Our Favourite Canberra Pubs with Fireplaces

Now that Canberra’s temps have well and truly dropped, you’re probably a little reluctant to venture outdoors – but you definitely should. There are plenty of spots across the city that offer respite from the freezing cold via a cosy, crackling fireplace.

The capital is host to several restaurants, bars and even cafes with open fires, however, for ultimate cosiness, we suggest heading to one of these Canberra pubs with fireplaces. Here’s our round-up of the best.

The Kingston Hotel

South of Lake Burley Griffin is The Kingo, one of Canberra’s favourite pubs. In summer locals love the leafy beer garden and a glass of white or a beer, but in winter the hotel really shines: there are three fireplaces across the venue where you can enjoy a meal and a hearty red.

The whole menu is good (and even has a couple of items for dogs) but make sure to try the pub’s pies – they’re the ultimate winter comfort food.

73 Canberra Avenue, Kingston

Old Canberra Inn

Lyneham’s Old Canberra Inn is a winter all-rounder. It’s rustic, it’s charming, it’s very old (165 years old, to be exact) and it has a log fire that’s perfect for rugging up around.

The pub has been open since 1857 and has since become a local favourite. On top of its homey interior, it offers a big menu filled with pub classics (our pick is the BBQ Pack with chorizo, smoked beef brisket and pork belly, alongside mac and cheese, and chipotle slaw) and a very fun atmosphere.

195 Mouat Street, Lyneham

George Harcourt Inn

The George Harcourt Inn in the Gungahlin suburb of Nicholls is another great place to stay parked over winter. The menu is brimming with cold-weather comfort food, the interior is warm and welcoming, and the fireplace is pretty much always roaring.

While you can sit almost anywhere in the pub and enjoy the heat of the open fire, try and grab one of the booths if you can. Not only are they situated right next to the fireplace, but they make for a lovely and private spot to drink and dine.

3 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls

The Civic Pub

The Civic Pub isn’t just one of the best pubs with fireplaces in Canberra, but one of the best pubs in Canberra full stop. Centrally located in hip and happening Braddon, it’s an incredibly convenient meeting point for people from across the city.

The pub also happens to have a nice fireplace flanked by comfortable armchairs, an excellent wine list and delicious food. The best part though? It’s dog-friendly and has a couple of menu items designed just for pooches, so it’s a great place to bring your furbaby.

8 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Rose Cottage

Another old favourite (this place has been open since 1870), Rose Cottage is a top spot to visit during winter. There are multiple fireplaces here, including an absolutely enormous one in The Glasshouse area that warms the entire space. While The Glasshouse is technically a function room, it’s often open to the public if nothing is on that night.

You can also enjoy live music and tasty pub food here, along with a lively atmosphere. Make sure to visit in summer, too, when locals flock to the pub’s beer garden.

1 Isabella Drive, Gilmore

Capital Brewing Co

While not technically a pub, Capital Brewing is such a Canberra institution that we couldn’t not include it. Plus, it has a vibrant atmosphere in winter along with a central fireplace that acts as a focal point at the Fyshwick brewery.

The venue is absolutely huge, with plenty of space to enjoy a beer and a burger from the on-site Brodburger outlet. But in winter, the place to be is inside the brewery near the fireplace with one of Capital’s seasonal brews in hand.

Building 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

Bar Rochford

Bar Rochford also sits just outside the pub category, but the wine and cocktail bar does have one of the nicest fireplaces in Canberra – and interior spaces in general.

Choose a glass or bottle from the extensive wine list, or one of their stellar cocktails, and perch yourself on a high stool right next to the fire. Paired with Bar Rochford’s downright delicious and very inventive food options, there’s no better location during the cooler months.

1st/65 London Circuit, Civic

Walt & Burley

OK, we couldn’t help but include one more venue that’s more of a bar than a pub. But Walt & Burley does have the cosy, warming vibes, the classic meals and the epic fireplace of a local pub.

Situated right on Lake Burley Griffin, Walt & Burley’s fireplace is one of the biggest and best. The food is also fantastic and the bar is open for breakfast on weekends, making it an ideal place to beat the early morning sub-zero temperatures.

70/17 Eastlake Parade, Kingston

If you’re keen to explore more of Canberra’s drinking scene, check out one of the city’s best wine and cocktail bars. Prefer to stay indoors over winter? Make sure to try one of these yummy winter soup recipes.