The 16 best bars in Canberra

If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford, where you will be enjoying a glass of the grippy, slightly zesty Ravensworth shiraz from Hilltops and Murrumbateman. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar, you could be in Melbourne, Munich or Manhattan. Art Deco touches and eccentric works of art are a feast for the eyes, while arched windows allow soft sunrays to brighten the mostly monotone loft. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and once you’re here, you’ll never ever want to leave. Let the bartenders guide you on a vinous journey that traipses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. Follow it all with a port or sherry, especially the ten-year-old Quinta do Vallado Old Tawny from Porto, Portugal, if we may suggest.

Time Out tip: As well as the libations, the pretty edible creations are worthy of a snap. So clean your lens, capture Bar Rochford’s glorious plates and send them to the group chat for safekeeping.

Address: Inside Melbourne Building, 1/65 London Crescent, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Wed 5pm-11pm; Thurs 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat 5pm-1am

Shake and shimmy on down to Canberra’s buzziest late-night bar, where the welcome is as warm after midnight as it is before sunset. Bar Beirut is a love letter to the nightlife of Lebanon with beats, belly dancing, burlesque and big, bold bevys. The Wasabi Martini has been a menu mainstay since 2019, but you’ll be equally tempted by the boozed-up lassi and house pours from the Martini cart. If it’s the full trifecta that you’re after (something to nibble with your tipple), link up your libations with charred chicken, smoked baba ghanoush and grilled octopus from the mostly Middle Eastern menu. If you’re not getting it by now, Bar Beirut’s slew of awards isn’t just for show. The fit-out is as fun as it is the rest, with fairy lights working their magic and timber-clad walls that are etched with water/wine jugs of all shapes and sizes, adding a bit of pizzazz to the warm-toned dining room. 

Time Out tip: Treat this place like a sophisticated house party, where both casual encounters and groovy moments are welcome. And don’t forget to snack on the warm olives either.

Address: 25 Garema Place, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 5pm-2am

Inspired by the glamour of old-world Hollywood, Blue Eyes transports spirit sippers to the golden age of Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire. Expect nothing less than smooth live jazz every Wednesday through to Saturday from 8pm, and the occasional burlesque soirée to grace the Blue Eyes’ floor. The upstairs speakeasy is fit with a concave red-brick ceiling that ignites an underground, illicit feeling, along with an exclusive wine room that’s sealed by glass – it’s for looking, but no touching. Chesterfield couches make for cushy seating with the addition of that sweet, timeless charm. Otherwise, pull up a stool at the glittering bar and enjoy classic cocktails, or pop a bottle of sparkling and hit the floor if that’s the vibe. Oh, and you’ll want to swing by for $10 custom cocktails that are served from 4pm till 6pm to get things going. The Sultan of Swoon, featuring tarragon caviar, and the Rhapsody with Alize gold jelly are two hot hits to look out for, too.

Time Out tip: Every Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm and 7pm, Blue Eyes plays host to cocktail masterclasses where you can get up close to your tipple and give the whole bartending thing a go too.

Address: 1/5 Garema Place, Canberra

Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 4pm-12am; Fri-Sat 4pm-2am

There’s nothing normal about this friendly Canberra bottle-o and wine bar. The ever-so funky Paranormal Wines lies in the quiet suburb of Campbell – a seven-minute drive from the capital’s Northbourne main drag – but we promise it’s well worth scootin’ out of town for. The sidestreet wine store is as contemporary as it gets with its polished concrete floors and simplistic furnishings. It does what it says on the box too – it sells wine and it invites you to sip your drop, if you want, no pressure. The shelves are stocked with fizzy, orange, sour, small-batch and sustainable things, including their very own cloudy Italian fruit-bomb ‘Paranormal Rosato’. The colourful array of bottles makes for a pleasant backdrop to the otherwise plain sailing store (with the addition of a few eye-catching works of art). You can grab a bottle to go on your way to your mate’s place, or sit in and sip (for a small corkage fee) if you’re in no rush. If you opt for the latter, you’ll be accompanied by a zippy menu of well-suited snacks to boot, including cheese, charcuterie and pristine tinned fish.

Time Out tip: Paranormal Wines don’t take bookings, you’ll just have to trust the process.

Address: G27/6 Provan Street, Campbell

Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 12pm-8pm; Fri 12pm-9pm; Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 12pm-7pm

Hidden behind an unassuming door and up an inconspicuous stairwell, Molly is a speakeasy-inspired bar where you can easily lose your sense of time or place. From the bar to the walls and even the ceiling, the majority of the haunt is timber-clad, which quite nicely reflects the warm-toned, mood lighting. Wooden barrels sit atop the bar, which ensures a non-stop supply of pre-made cocktails with the likes of Negroni and Old Fashioned – bygone vibes, check. You can also take a round-the-world trip without even leaving the bar thanks to more than 300 bottles, from surprising locales like India, France and Italy – as well as the usual suspects: Scotland, Japan and the United States. Escapism at its finest. Stop by on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday for smooth jazz, and pair your libations with a charcuterie or cheese board.

Time Out tip: Being right around the corner from Bar Rochford, it’s not a bad idea to hop from one venue to the other if you’re just in town momentarily and planning to cram in as many nightlife experiences as possible. Just sayin’.

Address: 35-37 London Circuit, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am

You may not have heard just yet, but hidden in the backyard of Pilot, one of Canberra's top restaurants, is a small but mighty secret. Meet: That Other Place. This petite pop-up bar lives in Pilot's courtyard, and is typically only open for business during the summer months (because winter is simply too chilly). The outdoor seating area is set against a fragrant garden backdrop, and their food and bev fare is perfectly complex in its simplicity. All the fresh ingredients in their drinks and bar snacks are sourced locally, and their cocktails are shaken by a one-person tender (so be patient) and include curious concoctions like the Banana Rizz of banana juice, basil, white chocolate and white wine. You'll also find gorgeous small snacks, including raw milk manchego, oysters with tabasco and lemon and, for dessert, a choc brownie sundae with salted butterscotch, topped with peanuts and ice magic. 

Time Out tip: Head in for happy hour on Thursdays, where you can snag $2 gildas, $10 sundaes, $6 tins, $12 wines and $14 topeadors.

Address: 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie 

Opening hours: Thurs-Fri 5pm-late; Sat-Sun 12pm-late

When it comes to the watering hole with the best view of Canberra’s skyline, you can’t go past The Howling Moon. Boasting unobstructed, panoramic views that span all the way out to the city’s rolling hills, it’s not only one of the best bars in Canberra, but it doubles as one of the best sunset spots too. You’ll want to ascend to this leafy rooftop bar in the bustling Braddon precinct bang on opening (4pm) for the best seats in the house, and stay all night until the stars come out. Sip on seasonal Spritz, fruity mocktails, plus local beer and wine, while you wolf down nibbles with the likes of baked mussels, crispy spiced squid and woodfired pizzas. Say no more.

Time Out tip: The thriving Braddon locale is well-known for its dining and drinking scene, and here, you’ll be just a hop, skip and a jump from some of the best restaurants in Canberra. Check out Italian and Sons for an extremely saucy plate of spaghetti, EightySix for nostalgic desserts, or perhaps Lazy Su for funky pan-Asian fare.

Address: 6/150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 4-11pm

Fyshwick has long been known for a lot of things, but these days it’s super-fresh beers that are pulling people to the tap rooms at Capital Brewing Co. The industrial-interiored warehouse is a fitting sight for the active workspace – mega metallic vats sit tableside working their yeasty magic while wood fireplaces do their best to keep you toasty in the glorified shed. Being an inclusive bunch, they let you bring your little humans and your four-legged friends to play, while you sink a crisp schooner of Coast Ale or their famously juicy, tropical Rock Hopper IPA for those who love the fresh bitterness of hops. If you’re more-so partial to a freshly-poured pint, take a squizz at what’s streaming out of the 20 tap beers. Once you’ve made up your mind, kick back in the beer garden with a burger or hot dog from the legends at Brodburger, or laze around on the 2,000 metres of lush garden space – including the only beer river in the world (we’ll take their word for it).

Time Out tip: We’ll have you know that Canberra Airport is a mere seven-minute drive from Capital Brewing Co. So if it’s a pre-flight beverage you’re after, stop by and support local.

Address: 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11.30-9pm

Edgar’s Inn has been a cherished second home for Ainslie locals since 2001. However, recent renovations have elevated the pub into a popular drinking and dining destination, attracting Canberrans from near and far. This modern pub lives its life in many forms. There’s the downstairs bar perfect for pints and pub fare, an upstairs restaurant specialising in asado grill (Argentinian barbecue) and affogato, an intimate wine bar serving bougie bites and bottles, and a neighbouring pizzeria known for its perfectly blistered rounds. The multi-faceted eating and drinking house invites both the casual weekend diners, late-night tipple enthusiasts and group-outing affairs – there’s plenty of space to go around and choosing/changing your player throughout your visit is on the cards without even leaving the rustic Inn. Sundays are a real highlight at Edgar’s, featuring a $25 roast special, which is best served with live music in the beer garden from 4pm to 6pm. 

Time Out tip: Get in while you can: the upstairs bar’s happy hour spans from 5pm until 6pm, and the cocktail specials are calling your name. But if you miss out, $14 Aperol Spritzes always have your back.

Address: 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 7am-11pm; Fri-Sat 7am-11.30pm; Sun 7am-11pm

Perched at the top of the heritage Melbourne building with views over London Circuit, Highball celebrates all things tropical. Here, the food menu takes hints from Spain, Mexico and South America to complement its vibrant cocktails. Try one of the seasonal Daiquiris with a generous serving of guacamole or a red snapper ceviche ‘taquito’ made with crispy wonton wrappers. Our favourite of their tiki cocktails is the Mandarin Mai Tai, where Curaçao liqueur is swapped out for Mandarine Napoleon cognac. If you like Piña Coladas (getting caught in the rain is optional), try their spruced-up edition featuring spiced pineapple, caramelised coconut cream and a hint of nutmeg. Highball is a good time no matter what day of the week, with salsa classes and dancing every Tuesday, $15 margaritas every Wednesday, cocktail-making classes, and DJs on offer, too. Nab a seat by the balcony and watch the world go by, or get cosy on the velvet booths for ultimate comfort. 

Time Out tip: If it’s a super late night that you’re headin’ in for, Highball is as late as it gets with a kick-out time of 3am.

Address: 77 London Crescent, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5pm-12am; Fri-Sat 4pm-3am

As one of Australia's longest-running cocktail and jazz venues, Hippo Co is “all about slingin' good booze to good tunes with good people.” Antiquated knick-knacks and taxidermy fauna linger about the old-timey hideout, exaggerated by stained glass lamp shades and black and white portraits, too. You’ll find more than 280 types of whiskey stashed behind the back bar, perfect for enjoying as part of a barrel-aged cocktail in the dimly lit drinking den or sipping alfresco on the balcony overlooking the greenery of Garema Place. Wednesdays are the busiest night of the week – as they have been for the past 20 years – with live jazz kicking off at 8:30pm. It’s also worth rallying around Hippo’s whiskey tastings on Thursday and Saturday nights, where you can sample six special whiskies paired with a cheese platter. Or simply get stuck into the weekly-rotating jaffle specials that’ll set you back just $10 – not bad for a spot of nostalgia.

Time Out tip: Not too keen on late nights anymore? Fear not, Hippo Co are here to support the matinee-preferees with a 3pm opening hour on Sundays. Early night incoming!

Address: 1/17 Garema Place, Canberra

Opening hours: Tues 5pm-11pm; Wed-Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 3pm-9pm

Damn straight you’re going to find Canberra’s buzzy, double-storey craft brewery in the heart of Braddon. Unassuming on the outside, but a wonderland of booze on the inside, BentSpoke Brewing Co is coming in hot and pouring a whopping 18 beers on tap, all of which are brewed on-site. Like any good brewery, the grand fermenting vats are on show, which, funnily enough, makes for a dinner and a show. It’s a popular spot for an after-work beverage, or even a cheeky late afternoon meeting, so long as everyone is amenable to their straight-shooting Australian pale, called the Barley Griffin (natch). Once you get some momentum going, via the sample paddle (a four-taster of their best beers), you’ll need something to keep your spirit on the level, so load up on smoked mac ‘n’ cheese balls, steak sandos and or face-sized chicken schnitties. BentSpoke Brewing Co’s generous opening hours mean that no one is missing out either – both brunch beers and night-owl shenanigans are on the horizon here.

Time Out tip: The vibe here is casual and cool, and they're not afraid to say they’re a noisy hangout either.

Address: 48/38 Mort Street, Braddon

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm

Atop the Burbury Hotel in Barton sits Canberra’s classiest rooftop bar. Leyla Bar’s bright, minimalist fit-out with pops of foliage frames stunning views of Canberra from level seven, with Parliament House to Lake Burley Griffin vistas. Martinis are Leyla’s specialty, with classic Martinis to unleash your inner Bond, or ones that stray further from tradition, like a Lemon Drop Martini with limoncello. Wines are a mainly local affair, and pair excellently with the bar’s tapas-style menu, which ranges from Italian bites to Spanish plates, as well as greasy classics like cheeseburgers for those extra hangry punters. Work your way through their range of raw things (we rate the tuna carpaccio), then move on to the grilled things (big yes to the wagyu skewers with chimichurri), and round it all off with a little something-something from the cheese section. Too easy.

Time Out tip: Tune in for sunset hour every Tuesday to Friday, where you can snag $10 cocktails, wines and select tap beers from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. After work drinks just got a glow up.

Address: 1 Burbury Close, Barton

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 3pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 3pm-11pm

One of Canberra’s best hotels, Ovolo Nishi, is home to a long-standing crowd favourite restaurant, Monster Kitchen and Bar. The former vegetarian eatery recently changed things up a bit by including an all-encompassing menu for both herbivorous and omnivorous ACT diners to devour, but it nevertheless draws customers back through the doors with its equally fabulous and unconventional bar. Monster gives the world’s most iconic cocktails a sustainable twist, along with its six signatures and three mocktails that incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables. ‘Designed to intrigue, refresh and delight’ is the motto at Monster, and that claim lives up to its promise by means of the salted caramel Espresso Martini, the elderflower Gimlet and the non-alcoholic aloe no-jito (two guesses what that’s a spin on). You’ll find lots of charming nooks and crannies to sip back in at Monster, whether that’s aside the Willy Wonka-esque art installation or beneath the grape-like chandelier. 

Time Out tip: If you stay till closing, you may as well check into a designer room at the Ovolo Nishi upstairs.

Address: 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm