Volstead Repeal
ProHighlights
- Whole-bar hire for groups of 20 to 50, licensed for up to 80
- No hire fee – a minimum spend from $2,000 for two hours, Sunday to Thursday
- Back bar of more than 600 whiskies, with guided tastings from $70 per person
About Volstead Repeal
Volstead Repeal is a small whisky and cocktail bar on Mort Street in Braddon, reached through the corridor beside the AusPost store on Yamaroshi Lane. It opens every evening from 5pm, and private groups can take over the entire room. The space is dark and intimate, with green walls, leather banquettes, low lamps and a back bar holding more than 600 whiskies. There is no separate function room – a booking means the whole bar is yours. It is licensed for 80 people. About 50 can sit comfortably, and a standing crowd can go beyond that, though the team notes the room is snug for larger groups. Whole-room hire is aimed at groups of 20 to 50. There is no hire fee. Instead you commit to a minimum spend, starting at $2,000 for a two-hour block from Sunday to Thursday and $4,000 on Fridays and Saturdays, and use it on whatever you like. Most groups start from 5pm. Drinks can run on an open tab with a cap you set, on a shorter list of beer, wine and house cocktails, or with guests buying their own. Food is pizza from the oven, cheeseboards and snacks for grazing. To add an activity, the bartenders run guided whisky tastings and small cocktail classes. You can bring your own playlist for the house speakers, and the team will help with decorations and a cake if you share your plans.
Inclusions & amenities
Venue type
Budget
Food & drinks
Features
Facilities
Pricing
The minimum is the same whether 20 or 50 guests attend, and any shortfall is charged as a room fee. A guided whisky tasting of six drams is $70 per person, and a cocktail class is $80 per person.
Food
Beverages
Availability
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can Volstead Repeal hold?
The bar is licensed for 80. Around 50 guests can be seated comfortably, and a standing group can be larger. Whole-room hire is designed for groups of 20 to 50.
What does it cost to hire the bar?
There is no hire fee, only a minimum spend. A two-hour block is $2,000 from Sunday to Thursday and $4,000 on Friday or Saturday, and each additional hour adds $1,000 or $2,500 respectively. If the group spends less than the minimum, the gap is charged as a room fee, and staff will let you know during the night.
How do drinks work for a private booking?
You can run an open tab across the full list with a cap, or limit it to beer, wine and house cocktails. A welcome cocktail can be poured for everyone on arrival. Guests can also buy their own drinks, with the minimum spend still applying. One tab is settled at the end, and splitting can be arranged if you mention it early.
Is there a deposit, and what happens if I cancel?
A $500 deposit holds the date and comes off the final bill. Cancel two weeks or more ahead and it is refunded; inside two weeks it is kept as credit for six months, and inside a week it is forfeited. Final numbers are due 72 hours before.
Can we play our own music or bring a band?
You can bring a playlist and the staff will run it through the venue speakers. The room is small, so there is little space for a band or stage, but the team will look at whether it can work if it matters to you.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Zwe Kyaw Zwa
a month ago
A great hidden cocktail bar in Canberra with a vibe that reminded us of places like The Baxter Inn and similar bars in Sydney. We loved the tucked-away entrance near the garage and the intimate, atmospheric setting insid…
Mario
2 months ago
Fantastic selection of drinks. Not just whisky, the cocktails are a full journey to the senses. Definitely I can be a regular. Oh. And the music match perfectly.
George N
4 months ago
Second time visiting this place and it’s a must when in Canberra. Excellent cocktails, impeccable service from Gus and the team and delicious pizzas.
Kshitij Tombat
7 months ago
Anytime someone says Braddon, my mind immediately goes to Volstead Repeal. From my first visit to every subsequent one, it has always been amazing. The crew is extremely courteous, friendly and welcoming and they made me…
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