New bars open in Canberra in 2014

Molly, -35° 16' 46.45" S - 149° 7' 35.23" E

With only co-ordinates for an address, the mysterious Molly is an adventure before you even step in the door. The low-lit speakeasy is secreted in a former bank vault in the central business district - find the right courtyard, look for the door and go down the stairs. Molly specialises in whisky-based cocktails, which go down nicely with platters of freshly cut meat and cheese from the charcuterie station.

Lucky's Speakeasy

1 London Circuit, Canberra

When the former Rydges Hotel on the edge of the lake was revamped and unveiled as the glamorous QT Hotel, this bar became a bit of a hotspot. Enter through the barber shop and make your way to the central bar or hide yourself away with your friends in private curtained-off lounges. The look is sleek with dark tiles and ritzy lighting. If you're making a night of it, move on to a late dinner at the Capitol Bar and Grill just outside. Lucky's also hosts hospitality industry nights on Mondays.

Walt & Burley

21 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore. 6239 6648. waltandburley.com.au

A big fireplace with comfortable sofas and armchairs, plenty of outdoor tables and sweeping views over Lake Burley Griffin. Walt and Burley is bustling on the Kingston foreshore with denizens dropping in for a post-work drink or full-on Sunday afternoons with laidback beer sessions. The menu features steak from the grill, pork belly and racks of ribs and a selection of burgers. On a sunny day, looking out over the lake, it's an easy, popular spot.

The Rum Bar

6/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore. 6162 1256. therumbar.com.au

The Rum Bar is a bit of a boutique bar, with a piano in the front window, a couple of couches and tiny tables for two or three scattered around the inside. There's plenty of room outdoors, including two huge tables for big groups. The menu is tapas or pintxos with battered eggplant chips, trays of brioche beef sliders and arancini. And while the cocktails are often the drink of the choice among the clientele, the wide and excellent selection of rum is the star.

Hopscotch

5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. 6107 3030. hopscotchbar.com.au

An urban beer garden on Lonsdale Street, this new bar offers wood-fired grill steaks, brisket and chicken with beers that range from the trendy to the unusual. Inside there are repurposed church pews and high tables while the outdoor area features a barbecue spit and shaded tables. A huge mural takes up one wall outside and it's often full on a weeknight after work.

Bentspoke

38 Mort Street, Braddon. 6257 5220. bentspokebrewing.com.au

Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain opened their own microbrewery and pub this year and fans of their beers rejoiced. The six regular Bentspoke beers on tap include the hoppy, richly flavoured Crankshaft IPA and the Adam's Cider, which Margrain produces from slow pressed apples. The upstairs dining room serves up chicken wings and vegie burgers made from the leftover grain from the brewing process. A cult favourite in the making.

Marble and Grain

25 Mort Street, Braddon. 6246 9555. marbleandgrain.com.au

The Avenue Hotel is the city's newest hotel and Marble and Grain is its restaurant and bar. This is Braddon's third new bar this year alone. It's part corporate, part urban with red leather banquettes running the length of the restaurant and high bar tables under big lamps. One to try out over the summer.

The District

56 Abena Avenue, Crace. 6162 2265. facebook.com/the-district-crace

The new bar openings weren't restricted to the inner north or south. The District became the first pub to open in the new suburb of Crace out near Gungahlin, dishing up everything from Pimms cups to Kosciuszko pale ale on tap. The menu is pizzas, steaks and other pub food and the floor-to-ceiling glass lets in plenty of sunshine. The outdoor area lends itself to summer night sessions and weekend brunch.