Ha Ha Bar

Review by Amy Stevenson

Located on Canberra’s Lake Ginninderra, Ha Ha Bar has managed to set itself apart from other places in the Belconnen area and has recently welcomed the new addition of La De Da Bar, which is above Ha Ha.

Due to the geographical location of Ha Ha, you’re likely to see mostly students, as its walking distance from the University of Canberra. Depending on the day it can also be inhabited by young professionals too. The type of crowd certainly doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable being there. And because of this the atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon is very relaxed and sophisticated. There’s no cover charge, even on nights where there’s entertainment.

The décor is all very modern and mostly white walls make the space look a lot bigger. Inside is complimented with art on the feature walls. One of the selling points would have to be the deck, which overlooks the Lake and on a warm, sunny Canberra day is a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.

Ha Ha Bar along with their own resident mixologist, have created a unique range of cocktails. Prices are pretty good, with all cocktails priced between $11 and $14. Or for $20 you can get sangria in a carafe. Wine, beer and ciders range between the average $6 – $9 depending on what you’re after. Considering that you’d pay a lot more at bars in the city, there’s little complaint when it comes to prices, especially for the cocktails.

Late 2011 saw La De Da Bar open above Ha Ha Bar with a focus on cocktails and music. Again, the specialised mixologist created a new blend of summer cocktails and DJ sets are seemingly becoming regular. There is another outside area overlooking the Lake, but La De Da seems to be more targeted for young people and students, with special offers on a Wednesday night (to compete with another establishment close by). The space itself isn’t huge, but the artwork on the walls by New Zealand artist Erin Forsyth is really impressive, along with the fact that the bar resembles a vintage radio.

Given the amount of space, both bars boast a lot of positives, but it’s also the lack of space that can make you feel uncomfortable when it’s a busy night. And while you can decide what bar you feel like going to depending on your mood, La De Da Bar may not appeal to those a little bit older and would just prefer a drink with friends instead of DJ sets all night. Because it is located on Lake Ginninderra, a trip into the city is 15 – 20 minutes away and to some this can be an issue, especially when having to rely on cabs.

The fact that both bars can cater to different groups makes it appealing, it’s definitely a place to try.



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