adelaide CBD bars

Makan Wine Bar

Bar

Two Paper Tiger chefs are behind this big-flavoured wine bar, where contemporary Southeast Asian dishes meet new-wave drops in a relaxed and lofty space.

Latteria

Bar

The Osteria Oggi crew’s Hutt Street hotspot isn’t a restaurant. It’s best thought of as a bar with knockout food – one that’s open all day and flaunts Italian-ish cocktails until late.

Sol Rooftop

Bar

Not your average rooftop bar. Here the team is reducing waste with innovations such as tomato skin “paprika”, apple core “flour” and celeriac-skin treacle, plus sorbets and ice creams created from vegetable by-products.

Trap

Bar

Months of development go into the house creations at this elite 15-seat cocktail bar under Cold Chisel Lane. And they're tasty enough to trap you here for a few hours at least.

Clever Little Tailor

Bar

CLT is cosy, classic and has a quality libation to satisfy every whim. If you’re after snacks, it’s got you covered with imported tinned fish, local cheese and sliced-to-order charcuterie.

Proof

Bar

One of Adelaide’s original small bars also happens to have one of the city’s strongest drinks lists. It's also turning out elite bar snacks in the form of levelled up toasties.

Bar Peripheral

Bar

No standing, no rowdy groups and no Dirty Martinis. This intimate, 12-seat cocktail bar isn’t for everyone. But if you’re game for a hospitality experience unlike anything else in Adelaide, Bar Peripheral is the one for you.

The Crown and Anchor

Bar

Better known as “The Cranker”.

Bank Street Social

Bar

A seemingly limitless warren of exposed brick rooms powered by gin, whisky, local beers and wines.

Crafty Robot Brewing

Bar

Park in one of west end’s biggest beer gardens with a tasting paddle and chunky, Detroit-style pizza slices by a Lost in the Forest co-founder.

Leigh Street Luggage

Bar

After one of Leigh Street’s longstanding tenants closed its doors, it was reborn as this Mediterranean cocktail bar paying tribute to its former life. Visit for local craft beers, European wines and a simple food menu of cured meats and cheese.

Bar Riot

Bar

This sleek bar offers something different: South American and Catalan small plates alongside wines on tap. Don’t leave without trying the show-stopping desserts, like Molotov cake with an innovative twist.

Nearly

Bar

The conversation flows just as freely as the South Australian wines at this cosy wine bar. Its snug interiors, homemade snacks and record player make it feel less like its namesake, and more like hanging at your coolest friend’s place.

The Grace Emily

Bar

The first rung on Adelaide’s live music ladder.

Wax Bar

Bar

Head upstairs to find this neon-lit vinyl bar, which has a balcony and red-tinted dancefloor. Come for its disco balls, DJs, and 800-odd disco, funk and house records. Stay for its tropical cocktails and late-night dance parties.

La Buvette Drinkery

Bar

Aperitifs reign supreme at this romantic riff on the Parisian bistro. Pull up a stool at the dimly lit bar for freshly baked bread and imported French cheese, or spill out onto the street with a lo-fi wine in hand.

Udaberri

Bar

This intimate, San Sebastian-inspired bar stands in a former Flight Centre. But it does a better job at evoking wanderlust than a discounted airfare ever could. In between plates of pintxos and glasses of cava, you'll feel totally transported.

Udaberri

Bar

Shotgun Willie’s

Bar

This Western saloon – by the Cry Baby crew – is part honky-tonk, part truck stop and all Americana. Expect live music, darts, American beers and whisky – with most drinks around the $10 mark.

Loc Bottle Bar

Bar

At this tiny natural wine bar, there's no service bar, removing the barrier between staff and guests. Instead, you can pick your wine off the shelf – a bit like a bottle shop, but it's a bar.

Hard Days Night

Bar

Big groups are well catered for at this spacious, neon-lit warehouse. Inside is a brewery, burger truck, coffee caravan and even a retro-style wedding booth for couples looking to elope after a few drinks.

Thirsty Tiger

Bar

Ascend the stairs from Hindley Street to a slice of island paradise, with pan-Asian and California-inspired bar snacks, playful cocktails, a disco ball and DJs spinning house and funk tunes.

Jennie Wine Bar

Bar

An intimate wine cellar with a list of close to 200 bottles, including hard-to-find drops like a single-vineyard palomino from Spain. Pair them with Ortiz anchovies, duck terrine or a slice of Basque burnt cheesecake.

Mismatch Brewing Co.

Bar

Expect foraged produce, atypical pub food incorporating Mismatch beers (think kingfish garnished with hops and a riff on beer-can chicken riff) and experimental brews made in the “Mismatch lab”.

Nevermind

Bar

Hidden behind Leigh Street Luggage, this good-times cocktail bar is a love letter to the Adelaide hospo crowd. It's the kind of place you can drop in late, grab a fancy toastie and a well-made cocktail, then boogie to a rotating cast of DJs spinning everything from hip-hop to house until the early hours.

Hains and Co

Bar

Come to this versatile bar for red-hot fried chicken, nautical-themed drinks, and even a range of stogies to puff on – if that's your thing.

Leigh Street Wine Room

Bar

A former drycleaner is the setting for one of Adelaide's most exciting drinking dens – a cosy, cleverly designed natural-wine bar serving world-class vino and inventive plates by a young chef with Michelin Star cred.

The Stag Public House

Bar

The iconic East End pub has a kitschy sports bar, an old-school poolroom and a kitchen run by an ex-Orana, Noma and Attica chef.

99 Gang Social

Bar

American-style burgers, beef rendang hoagies and tropical cocktails are the signatures at Gang Gang’s disco-ready burger bar. After the dinner trade, a floating DJ booth provides danceable tunes till late.

Nola

Bar

A New Orleans-inspired bar featuring whiskies from around the world and 16 beer taps. On the menu , you'll find Creole soul food – including Cajun fried chicken – that will help you soak up all that booze.

Mr Goodbar

Bar

At this neon-lit cocktail joint, the drinks are as smooth as the blues icons lining the walls.

Cry Baby

Bar

A "polished-up" dive that splits the difference between pub and small bar. You could just as easily come here to sip from the 300-strong spirit list heavy on tequila and bourbon, or dance to the jukebox rock 'n' roll tunes spinning until late.

Ancient World

Bar

Anything goes at this basement bar and live music venue.

Lion Arts Factory

Bar

Formerly Fowler’s Live, this heritage live music space is one of the best places to see live music in the city. It's had a modern revamp by a team of SA hospitality veterans, and now it stays open late with a diverse line-up of bands, DJs and more.

Marys Poppin

Bar

This inclusive bar and nightclub is a safe space for Adelaide’s queer community, but it's open to anyone who's looking for a gay old time. Mirrored ceilings, light-up go-go dancing cages and a giant rainbow are the canvas for your Saturday night boogie.

Smokelovers

Bar

This tiny, timber-panelled bar next to the Exeter Hotel is a destination for cocktails, lo-fi local wines and simple food such as olives, cheese and tinned seafood.

Pink Moon Saloon

Bar

This narrow, faux alpine hut hits all the same targets as sister bar Clever Little Tailor.

Memphis Slim’s House of Blues

Bar

At this throwback cocktail bar by the Cry Baby Crew, you'll find live blues, a pool room and classic drinks.

Maybe Mae

Bar

A contender for Australia's most well-hidden cocktail bar. But trust us, this one is worth seeking out. But once you find this subterranean 1950s inspired cocktail lounge and take a seat in one of the comfy leather booths, you won't want to leave.

BRKLYN

Bar

This cocktail bar, which is inspired by – you guessed it - Brooklyn, has its own internal "street" featuring three separate shops, each with different offerings, to choose from.

Hellbound

Bar

A trip to this intimate basement on Rundle Street feels a lot like having a party in a wine cellar. There are cheap cleanskins by the glass and more than 200 wines by the bottle, which range from affordable to eye-wateringly expensive. Then there's a couple of cocktails and beers to choose from, with plenty of bar snacks, too.

West Oak Hotel

Bar

A carefully updated old classic.

Apoteca

Bar

The west-end wine bar bringing a touch of New York City to Adelaide.

55ml

Bar

A bar with craft beer on the brain.

Alfred’s Bar

Bar

A small bar with the heart of a neighbourhood pub

Paloma

Bar

A bar from the team behind 2KW that specialises in agave-based spirits and sherry, with tinned anchovies, terrines, charcuterie and cheese to eat in or take home.