5 study spots away from campus
By Madeleine Johns
1. Kita, Narrabundah Shops
Need to study late at night but you’re sick of the UC Library and are in need of some caffeine? Kita, a café in Narrabundah, is the answer for all the night owls of Canberra.
Kita markets itself as “Canberra’s only after hour’s café”, opening from 9 pm to 7 am on Wednesday and Thursday and from 9 pm to noon on Friday and Saturday.
There are free Wi-Fi and a combination of seats with tables and comfy couches to study in.
2. A Bite to Eat, Chifley Shops
Looking for a bite to eat and something to drink, too? ‘A Bite to Eat’ at Chifley shops has you covered, with an extensive food and drinks menu and relaxing atmosphere. A Bite to Eat is eclectic and filled with mismatched furniture and original artworks that imbue a warm and retro feel to this café and bar.
With a lovely outdoor courtyard or cosy couches and plenty of tables inside, there’s a perfect place for everyone to relax in.
A Bite to Eat is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and breakfast, lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Friday. A wide range of beer, wine and cocktails are available.
Current Weeknight Specials include Curry Wednesday and Schnitzel Thursday. A Bite to Eat is open:
7 am to 3 pm on Monday and Tuesday
7 am to 9 pm on Wednesday to Friday
8 am to 3 pm on weekends
3. National Library of Australia, Parkes Place Canberra
The National Library of Australia is a beautiful place to study in. The Library sits next to Lake Burley Griffin and has views to Black Mountain Tower. Walking in through the front doors, the peacefulness washes over you and (hopefully) sets you up for a productive study session.
The Main Reading Room and is the perfect quiet spot when you need to concentrate. Plenty of tables, shared or singular, and power points at most tables. The Main Reading Room is open:
10 am to 8 pm on Monday to Thursday
10 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday
1.30 to 5 pm on Sunday
Bookplate is a café in the foyer of the Library with beautiful stained glass windows, coffee, tea, food and a warm vibe. There’s outdoor seating (including some comfy deck chairs if you can snag them) with views across Mount Ainslie and overlooking the War Memorial. Bookplate is open:
7.30 am to 5 pm on Monday to Thursday
7.30 am to 4 pm on Friday
9 am to 4 pm on weekends
If studying isn’t working out, you can always browse the bookshop which is always filled with interesting fiction and non-fiction books covering every topic you could think of. The bookshop is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
4. Tilley’s, Lyneham Shops
Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery at Lyneham Shops has been around since 1984 and is better known locally as just Tilley’s.
Tilley’s is the perfect study spot – covering everyone’s needs with either secluded indoor nooks or an open outdoor seating area to adjust to your mood.
Tilley’s is open 7.30 am to 10 pm on Monday to Saturday and 8 am to 5 pm on Sunday. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks and a wide range of beer, wine and spirits. Happy Hour is every Friday from 5.30 to 6.30 pm, so what are you waiting for?
5. Muse – Food, Wine, Books, East Hotel Griffith
Muse is a cultural centaur, offering a unique combination of half-bookstore and half-restaurant/bar. The warm and inviting bookshop and restaurant is located on the ground level of East Hotel in Griffith.
There is nothing like browsing the books to get you in the mood for studying before settling down at a table and ordering off their extensive breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and drinks menus.
Muse regularly holds book events in the bookshop space, so keep an eye out for any literary events to inspire (or distract you) from your studies.
Muse is open:
6.30 am to 3 pm on Monday and Tuesday
6.30 am to 10 pm on Wednesday to Friday
7 am to 10 pm on Saturday
7 am to 12 pm Sunday