Bar Rochford

Overview

If you're going to go to one bar in Canberra, make it Bar Rochford. This sparkling venue was awarded 2018 Bar of the Year by Gourmet Traveller, and there's absolutely no doubt as to why. Prepare to be wowed by the bright decor with moss green accents, a stellar vinyl collection that bellows tune after tune, crisp and innovative cocktails and, most impressively, an expertly chosen wine list.

While this joint is unmistakably a bar — it's loud and you can definitely expect dancing — the food is far and beyond that of the bar snacks at your local back home. Tuck into chicken and eel vol-au-vent, white asparagus with gribiche sauce and pangrattato, and scallops done with coconut tigre de leche — it all sounds pretty simple but the plates that'll on your table will rival your favourite upscale dining experience. Bar Rochford completely removes the idea of having pre-dinner drinks before moving on to a restaurant. Here, you can just roll it all into one very dapper experience instead.