Canberra's many bars and clubs will be closed on Sunday nights and early into the week. Civic can appear to be a ghost town but there are areas such as Bunda Street where you will always find some happening funky bars.

Kingston Hotel (Off Canberra Avenue, near Manuka Oval). One of Canberra's longest running pubs, offering a 'cook your own' style open grill bistro, comprehensive restaurant, several pool halls, a drive-through bottle shop and bare bones backpackers accommodation (though usually occupied by long-term tenants). Once notorious for being rough, it is now a safe and friendly pub. Same ownership as Civic Pub and Uni Pub.
King O'Malleys in Civic (inside City Walk Hotel building, Ground floor). Large Irish pub with a relaxed atmosphere, does pub-style meals lunch and dinner and a home for all types.
The Wig and Pen Canberra House Arcade, Alinga St Civic, 6248 0171, . Serves a wide range of award winning beers brewed on the premises, as well as a selection of other boutique and independent brews. Be aware of rude bar staff and a hostility to cyclists as at June 2009.
The Phoenix, 21 East Row Canberra City, 6247 1606. About as rustic and dingy as a Canberra establishment is likely to get, this pub attracts a varied crowd, with more than its fair share of bohemian types.
Trinity Bar (Just behind the Turkish Pide House in Dickson). This is a great lounge bar with impressive cocktail menu and jazz/DJs playing each evening Thurs-Saturday. Sunday afternoons/evenings are also busy during Summer.
Hippo Lounge (Upstairs, Garema Place, Civic). Cocktail bar with an intimate setting amidst Baroque-meets-student-digs decor. There's also live Jazz on Wednesday nights.
Old Parliament House. Every Friday afternoon (5PM to 7PM), the court yards of Old Parliament House have DJs and reasonably priced cocktails. It is very popular with graduates after work, before heading off to other places.
Academy (Bunda St Civic). Two-tiered nightclub, Canberra's largest, is a converted movie theatre which retains the old projection screen. Enjoy the dance floor downstairs or sit back in the cosier cocktail bar upstairs.
Cube, 33 Petrie Plaza, Civic (downstairs from Antigo's cafe), ? +61 2 6257-1110. Opens Thu 8PM, Fri 9PM, Sat 10PM, Sun 9PM. Closes 5AM. Canberra's only gay nightclub with a variety of theme nights. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest.  edit
Uni Pub (University Ave). Multistory bar with levels dedicated to various activities including Pool and a Restaurant. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest.
Filthy McFaddens (Kinston). Tucked away in a corner of Kingston Green a slate floored Irish pub opened by the owners of The Phoenix. Catch folk music most Friday/Saturday nights.
PJ O'Reilly's (West Row - City). Another Irish themed bar like King O'Malley's.
Mooseheads (East Row - London Cct - City). A bar with local history. Recently burnt down and restored, Mooseheads is famous as an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) hangout.
Tilley's Devine Cafe Gallery (Lyneham Shops). Originally a "female only" establishment, it now opens it's doors to everyone and is a fantastic venue for acoustic and jazz local and international acts. Food and coffee available, along with a large bar selection.
All Bar Nun (O'Connor Shops). Recently expanded bar in a suburban shop setting. Great for pre-dinner drinks before moving on to one of the small restaurants in the area.
Kremlin Bar (Northbourne Ave - City). Lounge bar with a good cocktail list. Find a DJ there most weekends.
Shooters (East Row - City). Rough and tumble reputation.
Das Kapital (Narrabundah Shops). Intimate lounge bar, $5 Homemade Pizza and $10 jugs of Beer Wednesday-Thursday. DJ's and Bands most weekends.
ICBM (Northbourn Ave - City) No Cover Charge! Awsome if you like simple and not "mixed up music", can get very busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
Northbar (Northbourn Ave - City) A great place to start the night, cool, chic decor is a great setting to sip on a famous Vodka infusions.
Durham Pub, (Kingston). Good selection of beers on tap, warm atmosphere, Trivia on Tuesdays and Karaoke on Wednesday  edit
Parlour Wine Room, (Civic) (Behind Rydges Lakeside). Very intimate lounge bar, great selection of wines.