As Adelaide settles into the golden pause between seasons, a new late-summer ritual is unfolding in the city. Equinox has arrived at Exchange Lane, a limited-time collaboration between the laneway bar and South Australian favourite 36 Short Distillery, capturing that fleeting moment where the heat softens, the light shifts, and evenings stretch just a little longer.
Running daily from 3pm, Thursday 5 March to Saturday 21 March at Exchange Lane inside Marriott Adelaide, the pop-up centres on a seasonal cocktail menu, vibey ambient music and vibrant laneway energy. It’s perfect for post-work catchups, or even better a cruisey afternoon.
“Exchange Lane is like a chameleon,” says Marriott Adelaide Marketing Manager Apeksha Sharma. “It starts with coffee, shifts into a lunch vibe, and then ends with cocktails. It’s an all-day dining outlet, and right now we’re celebrating Fringe while also enjoying the last few days of summer.” That’s exactly what the Equinox pop up is all about.
Inspired by the equinox itself, the concept centres on balance. Day and night meet in equal measure, signalling a change in pace and atmosphere, and that idea flows through every detail of the experience. From mid-afternoon onwards, Exchange Lane transforms into a warm, glowing space that teeters towards calm, rather than being in the centre of the Fringe chaos.
At the heart of Equinox is a bespoke cocktail menu that celebrates the craftsmanship of 36 Short Distillery, a proudly family-owned producer whose small-batch spirits have become staples behind bars across the state. Each cocktail has been designed to reflect late-summer flavours while showcasing some of the distillery’s most loved expressions.
The 36 Short ‘Hibiscup’ leans into freshness and colour, combining hibiscus gin with Pimms, mint, cucumber and ginger syrup. It’s light, aromatic and unmistakably summery. The Fortune Cookie brings a deep contemplative note, blending sour cherry liqueur with Diplomatico rum, almond rum, Montenegro and verjus, while Pando’s Spritz is built around 36 Short’s award-winning limoncello, recently named Australia’s number one, paired with orange gin, sparkling wine and soda.
Sharma explains the collaboration: “We’ve teamed up with 36 Short Distillery, who grow their own lemons on their family farm. We’ve curated cocktails using their spirits and limoncello. Every Thursday there’ll be a DJ, and the outdoor laneway will turn into a complete summer vibe. We’re celebrating the last light of summer for five weeks.”
Chefs and bartenders have also suggested food pairings to complement the pop-up cocktails. Recommended dishes include freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters and chargrilled whole SA jumbo king prawn with nduja, white balsamic and dill oil.
“We have a few special recommendations to match with these cocktails,” Sharma says. “The oysters are perfect for summer, and we also have amazing fish and chips. It’s casual but matches beautifully with the cocktails. Service is table-based, with a touch of our Exchange Lane luxury, champagne on the tables and our signature cocktail trolley.”
A signature 36 Short bar cart anchors the space, acting as both a visual centrepiece and a conversation starter. It’s a subtle nod to the distillery’s heritage and an invitation for guests to explore the stories behind each bottle, while also offering one of the most photogenic moments in the laneway.
From 3pm each day, the mood is set with soft ambient music, allowing the space to gently build as afternoon turns into evening. Thursdays take on a little extra energy, with DJ VVS stepping in for a live 1.5-hour set designed to ease Adelaide into the weekend without tipping the balance too far.
“It’s a perfect spot to start your evening during Fringe,” Sharma adds. “You can have a few cocktails with us and then head to the theatre.”
As summer fades and autumn edges closer, Equinox captures that in-between moment Adelaide does so well: relaxed, refined, and quietly confident.
Equinox Pop Up Bar at Exchange Lane
When: 3pm til late until Saturday 21 March
Where: Exchange Lane at Adelaide Marriott Hotel, 141 King William St, Adelaide
For more info, click here.
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