Footy is back! Here are the best places to catch all the action

Travla beer promotion at The Dock with Travis Fimmel. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

The Super Rugby and NRL are well and truly off and running and AFL has hit the field for season 2023 (finally!)

That means there’s no better time to get down to a local pub and cheer on our Brumbies and Raiders (and boo the opposition).

From trendy waterside venues like The Dock all the way to dedicated sports bars like Bleachers, here are some pub ideas to suit all tastes.

Ned Scanlon holds a beer in front of TVs showing sports

Manager Ned Scanlon said the renovations would help the club’s community appeal. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

The RUC

Opening hours: seven days a week; 11 am until late
Happy hour: daily, 4 pm to 5 pm; daily spirits happy hour, 8 pm to 9 pm
Where: 54 McCaughey Street, Turner; book here.

The recently updated bowl-o with views of Black Mountain now has a Sports Pit with extra big screens. The kitchen has also been recently upgraded and the interior extended. The club also sports an inclusive menu with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, TAB, a gaming room, ATMs, bowling greens and a sun deck.

A table of people in the foreground with a big-screen TV in the background

Bleachers Sports Bar has $5 tap beers and hot dogs for every GWS, Brumbies and Raiders home game. Photo: Bleachers Sports Bar.

Bleachers Sports Bar

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday to Sunday, 12 pm to 12 pm
Happy hour: weekdays, 4 pm to 6 pm
Where: 33 Northbourne Ave, Canberra; book here.

Bleachers has sports fanatics covered with 24 screens, including one massive 177″ screen (that’s 4.5 metres!) Plus, Bleachers has $5 tap beers and hot dogs for every GWS, Brumbies and Raiders home game. Brave patrons can also try their hand at the sports bar’s hot wing challenge, racing against the clock to down 2 kg of wings.

TV star Travis Fimmel recently launched Travla beer at The Dock in Kingston. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

The Dock

Opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 am to 11 pm; Thursday and Saturday, 11:30  am to 12  am; Friday, 10:30 am to 12 am; Sunday, 10:30 am to 11 pm; closed Mondays
Happy hour: weekdays, 5 pm to 6 pm
Where: 7/81 Giles Street, Kingston; book here.

The Kingston foreshore pub recently earned an endorsement from Vikings TV star Travis Fimmel who launched his new beer brand, Travla, at the venue in early March.

“The Dock is a great spot to have lunch and a beer and hang out with your people,” he told Region. The waterside pub will also screen all the upcoming Raiders and Brumbies games on multiple screens.

Chef Anthony Craig, Eastlake Football Club. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Eastlake Football Club

Opening hours: seven days, 10 am to late
Happy hour: weekdays, 4 pm to 6 pm
Where: 3 Oxley St, Griffith; book on 6228 0999.

Eastlake is kitted out with the usual big-screen TVs for watching live sports. But the south-side venue also offers expansive indoor and outdoor dining options. Not sure what to order? Eastlake Football Club Executive Chef Anthony Craig recommended the sea scallop and chorizo risotto to Region. “It is just amazing, and you can get it across all the venues,” he said.

Gungahlin’s Cornerstone Pub serves craft beers as well as traditional local ales. Photo: Cornerstone Pub.

Cornerstone Pub

Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 12 pm until late
Happy hour: Thursday and Friday, 4 pm to 6 pm
Where: 51 Hinder St, Gungahlin; book here.

Affectionately known as ‘Gungahlin’s Pub’, Cornerstone offers beer, pub grub and a place to watch the footy. The venue also hosts regular musical bingo (Thursday), karaoke (Friday) and live music (Saturday) nights – in case the footy’s not your thing. Throw in a $10 cocktail of the week and Cornerstone could be the place for you.

Original Article published by Travis Radford on Riotact.