There’s more to Canberra than politics, roundabouts and monuments. Once viewed as a sleepy capital city, Canberra’s bar scene is flourishing with exciting cocktail bars, each adding an element of vibrancy to the city’s cocktail culture.
This article is a curated list of the best cocktail bars and specialty spirit bars, a Canberra cocktail bar directory that will continue to be updated when new bars are added.
Here are the best Canberra bars presented in alphabetical order:
54 Benjamin
It’s well worth driving out of the city to 54 Benjamin. This friendly and welcoming neighbourhood bar offers well-crafted cocktails, boilermakers and whiskies that span the globe.
54 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, Canberra – www.54benjamin.com.au
A.Baker
[CLOSED] A bakery, a restaurant/cafe and an underground speakeasy bar in one impressive fitout make up A. Baker. The bar has a focus on Australian spirits and classic cocktails with an Aussie flavour.
New Acton Pavilion, Unit 2, 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra – abaker.com.au
Akiba
One of the go-to restaurants in Canberra, Akiba turns from a buzzy Japanese izakaya into a bar with DJs spinning tunes. Start with the Akiba Pops and work your way through the cocktail list. You may even find cocktails made with rotovap distillates on the menu such as the Bloody Mary with wasabi vodka.
40 Bunda St, Canberra – www.akiba.com.au
Black Market
Black Market is a new subterranean cocktail bar from the behind Molly and The Highball Express at the former site of A Baker bar with a focus on rare spirits and innovative cocktail practices.
Lower Ground, NewActon Pavilion, 15 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra
The Highball Express
The Highball Express transports you to the heydays of Havana with over 350 rums, 12 barrels occupying centre stage on the back bar, each ageing a different cocktail.
Melbourne Building, Level 1, 82 Alinga Street, Civic, Canberra – www.highballexpress.com.au
Hippo Co
Hippo Co is a prohibition style bar with classic cocktails and modern variations that impress as much as the whisky selection with some rare finds.
1/17 Garema Pl, Canberra – www.hippoco.com.au
Hopscotch
At Hopscotch, the growing range of whiskies, beer and classic cocktails will bring you back as much as the delicious food and bar bites from the Argentinian grill.
5 Lonsdale St, Braddon – www.hopscotchbar.com.au
Joe’s Bar
Joe’s Bar is an Italian-inspired bar inside the East Hotel which puts a modern and creative spin on classic cocktails as well as staying true to classic Italian drinks.
69 Canberra Ave, Griffith – www.joesateast.com
Lucky’s Speakeasy
It may have the word “speakeasy” in the name but Lucky’s Speakeasy pumps with energy, music, classic cocktails with an unusual spin along with some barrel ageing drinks.
1 London Circuit, Canberra (inside the QT Hotel) – www.qtcanberra.com.au/food-drink/luckys-speakeasy/
Molly
You need your phone to locate Molly, Canberra’s speakeasy bar. This classic cocktail bar and whisky den has Canberra’s largest selection of whiskies along with a membership, a locker room for your bottle, and a charcuterie station.
-35° 16′ 46.45″ S – 149° 7′ 35.23″ E, i.e. Hobart Pl, Canberra – www.molly.net.au
Monster Kitchen & Bar
Located inside the arty Hotel Hotel, what sets Monster Kitchen & Bar apart are the classic cocktails and house creations that are in synergy with the kitchen.
New Acton Nishi, 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra – hotel-hotel.com.au
Polit Bar
A serious list of classic cocktails along with burlesque, piano nights, jazz, cabaret and tranny trivia hostess nights make for good times at the intimate Polit Bar.
Level 1, 8 Franklin Street, Manuka – www.politbar.co
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
Updated 7 July 2016.
