For many hospitality businesses, the glass has shifted from half empty to half full. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
There’s something in the air, can you feel it? The weather is warming up, the flowers are blooming and the magpies are swooping: spring is on the way. And with it, the dark times for hospitality are starting to lift.
There were times this year when I felt like I was writing more articles about closures than reviews.
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve lost long-time institutions like The Meating Room in Weston, and Sweet Bones in Braddon (although their Scullin location continues to thrive). Bada Bing went bust, The G Spot lost it, EightySix fled the south and Page’s Vietnam Village Inn announced they would be closing their doors after 40 years.
A few businesses underwent changes: we thought we had lost Terra until they reappeared across the road, and Vincent transformed into a Seoul-chic Muk Bar. And behind the scenes, I continued to hear from chefs and restaurateurs that times were tough. People are eating out less and spending less money when they do go out.
Hospo rises and falls on the sittings and recesses of parliament … and election years are never good for Canberra trade. Photo: Karyn Starmer.
Canberra, for better or worse, is a company town. And the headquarters on top of the hill dictates more than just taxes and budget spending. The government went into caretaker mode in March, and the new parliament didn’t sit until the end of July. Members of parliament and their staff mark a huge influx of high-income diners into the Capital, and businesses felt their absence during this particularly difficult winter.
There was a stark difference in Kingston, for example, in the weeks before and after Parliament returned in July, with a noticeable increase in foot traffic and disposable income courtesy of staffers, advisors, lobbyists and other political hangers-on.
Restaurants in the city continue to struggle due to the ongoing tram construction, which impacts traffic and deters diners from trying to find a park. And despite being willing to rug up for the football, Canberrans tend to become homebodies when it comes to getting out and about in the colder months.
But there is sunshine, and flowers and the scent of possibility (and pollen) in the air. Lately, I’ve been writing more and more stories about openings.
Tintino arrived in Kingston just in time for sitting week, Bar Outro has popped up on Lonsdale Street to spin a few tunes before the building is redeveloped, and Rabble Group is turning their attention from the city to a neglected corner of Hume, with a burger van installed and plans for an events space to be built at the historic Hill Station Homestead (watch this space).
The space on the corner of East Hotel, which has been empty since Muse left in 2024, will soon be filled with Azuma Den, and elevated Vietnamese Q Dining is set to fill the gap left by EightySix South.
The vibe of the city is busier, the queues at bars are longer, and the lines in the brows of restaurateurs are easing (ever so slightly).
It’s not quite enough to pop the champagne, but it’s good news nonetheless for business owners who just needed to know they could make it until we see an influx of Floriade tourism, warmer weather and end-of-year bacchanalia.
It’s hard to put my finger on, but things just feel a little bit better than they did just a month or so ago.
Can you feel it? Want to get a drink?
