timber-dominated interior. The bar is celebrated for maintaining a collection of over 200 whiskies from around the globe, and its regular live jazz sets on Wednesday nights are highly popular.

    Tue–Sat 5PM–late·Cocktails from $21; specialized whiskey tastings from $45

32. DoCivic

    Holey Moley Golf Club

    An indoor pop-culture and novelty mini-golf venue featuring 18 themed holes, alongside an attached arcade challenge space, karaoke rooms, and a licensed cocktail bar.

    From $20

33. EatNorth Canberra

    Hopscotch

    Hopscotch Bar

    A classic restaurant and pub with lots of good cocktails, a good vibe and some live music. Bookings are highly recommended, but time slots are limited to two hours.

    noon–4AM

34. DrinkSouth Canberra

    Joe's Bar

    Located on the ground floor of the East Hotel at 69 Canberra Avenue in Griffith, this small, modern Italian cocktail bar boasts an exceptionally big personality. Designed by Sydney designer Kelly Ross, the striking interior creatively blends chic marble surfaces, velour green lounges, and warm frosted lights to evoke the ambient feel of a New York City loft lounge. The beverage list is loaded with classic cocktails and an impressive, curated page of Italian and Australian wines, expertly matched to a delicate menu of contemporary Italian bar snacks like fresh arancini and artisan antipasto plates.

    Tue–Sat 4PM–midnight·Cocktails from $21

35. DoCivic

    Kingpin Canberra

    A large multi-attraction indoor amusement complex. The venue houses upscale tenpin bowling lanes, over 100 modern and retro arcade terminals, virtual reality gaming setups, private karaoke rooms, and on-site escape room challenges. Features a fully licensed cocktail bar and a casual dining menu.

    Bowling from $18, arcade packages from $30

36. DoTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Lakeside Leisure Centre

    An indoor community aquatic and health club facility featuring a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool, leisure pool, indoor splash park, gym, and public lap lanes.

    Mon–Fri 5:30AM–9:30PM, Sat Sun 7AM–7:30PM·Casual swim: adult $9.20, child/concession $6.45, family $23.50

37. DrinkTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Lanyon Vikings

    This modern community club is the perfect stop after exploring the historic Lanyon Homestead. The club features a spacious bar pouring cold beers and $14 cocktails, a TAB sports lounge with big screens, and a peaceful outdoor terrace looking directly over the local sports fields toward the picturesque Brindabella Ranges. The on-site bistro is renowned for highly affordable daily meal specials (such as $15 steak and schnitzel nights) and includes a dedicated indoor kids' play area.

    Sun Mon 11AM–10PM, Tue Wed 11AM–midnight, Thu–Sat 11AM–2AM·Pint of beer from $10; mains $18-35; $15 weekday lunches

38. DrinkCivic

    Luna

    Inside the landmark heritage Sydney Building on London Circuit, this striking cocktail lounge offers a dramatic yet highly intimate setting. Merging historic 1920s architecture with glamorous modern design, the space is perfect for starting or capping off a night in the city. The bar features an audacious menu of signature cocktails made with premium local and international spirits, while the open kitchen serves up an elevated, share-friendly modern Australian menu with global influences. they host free live acoustic music and DJs on select nights.

    Thu Fri 4PM–late, Sat Sun noon–late·Cocktails from $22

39. DrinkCivic

    Molly

    Hidden deep within the shadowy corridor of Odgers Lane, this incredible 1920s-style speakeasy is a premier destination for spirits enthusiasts. Unmarked by any signs, finding the secret wooden door using its exact GPS coordinates is half the fun. Once inside, you'll find an opulent throwback to the Prohibition era packed with plush leather booths, candlelight, and Canberra's most extensive selection of world-class whiskies. Talented bartenders mix exquisite cocktails while a dedicated stage hosts smooth live jazz musicians several nights a week.

    Mon–Wed 4PM–midnight, Thu–Sat 4PM–2AM, Sun 5PM–midnight·Cocktails from $22

40. DrinkCivic

    Mooseheads

    This multi-level bar on London Circuit near East Row is an absolute institution with deep local history. Rebuilt and beautifully restored after a major fire, Mooseheads is legendary as a favorite weekend hangout for students and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). The venue splits its high-energy nightlife across several levels, featuring a casual, sticky-floored pub downstairs playing rock classics and a high-volume nightclub upstairs spinning Top 40 and dance tracks.

    Thu–Sat 4PM–5AM·Beer from $8

Browse all 483 places in Canberra

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0).