Hoppy Beginnings: The Finest New Bars in Adelaide
It’s always wine o’clock in Adelaide, especially with the new bars fizzing up at every turn. There are so many to mention, though, so we rounded up the best new names in town!
East End Cellars Norwood
Address: 88 Magill Rd, Norwood, SA 5067
Contact Details: (08) 8102 0965
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 11 am to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 11 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 10 pm
East End Cellars Norwood is a triple threat (bottle shop, resto, and bar) in the wine scene, serving wines and vibes that are as trendy as they’re timeless.
With around 600 bottles up for grabs, you can either sip in or dip out with your chosen vino. Bold reds, crisp whites, fizzy sparklers, pretty-in-pink rosés—they have the whole spectrum covered.
Brasserie bites add to the bar’s fame with potted prawns and cheeses as the premium picks.
| Tips: Visit on Sunday if you want to drink and dine as live music plays. Check their website for weekly specials, from free wine tasting to beer and burger combo deals. |
Four Sides Bar and Kitchen
Address: 165/167 King William Rd, Hyde Park, SA 5061
Contact Details: (08) 8271 1990
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – Closed
Four Sides Bar and Kitchen is a modern space free of the outside world’s stresses. Inside, diners and drinkers can kick back on soft pastel green seating surrounded by mirrors big enough to check your reflection after a few too many drinks.
The liquid courage flows freely with reds, whites, bubbles, and brews often topping the bar’s slick tables. Cocktails are all the rage, too, especially the toast-worthy mojitos and sours.
As for the grub, they whip up Aussie classics with a contemporary touch. Think beer-battered fries and pasta with upscaled ingredients.
| Tip: Peak at the bar’s function rooms if you’re looking for a joint for your next birthday bash or fete. |
Alt Wine Bar
Address: 151 King William Rd, Hyde Park, SA 5061
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 3 pm to 9 pm
- Fri – 3 pm to 12 am
- Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
Ever-changing and innovative, Alt Wine Bar is dishing and pouring out fresh ideas and even fresher food and libations.
Their interior’s wall of wine catches stares, but it’s the extensive menu of over 200 vino that steals the spotlight. You can expect a palate-pleasing blend of old-school and new-era bottles.
Alt Wine Bar’s cocktails and beers won’t make you regret that hangover too. If you need recommendations, try Last Time Lover, a mix of rum, pineapple, passionfruit, fino, and lemon—basically summer in a glass.
| Tip: Visit their Instagram to see the updated menu. |
Boomers Bar
Address: Shop 2/25 Beach Rd, Christies Beach, SA 5165
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Thu – 4 pm to 10 pm
- Fri – 4 pm to 11 pm
- Sat – 3 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 3 pm to 8 pm
Stepping through Boomers Bar door is like entering a time warp straight to the swinging ’60s and funky ’80s. The splash of mismatched furnishing, bold hues, and groovy lighting set the scene for a hip night out.
Visitors can channel their inner Don Draper or disco diva while sipping cocktails, wines, or beers as beats of the past infuse life into the bar’s every nook and cranny. And if your stomach is rumbling, the bar’s pizza and burger will hit the spot.
| Tip: Head to the bar’s Facebook page if you’re a fan of events like throwback parties or seasonal specials. |
trap.
Address: Basement, Cold Chisel La, Adelaide, SA 5000
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – Closed
- Thu – 6 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sun – 4 pm to 2 am
Hidden Adelaide bars deserve your attention and praise, particularly if we’re talking about the out-of-the-box trap. This cocktail joint doesn’t play by the rules, from its unassuming location to the next-level cocktails their bartender shakes.
There are so many to choose from, but we always go for the signatures, like the lemongrass mezcal. This blend pops with the bitter orange notes of dry curaçao.
Pigeon is also an unconventional but irresistible choice even hardcore cocktail connoisseurs won’t hate. It’s a wild mix of horchata, tequila, and pepper—a mix you might’ve never imagined before.
| Tip: To secure a spot at trap., it’s essential to arrive early, as they only have seating for 12 guests. |
Spread Delicatessen & Bar
Address: 246 Unley Rd, Unley, SA 5061
Contact Details: (08) 8166 0870
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 7 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 2 pm
Sandwiches, coffee, and wine: these 3 things make the easy-going Spread Delicatessen & Bar an Unley Rd heavyweight.
What you’ll enjoy depends on the time of your visit, as the deli/bar’s general servings range from hearty sandos in the morning to purely liquid gold during the darker hours of Fridays and Saturdays.
Classic cocktails are also ready for the taking, best paired with the Friday-only steak frites.
| Tip: Those looking for a caterer should hit up Spread’s number. The menu is seasonal, so don’t forget to ask what they’ll be cooking. |
Dolly
Address: 246 Unley Rd, Unley, SA 5061
Contact Details: (08) 7095 9996
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed – 4 pm to 1 am
- Thu to Sat – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sun – Closed
Dolly’s sophisticated old-meets-the-modern-world design concept invokes a warm atmosphere—perfect for customers seeking a spot to blow cobwebs away.
It’s the exceptionally crafted cocktails you should be aiming for though. Our personal favorite is the French 75 with mulberry gin and lychee daiquiris that smell like violets.
The Pisco Fizz with sour cherry liquor, white tea, and soda, is another must-try. But if you crave something herby and stronger, the rum and ginger-flavored Dark and Stormy should be your first option.
| Tip: You can rent Dolly’s laid-back and easy-to-the-eyes venue for private parties or events. |
Wax Bar
Address: Frank’s La, Adelaide, SA 5000
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Sat – 6 pm to 2 am
- Sun – Closed
Wax Bar is where the beats are funky, the dance floor is lit, and the vinyl collection is straight-up fire. On top of these, the spot buzzes with neon lights and boasts a balcony for those VIP views of Frank’s Lane.
The cherry on top is the serious sips. From natural wines to fruity cocktails, their bartenders bless visitors with bevvies worth every buck.
And if you ask us what the finest pours are, we’ll go with the ice-cold mango daiquiris and watermelon palomas—best savored when the mercury is rising.
| Tip: You can stretch your dollar further by stopping by during one of the bar’s special discount nights. Head to their website for the announcements. |
Bar Riot
Address: 57 Gilbert St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8330 6202
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – Closed
Bar Riot is a hotspot for those looking to quench their thirst without breaking the bank. This watering hole prides itself on its wine selection, offering up a mix of local South Aussie favorites alongside some iconic bottles from around the globe.
Whether you’re into whites, reds, pinks, or something effervescent, they have a bottle for your liquor needs and budget. In addition, Bar Riot concocts and pours cocktails and brews for those who prefer their drinks shaken, stirred, or straight from the tap.
And hey, if you’re playing designated driver for the night or just taking a break from the hard stuff, they have your back with non-alcoholic options.
| Tip: Bar Riot tends to get crowded quickly, so arriving early ensures you snag a good spot and avoid long waits. |
High Spirits
Address: 20 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: 0484 670 223
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 6 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 6 pm to 2 am
- Sun – 6 pm to 12 am
The moment you walk into this tiki-inspired wonderland housed in the historic 1890s Quelltaler House, you know you’re in for a wild ride.
From signature cocktails to top-shelf spirits, refreshing beers to fine wines, and even non-alcoholic options for those taking it easy, this bar has drinks for everyone.
Our team’s go-to glasses will always be the Bali Bali, a strong and fruity medley of gin, cognac, passionfruit, lime, and more. Grape Expectations, popping with vodka, Portello syrup, and lime, comes close.
| Tip: Rolling with a large crew? Don’t forget to call to secure your spot. |
Fu Cocktail Wine and Bar
Address: 129 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 7225 7842
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 4 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11:30 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11:30 am to 10 pm
From the garden to the glass, Fu Cocktail Wine and Bar is pure liquid magic. The bar’s beverage aficionados handpick the finest ingredients, whether sourced locally or from distant shores, to ensure each drink is a masterpiece in its own right.
Their star player, the Tom Yum Tommy’s, packs a punch with its spiced and aromatic profile, delivering unmatched refreshment and one-of-a-kind flavors with every sip.
But if cocktails aren’t your scene, fear not. Their wine selection, featuring whites, oranges, roses, and reds, is sure to impress even the most discerning palate.
| Tip: You can request a cocktail that isn’t on the menu as long as they have the ingredients. |
La Louisiane
Address: 89 King William St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 5 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 5 pm to 12 am
- Sun – Closed
French flair meets late-night revelry at La Louisiane. What they bring to the table are delish French cuisine, toe-tapping jazz tunes, and cocktails flowing until the wee hours of the morning.
Speaking of cocktails, the fan-faves here are La Lou’s petite cocktails. These mini marvels are made for long conversations while soaking in the Parisian vibes.
Noteworthy ones include the classic gin and vermouth-loaded La Lou’s Martini and the rich A La Louisiane with whisky and chocolate. These babies are flying off the shelves faster than you can say “oui oui,” so you better come early.
| Tip: Keep an eye on the event calendar to stay in the loop about upcoming live music gigs and performances. |
A Social Undertaking
Address: 25 Gresham St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 7093 6582
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Wed – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Thu – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 5 pm to 2 am
- Sun – Closed
A bar and funeral home combination doesn’t sound like a match made in heaven, but A Social Undertaking pulls it off with style.
This eccentric joint offers a chill atmosphere with dim lighting and a nod to its funeral business roots through decorative coffins scattered about. In terms of spirits, the wines and beers they serve teem with life and flavor.
But what really sets them apart are their signature cocktails, each one a unique spin on classics that’ll have you coming back for more. Some of the ones you should never skip are the dessert cocktails, particularly the chocolate martini.
| Tip: Be on the lookout for their themed nights or special events. They often feature unique drinks and entertainment. |
