The bar at Blackbird. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
My family are big games people. Board games, card games, Jackbox. We have dinner and games at least once a week. So discovering that every Wednesday night at Blackbird is games night, well, we just had to check it out!
Literally a speakeasy, the easiest way to find Blackbird is to head to the Church of Scientology on Alinga Street, and then look up and around until you spot the obscure Blackbird above a nondescript door.
We step through that door, then as we descend the winding stairway beyond, the distractions of the day seem to melt into insignificance as we step out into an alternate reality. Blackbird’s vibe is intimate and quite magical: low-hanging lights can make you feel like the only people in the room. Legends like Ray Charles and Nina Simone smile down from their frames over the plush booth seating.
Three-cheese jaffle in all its gooey glory. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
If there’s another venue in Canberra that offers a games night, I’d love to hear about it – and at Blackbird, you can bring your own games or choose from their wide selection. The night is still young, but a large group is already deeply immersed in one of those complicated, hours-long games.
The bar offers a curated selection of fine whisky, classic and signature cocktails, along with standout non-alcoholic options. And on games night, roll the dice and if the numbers are right, you might just ‘slice the price‘ of your drinks. Roll a 1 or a 6 to get 40 per cent off your beverages. And during happy hour between 6 and 8 pm, cocktails are two for the price of one.
On games night, jaffles are $8.
The cocktail list reads playful and creative, just like Blackbird’s welcoming and inclusive mixologists, Liam and Jonno. These two are not only passionate about crafting drinks – they’re foodies at heart and bring serious fun to the bar. Playing with new flavour pairings as they create weekly cocktail specials keeps them on their toes.
Blackbird’s wonderful mixologists, Liam and Jonno. Photo: Supplied.
Liam describes the nostalgic Cookie Monster cocktail that has grabbed my attention as “the most obnoxiously ugly drink you can imagine”—a retro 80s-style milkshake, bourbon-kissed and finished with butterscotch schnapps. Based on coconut and topped with Oreos, Cookie Monster tastes like a decadent dessert. After slurping up every last drop, I find myself using my two straws to pick up the last crumbs of ice and Oreo from the very bottom. Yum!
A Cookie Monster cocktail. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
I love margs, so Liam details the difference between tequila and mezcal, the key component of his favourite margarita-adjacent cocktail. When I learn that the finishing touch for mezcal is roasting the agave, imbuing it with a smoky, caramelised backdrop, I’m interested! To create the cocktail, they soak jalapenos in the alcohol, so you get a charred jalapeno-infused mezcal. Liam shakes this up along with green chartreuse, some basil and lime, producing a layered, grown-up margarita. It’s just got so much depth to it. It’s delightful; every mouthful leaves a spicy tingle on your tongue with a herbaceous finish.
Jonno has been making some extraordinarily fragrant jaffles while we chat, so we know we have to try one. We settle on a Cubano and a three-cheese jaffle. The Cubano is garlicky, stuffed with meats and cheeses, slathered with mustard, and served with pickle slices. This way, you can open the jaffle up and slide some inside to get a contrast of tangy alongside all those beautiful, rich flavours.
Take advantage of the pickle slices that come with the three-cheese jaffle, Jonno advises. The Three Cheese Jaffle is molten, crisp-edged and herb-scented. Just lush.
Every night is different here at Blackbird. Thursday is karaoke from 7:30 pm until midnight, followed by DJ Zach Knows.
On Friday, jazz starts at 7:30, followed by DJ Zach Knows, who gently transitions it into nightclub vibes. Happy hour goes from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Whether you’re a jazz lover, a games enthusiast, or looking to unwind with karaoke with friends, or late-night dancing, Blackbird promises a memorable evening.
Blackbird is located at 114 Alinga St in the city centre. It is open Wednesday to Saturday evenings, from 5 pm to very late! For updates and event info, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
