Adelaide Fringe

CBD’s East End to turn into one giant street party this Fringe

Image credit: City of Adelaide.

If you’ve ever been in the East End during Fringe season, you know it’s abuzz with electric excitement.

This year is no different, with the vibrant precinct set to come alive each weekend with new activation, East End Unleashed. Meander down Frome Road, Rundle Street, East Terrace, Ebenezer Place or Vardon Avenue, with the five major laneways and roads shut to vehicles across the weekends until March 20.

Balmy nights, outdoor dining, plenty of wine, and good vibes – the scene is set for you to soak up unbridled joy and eccentricity synonymous with the Fringe Festival.

Kicking off tonight, February 18, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will see city slickers flock to the heart of the CBD and wine and dine on the closed roads.

Make the most of the summer weather and dine al fresco curbside on the pulsating Rundle Street. The usual cars of the popular road will be replaced with the hustle and bustle of Fringe-goers and foot traffic, as Adelaidians make their way to the latest shows.

Punters at East End Unleashed can indulge in the exciting culinary creations from longstanding institutions like Africola and Golden Boy, as well as the array of new restaurants which opened their doors last year, like Two Pot Screamer, with extended trading hours until midnight.

Bar hop from wine bars to a whiskey speakeasy, classic pubs and cocktail dens as you ease into weekend mode and the thrill of the Fringe Festival.

The East End Unleashed initiative was kick-started to help reignite Adelaide’s CBD and hospitality sector after tight COVID-19 restrictions. Hoping to draw people back into the heartbeat of the city during the state’s most colourful time of year.

City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor says providing easier access to the city and more street parties is an important way council can help city traders.

“The hospitality sector has been crying out for more outdoor dining opportunities and the council has responded, we’re facilitating more street closures and activating additional spaces to help them serve as many customers as possible,” said the Lord Mayor

“The festival season is such a fun time to be out enjoying everything this city to offer, so we made it a priority to help attract even more people to the city and North Adelaide.

“Festival and event organisers have proven they can look after audiences safely with approved Covid
safety plans, realigned entrances, expanded venues and capacities in line with the restrictions.

“By offering free parking on weeknights and weekends we hope it will encourage even more people to
pop in, see a show and help the entertainment industry.”

The free parking offer is one of more than 20 initiatives Council recently adopted under “Reignite Adelaide 2.0”, a $7.5 million dollar support package aimed at helping city traders recover from the impacts of the Omicron restrictions in the coming weeks and months.

In total, the City of Adelaide has allocated approximately $20 million in COVID-19 City support programs since the beginning of the pandemic.

For more information about Reignite Adelaide grants and incentives click here.

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