The Best Adelaide Bars For 2024 | Australian Traveller

Whether you’re looking for a jumping basement dive, a wine bar with a difference or a lush rooftop with panoramic views, you’ll find it in this list of the best Adelaide bars.

When Adelaide introduced the small bar licence in 2013, it changed the city’s drinking culture almost overnight. Innovative new venues soon began to pop up on every corner of the city and the ensuing decade has seen the Adelaide bar scene go from strength to strength. Visit the City of Churches today and you’ll find impeccably crafted cocktails, note-perfect wines and fragrant craft beers down just about every one of the city’s many laneways.

1. Maybe Mae

Best For: Seriously Crafty Cocktails

Peel and Leigh Streets are ground zero of the small bar explosion, so it’s only fitting that the OG of Adelaide’s cocktail scene, Maybe Mae , is hidden below a passage connecting the two thoroughfares.

a bartender preparing drinks at Maybe Mae bar in Adelaide — Sip on boozy drinks at Maybe Mae. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Push through the discreetly hidden timber doors and you’ll find the dimly lit speakeasy of your dreams, with attentive table service, a seriously refined atmosphere and a drinks list showcasing flavour combinations as imaginative as they are delicious.

spicing up a drink at Maybe Mae bar in Adelaide — Drink seriously crafty cocktails at this dimly lit speakeasy. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The cocktails are highly seasonal, but a program of ferments means that ingredients like rockmelon and grapefruit might appear at any time of year, and non-alcoholic options are treated with every bit as much respect as the boozy drinks.

Address: 15 Peel St, Adelaide

2. Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues

Best For: Killer Dive Bar Blues

In the basement below Shotgun Willie’s saloon, this raucous late-night spot looks and sounds like a dive bar, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find plenty of bottled American beer available. But spend a bit of time chatting with the bartenders and you’ll also discover a rotating monthly menu of surprisingly thoughtful cocktails (think 12-year-old rum, Pedro Ximenez, cognac, spiced honey and a dash of Guinness).

a glass of cocktail at Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues — Enjoy a late night tipple. (Image: Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues)

Whatever your order, the real reason to come here is the live music that’s on five nights a week – those in the know head in on a Thursday night when local gun Dusty Lee Stephensen assembles a crack team of Adelaide’s best musicians for a riotous blues jam.

friends playing pool at the dimly lit bar in Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues, Adelaide — Amble down the Shotgun Willie’s saloon for a fun round of pool. (Image: Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues)

Address: 22 Gilbert Place Basement Level, Adelaide

3. Latteria

Best For: A Stylish Night Out

Riffing on the Milanese concept of latterias, or milk bars, which evolved from grocery stores into cafeterias and aperitivo bars, this versatile venue opens for pre-lunch coffees and keeps pouring drinks well into the night.

the leather couch at Latteria, Adelaide — Snag a spot on the cosy leather couch at Latteria. (Image: Chandler Feddern)

A gorgeous design that goes heavy on polished concrete and tinted glass evokes a playful 70s feel, and if you look past the marble front bar and cherry red booths you’ll find a DJ booth pumping ultra-cool lounge tunes that are guaranteed to have you firing up Shazam.

a glass of drink on the table at Latteria, Adelaide — Sip on Italian-inspired cocktails (Image: Chandler Feddern)

Drinkswise, you’ll find 25 wine options available by the glass and half bottle alongside twists on classic cocktails like a negroni sbagliato that uses rhubarb, currant and cranberry to create the perfect blend of bitter and sweet. Cementing its status as an all-night spot, the kitchen takes orders until an hour before close and a menu of cutlery-free snacks and larger Milanese-influenced meals is designed to be matched with the drinks – if you’re struggling to figure out the best pairing, the friendly staff will happily help you out.

a homemade Pappardelle and wild boar ragù at Latteria, Adelaide — Pair your drink with homemade Pappardelle and wild boar ragù. (Image: Chandler Feddern)

Address: 185 Hutt St, Adelaide

4. Good Gilbert

Best For: World-Class Wines in a Casual Setting

Adelaide is ringed by wine regions, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of wonderful wine bars scattered throughout the city. The best of them reflect both the high quality and the unpretentious nature of most local winemakers, and this unassuming venue in Adelaide’s inner south follows that brief to a T.

the dining interior of Good Gilbert bar in Adelaide — Sit down for a tipple at Good Gilbert.

You won’t find any wine snobbery here; everyone is welcome (including dogs), and the wine list of 400 bottles rotates regularly and includes a “Fresh out of F*cks to Give" option if you want to let the bar staff do the heavy lifting.

two glasses of cocktail at Good Gilbert — Good Gilbert serves up world-class wines and cocktails.

By the glass selections unsurprisingly go heavy on local producers and offer excellent value while still showcasing makers that even the most knowledgeable customers will be unfamiliar with, while the extensive selection under Coravin allows those with cash to splash to try everything up to grand crus.

clinking glasses of wine at Good Gilbert bar in Adelaide — Raise a glass or two at Good Gilbert.

Address: 135B Goodwood Rd, Goodwood

5. 2KW

Best For: Fabulous Views

Hovering eight stories above the intersection of King William Street and North Terrace, this rooftop bar boasts the best views in Adelaide. While the private cabanas look back into the city, the main bar area gazes out over Government House and beyond to the River Torrens and Adelaide Oval.

the rooftop views at 2KW, Adelaide — Gaze out over the city from a private cabana at 2KW. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The expansive vision is matched by a drinks list that offers something for every occasion, from fresh, fruity cocktails to specially aged back vintage beers and almost 40 wines by the glass (plus an excellent selection of fortifieds).

a spread of pizza alongside drinks on the table at 2KW, Adelaide — Enjoy modern Australian bites with fruity cocktails or specially aged back vintage beers. (Image: Jonathan Van de Knapp)

Add in an excellent modern Australian restaurant onsite, and it’s easy to see why a table here remains one of Adelaide’s hottest bookings.

the rooftop bar festooned with fairy lights at 2KW, Adelaide — Head upstairs to the rooftop bar adorned with fairy lights. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 2 King William St, Adelaide

6. Hains & Co

Best For: Exception Spirits With a Nautical Twist

There’s no missing the nautical theme at this intimate spot where the bartenders are pouring every day of the year except Christmas. But look beyond the vintage maps, hawsers and glass lanterns and you’ll find one of the most finely curated spirit collections.

a bartender standing by the dimly lit counter inside Hains & Co, Adelaide — Hains & Co boasts an impressive range of gins and rums. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The seafaring motif extends to an excellent selection of gin and rum, alongside cigars sourced from across Central America and the Caribbean. There are also plenty of whiskies on offer and if you’re in the mood for something special, ask about the “break even bottle".

a man sitting in the corner at Hains & Co, Adelaide — Nab a seat at the vintage-themed Hains & Co. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

These impossible-to-find drops are sourced through owner Marcus Motteram’s extensive connections, with every pour sold at cost. Even more exclusive is Ralph Louis Frederick, the invite-only whisky lounge upstairs.

cigars and bottles on display at Hains & Co, Adelaide — Pick from the curated spirit collections. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide

7. Grace Emily Hotel

Best For: Great Live Music in an Old School Setting

Every city has at least one pub where the sticky carpets haven’t been changed in years, the bar service is hilariously retro and the publican has a single-minded dedication to keeping live music on the menu. In Adelaide, that bar is the Grace Emily .

friends sitting at the bar counter of Grace Emily Hotel — Pull up a chair for a pint at Grace Emily Hotel. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

There’s no kitchen and no pokies, and time seems to operate differently in the darkened interior where the EFTPOS machine is a relatively recent addition, the shelves groan under the weight of kitsch relics brought in by patrons and ice-cold Coopers is always on tap.

friends playing pool at Grace Emily Hotel — Find your spot at the pool table. (Image: Josh Geelen Photographer)

Over the years, the back room has hosted everyone from Marlon Williams to local punks playing their first gig, while many a touring musician has been known to pop onstage at Monday’s Billy Bob’s BBQ Jam open mic night.

the bar counter at Grace Emily Hotel — Enjoy excellent beers on tap at Grace Emily Hotel. (Image: Julian Cebo)

Address: 232 Waymouth St, Adelaide

8. Nola

Best For: Bourbon, Beer And Beignets

The name is shorthand for New Orleans, Louisiana, but the offering at this stylish venue housed in a former stable, ventures well beyond the Crescent City.

the interior design of Nola bar in Adelaide — Nola is a stylish bar housed in a former stable. (Image: NOLA Craft Beer & Whiskey)

Sure, you can wash a meal of po’ boys and gumbo down with a killer sazerac, but the bar also boasts 16 craft beer taps that rotate regularly and an incredible selection of bourbon and rye whiskies.

a close-up shot of a bartender preparing a drink at Nola, Adelaide — Taste one of Nola’s signature cocktails. (Image: Lewis Potter)

If choosing between the 350 bottles proves too much, you can even book a range of flights with half a dozen 15 ml pours from around the world (or a particular region). In fact, the only rule here is the one set out by the big neon sign: laissez les bon temps rouler.

wines and spirits on display at the bar counter in Nola, Adelaide — Pick from over 350 bottles on display. (Image: NOLA Craft Beer & Whiskey)

Address: 28 Vardon Ave, Adelaide

9. Pastel Wine Bar

Best For: Mid-Week Date Night

This welcome addition to North Adelaide’s O’Connell Street precinct is an oasis of cool, with exposed brick columns and bottles arrayed around the walls indicative of the relaxed vibe. The excellent wine selection goes heavy on local and small producers (with a few options from farther afield thrown in) and caters to traditionalists and natty wine lovers alike.

a glass of drink at Pastel Wine Bar, Adelaide — Pop by Pastel Wine Bar for a drink and live jazz.

That means there’s room for plenty of skin contact and oxidative wines alongside more classical expressions, so you can be as adventurous as you want when ordering. The food options are equally eclectic, and the menu skilfully skips between the Mediterranean and East Asia – think pasta alla vodka spiked with kimchi and gochujang – with live jazz on Tuesday nights completing the offering.

a plate of food at Pastel Wine Bar, Adelaide — Order from the eclectic menu.

Address: 47 O’Connell St, North Adelaide

10. Exeter Hotel

Best For: Making Friends At The Front Bar

Just about everyone who walks through the doors of this Rundle Street institution feels some sense of ownership, from stalwarts who have propped up the front bar for decades to first-year students at the nearby University of Adelaide. The sense of tradition is impossible to miss; bartenders still pull frosted schooner glasses from the original timber-clad bar fridge and the poster-covered walls of the beer garden are the best way to find out what’s happening in town.

outdoor dining under huge umbrellas at The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide — The Exeter Hotel is perfect for an afternoon drink. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The excellent (and well-priced) meals are one of Adelaide’s best-kept secrets, though the word is out about the surprisingly extensive wine list (including $300 bottles of Krug that are usually poured into 200 ml butcher glasses as part of a late-night celebration).

friends enjoying at The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide — Catch up over a glass or two at The Exeter Hotel. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 246 Rundle St, Adelaide

11. Smokelovers

Best For: A Late Night Cocktail

It’s a testament to the Exeter’s iconic status that most staff members stick around for many years, while one who did move on only made it next door. And rather than competing with his old workplace, Hamish Tregeagle turned the neighbouring tobacconist’s store into a wine and cocktail bar with an altogether more refined feel. The outdoor seats are perfect for people watching on Rundle Street, while the dimly lit interior offers a sense of privacy. Weekend DJ sets enhance the intimate feel, and provide the perfect soundtrack for punchy cocktails and small batch winemakers that lean towards the natural.

Address: 244 Rundle St, Adelaide SA 5000

12. Malt & Juniper

Best For: Whisky In All Its Forms

One look at the name tells you what to expect from this cosy Peel Street whisky (and gin) den . Local legends Sans-Arc designed the narrow space, which is centred around a bar with such an extensive selection that a four-metre-high sliding ladder is required to pull bottles down from the top shelf.

people drinking inside Malt & Juniper, Adelaide — Imbibe a cold one at Malt & Juniper. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

High-backed dark green booths match the colour of the marble bar and are perfect to sink into while you savour one of the drops sourced from all over the world. And if you don’t like your drinks neat, never fear – a dedicated boilermaker menu pairs high quality whiskies with craft beers, while the bar staff are also adept at turning the signature spirits into a variety of tasty cocktails.

a bartender climbing up a sliding ladder to pull bottles from the top shelf at Malt & Juniper, Adelaide — A four-metre-high sliding ladder is needed to pull bottles from the top shelf. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 18 Peel St, Adelaide

Follow our guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide.

The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

1. Practice mindfulness

Hamilton Gallery, the grampians — Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

2. Indulge in self-care

two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains — Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

3. Embrace nature

Boroka Lookout, the grampians — Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

4. Prioritise Rest

outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill — Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

5. Engage Your Senses

Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down — Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

6. Connect and reconnect

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.

12 of the best Adelaide bars for 2024