Best Bars with Live Music in Canberra
Canberra's bar scene offers plenty of venues where you can catch live music while enjoying a drink. Whether you're after an intimate gig or a night out with friends, these bars across Civic, Woden, Kingston and beyond deliver good entertainment and atmosphere. Here are the venues worth visiting for live music in Canberra.
- 1Bars Civic
1. Hippo Co
Located in Civic, Hippo Co scores well for its bar offering and is a solid choice if you're exploring the city centre's entertainment venues.
Open late (after 10pm)Open SundaysView venue4.6(552)· Google$$$$64Spot ScoreWorth a Look 
2Bars Kingston2. The Jetty
This Kingston bar is worth a visit as part of a broader bar crawl through the inner south, though live music scheduling should be confirmed before heading out.
Open SundaysView venue4.4(485)· Google$$$$61Spot ScoreWorth a Look
3Bars Dickson3. Dickson Taphouse
Located in Dickson, this venue provides a different suburb option if you're looking to explore beyond the city centre.
Open late (after 10pm)Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.4(359)· Google$$$$60Spot ScoreWorth a Look
4Bars Woden4. Canberra Irish Club
Explicitly tagged for live music, this Woden venue combines a bar setting with regular live performances, making it a reliable spot for a night out with music.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.3(472)· Google59Spot ScoreWorth a Look
5Bars Civic5. Blackbird bar
A Civic-based option that rounds out the city centre bar choices for a night of drinks and entertainment.
Open late (after 10pm)View venue4.4(237)· Google59Spot ScoreWorth a Look
6Bars Woden6. Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden
A multipurpose venue in Woden with live music on its roster alongside bars and other facilities, offering a larger venue option for live entertainment.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.0(2,395)· Google$$$$59Spot ScoreWorth a Look
7Bars Woden7. The Alby
Offers another Woden venue if you're spending time in that area and want bar options.
Open late (after 10pm)Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.1(461)· Google$$$$57Spot ScoreWorth a Look
8Bars Braddon8. Midnight Bar
Braddon's Midnight Bar provides a venue option if you're exploring that neighbourhood.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.4(114)· Google56Spot ScoreWorth a Look
9Bars Belconnen9. Page Tavern
Located in Belconnen, this gives you a northern option if you're not heading into the city centre.
Open late (after 10pm)Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.4(99)· Google$$$$56Spot ScoreWorth a Look
10Bars Kingston10. Joe's Bar
A Kingston bar that extends your choices in the inner south.
Open late (after 10pm)View venue4.4(103)· Google$$$$56Spot ScoreWorth a Look
11Bars Civic11. Fiction Club
Civic's Fiction Club is tagged specifically for live music, making it a direct choice if you want entertainment as part of your night out.
Open late (after 10pm)View venue4.1(258)· Google55Spot ScoreWorth a Look
12Bars Civic12. Fun Time Pony
Another Civic venue to consider when exploring the city centre's bar options.
Open late (after 10pm)View venue4.4(64)· Google54Spot ScoreWorth a Look
At a glance
| Venue | Spot Score | Price | Suburb | Top feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hippo Co | 64/100 | 4.6(552) | $$ | Civic | Open late (after 10pm) |
| The Jetty | 61/100 | 4.4(485) | $$ | Kingston | Open Sundays |
| Dickson Taphouse | 60/100 | 4.4(359) | $$ | Dickson | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Canberra Irish Club | 59/100 | 4.3(472) | — | Woden | Open 7 days |
| Blackbird bar | 59/100 | 4.4(237) | — | Civic | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden | 59/100 | 4.0(2,395) | $$ | Woden | Open 7 days |
| The Alby | 57/100 | 4.1(461) | $$ | Woden | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Midnight Bar | 56/100 | 4.4(114) | — | Braddon | Open 7 days |
| Page Tavern | 56/100 | 4.4(99) | $ | Belconnen | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Joe's Bar | 56/100 | 4.4(103) | $ | Kingston | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Fiction Club | 55/100 | 4.1(258) | — | Civic | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Fun Time Pony | 54/100 | 4.4(64) | — | Civic | Open late (after 10pm) |
Frequently asked questions
Which Canberra bars definitely have live music?+
Based on the information provided, Canberra Irish Club in Woden and Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden are both explicitly tagged for live music. Fiction Club in Civic is also tagged for live music. For other venues, contact them directly to confirm their current live music offerings.
Where is live music most concentrated?+
Civic has several bars listed (Hippo Co, Blackbird bar, Fiction Club, Fun Time Pony), and Woden has multiple options including two confirmed live music venues. Both suburbs offer good choices for a night out.
Do I need to book ahead for live music?+
This information isn't provided in our data. We recommend contacting the venue directly to ask about bookings, cover charges, and what time live performances typically start.
What kind of live music can I expect?+
We don't have specific details about music genres or artist types at these venues. Check each venue's social media or website, or call ahead to find out what's on.
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