The Howling Moon

The Howling Moon is a rooftop bar at the Canberra Rex Hotel on Northbourne Avenue in Braddon, with a focus on drinks, bar snacks, views and events. Its elevated setting is designed for sunset visits and late-night gatherings, with the option to take in Canberra from above before the music and dancing get underway. The venue describes its atmosphere as lively and social, making it a natural choice for groups looking to meet for drinks rather than a quiet meal.

The drinks list has a strong local connection, including Canberra-region wines and beers alongside cocktails, sparkling wines, spirits and non-alcoholic options. Signature cocktails include Pretty in Pink, made with citrus gin, cranberry, pineapple, peach liqueur and lime, and Above the Avenue, which combines caramel vodka, coffee liqueur, salted caramel, espresso and toasted marshmallow. Ginger Crush offers a fresher option with spiced rum, lime, mint and ginger beer. The bar also lists beers from Bentspoke and Capital Brewing Co., as well as Canberra District wines such as Brindabella Hills and Contentious Character.

Food moves beyond standard bar fare, with modern snacks, wood-fired pizza and more substantial dishes available. Sunset starters include crispy cauliflower with Korean sauce, crispy spiced squid with furikake mayonnaise, tuna crudo and grilled octopus with pea purée and confit cherry tomato. The menu also includes house-made focaccia, pizzas such as Margherita and Verdura, and larger options including an Angus beef burger, chicken parmigiana, barramundi and duck ragu rigatoni. For something sweet, there is tiramisu, passionfruit tart and a selection of gelato and sorbet. The menu can change with seasonal availability, and the kitchen handles nuts, shellfish and gluten.

The rooftop can also be booked for cocktail parties, corporate functions, birthdays and other celebrations, with the team offering site inspections for prospective event hosts. That makes The Howling Moon particularly suited to organised group occasions, after-work drinks, birthday gatherings and visitors wanting a rooftop setting for an evening out. Weekly availability can vary, so the venue recommends checking its social channels before visiting.