After a bitterly cold winter, Adelaide prepares to defrost with spring slowly approaching, there are few better ways to explore the East End than with a self-guided tour centred around the zestiest versatile cocktail: the margarita.
Neighbourhood Events Co. is bringing Hola Margarita! to Adelaide on Saturday, October 3 and is transforming the precinct into a four-hour cocktail trail across five distinctly different, yet equally venues. Ticket holders will move between rooftop bars, colourful cocktail lounges and intimate restaurants, with each venue creating its own exclusive margarita for the occasion.
There is no strict schedule or tour guide leading the way. Instead, ticket holders can set their own pace, choose their afternoon route and take time to slowly sip their way through each stop.
The experience will begin at The Laneway Social on Ebenezer Place, where ticket holders will collect their vouchers and event guide before heading to their nominated starting venue.
This recently transformed East End pub combines exposed brick with a clean and contemporary dining space and a lively open-air laneway. For the festival, it will keep things simple with a classic Tommy’s Margarita made using Herradura Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice and agave syrup. A classic start, in a classic location.
From there, guests can decide where the afternoon takes them.
A short stroll up Rundle Street leads you to BRKLYN, a New York-inspired cocktail bar, tucked above stairs and overlooking the surrounding East End. The view, the booths and the bar’s casual and fun aesthetic give guests a vibrant and comfortable place to settle in above the weekend crowds. BRKLYN’s Tropical Spiced Margarita will combine passionfruit and mango-infused Teremana tequila with fresh lime, triple sec and a house-made chilli infusion, creating a drink that moves between sweet tropical fruit and heat.
Once you travel around the corner on Vardon Avenue, El Cheeky Flamingo will be waiting to welcome you into its cozy but electric space. The Miami-inspired cocktail bar is known and loved for its bright interiors, greenery, playful drinks and, of course, neon flamingo. Making this bar the trail’s most colourful stop. Its signature drink for the afternoon will be a Passionfruit Margarita made with tequila, triple sec, lime and passionfruit syrup. Carrying on the venue’s reputation for fun, fruity and delicious drinks.
The trail then stretches to Monica Bistro on East Terrace, where the mood shifts. Inspired by the flavours and energy of Hong Kong, Monica Bistro is an intimate East Asian eatery and cocktail bar built around smoky sharing dishes and creative drinks. The venue will serve one of the trail’s most unusual creations, the Purple People Eater Margarita. The creation cocktail mixes reposado tequila with crème de violette liqueur, lime, lychee, dragonfruit and agave.
NOLA then brings a taste of New Orleans to the experience from its home on Vardon Avenue. The bar is usually associated with Creole and Cajun food, live music, independent craft beer and an extensive whiskey collection, but tequila will take the spotlight for this event. Its Scarlet Serenade is a strawberry and basil margarita combining tequila, strawberry, lime and basil oil.
There is no set route or strict timetable. After visiting their nominated starting venue, guests can move between the five bars in any order, stay longer at the venues they enjoy most or skip ahead to their next cocktail.
Tickets are available with three margarita vouchers for $65, four for $80 or all five for $92.50, with booking fees applying.
Each ticket also includes a $10 food voucher, which must be redeemed at the selected starting venue before 2pm. Food options available during the event may differ from each venue’s regular menu.
Event guides and vouchers must be collected from The Laneway Social between noon and 2pm, with the margarita trail running from 1pm until 5pm.
Hola Margarita! Adelaide
Where: Five venues across Adelaide’s East End
When: October 3 1pm – 5pm
Cost: Starting from $65 plus booking fees
For more information, click here.
