Septimus wine bar has freshly opened its doors in the heart of Adelaide’s East End, offering an intimate, French-inspired experience.
The bar has a sophisticated atmosphere, but owner Ian Coker says he prefers to avoid the term “sophisticated.”
He’s on a mission to strip away the snobbery around wine, arming his staff with a rich knowledge of varieties, flavours, and regions so they can pass it on to customers with confidence.
Coker told us, “‘Septimus’ also means ‘seventh born’, which ties in perfectly with our rotating menu of seven cheeses paired with seven wines—from sparkling to whites and reds.”
Central to Septimus’ appeal is its unique offering of curated wine and cheese pairings, specially designed to captivate the palates of cheese and wine aficionados.
Exquisite French cheeses alongside complimentary drops—you’ll find yourself easing into the evening, all the more tempting thanks to the venue’s late closing time. The wine list includes celebrated French wines as well as local selections.
Also on offer is a feast for the eyes. With a deep appreciation for art and music, Coker has showcased works by Donovan Christie, alongside a curated vinyl collection tucked into nooks and shelves throughout the venue.
The venue spans two floors, with a capacity for 50 guests. It features lilac walls, Tasmanian oak cabinetry, and green marble benchtops, all under the original stained glass windows of the historic Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange.
This marks the engineer’s first step into hospitality, backed by formal wine training, strong roots in Adelaide’s visual art scene, and a family legacy in building restoration. Septimus is the ultimate passion project, fusing all these influences into one—and Coker has invested ten years into making his dream a reality.
“We are looking forward to introducing Septimus to the Adelaide community as our goal was to create a space where people can come together to enjoy an enjoyable cultural experience in the heart of the city,” Coker said.
“Our venue is a celebration of culture right from the curated vintages appearing on our wine and cheese list all the way through to our collection of art and music. This is the start of an exciting hospitality journey for our team and it combines our love for all local wine with our passion for French vintages and cheeses,” he continued.
“I have worked closely with a range of wineries at a local and international level and it is a privilege to celebrate and unite them under one roof at Septimus. This dream has been 10 years in the making and this is not all that is in the pipeline for our team. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick drink or settling in for one of our experiences, we promise that Septimus is equal parts sophisticated and welcoming,” Coker concluded.
From a quick glass to a full seven-course pairing, Septimus is set to become a new go-to in the East End for late-night sips.
Septimus House of Cheese & Wine
Where: 220 Grenfell Street, Adelaide
When: Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 12am
For more information, click here.
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