Summer is almost here! Soak up the sunshine at these six outdoor bars

As the capital thaws from winter and leaves return to its trees, so do Canberrans return to its many outdoor bars.

Think chilled cocktails (or mocktails), live music, delicious food and good times, whether for brekkie, lunch, dinner or beyond.

Here are six of Region’s favourite outdoor venues to make the most of the warmer weather for a variety of tastes, locations and occasions.

Louis

Where: Louis, 18 National Circuit, Barton; book a table on the Louis website
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 4:30 pm and Tuesday to Friday, from 12 pm.

Celebrate new European restaurant Louis’ first Canberra summer from its breezy, relaxed outdoor terrace. Enjoy a casual get-together with friends after work, a leisurely lunch or even a romantic dinner. Set among lush greenery and a cosy central fireplace, the fully enclosed outdoor area has lots of soft cushioned lounge seating to enjoy a bite from the bar menu and an icy cold drink.

The Jetty

Where: The Jetty, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes; book a table at The Jetty
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 am to 4 pm.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, soak up the sunshine from spacious picnic tables or take a seat inside the marquee (which often plays host to live music acts). Grab a Bentspoke beer or cocktail from the seasonal beer garden (October to March) or visit the year-round café, serving local Axis Roasters Coffee, Sonoma Pastries and Canberra’s own Fricken fried chicken.

Snapper & Co

Where: Southern Cross Yacht Club, Mariner Place, Yarralumla; book a table at Snapper & Co
Opening hours: Weekdays 11 am to 8 pm, weekends 8 am to 8 pm.

The “jewel in the crown” of Canberra Southern Cross Club, Snapper & Co has three outdoor dining options – all with spectacular lakeside views. The Deck boasts an elevated dining experience with a la carte service, while The Courtyard features a casual drinking and dining experience with live music. Or throw down a picnic rug on The Lawns.

Lighthouse Pub

Where: Lighthouse Pub, 80 Emu Bank, Belconnen; book a table on the Lighthouse Pub website
Opening hours: Daily, from 12 pm.

Settle in for steak, burgers and cocktails with big-screen sports and live music on the shores of Belconnen’s scenic Lake Ginninderra. Relax waterfront in the beer garden, with lots of room for big groups courtesy of a 150-plus person seating capacity. What’s more, get your mates together and assemble a trivia team to compete in the pub’s weekly Tuesday trivia night from 7:30 pm.

Hopscotch

Where: Hopscotch, 5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon; book a table at Hopscotch
Opening hours: Daily, from 12 pm.

Braddon institution Hopscotch offers one of the suburb’s largest spaces to get together with friends or family, featuring an expansive beer garden with specials and live music every week. Choose from an extensive cocktail menu with hoppy signatures, a wide selection of fine wines and craft beers on tap. Plus, the ultimate pub classics, including wood-fired pizzas, burgers and more.

Assembly The People’s Pub

Where: Assembly, 11 Lonsdale Street, Braddon; book a table at Assembly
Opening hours: Weekdays from 7 am and weekends from 7:30 am

Assembly’s towering oak tree, shade umbrellas and hand-built picnic tables offer something for every occasion (plus, it’s dog-friendly). Enjoy breakfast and local Redbrick barista coffee or choose from more than 50 varieties of beers, as well as spirits and wine, at the tinnie bar. Otherwise, watch the world go by from the front terrace’s high bench tables facing bustling Lonsdale Street.

Original Article published by Travis Radford on Riotact.