Knightsbridge Penthouse is getting a new home Posted on 18 July, 2019

Iconic Canberra bar Knightsbridge Penthouse is moving to new Braddon digs. We’ve got the inside story.

Knightsbridge Penthouse is getting a new home. But the question is: where?

Troy Sixsmith, owner of Braddon nightlife stalwart Knightsbridge Penthouse is staying tight-lipped as to his establishment’s impending move.

What he will say, however, is that ‘Knighty”s new home will also be in Braddon, the move will happen in September or October and—contrary to some reports—this weekend isn’t the venue’s last.

In fact, Troy says there might even be an overlap between the opening of Knighty’s new location and the closing of the current Mort Street address.

“We’ve got our 15th birthday this weekend—Pirates of the Penthouse—but while it will be our last birthday in the current venue, we’re not closing—we’ll still be open next week.”

That being said, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the upcoming move, with speculation rife as to where Knighty’s new home may be.

While Troy cannot discuss the new location, he can say that the venue will be “slightly bigger”, while still keeping that same familiar vibe.

“In new venues, there’s always a push for people to try new things, but the one thing that’s kept Knighty [going] is familiarity, so while there will be some new aspects, there’s definitely going to be bits and pieces that come with us.”

“The Knighty vibe—who we are and what we’re about—will be maintained.”

Established in 2004 by Canberra hospitality queen Bria Sydney, Knightsbridge was, from the start, a different bar for a different crowd.

With exposed brick walls and murals rather than strobe lights and smoke machines, it was the young professionals’ house party to Civic’s Freshers’ Week.

As I wrote in 2017, according to Troy it was always Knighty’s aim to be as different from the “club scene” as possible, which was clearly a smart choice. At the ripe age of 15, Knightsbridge has outlived many of its peers.

“I think Bria’s main aim was to open one of Canberra’s very first cocktail bars and from there it evolved into this late-night venue where you could dance and there was good music but you could still sit down and have a cocktail,” explains Troy, who took over the bar in 2014.

“So many other places are similar in what they do and what they offer—club beats, house music—we always wanted to keep it classy.”

So far there isn’t a date for when Knighty’s Mort Street location will close, with Troy stating that if there is “downtime” between closing and reopening the new venue, it will be “kept to a minimum—a week at most”.

Those wanting to squeeze the lime juice from Knighty’s Mort Street location before September are encouraged to attend the bar’s 15th birthday this Saturday 20 July, with celebrations kicking-off at 8 pm.

Drink specials will be happening until 10 pm, after which they’ll only be available to those in Pirate-related costume. Ahoy there!