With only four kilometres separating Dickson and Civic (and plenty of bars and pubs in between) Canberra’s Inner-north is the perfect location for a good old-fashioned bar crawl. So, if you’ve been put in charge of your best mate’s buck’s party, planned a night out with the girls, or just run out of beer at home, here are our picks for the best bars in the Inner-north. (And if you’re up to it – they’re all within walking distance of one another!)
Sub Urban | Dickson
Kick things off with a cold beer at Dickson’s favourite watering hole. If it’s warm enough, grab a seat outside and watch the world go by; otherwise, sink into one of the booths along the window and chat about how well the bar crawl is going so far (well, you’ve got a drink in your hand, don’t you?).
The Front | Lyneham
For something a bit different, head across Northbourne to this quirky café bar where you can soak up some chilled-out vibes and check out the latest art exhibition while sipping on a beer or glass of wine. With bookcases lining the walls and comfy sofas to sink into, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked into your nan’s lounge room, but don’t get too comfortable – you’re on a tight schedule and the next bar awaits!
The Duxton | O’Connor
The Duxton is one of those versatile venues that’s great to drop in to at any time of day, with plenty of outdoor seating, two separate bars, a covered courtyard, and The Loft Bar & Grill upstairs. There are plenty of timber fixtures throughout which provide that modern-yet-traditional feel – and with tasty 2-for-1 pizzas on Tuesdays and a $15.00 burger and beer deal on Thursdays, it might even tempt Todd Carney to come back for a visit…
Edgar’s Inn | Ainslie
The halfway point of our bar crawl takes us to the Ainslie Shops, where Edgar’s Inn has everything you’d want from your ‘local’ – plenty of beers and wines to choose from, upscale pub grub, live sport on the big screens, and a friendly, laidback atmosphere. If you’re there on a Sunday, be sure to pull up a bar stool and treat your ears to some live music.
Bentspoke | Braddon
Bentspoke is a veritable beer-lover’s paradise. With all of their beers brewed on site, it’s home to a staggering 18 beer taps, so you’ll (probably) need to come back a couple of times to work your way through them all. By this time of the evening, the ‘hungry’ light in your head will most certainly be on, so feel free to knock back a few of Bentspoke’s hot wings, some cider and wild mushroom arancini, and their 18-hour braised brisket burger.
Hopscotch | Braddon
It’s time to crank things up a notch. Sure, you can have another craft beer (and Hopscotch do have some great ones on tap), but why not take advantage of their extensive whiskey list and switch to something a little stronger? Plus, the DJ will have started pumping out some of your favourite tunes, and let’s face it – you can’t really express yourself on the dance floor while carrying a full schooner!
Knightsbridge Penthouse | Braddon
Cocktail hour is upon us and Canberra’s best ‘Late Night Venue’ never fails to impress. Whether you’ve after a classic Cosmopolitan or one of their signature concoctions like the Nun’s Nasty (don’t ask…), the crew at the Knighty have been known to shake, stir and muddle whatever it takes to keep your groove going.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
