Club
Fiction
50 Bunda Street, Civic. Canberra’s go-to for touring DJs – recent bookings include Katayanagi Twins and Xzibit.
About Fiction
Fiction is a large nightclub at 50 Bunda Street in the CBD, in a former cinema building. It spreads over two levels, with a 360-degree DJ booth and a mezzanine bar called Fact Bar. A 2018 report put the space at about 850 square metres across the building's bottom two storeys, and it took over the site left by the closed AFTER Academy.
The club operates Fridays and Saturdays and leans on dance music and touring DJs. Its 2026 listings include Katayanagi Twins on 25 September and US act XZIBIT on 17 October, and past headliners have included MaRLo and Cardination. Beyond club nights it is also used for concerts, exhibitions, theatre, live art and private functions.
The venue describes itself as Canberra's premier nightclub and says it has been running for more than seven years.
Written by LateOne.au, checked 13 October 2026. Sources: intix.com, citynews.com.au, hercanberra.com.au. Hours and door policies change, so check with the venue.
- Area
- Civic
- Music
- DJs and touring club and hip-hop acts
- Best nights
- Weekends; DJs run into the early hours
- Address
- 50 Bunda Street, Canberra City (Centre Cinema building)
- Rooms
- Two levels, 360-degree DJ booth, Fact Bar mezzanine
- Hours
- Open Fridays and Saturdays
- Entry
- Ticketed for headline shows (e.g. XZIBIT from $42)
Good to know
- Big touring nights are ticketed, so buy ahead; doors for XZIBIT were listed as 9pm.
- Check the listing before going, as it runs mainly Fridays and Saturdays.
Getting there
Light rail ends at Alinga Street, in the middle of Civic, and City Interchange (the bus station) is a short walk away. Late rideshare pick-up zones are on London Circuit, Genge Street and Alinga Street.
Last services and walking times change: use the live public transport directions or Transport Canberra on the night, and see getting home for late rides.
Check the venue’s own listings for tonight’s program, hours and door policy.
Map & Street View
Pin from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Street View opens the nearest street photo; entrances can be round the corner, so check the venue’s own directions.
Around Fiction
Within a ten-minute walk: King O'Malley's (1 min, pub & live music), Dissent Cafe and Bar (2 min, live music cafe-bar), ChiChiz Bar (4 min, lgbtqia+ bar), Smith’s Alternative (4 min, pub & live music), Highball (5 min, rooftop bar) and Hopscotch (5 min, pub & live music). Plus 4 more nearby.
Walking times are estimates from the map, not routes.
More in Civic
- Pub & live music · CivicFun Time PonyTouring and local bands, DJs, comedy · Best: Thu–Sat, 8pm till late
- Bar with DJs · Civic88mph’80s hits, DJs Fri–Sat from 9pm, karaoke rooms · Best: Wed–Sat until 3am
- Club · CivicMooseheadsClub nights and tribute shows upstairs · Best: Check the program
- Late cocktail bar · CivicMollyLive jazz most nights · Best: Jazz sets from 7:30–9:30pm most nights; check the program
- Pub & live music · CivicSmith’s AlternativeFolk, jazz jams, singer-songwriters, indie bands · Best: Gigs most nights; check the program
- Late cocktail bar · CivicBar RochfordCheck the program · Best: Tue–Sat, 5pm until late
- LGBTQIA+ bar · CivicChiChiz BarDrag, karaoke, live piano · Best: Check the program
- Rooftop bar · CivicHighballDJs, Latin dance nights · Best: Thu–Sat 4pm till 3am; Sun–Wed 4pm–midnight
- Dive bar & live music · CivicSqueaky CleanLocal and regional bands, hip hop house party · Best: Daily 4pm–2am; Thu hip hop house party
- Live music cafe-bar · CivicDissent Cafe and BarLocal acts, open mic, eclectic gigs · Best: Gigs Wed–Sun; open mic Mon 7pm
- Late cocktail bar · CivicWhite Rabbit Cocktail RoomDJs on Saturdays · Best: Wed–Thu 5pm, Fri 4pm, Sat 11:30am till late
- Club & late-night bar · CivicThe Embassy CBRDJs, R&B, themed nights · Best: Late-night; themed event nights (check socials)
- Live music cocktail bar · CivicBlackbirdLive bands, jazz-leaning · Best: Opens 6pm, live music 7:30pm till late
- Pub & live music · CivicKing O'Malley'sLive bands and solo acts · Best: Daily noon till late; live music several nights
- Late cocktail bar · CivicLunaDJ-led soundtrack · Best: Thu–Fri 4pm, Sat–Sun noon till late
Checked 13 October 2026 against venue sites, HerCanberra, Region, Visit Canberra, 2026 gig listings and Transport Canberra. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.