#dicksontradies

When I lived in Canberra many years ago The Tradies in Dickson was called The Canberra Tradesman’s Union Club with the short name ‘Tradies’ and now that I have moved back to Canberra it is now officially just ‘The Tradies’. This was a hidden treasure back in the day for my mind because on face value you weren’t even sure if it was a club as it looked like it was just some office building behind Dickson Woolworths. However once inside the venue and you walked through a sea of poker machines and found a small but excellent sports bar. Beers were dirt cheap and the pool tables were a dollar a game. Fast track to today and the venue has grown in space with the sports bar in the same place but now there’s a large open space with couches and chairs that opens up a path to the sports bar that looks amazing. The big eye opener for me walking in there or the first time in about 10 years was the two pool tables there that are still only dollar games which is simply unheard of in today’s pub scene. It also has an excellent and spacious beer garden and designated smoking area that is so secluded from the main beer garden that I had no idea was even there at first. Parking structure underground for members and hotel guests is in addition to a supermarket sized carpark at the front of the venue makes parking a non-issue most of the time. The number of promotions this venue has is ridiculously good with the entertainment equally exciting. There is live music from Thursday to Saturday and along with all of their other promotions which are available on the website, on Tuesdays they have a raffle on. I can personally vouch for how good this raffle is as I have won 5 out of 8 times entered and on a couple of those entries I had won multiple times taking home slabs of beers and meat trays. All in total there are 10 slabs of beer, 10 meat trays, 10 tradies $50 vouchers, 10 Lost River Produce $40 vouchers and to cap it all off is the 51st number drawn which gives you a spin of the wheel to win the jackpot or a supplementary prize of a $50. All great services provided but all venues have their downfalls and this place is no exception. It is pretty much like every other RSL you have ever been to in that on any given day you will most likely be one of the youngest people there baring staff. The chances of meeting people in your age bracket that you are likely to strike up a conversation with and party the night away is reduced somewhat. Not saying you won’t meet interesting people to socialise with for more than 5 minutes but it’s unlikely. Tuesdays also has an excellent pool comp that usually doesn’t go below 24 entrants of quality opponents and definitely worth a look. All in all I highly suggest you look into The Tradies and I am definitely planning this venue early in the ideal pub crawl of northern Canberra.