Do you have an afternoon to spare, but are lacking in the cash department? If you’re umm-ing and ahh-ing about where to have that drink, my advice is to let the deal-of-the-hour to choose the venue for you. Read on for our top picks for the best happy hour experiences around Canberra.
Debacle
24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
The guys at Debacle in Braddon have happy hour fully under control. On busy Lonsdale Street, this modern pub offers $6 pints, house wine and house spirits from 3.30pm –5.30pm every weekday. It’s the perfect spot for hanging with a large-ish group, and the drinks are good quality too. It’s also within walking distance for some bar-hopping around Braddon and Civic too!
Tongue & Groove
1 Genge Street, Canberra City
Tongue & Groove’s happy hour is from 8:00pm–10:00pm on Saturday nights, indicative of their energetic night-life. The happy hour special is usually $5 house wine, spirits and Coronas — not a bad deal! There’s always something on at the Tongue & Groove on Saturdays, from swimwear model contests to DJs, and top quality food as well. Think elegant, but bustling.
La De Da
102 Emu Bank, Belconnen
La De Da (situated above Ha-Ha Bar) is the place to be on a Friday evening, especially if you’re out in Belconnen. Happy hour is 5:00pm–7:00pm, where you’ll be treated to $10 special cocktails. There’s always new and interesting concoctions (usually summery and fruity) on the menu for your tastebuds to relish in. Plus there’s those beautiful, lakeside views and live music.
Treehouse Bar
32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City
Treehouse Bar is another cool Canberran establishment, with lovely low lighting and, most importantly $5 house beer, cider, wine and basic spirits between 5:00pm–7:00pm Thursday and Friday nights. This is located on Northbourne Avenue in Civic, and boasts a sophisticated, exotic feel. It’d be rude not to get around the 2-for-1 tapas (Fridays), or double-trouble burger specials (Thursdays) while you’re there.
Public Bar
Flinders Way, Manuka
The Public is the key pick for happy hour in Manuka. Monday–Friday, from 4–6pm is when the cheap drinks come out to play, with house beer, wine and spirits at $5 each. This draws in a real after-work crowd, and always has a humming atmosphere.
Kingston Hotel
73 Canberra Ave, Griffith
Another southside-special to make the most of is found at the Kingston Hotel. Enjoy the casual traditional pub vibe and cheap drinks every weekday between 3.30 and 5pm — this includes the associated bottle shop.
Sub Urban
Corner of Cape & Woolley Streets, Dickson
Sub Urban is Dickson’s most happening pub, with a key focus on sport and live music. Sub Urban takes out the prize for the only happy hour on the list to actually span across one hour, so hop to it from 5–6pm on Fridays. Happy hour drinks cost $5 (tap beer, house wine & basic spirits).
Uni Pub
17 London Circuit, Canberra City
Lastly, if you’re after a real bang for your buck, follow the uni students. Uni Pub in Civic has the best deals in town on weekdays. Uni Pub’s deals include steak-night Tuesdays with $3 add-on drinks, and pints for the price of schooners on Wednesday nights, 6:00pm–8:00pm. As you’d expect, this is full party territory, so consider yourself warned!