Written by Tayla Mckay
Port Adelaide is a suburb full of local history and stepping inside the recently relaunched Studio 99 Whisky and Art, that history comes to life with the combination of art and whisky.
The space that was originally a hardware and brass foundry business in 1895 now showcases local and Australian artists. The artwork includes oil, print and paintings from a diverse range of local artists including Alex Fayne, Dutsun Tran, Dianne Gall, Donovan Christie, Emma Hack, Jim Thalassoudis, Joshua Miels, Max Hunt and Richard Maurovic. Their first showcase is available for viewing until October 30th.
Located at 99 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, the studio has only undertaken minor renovations to keep the historic feel alive.
The plan to showcase art in a casual setting and include a bar to prevent the intimidating factor of entering art galleries. The Studio’s creative director and gallery curator, Donovan Christie, said “It’s also a two-way street, you come for the art and stay for the booze, or people who wouldn’t normally go for the art can come for the booze and experience the art.”
“It has a charming nature – It’s part of the character of the port” yet has found the biggest challenge is that even though it’s on the local’s doorstep down there, if you didn’t know about it, you wouldn’t know it was there. The Studio’s next plan is to begin spreading the word to the locals and those in the Adelaide area – hoping that they’ll see that the Studio is only 20 minutes from the City and definitely worth the trip out,” said Donovan.
The Studio is currently working with the Council’s Tourism Coordinator to create a walking pub crawl through Port Adelaide to showcase the local area’s boutique style bars. The plan is for this to start in time for summer, as Donovan put it, “it’s a great spot for a Sunday Sesh!”
Donovan tells us to “treat it like a bar, within a gallery – keep it casual.” The bar itself serves a full range of drinks, including Whisky and other spirits, cocktails and more.
“All the bar staff know about the art and whisky, they’re all really knowledgeable,” he added.
The bar has a full range of whisky from all over the globe. With 16 Scottish whisky choices, 5 American, 3 Australian and New Zealand, 5 Irish and 4 Whisky Liqueurs, this unique location offers the chance for all to find a whisky that they love, no matter your taste!
Donovan believes “there is as much care and craftsmanship that goes into a whisky as does an oil painting”. The passion for whisky stands by the goal to create a unique bar in Port Adelaide, there is a reason they call it “Port Adelaide’s best kept secret” because all who enter get the chance to experience something new.
Currently the Studio is open Friday and Saturday between 3pm and 11pm and Sunday 2pm until close, but later this month it plans to add more weekdays to its hours.
Stay tuned for the following days:
- Whisky Wednesday – (Whisky specials)
- Thirsty Thursday – Monthly Tastings/Meet the Maker Events
- Friday Night Flights – Whisky Flights and Platter Deals
- Speakeasy Saturday – Cocktail Specials
- Sunday Sesh – Assorted Drink Specials
The Studio is also hosting a Starward Whisky tasting night that includes a limited edition release on the 20th of October. Starward is an Australian Whisky that is the most awarded distillery of the year worldwide – not an event you would want to miss!
For their drinks menu, click here.
For updates on the Studio check out their Facebook page.
Find Studio 99 Art and Whisky at 99 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide SA 5015.
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