The SandBAR is returns this December! After five vibrant years bringing sunset sips and laidback beachside energy to the south, The SandBAR is heading back to its original location on the corner of Esplanade and Beach Road, proudly reopening as part of the Encore program. The pop-up temporarily moved last year while construction was underway on the Witton Bluff Base Trail, which has since been completed.
“The temporary spot down the road was good, but we’re really happy to be back where we belong,” says owner and operator Dylan Ellis. “It’s a stunning, scenic spot — the sunsets are incredible, and people really gravitate toward it.”
With the new trail now in place, it’s also become a natural stop for coastal walkers. “The entry to the new trail is basically right at the SandBAR entrance, which is perfect because you can walk from Port Norlunga through to Christies and end up right at the bar,” Dylan says.
Running from Thursday December 4 through to Sunday March 1, The SandBAR is a seasonal, open-air beachfront pop-up bar serving local beer, wine and spirits, beach-friendly food, and hosting live acoustic performances as the sun folds behind the coastline.
Owned and operated by Dylan and Daniel Ellis, the pop-up has always been about community, connection and celebrating the very best of the Fleurieu.
“We love working with the locals — the wineries, breweries and distilleries — because we get to interact directly with the people behind these businesses. It keeps the money in the community, and everyone can help each other out,” says Dylan.
The outdoor venue is set up from scratch each Summer, with everything from the furniture, sound systems, bar tables, and barrels being set up exclusively for those three months.
This year’s food offering includes table service from local favourite FLAVA Café, along with hearty yiros from Seaside Spit.
On the drinks front, Dylan says the selection is bigger and more local than people expect.
“We feature a lot of local beers from the Onkaparinga area and some great small breweries, as well as bigger independent craft breweries. We’ve also got hard lemonades, cocktails on tap — two different cocktails a week — plus RTDs and a big range of local wines.”
The live music lineup is finalised and set to be announced soon. “We’ll have music on most days apart from Thursdays,” Dylan says. “There’ll be chilled-out soloists, duos — a lot of our regulars, but also some new faces too.”
The SandBAR’s opening stretch will be a long one, running almost continuously over Christmas and New Year. “It’s a long period. We’re open most days straight through,” Dylan says. “If the weather’s good, we want to be down there.”
And of course, you can’t talk about SandBAR without mentioning the sunsets. Famous, fiery, consistently spectacular and the pop-up’s muse from day dot.
“It’s beautiful down there. The sunsets are incredible,” says Dylan. “People really gravitate toward it. It’s one of those places where the view does half the work.”
2025 also marks the first year the The SandBAR will run alongside LandBAR, the permanent food and drinks hotspot Dylan and the team opened last year just down the road.
“The LandBAR is only about 150 metres away, so it’ll be perfect for when the weather isn’t great at The SandBAR. People can duck up to LandBAR and still have a great time indoors,” says Dylan.
If you’re looking to experience the true essence of summer, The SandBAR is a southern oasis filled with live tunes, delicious food, and an incredible ocean backdrop.
Walk-ins accepted, group of 10+ advised to book through messaging the Facebook page
The SandBAR
Where: At the end of Beach Road and the start of the Witton Bluff base trail.
When: Thursday 3-9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-11:30pm, Sunday 12-9:30pm, plus December 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30, 12-9:30pm, Christmas Day 3-9:30pm, NYE 12pm-1am, Australia Day 12-9:30pm
For more info, find the SandBAR on Facebook.
