The Common Canberra

The Common Canberra is a blank-canvas event space on Northbourne Avenue in Braddon, a few minutes from Civic and the Lonsdale Street precinct. Warm wood-look flooring, white exposed brick, VJ panelling and floor-to-ceiling windows with black frames give it a bright, contemporary feel that suits almost any styling — which is the point, since the venue is hired as an empty room for you to dress rather than as a fixed package.

The indoor space seats 100 guests, rising to 150 when the outdoor courtyard is opened up. The courtyard is planted out with greenery and strung with festoon lighting, so it works as a ceremony spot, a pre-dinner drinks area or an overflow lounge once the evening gets going.

Weddings are the venue’s main business, with flexible packages that can be taken as a starting point and built on, an in-house catering menu, and an all-inclusive styling collaboration with Events by Bridget. The Common also hires out furniture and party extras — bar stools, cocktail tables, dance floor lighting, grazing tables and its Chill Cart — and runs dedicated celebration of life packages for wakes and memorial gatherings.