It’s been a big January, with plenty of events and things happening.
Whether you’re looking for a new drinking hold or brand new restaurant – the hospitality guns in SA have done us proud and opened these incredible venues this summer.
From Filipino cuisine, world-class cellar doors and meat palaces, this is your comprehensive guides to all the latest hotspots.
BARS
Circles Bar and Beer
At Circles Bar, the warm and convivial hosts gathered around tables as if they were kids eager to greet the first few people at their birthday party on the Thursday launch. The staff cut each other off, eager to boast about each feature of this fantastic Japanese cocktail bar.
It’s a spot where the Classic Margarita doesn’t feel like a Frankenstein concoction of cordial and tequila. The Long Island Iced Tea feels as delectable as it does dangerous, without artificial sweetener drowning out the inebriation compilation, which is strained into the chic glasses at the table itself.
You can find Circles Bar and Beer at 33/37 Wright St, Adelaide.
The Light Room
Adelaide is full of chic bars, but there’s nothing like The Light Room. Above one of Adelaide’s finest restaurants, Aurora and the innovative Light ADL, The Light Room encompasses all the elements in which our fair city excels; creativity, the arts and hospitality.
This new West End bar is pegged to be the art and soul of Adelaide and is far more than just a drinks and snacks offering. It’s point of difference is an immersive gallery and studio space; it’s an experience like no other in South Australia.
You can find The Light Room at Light ADL, 63 Light Square Adelaide.
Bodega
This new European-style wine bar is set to stun with its wide range of both international and local wines, General Manager Pete Capurso explains that “It really was about wanting to provide the local community access to a variety of wines they’d otherwise never be able to try”.
Cocktail enthusiasts are urged not to stress, beyond the stunning allure of the vintage charm that is Bodega, they also offer full cocktail service. Among popular favourites like the Bellini, they also offer their signature cocktails Bodega Spritz and Bodega No.1, both providing a refreshing and unique element to their list of beverages.
You can find Bodega at 150 Main Rd, McLaren Vale.
The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel
Whilst it’s not completely new, Port Adelaide staple The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel has unveiled exciting new renovations.
The aesthetics of the venue not only reflects the light and refreshing sentiments on the inside, but it also reflects the stunning landscape outside.
Grab a fresh frothy and say cheers as you head further into the venue.
You can find The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel at 1 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide.
Nearly
After half a year of revitalizing the old store into a simple, yet swanky wine bar, the new location is within reach of the University of South Australia’s Student Lounge. So, for art students looking to live the bohemian dream of wine and vinyl records, after a long day of formatting essay citations (as per the style guide), then look no further!
From the chessboard floor to curved tables, the bar has similar vibes to a studio apartment rented by a friend that’s behind on their coursework and wants a night off, but it also resembles a metropolitan coffee shop in a trendy city.
You can find Nearly at 179 Hindley Street, Adelaide.
Thicker Than Water
McLaren Vale’s newest cellar door, Thicker Than Water, has officially opened its doors.
The minimalist structure looks refreshingly modest, nestled amongst the vineyards off McMurtrie Road. But once you step inside, you enter a modern, intimate wine haven, with matt latte fixtures, vivid coloured lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows that enable natural light to shine through.
The family behind Thicker Than Water has been creating their award-winning Squid Ink wines for many years, which will be the focal point of the menu. The Squid Ink Shiraz, impressively, has gone on to win a multitude of awards – most recently achieving World’s Best Shiraz at the AWC Vienna International Wine Awards 2022.
You can find Thicker Than Water at 86 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale.
Jump Ship Brewing
Serving up citrusy summer ales, crisp pales, toffee-like ales and refreshing lagers, the brewery will be a one-stop shop for that after-work cold one. They’ve got a focus on brewing creative, drinkable beers, and say that there will be lots of changes, so you can drink something different every time.
The doors officially swung open on Friday 13th January, and since then it’s been good times on tap, with beers flowing and music. We’re told that, as the sun gets warmer, the beers get colder. So there’s no better time to indulge.
You can find Jump Ship Brewing on Edinburgh Street in Port Lincoln.
RESTAURANTS
The Carnivore
The couple behind mobile catering service and food truck, The Carnivore, are opening up a brick-and-mortar store at Henley Beach on Friday, January 13 this year.
As the name implies, The Carnivore is renowned for its slow cooked and charred meats, along with marinate rubs, fried chicken and an intense American influence. Sink your teeth into their signature ribs.
Ready to meat your maker? Steak your claim? Save the date, marinate and salivate?
You can find The Carnivore at 3/269 Seaview Road, Henley Beach.
118 Kovenant
The newest restaurant to hit Pooraka, 118 Kovenant is focused on bringing authentic Filipino cuisine to the area and educating customers about familiar favourites for head chef and co-owner Cielo Velasquez.
Booming with an influx of restaurant goers since its opening, 118 Kovenant is the place to be if you want to experience a new cuisine or have your favourite meals as they would be made traditionally, this is certainly a place to put on your ‘must try’ list this year.
You can find 118 Kovenant at 1/118 Bridge Road, Pooraka.
Golden Rooster
Grenfell Street is home to a brand-new Asian restaurant and bar that oozes funk and authenticity. Golden Rooster focuses on traditional, authentic flavours rather than fusion food, which is a contrast to many of its competitors.
Golden Rooster is bringing Adelaide street food from across Asia, specialising in Korean, Japanese, Thai & Taiwanese cuisine. And when I say specialising, I mean it. There are chefs from each country working hard in the kitchen to provide you with a holistic slice of Asia. And they’re serving up some seriously delicious food.
There’s the Salman Kushiyaki, grilled using a traditional traditional Japanese method of skewing, the Stir Fried Kimchi Udon with mouthwatering beef slices, and the caramelised, grilled eggplant with a delicious miso sauce.
You can find Golden Rooster at 230 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.
Chulpan
Korean food has had quite the resurgence across Adelaide of late and with good reason. The classic combinations of rice, meat and vegetables cooked to perfection in their own unique way make the cuisine a sought-after comfort food and now, a new Korean restaurant is bringing traditional, home-style meals to Adelaide.
The literal translation for Chulpan is iron plate and relates to the usually round hot plate that you would ordinarily find built into the tables of a traditional Korean BBQ dak-galbi restaurant. It is on these hot plates that this popular Korean dish which is spicy and full of flavour is served.
You can find Chulpan at 1/116 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide.
Have we missed your favourite? Did you open a venue over the summer? Email [email protected].
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