Image Credit: Dolly, Lucy Partington
The weekend is always just around the corner and it’s always wine o’clock somewhere right?
Luckily for us, there are plenty of great options of where to go for a bevvy or two in Adelaide and we’ve compiled a list of all our favourite spots.
There are some new ones, and some mainstays. And they’re all worthy of your time.
ICARUS BAR (CBD)
Icarus bar and restaurant has officially launched on Peel Street, bringing a unique blend of flavours through its dishes and cocktails. Co-owner Sam, with a deep-rooted passion for food and hospitality, has created a haven of gastronomic delights that spotlight local and organic suppliers from South Australia. It’s recently picked up a Chef’s Hat award, too. So you know it’s good.
23 Peel St, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
EAST END CELLARS (NORWOOD)
Nestled underneath the new apartment complex on Magill Road, East End Cellars is the slickest new bar to join the Eastern suburbs. Guests will be prompted to enjoy a drink or tasting at a communal table within the indoor space. The primary dining setting will be outdoors, accompanied by a rotation of jazz, 1960s tunes, and alternative playlists, with reservations strongly encouraged for those desiring a meal. The venue will continue East End Cellars’ legacy in wine education and will host a myriad of wine tastings, dinners, and special events, catering to those who prefer an intimate, small group environment with its 14 seats for bespoke wine tastings and special events. It is also South Australia’s first Krug Champagne Embasbrsy, offering Krug by the glass at all times, a feature owner Michael Andrewartha is particularly proud of.
88 Magill Road, Norwood
For more information, head here.
Sôl Rooftop (CBD)
From day to night, SkyCity’s Sôl Rooftop transitions between a cozy indoor lounge bar to a lively outdoor bar, offering stunning views of Adelaide, stretching from the hills to the coast. Sôl’s team of local mixologists has created an exciting menu featuring signature cocktails, rare spirits, and Adelaide’s widest selection of international wines, available by the glass. Whether you’re looking for a special dining experience or casual grazing, their menu of small and large plates caters to all occasions.
SkyCity Adelaide, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Instagram: @solrooftop
BIBLIOTECHA BAR AND BOOK EXCHANGE (CBD)
The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange, one of Adelaide’s oldest and established bars, has been reborn this year with a new larger whiskey range, extended opening hours and a new outlook. “The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange has been reborn,” owner Colin says. “It’s got more whisky than it’s ever had before and we’re getting busier and busier. While the bar’s been around for years, we’ve given it a fresh feel.” The bar’s now stocking over 230 whiskies behind the bar from all over the world, drawn from Australia, America, Scotland, Japan, France, India and beyond.
27 Gresham Street, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
PASTEL (NORTH ADELAIDE)
Pastel Wine Bar is the latest addition to North Adelaide, spearheaded by the creative minds behind some of Adelaide’s favourite small bars and cafes. The new neighbourhood bar and dining room brings together Elijah Makris and Saba Maghsoudi of Pinco Deli, Daniel Vaughan of 1000 Island, and artist and designer James Brown (Africola, Chicco Palms, Valentino’s).
Guests are greeted to a custom-made curtain by the front entrance, before you walk into the dining room, displaying mixed textures of render and exposed brick, contrasting with timber and stainless steel finishes. As you travel through the space, passing high tables for casual drinks and a custom lounge area, the bar opens up into an atrium-like room with high skylights, lush greenery, and a DJ booth.
47 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.
For more information, head here.
BANK STREET SOCIAL (CBD)
Bank Street Social, an award-winning bar located in Adelaide’s vibrant west end, is known for its focus on local SA products. Specialising in fresh pizzas made with regional ingredients, alongside a selection of top-notch cocktails and the finest South Australian beers and wines, it offers a true taste of the state. The back-bar boasts a collection of premium gin and whisky sourced from Australia and beyond. Plus, to bring the vibes, on weekends, Bank Street Social will often have a DJs spinning tracks late into the night.
48 Hindley St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Instagram: @bankstreetsocial
DOLLY (UNLEY)
Nestled underneath the new apartment complex on Unley Road, Dolly is the slickest new bar to join the Adelaide suburbs. Described as the location with the perfect pair of cocktails and mingling with a touch of disco, it certainly delivers and will, without a doubt provide the suburbs with plenty of good vibes across all seasons.
246 Unley Road, Unley
For more information, head here.
EL CHEEKY FLAMINGO (CBD)
Think: Miami meets Adelaide, with groovy, neon colours and tunes. With passionate, knowledgable staff and an exciting menu filled with delightful drinks, you’re bound to have a night out like no other. Their food menu is a hand selected and filled with bar bites as well as Cuban favourites.
40/33 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
WAX BAR (CBD)
Retro lovers, a new vinyl bar called Wax just opened its doors in Frank’s Lane by Penny Hospitality. The main attraction? A massive dance floor decked out with a mirror ball that will have you grooving the night away. While vibing with the music, people have been sipping on a range of cocktails and mocktails including the classics plus those a little more fancy like Mango Daiquiris, Tropical Caprioskas and Watermelon Palomas.
Lvl 1, Franks Lane off Rundle Street, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
BARREL (STIRLING)
Barrel is Stirling’s newest neighbourhood wine bar. It also happens to be the only one. So now, when you’re in the hills, you can get your delicious, wine fix. Barrel offers a “build your own” tasting flight option where you can select any four wines from the wine list to taste. It’s a great option if you are fearful of branching out to a new grape variety or region or simply want to compare options before committing to whole bottle/glass.
Shop 3/4 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling SA 5152
For more information, head here.
PROOF BAR (CBD)
With a focus on both local and international wines, as well as innovative cocktails and popular classics, Proof bar offers something for every palate. Located on Anster Street, just behind Press* Food & Wine, guests can choose between bar seating, or upstairs for table service in booths or the outdoor terrace. If you’re planning an event, consider Proof, as its exclusive upstairs space offers its own bar area, outdoor seating, and catering by Press*.
9 Anster St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Instagram: @proofwinebar
NOLA (CBD)
NOLA is a New Orleans inspired bar and eatery, with a whisky collection of over 350 that is forever changing and evolving. The space occupies the former horse stables which were attached to the Stag Hotel, and the remaining sandstone adds to the rustic charm of the American-influenced bar. The wooden stools and booths make this the perfect place to try some whisky with friends.
28 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
2KW BAR AND RESTAURANT (CBD)
The absolute in rooftop venues in Adelaide, 2KW has you covered for great food and serious booze. Settle in for a cocktail and a view in the outdoor bar areas, or one of the best meals Adelaide has to offer in the restaurant. 2KW also has the most amazing panoramic view of the Adelaide skyline, which makes it the perfect spot for a romantic drink.
2 King William St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
NAUTI BUOY (HENLEY)
Nauti Buoy the latest brunch spot in the morning, before becoming a bar in the evenings. So you can get your poached eggs and your cocktails all in the one, bustling location. The owners of Nauti Buoy are three best friends who have been in business together for a number of years. Harrison Raff, Dylan Auciello, and Danny Cooray own Loverboy, the popular Hindley Street nightclub, and also recently opened Studio Spring, a popular Pilates Studio in Norwood. They’ve got an extensive cocktail and spirits menu, and the wine list focuses on natural wines.
1 Henley Beach Road, Henley
For more information, head here.
MAYBE MAE (CBD)
This award-winning cocktail bar is hidden between the laneways of Peel and Leigh Street, in the west end of Adelaide’s CBD. Once a disused stock cellar, the space has been converted into a below-ground art deco-style cocktail bar; venture through the tunnel, down the stairs, and look for the concealed door within the timber-clad wall. Maybe Mae’s drinks take full advantage of seasonal flavours, and if you’re unsure what to order, chat with their bartenders and they’ll recommend something to your taste. Favourites include the Bill Murray (Whiskey, Apricot, Lemon, Mint) and the Peel St Corpse Reviver (Gin, Ginger, Honey, Lemon & a splash of lager).
15 Peel St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
BAR LUNE (NORWOOD)
Whether or not you’re actually from Beulah Park, Bar Lune wants to feel like your neighbourhood wine bar. Serving up “fine wine and the local neighbourhood vibes you’ve been craving,” the new venue opened on the Parade in an approachable, newly blue and salmon-tinged building. With fun yet subdued blue interior, multicoloured terrazzo counters, and white-painted brick, the bar manages to look new and fresh, yet familiar all at once.
303 The Parade, Beulah Park
For more information, head here.
MERRYMAKER (CBD)
Located next to the lively Adelaide Central Market, Merrymaker is Adelaide’s highest rooftop bar, located atop Hotel Indigo. Merrymaker has sweeping city views with a menu by chef Gabriele Pezzimenti which is raw food-focused. The drinks menu features more than 25 local gins, including Prohibition Bathtub Cut Gin and Blend Etiquette Floral as Hell, as well as showcasing some of the best South Australia’s wines and craft beers.
23-29 Market Street, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
BRKYLN (CBD)
It’s almost as if they’ve taken a slice out of Brooklyn and placed it on Rundle St. BRKLYN is not only a bar, it’s an experience. Designed by Matiya Marovich of Sans-Arc Studio (think Gondola Gondola, NOLA, Pink Moon Saloon), the venue features three ‘shops’ as you make your way to the bar. With a balcony overlooking Rundle Street, it’s one of the best places to enjoy an after-work cocktail. Or three.
260-262 Rundle St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
UDABERRI (CBD)
Udaberri boasts an intimate atmosphere that acts as the perfect setting to get lost in their comprehensive list of gin selections. Udaberri’s bartenders show their love of gin through their craft, working hard to find the perfect garnish that highlights each individual gin. If gin’s not your thing – never fear. Udaberri is also home to an array of wines (European & SA) and beers on tap. And they literally have games like jenga and uno which this writer has enjoyed until the early hours.
11 Leigh Street, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
THIRSTY TIGER (CBD)
In December 2022, the Gang Gang team welcomed Thirsty Tiger to its ever-growing collection of venues. The new tropicana cocktail bar, function space, and watering hole moves guests upstairs into a delicious oasis of Asian-influenced, Californian street food. If Gang Gang Parkside is the brunch-loving eldest sibling and 99 Gang Social is the edgy, hip bar and restaurant, Thirsty Tiger is the “more mature” cousin, with slushie machines and disco ball energy.
99 Hindley Street, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
THERAPY (CBD)
Therapy cocktail bar offers the perfect escape from daily life. With an expansive menu featuring over 100 tantalizing cocktails, Therapy is sure to satisfy even the most sophisticated of palettes. Classics, new era recipes, and Therapy’s own signature cocktails offer an expansive selection that suits any occasion.
2 Peel St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
WILLY’S WINE SHOP (GOODWOOD)
From the creative minds of Adam Robinson (the co-founder and executive chef of Lockwood General) and Jess and Darren Packer (owners of Natures Providore, Nature’s Living, and Nettle & Knead), comes Willy’s Wine Shop – the next hot wine bar coming to King William Road. It’s the wine bar and bottle shop, stocking everything from Tasmanian rieslings to French Chablis, served alongside a petite menu of cheese, salumi and small plates.
1/96 King William Road, Goodwood SA 5034.
For more information, head here.
PINK MOON SALON (CBD)
Pink Moon Saloon on Leigh Street embodies the essence of a perfect small bar. It appears small and alpine from the outside, but once you step in, you’ll find a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Their bar offers a variety of fresh tap beer, seasonal cocktails, and a well-curated selection of spirits. Plus, you can enjoy delicious bar snacks while you sip on your beverage. Pink Moon Saloon takes bookings for groups of up to 12 people, focusing on drinks and snacks only, with minimum spends for larger groups. Walk-ins are also, of course, welcome!
21 Leigh St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Instagram: @pinkmoonsalon
BAR TORINO (CBD)
Bar Torino on Hutt Street is a popular spot known for its inviting atmosphere and incredible selection of cocktails and wines. It offers a cozy and chic setting that is perfect for catching up with friends, or enjoying a romantic evening out. The bar is celebrated for its innovative cocktails, crafted with care and creativity by skilled mixologists. They offer a curated wine list featuring both local and international wines. With a menu that includes delicious tapas and small plates, Bar Torino provides the ideal setting for socialising and indulging in delightful drinks and bites.
158 Hutt St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Facebook: Bar Torino
SORA (CBD)
SORA’s rooftop bar is open for walk-ins, inviting guests to enjoy drinks and indulge in their SORA snacks menu featuring modern Asian finger foods. With seating options including booths, low and high tables, as well as a high bench offering a view of the lower-level restaurant, there’s a spot for everyone. SORA, meaning ‘sky’, overlooks Adelaide’s city, and guests truly do feel like they are up high in the sky. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a place.
L9/89 Pirie St, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Instagram: @soraonpirie
HAINS & CO (CBD)
Hains & Co is one of Adelaide’s most highly acclaimed small bars, standing as the destination for gin, rum, whisky, and fine cigars. Tucked away in the charming west end laneways among historic buildings, its inviting alfresco space fosters memorable gatherings over exquisite spirits, offering a tranquil retreat within the CBD. Hains & Co have an extensive spirit collection which showcases their expertise.
23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide
For more information, head here.
Facebook: Hains & Co
So. What do you think? Have we missed your favourite drinking hole? Email [email protected].
Remember, you can find out about all these bars and more in our Food and Drink category here.
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