Buzzed in the Beach: 9 Best Bars in Glenelg
Glenelg brings a sunny and breezy backdrop to your bar experience. With its emerald waves and sun-kissed sands, the suburb is a perfect place to start trying Adelaide’s finest wines and cocktails.
We’ll go through the finest establishments in Glenelg that offer the best concoctions for alcohol aficionados. Check out which ones you and the gang can visit next time.
The Grand Bar
Address: Stamford Grand Adelaide, 2 Jetty Rd, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8376 1222
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 NN to 11 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 3 AM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Just steps from the sunny shores of Glenelg Beach and you’ll see The Grand Bar. Its shorefront location designed instantly makes it a must-visit if you want to get buzzed by the radiant view of the sea.
Pub grub favorites like BBQ wings, chicken schnitzel, and fries are the companions for their rich drink selection like beers (such as Guinness, Peroni, Corona, and Sapporo) and local wines from the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.
Their cocktails are the real deal, especially the sweet strawberry puree and vodka drink named Strawberry and Lychee Collins and the tangy tequila, pineapple, and lime drink named Endless Summer
| Pro tips: The best view in The Grand Bar is during sunset. Sipping cocktails while the skies turn orange and the beach winds cool you down is a truly enchanting experience. For locals, you may want to avoid visiting during holidays or weekends, as the place often gets crowded with tourists around this time. Karaoke nights in The Grand Bar is every Monday. If you want to sing a few tunes, be there at around 7:30 PM. |
Marina Sunset Bar
Address: Shop/3 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8350 0091
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Sunset’s Bar specialty is their cocktails, which are served in larger-than-fist portions that are enough to keep you a little squiffy. The must-try is definitely the Mad Monkey passion fruit mojito, which has a minty and fresh aftertaste.
The best place to dine here is outside because it has a great view of the marina. Taking a bite of golden tempura prawns and crunchy fries in between conversations here is a delight.
Further making the atmosphere enjoyable is the music of their DJs and the live bands that regularly play here. Their excellent rapport with the crowd adds to the overall experience.
| Pro tips: One of the best days to visit the bar is during Fishbowl Fridays where cocktails are served in very large bowls perfect for groups of friends. The ambiance becomes more magnetic at night, thanks to the well-designed lighting of the bar. |
The Jetty Bar
Address: 28 Jetty Rd, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8376 8217
Operating hours:
- All week: 11:30 AM-8:00 PM
The Jetty Bar has been in Adelaide for more than 150 years—a testament to the locals’ fondness for this chill bar. The staff’s warm Adelaidean hospitality resonates in every corner of the bar, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all.
The best part about the bar is its family-sized servings. Dishes like the coffin bay oysters in zesty ponzu (soy and citrus) sauce and the smoky and crunchy ciabatta with balsamic sauce are more than enough to keep a squad fed.
The Jetty Bar’s cocktails deserve its spotlight, especially the frozen strawberry daiquiri that’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Day or night, this drink adds the perfect buzz for lively chats or enjoying the music.
| Pro tips: The Jetty Bar comes alive during major events like football games. For an energetic atmosphere, visit on these days. There are a lot of regulars that visit the area who claim some seats as their spot. To avoid awkward encounters, it’s best to ask the servers about this before choosing a seat. Majority of their food-for-sharing has seafood in it, and if someone in your group is allergic to seafood, their pizzas are a great alternative. |
The Holdy
Address: 83 Brighton Rd, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8295 2051
Operating hours:
- All week: 9 AM-3 AM
The Holdy exudes an irresistible old-school charm—from its timber-decked walls and spacious beer garden to its hearty grub. Here is where Adelaideans raise a glass to conquer the workday grind, especially on the weekends!
They have one of the biggest menus for bars in Glenelg featuring tasty pub classics, from the buttery southern fried chicken to the savory, gravy-filled Roast of the Day. Savor it alongside local craft brews to have a flavorful and burp-worthy experience.
The bar doesn’t fall short on entertainment, offering both live music and gaming machines to try. Whether you’re in the mood for slow jams or feeling lucky, the bar has plenty to offer.
| Pro tips: There is a raffle every Thursday night in the bar. To gain an entry, you’ll need to be a member. The bar has a menu designed specifically for seniors, so if you or your companions fall into that category, it’s a nice place to consider. If you’re a trivia enthusiast, Tuesdays are the perfect nights to visit because it’s trivia night! |
Watermark Glenelg
Address: Beach Rd, Brighton SA 5048, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8294 2300
Opening hours:
- All week: 8 AM-2 AM
Watermark Glenelg has one of the most relaxed and spacious bar spaces in Adelaide. Upon your entry, the aroma of international cuisine, including German, Japanese, and Turkish, will have your stomach do a happy dance.
Here, whether you’re in the mood for the energetic energy of a sports bar or the chill vibes of a beach bar, they’ve got you covered.
You can also drink your heart out with their must-try beer taps boasting favorites like Carlton Draught, Coopers Brewery, and James Squire.
| Pro tips: Wednesday and Thursday evenings are dedicated to Texas hold’em poker. Don your best poker face and try your luck! For a full schedule of the bar’s sports games viewing, check here. The bar’s Locals’ Hour features special drinks every Thursday to Saturday from 4–6 PM. |
The Moseley
Address: 11 Moseley Square, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 8295 3966
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11 AM-12 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 11 AM-2 AM
The Moseley is as close to the beach as you’ll get, as it has shaded seats directly on the sand. Every day is summer here because of its enchanting beach view and tropical drinks.
Speaking of the latter, your thirst will be quenched with the Taste of Greece (cocktail on a pineapple) and the Coco Loco (coconut drink from the shell). Their frozen cocktails are also oases in the middle of the welcome heat.
Nights here are stylishly fun, featuring a young crowd and some fresh beats on the regular.
| Pro tips: Dress to impress when visiting their nightclub! You might just be featured in their Instagram page. The Glenelg Jetty is just a couple of steps from The Moseley. Take a photo there during sunset! If you’re uncomfortable in the heat, don’t worry, as the Moseley has a comfortable and spacious indoor dining space. |
Pier Bar
Address: 18 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11 AM-9:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 11 AM-2 AM
Pier Bar has one of the most elegant and cozy beachfront views among bars in Glenelg. Sipping a peach spritzer or a watermelon mojito by the sunlit window is a delight tourists and locals alike will definitely enjoy.
The food here is a fancy blend of European favorites like sausages and schnitzels and some local seafood ones like the battered flathead burger.
The bar becomes especially addictive during the night with its immersive lights, live music, and energetic crowd.
| Pro tips: If you’re fond of Espresso Martinis, visit on Sundays from 4 PM until closing for a $3 discount. Booking here is tough, especially on weekends. It’s best to do it at least a week in advance. The strawberry gin sour is deceptively intoxicating! It might seem like a light drink, but they surely make you giggly with just a few sips. |
Terra & Sol
Address: 18 Jetty Rd, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 7006 2332
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM-12 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 8 AM-2 AM
Terra & Sol offers a minimalist respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The restaurant’s walls feature muted shades of pink and peach that are definitely IG-worthy.
Their cocktails’ witty names like Adam & Eve (gin, elderflower, sour midori, and lime) and Chicho (rum, peach liquor, and butterscotch) perfectly encapsulate their intriguing flavors.
The bar is conveniently by the 17th stop of the tram, making it a few hops away for tourists. Their client is also highly hospitable and helpful, making it a perfect introduction to the Adelaide bar scene.
| Pro tips: Their food is tasty, but the servings are a bit small. On an empty stomach, it’s best to order many dishes. Looking for a low-cal alcoholic drink? Locally made South Ave. Seltzer is a must-try. |
Montezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Address: 2 Partridge St, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Operating hours:
- All week: 12 PM-1:30 PM, 5:30-8:30 PM
If you’re looking for that spicy Latin flair, Montezuma’s is a must-visit. From its multi-colored lamps to its sangrias and margaritas, everything is authentically Mexican.
Speaking of sangrias, they are made sweeter by a secret syrup that’ll leave a lasting and fruity taste in your mouth. There’s a non-alcohol version too if you want the flavor without the buzz.
Their beers and tequilas are also Mexican-made, including Don Julio, Pistolas, and Tecate. These go great with their soft quesadillas (wheat tortilla with chorizo and cheese) and the party-favorite chili con carne (spicy ground beef).
| Pro tips: The meals are big, so it’s best to come in a group of at least 4 people. Loved the restaurant? It has 10 more branches all over Australia you can visit! |
