About The Lawns

THE SPACE

For half a century, The Lobby watched as Canberra’s corridors of power spilled out onto its grounds. Deals struck, headlines born, secrets shared. Now, The Lawns picks up the story as an icon reimagined. The setting changes, but the stories continue.

The story behind the precinct

Located in the centre of culture and power within The National Triangle, The Lawns brings the energy.

A Canberra classic

Opening its doors in 1968, The original Lobby restaurant quietly became part of the city’s political and social rhythm. Ministers, journalists, staffers, and more than a few newlyweds all found their way here. For nearly 50 years, it played host to moments both official and off-the-record, sitting at the heart of the National Triangle as Canberra itself took shape around it.

An icon reimagined

When the Lobby closed its doors in 2016, it marked the end of an era, but not the end of the story. Since then, the doors have reopened and reimagined as The Lawns. What once hosted private meetings and political whispers now welcomes after work drinks, weekend brunches and a new generation of vibrant celebrations. Still in the heart of power, still making history, just with a little more room to play.

1967
Pre-Opening
Cabinet considers a bold idea: a 250-seat kiosk nestled in the National Rose Gardens. Intended to serve Canberra’s growing tourist crowd, it would become the first private venture in the Parliamentary Triangle—marking the beginning of something new amid the formalities of power.
Interior Design Commences
It was Lady Marion Hall Best who designed the original Lobby restaurant’s interior. Despite her legendary contribution to 20th Century interior design, she was described simply as “the wife of a dentist” by local news outlets at the time.
1968
Opening
The original Lobby restaurant opened in 1968, with the celebratory formalities hosted by Sir William McMahon (the Federal Treasurer at the time). He later became the Prime Minister, but he’s also the father of Julian McMahon–the star of early-2000’s TV shows like Nip/Tuck and Charmed.
The Lobby Kiosk Build Begins
Construction began on what is now Ballyhoo—an answer to criticism that The Lobby had drifted from its original purpose. Once envisioned as a space for the people, The Lobby had become synonymous with politics and power, not a pitstop for tourist families on a school holiday tour. The new kiosk was to offer a more casual, accessible option for everyday visitors. As one headline once put it, what The Lobby had become was: “No place for humble pie.” This new chapter aimed to serve just that.
The Opening Scene
Deals struck, debates had, glasses raised (and raised again). From ministers to media, The Lobby quickly became Canberra’s unofficial off-the-record meeting room.
2006
A New Layer
The original kiosk was wrapped in an external structure—pavers underfoot, tensioned roof above, giving rise to The Pork Barrel Café. By day, it served staffers and sightseers alike; a low-key favourite tucked between landmarks in the Triangle.
2016
Final Toasts
After decades of whispered secrets and wedding speeches, the final toasts were made. Hundreds of vows, thousands of conversations — and more than a few moments that never made the papers. 2016 saw The Lobby close its doors, signifying the end of an era in the heart of the Triangle.
2023
Another Layer In The Making
Behind the fences, an icon was quietly preparing its next chapter — walls reshaped, spaces reinvigorated, history waiting to be written once more. Designed by Odd Design and with landscaping by master gardener Shinya Ueda, the works began on the original Lobby restaurant, and so too began its return to splendour.
KOTO Opens
In a space once reserved for power lunches and policy talk, KOTO arrived with quiet precision. A refined addition to the precinct, it brought Kaiseki-inspired elegance to the National Triangle while paying homage to the Lobby’s original architecture.
2024
Rosa’s Opens
March of 2024 breathed new life into the National Rose Gardens as Rosa’s arrived—fresh, flirty and ready to gather guests back into the gardens. Long lunches got longer, and The Lawns got a little louder.
Ballyhoo Joins The Precinct
Seven years from the original Lobby restaurant closure, Ballyhoo steps in with bold flavours, late-night charm, and just enough mischief to wake the precinct up after dark.
Bill Shorten’s Final Hurrah
In true Canberra fashion, Bill Shorten’s political farewell unfolded not in Parliament—but at the Triangle’s newest hotspot. Farewelling a career in politics on the Lobby’s storied grounds (reimagined as Ballyhoo), some say it marked the end of an era. Others say it was just the beginning of Shorten’s next chapter, as a regular face about town.
1967
Pre-Opening
Cabinet considers a bold idea: a 250-seat kiosk nestled in the National Rose Gardens. Intended to serve Canberra’s growing tourist crowd, it would become the first private venture in the Parliamentary Triangle—marking the beginning of something new amid the formalities of power.
Interior Design Commences
It was Lady Marion Hall Best who designed the original Lobby restaurant’s interior. Despite her legendary contribution to 20th Century interior design, she was described simply as “the wife of a dentist” by local news outlets at the time.
1968
Opening
The original Lobby restaurant opened in 1968, with the celebratory formalities hosted by Sir William McMahon (the Federal Treasurer at the time). He later became the Prime Minister, but he’s also the father of Julian McMahon–the star of early-2000’s TV shows like Nip/Tuck and Charmed.
The Lobby Kiosk Build Begins
Construction began on what is now Ballyhoo—an answer to criticism that The Lobby had drifted from its original purpose. Once envisioned as a space for the people, The Lobby had become synonymous with politics and power, not a pitstop for tourist families on a school holiday tour. The new kiosk was to offer a more casual, accessible option for everyday visitors. As one headline once put it, what The Lobby had become was: “No place for humble pie.” This new chapter aimed to serve just that.
The Opening Scene
Deals struck, debates had, glasses raised (and raised again). From ministers to media, The Lobby quickly became Canberra’s unofficial off-the-record meeting room.
2006
A New Layer
The original kiosk was wrapped in an external structure—pavers underfoot, tensioned roof above, giving rise to The Pork Barrel Café. By day, it served staffers and sightseers alike; a low-key favourite tucked between landmarks in the Triangle.
2016
Final Toasts
After decades of whispered secrets and wedding speeches, the final toasts were made. Hundreds of vows, thousands of conversations — and more than a few moments that never made the papers. 2016 saw The Lobby close its doors, signifying the end of an era in the heart of the Triangle.
2023
Another Layer In The Making
Behind the fences, an icon was quietly preparing its next chapter — walls reshaped, spaces reinvigorated, history waiting to be written once more. Designed by Odd Design and with landscaping by master gardener Shinya Ueda, the works began on the original Lobby restaurant, and so too began its return to splendour.
KOTO Opens
In a space once reserved for power lunches and policy talk, KOTO arrived with quiet precision. A refined addition to the precinct, it brought Kaiseki-inspired elegance to the National Triangle while paying homage to the Lobby’s original architecture.
2024
Rosa’s Opens
March of 2024 breathed new life into the National Rose Gardens as Rosa’s arrived—fresh, flirty and ready to gather guests back into the gardens. Long lunches got longer, and The Lawns got a little louder.
Ballyhoo Joins The Precinct
Seven years from the original Lobby restaurant closure, Ballyhoo steps in with bold flavours, late-night charm, and just enough mischief to wake the precinct up after dark.
Bill Shorten’s Final Hurrah
In true Canberra fashion, Bill Shorten’s political farewell unfolded not in Parliament—but at the Triangle’s newest hotspot. Farewelling a career in politics on the Lobby’s storied grounds (reimagined as Ballyhoo), some say it marked the end of an era. Others say it was just the beginning of Shorten’s next chapter, as a regular face about town.
1967
Pre-Opening
Cabinet considers a bold idea: a 250-seat kiosk nestled in the National Rose Gardens. Intended to serve Canberra’s growing tourist crowd, it would become the first private venture in the Parliamentary Triangle—marking the beginning of something new amid the formalities of power.
Interior Design Commences
It was Lady Marion Hall Best who designed the original Lobby restaurant’s interior. Despite her legendary contribution to 20th Century interior design, she was described simply as “the wife of a dentist” by local news outlets at the time.
1968
Opening
The original Lobby restaurant opened in 1968, with the celebratory formalities hosted by Sir William McMahon (the Federal Treasurer at the time). He later became the Prime Minister, but he’s also the father of Julian McMahon–the star of early-2000’s TV shows like Nip/Tuck and Charmed.
The Lobby Kiosk Build Begins
Construction began on what is now Ballyhoo—an answer to criticism that The Lobby had drifted from its original purpose. Once envisioned as a space for the people, The Lobby had become synonymous with politics and power, not a pitstop for tourist families on a school holiday tour. The new kiosk was to offer a more casual, accessible option for everyday visitors. As one headline once put it, what The Lobby had become was: “No place for humble pie.” This new chapter aimed to serve just that.
The Opening Scene
Deals struck, debates had, glasses raised (and raised again). From ministers to media, The Lobby quickly became Canberra’s unofficial off-the-record meeting room.
2006
A New Layer
The original kiosk was wrapped in an external structure—pavers underfoot, tensioned roof above, giving rise to The Pork Barrel Café. By day, it served staffers and sightseers alike; a low-key favourite tucked between landmarks in the Triangle.
2016
Final Toasts
After decades of whispered secrets and wedding speeches, the final toasts were made. Hundreds of vows, thousands of conversations — and more than a few moments that never made the papers. 2016 saw The Lobby close its doors, signifying the end of an era in the heart of the Triangle.
2023
Another Layer In The Making
Behind the fences, an icon was quietly preparing its next chapter — walls reshaped, spaces reinvigorated, history waiting to be written once more. Designed by Odd Design and with landscaping by master gardener Shinya Ueda, the works began on the original Lobby restaurant, and so too began its return to splendour.
KOTO Opens
In a space once reserved for power lunches and policy talk, KOTO arrived with quiet precision. A refined addition to the precinct, it brought Kaiseki-inspired elegance to the National Triangle while paying homage to the Lobby’s original architecture.
2024
Rosa’s Opens
March of 2024 breathed new life into the National Rose Gardens as Rosa’s arrived—fresh, flirty and ready to gather guests back into the gardens. Long lunches got longer, and The Lawns got a little louder.
Ballyhoo Joins The Precinct
Seven years from the original Lobby restaurant closure, Ballyhoo steps in with bold flavours, late-night charm, and just enough mischief to wake the precinct up after dark.
Bill Shorten’s Final Hurrah
In true Canberra fashion, Bill Shorten’s political farewell unfolded not in Parliament—but at the Triangle’s newest hotspot. Farewelling a career in politics on the Lobby’s storied grounds (reimagined as Ballyhoo), some say it marked the end of an era. Others say it was just the beginning of Shorten’s next chapter, as a regular face about town.

About The Lawns

THE SPACE

The story behind the precinct

A Canberra classic

An icon reimagined

1967

Pre-Opening

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