Adelaide. What the hell just happened?! Can we take a moment to talk about October and get our sh*t together for a second. I can say that having just finished the book, ‘How to Get Your Sh*t Together’. I feel slightly more qualified to help you all out. Allow me to break down the 20 new restaurants and bars that have opened this month into small, manageable chunks. SO MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE THE HELL TO EVEN START!
Don’t get me wrong, the beginning of summer has always been a whirlwind of new venues popping up – although our memories might be a little hazy thanks to a few too many G&Ts – but this has hands down got the be the craziest month of them all.
Here’s a list of the 18 bars that have opened in October, as well as the additional 9 that are opening in the near future.
1. Champagne Cart Co.
The Champagne Cart Co. have copy and pasted the Italian summer dream, right here in Adelaide with two iconic 1940s Piaggio Apes. One of the two carts is currently being converted into a rustic, chic mobile bar stocked with local and international Champagnes, wine and craft beer and cider, while the other is being transformed into an Aperol Spritz cart. Both will be available for hire at weddings, events or just for the hell of it – because when did we ever need a reason to drink Champagne anyway? Read more about this amazingness here.
2. Club Aperol
Okay, so we’re all fricken’ mad about Aperol Spritz in Adelaide, but we didn’t realise the magnitude of our city’s love until this month after the new pop-up Aperol Spritz laneway bar, Club Aperol, launched and our Guide to Adelaide’s Best Aperol Spritz went BOONTA! Club Aperol is located in Arcade Lane (next to The Propaganda Bar) and will be serving $10 Aperol Spritzers, small eats, tunes and more. You can also book out the laneway for functions and private parties if you’re all about that life.
3. Florence Rooftop Bar & Kaffana
The first of the venues to be unveiled as part of the Gilbert Place revamp is the new Kaffana Restaurant and Florence Rooftop Bar (which sits above the restaurant). While Adelaide is no stranger to a quality rooftop bar — think 2KW, Hennessy, The Gallery — Florence Bar is sure to bring the wow factor this summer, plus you’re guaranteed it’ll be a sweet spot for a selfie or three. Check out more of the venue in our first-look story here.
4. The Jarmer Room & Fifth Street Bowden
After major renovations, the old Bowden Sales Centre that was located at the back of Jarmer’s Kitchen, the team have opened what’s sure to be not only one of Adelaide’s favourite pizza spots, but also one of our new most sought-after function spaces. While the new Jarmer’s Room, a tavern-style casual eatery, is available for functions, when it isn’t being used the bi-fold doors will open and create an indoor/outdoor seating space for Fifth St Pizza. Read up on this newbie here.
5. Guzman y Gomez
Who doesn’t love a good Mexican feast? Guzman y Gomez has built a cult-like following in Eastern states and finally opened their first store on the corner of Hindley Street and King William Street. The upstairs diner features balcony seating and is accompanied by bursts of colour from their Mexican tiles and street art. The whole place oozes a warm and energetic vibe, inviting you to settle in and savour every bite.
6. Jekyll & Hyde
Jekyll & Hyde is a mix of naughty and nice all in one. Located on Union Street, just near Vardon Avenue and Rundle Street, this new cafe goes from healthy salads and all-day brunch in the day to mouthwatering desserts & wine at night. Go to experience the salad bar morph into a dessert bar and thank us later. Read more about this newbie here.
7. Oar
The Oar Lakeside strays far away from your average cafe, with table service, a unique setting, creative dishes, local produce (except for the odd imported pickle here and there) and good quality food! PLUS THERE’S AN AMAZING VIEW! In the kitchen you’ll find Trent Lynn (formerly of 2KW) and Alex (she was creating the breakfasts we loved at 303) who have taken their fine dining background and experience to create an original menu for brunch with a twist. C’mon guys, who doesn’t love all day brunch?! Located on Military Rd, Oar Lakeside is a MUST this summer. Get the full story here.
8. La Popular Taqueria
This new taqueria believe good food is the best foundation for a happy life. Whether you looking for a quick lunch time bite or wanting to catch up with mates over tacos on the weekend, this new La Popular Taqueria is the place to go. The new Mexican restuarant has opened up in Port Adelaide and it looks AH-MAZING. So get happy now and visit their Facebook page for some more deliciousness.
9. Uraidla Brewery
Thinking of making a trip up to the hills but scratching your head on where to go? Well, allow us to let you in on this shiny new gem. The Uraidla Brewery has been under construction this year and are almost ready to open the doors to their not-so-little side project. From now on the unique venue will home a brewery, a cafe and bakery all-in-one! And with the decor said to combine industrial chic with a 60s retro look, it’s shaping up to be the perfect place for a weekend lunch. Check out our story for more information on this glorious project.
10. Pizza Meccanica
Pizza Meccanica plays to it’s strengths as a converted workshop, embracing an industrial chic vibe, complete with a corrugated copper (fully licensed) bar, marble bench tops, a wood fire pizza oven and an old-school red truck. Located in the booming suburb of Bowden, the gorgeous atmosphere and incredible pizza is not something you want to miss. If you wanna know more, click through here.
11. The Baily Room
If you’re a bit of a wine-y and have been known to get around some of the amazing wines on offer at The Tasting Room & East End Cellars, then this one is sure to make you do a little happy dance. They’ve opened The Baily Room next door, and it’s utterly divine. It’s a venue that can operate independently to The Tasting Room, or opened up to combine the two. While you may come for the wine, you’ll stay for the gorgeous interior and fantastic share platters. Check out more glorious photos here.
12. Sukha Life Cafe
Cult sensation ‘Sukha Life’ have just opened up their very own bricks and mortar cafe on Hutt Street, serving up amazing seasonally-fresh smoothie bowls and salads made with love and local produce. Providing a relaxed escape from city life, this is the perfect place if you’re wanting to have a mid-week catch up with a friend, or a quiet place to work away from the office with a delicious coffee in hand. Read more about the dynamic duo (Amy and Elle) who are behind the plant based meal delivery service and cafe.
13. The Cookie Dough Lab
Okay, this one is GOOD! You can now get your raw cookie dough fix (without the guilt) at Adelaide’s first Cookie Dough Lab. It operates similarly to an ice-creamery with a few different cookie dough flavours such as Nutella and Oreo, plus you’re able to add your own toppings like white chocolate chips and Bueno bars. Located on Semphore road, this is an experience you’d be a fool to miss! Get the full story here.
14. Veuve Pop-Up Bar
Bubbly, sweet and refreshing to boot, what could be better than champagne? Nothing… nothing could be better than champagne. And if you didn’t already know a Veuve Pop-Up Bar has opened and is located at the Adelaide Casino, via Station Lane. Winning! Get down there before it closes and toast to all things summer with a selection of champagne, including Veuve Clicquot by the bottle, champagne cocktails and hand made Belvedere coolers, with flavours like beetroot & apple, pineapple & rosemary, and strawberry & watermelon. All the details & pics can be found here.
15. West Oak
The Worldsend Hotel has closed it’s doors for good, but don’t shed a tear yet because in its place has emerged the funky new West Oak Hotel. Bringing a modern take on the classic Aussie pub and focused on creating a relaxed and stylish space, this one is set to become the new favourite for uni students in the west end. The first floor remains home to the traditional front bar, the perfect place to grab a drink and chill, and now also the West Oak Deli, a cafe style space with a simple menu of toasties, pub sandwiches, cheese boards and charcuterie. The deli additionally features a convenient twist – a side access window that will allow passersby in Fenn Place to grab barista made coffee with ease. Upstairs is the Jolly Bar, a cosy and intimate spot with a killer neon sign that has all your gin, craft beer and wine needs sorted. So if you’re looking for somewhere to have knock-off drinks on a Friday look no further! Read more about this great venue here.
16. The Seasonal Garden Cafe Norwood
The Adelaide Hills has officially come to Norwood with the opening of the Seasonal Garden Cafe on the parade. Bringing their beautiful and wholesome food down the freeway they are serving up an array of colourful salads and raw vegan treats, not to mention killer coffee. Head in and grab yourself a healthy treat (and a quality Instagram pic)! Here’s the full story: Adelaide’s Most Beautiful Food Arrives In Norwood
17. Salt
With cracking beach views from the verandah and an extensive drinks menu that stocks some great South Australian Brands, this new restaurant at Henley Beach has opened right in time for those warm, balmy nights. Featuring craft beers from one of our favourites (Prancing Pony), as well as an exciting cocktail list (think Mojitos, Espresso Martinis etc), and a lush wine list, SALT is quickly going to become a staple on Henley esplanade. All you have to do now is kick back and enjoy the view! Read more about this here.
18. HQ and The Hindley
When one door closes, apparently two open. HQ was like a right of passage into adulthood and clubbing. If you didn’t get down and dirty at the old spot on West Terrace at least once, you have to ask yourself, “am I even from Adelaide?”. Ok that’s a stretch. But anywho, HQ shut its doors at the start of 2017 and they’ve been quick to reopen with a new address and 2 new levels. The three-level complex has spared no expense with regards to the sound and lighting experience, with state of the art production of lights and visuals a focal point of the new HQ. The venue features a main room with an al fresco balcony access overlooking Hindley Street and designated VIP areas on the mezzanine wings. The Hindley features a wood fired pizza oven flown over from Italy and the menu will also be available through food delivery applications UberEATS and Deliveroo. Full details and gallery here.
Hold on to your hats folks. That’s not all. There are still stacks of new venues that are on the cusp of opening and by cusp I mean, next month or two. Here’s a list of what to keep an eye out for.
- Acacia – New Restaurant Coming To Henley Has Slipped Under Everyone’s Radar
- Melt – Melt Henley Beach Launch Details Revealed
- Sea Salt
- Prohibition Liquor – Prohibition Liquor Transforms Old Gym To New CBD Distillery
- D’Arenberg Cube – d’Arenberg Cube Unveils Latest Rooftop Feature
- Emma Hack’s Art Bar – The Incredible Emma Hack Set To Open New CBD Art & Wine Bar
- Red October – Red October Arrives At Gilbert Place With Hidden Basement Bar
- One Fork Short
- The Treasury