The Best Pubs in North Adelaide for Raising Your Spirits (and Glass)!
Be it a lazy Sunday begging for a high-caloric feast or a moody Friday night fit for sinking rounds of ice-cold booze, nothing quite hits the spot like a good old pub.
In North Adelaide, we found hangouts for food and booze-infused gatherings, from the classic brick-walled tavern with schnitzels to more artsy haunts putting a gourmet spin to traditional pub grub and pours.
If you want to know where to find these, we have you covered, just like a frosty beer when the temperature soars.
Royal Oak
From healing_for_happiness
Address: 123 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 2488
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 2 pm
Rustic, relaxed, and run by a non-robotic crew eager to pour sips and joke around, Royal Oak is a quintessential Adelaide pub.
Although not strictly a cocktail bar, it has cocktails and craft beer, often indulged in the music-filled pub and the airy beer garden. For something fancier, there’s also a wine list.
As for the food, savory heavyweights like the Oak’s signature-cut steak and Wagyu burgers crowd the old-school tables. Both are savory and juicy, making them essentials for any boozy affair here.
Tip: Turn up the fun by dropping in on a day when live performances are scheduled.
British Hotel
From thebritishhotel
Address: 58 Finniss St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 2188
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 12 am
The British Hotel has likely hosted more beer lovers than you can count in its redbrick courtyard. Who’s surprised? Nobody; this easy-going yet sophisticated pub has been a local fave since 1838.
It’s crystal clear why it’s on every pub hopper’s radar, with a killer lineup of taps, bottles, and brews. Couple these with the iconic Guinness pie and the crowd-favorite char-grilled kangaroo filet, and you’ll know why they rarely have empty seats here.
Local wines and distilled spirits also overflow. The fruit-forward Amadio Wines Pinot Grigio and velvety 23rd Street vodka grab the patrons’ attention the most, as they’re the perfect poison to sip by the fireplace.
Tip: Looking for a function space that can host a formal or casual bash? Consider British Hotel’s venues.
The Kentish Hotel
From thekentish
Address: 23 Stanley St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1173
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue -12 pm to 12 am
- Wed – 12 pm to 9:30 pm
- Thu – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 am to 12 am
The Kentish Hotel’s old-world aesthetics and timeless pub grub had us hooked from the start. However, it’s their traditional-turned-creative fare that has our mouths watering nowadays.
We’re talking about crab dumplings that hook palates with a succulent burst of sweet and savory meat, accented with spiced chutney. Moreover, a Sauvignon Blanc, with its zesty and herbal notes, enhances each bite.
Tip: Take advantage of The Kentish Hotel’s deals or events like discounts on schnitzels and trivia nights with prizes.
Cathedral Hotel
From cathedralhotel
Address: 45 Kermode St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 2197
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 10 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11 am to 11:30 pm
Cathedral Hotel’s ornate facade always reminds us of the Victorian era’s elegance. Inside, though, it’s the sleek present-day decor and premium drinks that hog the limelight.
Their wine list has a cellar’s worth of vino, but the Adelaide Pinot Noir is our usual pick. We’re huge fans of its bright red fruit flavors and earthy undertones—a combination that couples well with the pub’s savory schnitzels.
Classics like the Amaretto Sour also keep the pub’s reputation strong. Its almond-like sweetness and tangy profile are a certified cure for scorching days and post-work blues.
Tip: Suffering from a hangover? Swing by the cafe section of the pub for a cuppa.
Wellington Hotel
From the_wellington_hotel
Address: 36 Wellington Square
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1322
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 12 am
- Sun -11 am to 10 pm
Bathed in natural light, The Wellington Hotel is perfect for afternoons. But when darkness falls, the magic happens in the pub’s golden, by-the-fireplace lounge.
Inside, live music and intimate lighting set the tone, while a strong selection of tap beers and bottled cider completes it. In terms of chow, grilled burgers, and steak are the people’s picks—both succulent and belly-filling.
Our favorite here is the ale-battered and lemon pepper barramundi. The roasted filet, jazzed with aioli, brings out the fish’s buttery richness—especially when sipped with a piña colada or mango daiquiri.
Tip: Wellington Hotel keeps things exciting through its events. Check out what’s currently on.
The Archer Hotel
From thearcherhotel
Address: 60 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8347 1492
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 11:30 am to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11:30 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11:30 am 9 pm
We’re total bookworms, so the Archer Hotel’s vintage library gets top marks. Extra kudos are given for their robust beer selection, a trademark since this local legend’s 1882 opening.
The on-tap selection alone boasts over 15 picks, with local lager, stout, and ale as our team’s go-to. But whenever we thirst for something light-bodied, we typically go with Sapporo, a Japanese brew that works well with straightforward fish and chips.
We must mention their impressive list of spirits, too. With tequila, rum, whisky, bourbon, and cognac, you’ll definitely face a tough choice!
Tip: The Archer Hotel gets hoppier and happier from 4 pm to 6 pm. Drop by during this period for happy hour deals.
Black Rhino Hotel
From blackrhinohotel
Address: 7 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8318 7924
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 10 am to 1 am
- Fri to Sat – 10 am to 2 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 1 am
While it doesn’t offer the nostalgic atmosphere of previous entries, Black Rhino still impresses with its casual setup. This polished pub is a better choice if you prefer a well-lit and roomier setting.
Pints here are also cheaper, costing just around 6 to 7 bucks. But if you’re looking for something with more complex flavors, go for the citrusy and berry-heavy Violet Viper vodka.
In the food department, meat and vegetarian pizzas steal the show, often gobbled with sides like hot chips and mini sausage rolls.
Tip: Test your luck in their gaming room. Just remember you’re the player; don’t let the games play you. Gamble responsibly.
Caledonian Hotel
From caledoniannorthadelaide
Address: 215 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1375
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 9 am to 10 pm
- Fri – 9 am to 11 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 11:45 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Caledonian Hotel answers the question “Can you enjoy a fancy restaurant experience while sipping pub drinks in one spot?”
They might just be the only pub in North Adelaide dishing out crab agnolotti! Its sweet crab meat elevated by a buttery filling opens up a decadent side to pub-hopping.
To wash it down, we recommend downing the gin-based Berry Bramble, a potent take on botanicals with the right amount of sweetness. This one is also mixed with Chambord, so you know it pops with distinct raspberry flavors.
Tip: Caledonian Hotel never runs out of events for wine aficionados. See what’s currently on or coming here.
Lord Melbourne Hotel
Address: 63 Melbourne St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1157
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 4:30 pm to 10 pm
- Tue to Wed – 11 am to 11 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11 am to 10 pm
Local beer, excellent aged rump steak, and a homely aura make the Lord Melbourne Hotel a pub that’s always worth a visit. Add their leafy garden to the upsides, and you’ll book a trip in no time.
Our first trip here was in July 2024, and their on-tap pale ale immediately turned us into patrons with the first sips. It bursts with a solid malt backbone, a clean finish, and the perfect degree of fruitiness.
The upmarket pub food didn’t leave us frowning, too. As stated, their steak is the must-have, but wolfing down their 200-gram burgers and fire-kissed chicken breast is also a no-brainer.
Tip: Trust us, you don’t want to wait in line while others chug lagers. Book your spot early.
Queen’s Head Hotel
From queensheadhotel
Address: 117 Kermode St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1139
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 11:30 am to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11:30 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11:30 am to 10 pm
The Queen’s Head Hotel’s facade has stood unchanged since its major renovations in 1881. One look and nostalgia will wash over you, thanks to the elegant brick and marble interior echoing the glamor of yesteryears.
Better prepare your savings, though. Wines are their best pours, and if you want to go beyond the $7 by-the-glass house wines, you’ll be forking over at least 40 bucks for a bottle of French Rose or Mclaren Vale Shiraz.
The nosh also costs a pretty penny, but rest assured, you’ll be getting some of the finest Margherita, Wagyu burgers, and porterhouse schnitzels in town.
Tip: Before you hit the road, find a deal that fits your cravings and budget.\
Reepham Hotel
From thereepham_hotel
Address: 273 Churchill Rd, Prospect
Contact Details: (08) 8344 3005
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
Reepham Hotel epitomizes the electric pub experience, featuring funky posters, tap beers for days, and glimmering gaming machines.
Their chef also sticks with staples that will never go out of style. Beef rump steak is what we always go for, thanks to its intense beefy essence, melt-in-your-mouth meat, and smoky aftertaste.
Another thing that earned them a spot on this list is the pub’s knack for banging events. Want to drink in onesies or play pool for cash? They have something for that.
Tip: Reepham Hotel’s food specialties regularly change. Head to their Instagram to learn the latest servings.
The Lion Hotel
From thelionhotelsa
Address: 161 Melbourne St
Contact Details: (08) 8367 0222
Operating Hours: Daily – 7:30 am to 12 am
What makes the award-winning Lion Hotel so appealing? To begin with, it features a Victorian brewery aesthetic that beautifully contrasts its modern pub offerings.
Furthermore, they have a plethora of alcohol options, topped by their signature Negroni Bianco. Sophisticated is what we’d describe this bev, as it pleases with a juniper-forward base and sharp citrus notes, balanced by orange bitters and herby vermouth.
If cocktails aren’t your style, opt for their weekly specials pairing wine and meat, such as the $30 steak and Shiraz deal available on Monday nights.
Tip: See the schedule of performing musicians here. Nothing elevates the atmosphere quite like catching a live performance from an artist you love.
Lone Star Rib House & Brews North Adelaide
From lonestarnorthadelaide
Address: 99 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8239 2233
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11:30 am to 8:45 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11:30 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 11:30 am to 8:45 pm
No way can we have a list of North Adelaide pubs without including Lone Star Rib House & Brews. With its easygoing energy and servings loaded with big flavors, this spot defines what a pub is all about.
Just don’t let your trainer catch wind of your plans to visit. This spot shines the most when it comes to calorie-rich indulgences—specifically the BBQ glazed ribs that never fail to satisfy us with its smokiness, caramelized crust, and fall-off-the-bone softness.
You’ll also find all kinds of drinks here, and in true Texas fashion, the pours are nothing short of generous. Beer is the undisputed champ, with cheap price tags and sizes ranging from a schooner (285 ml) to a pint (425 ml).
Tip: Love discounts? Get several by downloading and using Lone Star’s loyalty app.
