Australia is a huge and diverse country not just for its tourist attractions, art, food & music but also when it comes to bar scenes and night life here. It’s a place where you’ll find Aussies having fun everywhere, from bar, pubs and clubs in the cities to barbecues in the Outback. Adelaide lives up to its reputation with a dazzling array of old-school and trendy haunts, while rural or remote places simply offer the chance of a good campfire and outdoor session under the stars. The city is bursting with culture, flavours, and fun. With world-famous wine regions, only minutes away from the city, soak up the sun at the picturesque beaches, party on with the carnival like feel at the local events or spend the evenings exploring Adelaide attractions and the ever-thriving bar scene, a gateway to some of Australia’s finest cocktail scene. With the influx of ambitious young establishing their presence in Adelaide, the city is serving up some stellar concoctions. These young mates are shaping Adelaide’s growing bar scene and taking it to another level.
The city is not just about the young though. Raising the bar is Hains & Co, Marcus Motteram’s contribution to the growing small bar scene. The local hospitality veteran who was a contributor in shaping Melbourne’s bar scene for over a decade came home to set shop. Named after the old Hains Hunkin furniture store, owned by Motteram’s grandfather, this bar is nautically inspired with a thirst for gin & rum, a love of the sea, and a fondness for whisky. Amongst the best sellers are Death’s Door Gin, Old Rip Van Winkle 10yo Whisky & Foursquare 2005, Barbados Rum.
Talking about love for sea, a priceless discovery is Clever Little Tailor, named after the epic German fairy tale, it’s a beautiful little bar that holds a unique space in the bar scene. Chic white wood-panelled bar and walls, circular leather booths and nautical lights this is one classy place with meticulous detailing. The drinks list offers a good selection of luxurious beers bespoke whiskies complimented with other spirits &cocktails. Single malts, Gins and Rye Whiskies are amongst the sought after while classic Negroni, Gin & Tonic Dreams, Manhattan with a modern twist still rule the charts.
Adelaide is a city boasting of freshest produce. A visit to 2KW Bar and Restaurant confirms just that. This place has become an icon of the Adelaide food and bar culture. 8 floors above the corner of King William St and North Terrace, it has established itself as benchmark in this town. Vodka, SlSoe Gin, Scotch and Pimm form the base spirits for the signature cocktails. Pineapple, Peach, Pears, Passionfruit are few fresh fruits for these cocktails with a considerable influence of various citrus elements. The 2KW, Donny’s Pink Pants, Stormy Like Summer, Rooftop Winter and Monta Mule are the popular preferences among their modest list signature cocktails.
The trend keeps shifting from spirit to spirit with one constant. Craft beer. When we talk about craft beer, Bank Street Social needs a special mention. This Bar specialises in craft beer and cider, boutique SA wines and local gin and whisky. Bank Street Social is so committed to local South Australian produce that even the pizzas are named after the state’s splendid select food regions. They have also launched a range of exceptional bottled cocktails, under the label Bank Street Cocktail Company and with premium cocktails like Negroni, Espresso Martini & Old Fashioned in bottle
Basement Bars are the new rage in Adelaide and https://viagrageneriquefr24.com Maybe Mae on Peel Street does the basement bar thing so right, from its wood-panelled door, to its plush green leather booths and an art deco inspired timber and mirrored décor, is all about detailing. It’s mature, but casual and fun with great music and a great cocktail list, running the range of classics with some creative specials. Above all, it’s the execution of cocktails, which is completely impressive. The young co-owners have worked around top spots of Adelaide and have brought the knowledge and expertise to ensure Maybe Mae’s successful stint. Rye, Bourbon, Vodka and Gin are the favourite base. The house specials include Gin based Eastside 75, Dutch Vodka based Summer Daisy, Rye based Rye & Rhubarb and Carthusian in Claremont.
Adding to the list of basement bars, South Australia’s biggest collection of whisky can be found at the swanky basement lounge bar, Suzie Wong. The faintly lit bar with heritage stone walls and booths is alive behind a hidden door in Red October restaurant and bar. This bar boasts of over 300 bottles of premium whisky soon to acquire over 500 and world class, beautiful and delicious artisanal cocktails.
Australians love their drinks, as Whiskey and Gin are picking pace, Malt and Juniper – a spirit-focussed whisky and gin bar, is just the spot to seek. The cocktails are seasonal and a mix between fruits and herbs and whatever’s the seasons specialty at the time, but they are all whisky and gin focussed. As expected, the gin and whisk(e)y lists both run modest, with a marked presence of local gin distillers balancing against a modest list of international labels. The whisky on the other hand, covers just about every well-known region, with collection from across the globe.
Adelaide is known to have a considerable global footprint. Tucked away in a quiet Leigh Street in the city is Casablabla. You walk in into a fine inspiration from Morocco, Turkey, Bali and Cambodia. Collected souvenirs and treasures from exotic destinations make up an eclectic mixture. Their cocktails specialties are Tiki Taka, a trio of rums and fresh fruits, Melon Sour with Grey Goose and the Casablabla favourite – Very Pear Berry, a balance of berries, gin and vodka shaken to perfection. The cocktail menu is complimented well with superior selection of Bourbons, Rye, Gin, Rum and Vodka.
Last but not the least on our list is Mother Vine. The name comes from a clone of Pinot Noir, the MV6, or Mother Vine 6. The Mother Vine is the connection of Australia with France. From a splendid collection of Red, White and sparkling collections from around the world, Mother Vine has delicious vines to suit all palates.
This is a city of hidden treasures and pleasures from Rooftop to Basement bars in the heart of the city with the bustle to unlock nostalgic sensations. The city aims to tantalise and remind you of simpler times. Whatever your spirit of preference maybe, Adelaide has something on offer for everyone.
Slainte and enjoy responsibly!
