Canberra has a small adult entertainment scene, and it sits in a few set places. In the Australian Capital Territory, venues offering sexually explicit entertainment are limited by law to a handful of named suburbs — which is why every club listed below is in an industrial area rather than the city centre. For how the ACT compares with the states, see our Australia guide.
How the ACT regulates strip clubs
Strip clubs in the ACT fall under the Liquor Act 2010, administered by Access Canberra. The Act refers to “prescribed locations” for sexually explicit entertainment, and the Liquor Regulation 2010 names them:
- the division of Fyshwick in the Canberra Central district;
- the division of Mitchell in the Gungahlin district;
- the division of Hume in the Tuggeranong district.
Licensees, their staff and crowd controllers must also complete approved ACT Responsible Service of Alcohol training and repeat it every three years.
Strip clubs are separate from the sex industry. Commercial brothels and escort agencies are regulated under the Sex Work Act 1992 and must register with Access Canberra. The two regimes cover some of the same suburbs, but a strip club operates under liquor law, not sex work law.
Canberra
Fyshwick is a retail and light-industrial suburb about 9 km south-east of the city centre. Two of the ACT listings are there, and one is in Mitchell:
- The Capital Men’s Club — 84/86 Gladstone St, Fyshwick ACT 2609
- Club Euphoria — 84/86 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick
- Wanderlust — 32 Grimwade Street, Mitchell ACT 2911
The Capital Men’s Club and Club Euphoria are listed at the same address with the same phone number, so check with the venue which name it currently trades under.
What to check before you go
- Confirm the venue is still open. Canberra has few venues and details change. Phone ahead before you travel out to Fyshwick or Mitchell.
- Check opening hours and nights. Some venues do not open every night. Ask the venue directly.
- Follow house rules. Expect rules on contact, phones and photos, and ID checks at the door. Staff serving alcohol can refuse service.