Land of Promise pub in Hindmarsh changing hands, with topless bar set to go

The owners of one of Adelaide’s last suburban topless bars have revealed why the venue is ditching the adult entertainment – days after another pub made a similar decision.

One of the last suburban Adelaide pubs to offer adult entertainment will be ditching the topless tradition his month, owners have revealed.

Leanne Cox and her husband Leighton will be closing the doors at the Land of Promise in Hindmarsh on June 24 after 31 years of trade.

The historic pub first opened as the ‘Land of Promise Inn’ in 1840 and was taken over by Mr and Mrs Cox in 1991, who established it as the west’s go-to adult venue.

Mrs Cox said five of her six children had worked at the family business, but the couple decided to sell the bar after her husband’s cancer diagnosis two years ago “put things in perspective”.

“He’s fine now, but it gave us a reality check on what’s important,” she said.

“Now that the kids have grown up and are all going their separate ways, there’s no need for us to stay any more.”

The Advertiser understands the prospective buyer will be looking to develop the property, with the topless bar unlikely to remain.

Leanne and Leighton Cox at the front of the Land of Promise, Adelaide's last suburban topless bar. Picture: Tom Huntley

Staff members Kyah and Astrix at the Land of Promise. Picture: Tom Huntley

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Mrs Cox said the venue’s loyal customer base, which helped it stay strong through Covid, was devastated to hear doors would be closing.

But the pub had struggled to lure new patrons, with the 61-year-old blaming “boutique gin bars” for the lack of young people coming through the doors.

“Most (patrons) have grown up at the pub. They have been coming here for so long they recognise people – they don’t know them by name, but they know their regular seat,” Mrs Cox said.

“They’re sad to see us go but understand, they’ve seen the struggles with my husband being unwell.

“It’s hard to get young people into the topless bar. They seem to be more into boutique gin bars.”

The historic Hotel opened its doors in 1840. Picture: Neon Martin

The venue was not without controversy. In 2020, its “slave night – where patrons will be able to bid on women with fake money to perform acts including “shower shows” – courted backlash.

But Ms Cox said The Land of Promise’s regular events, including jelly wrestling and a “lesbian lust special”, were all part of its success.

“We have had some amazing nights, from the usual wet T-shirt contest to jelly wrestling and the ‘human fly traps’,” she said.

“One of our more memorable nights was for the venue’s 160th birthday, where we had a re-enactment of a wife auction where the husband sells off his wife … which happened back in the day.”

The Land of Promise’s last day of trade under Mr and Mrs Cox will be June 24.

“It’s the end of an era,” Mrs Cox said.

Its decision to ditch adult entertainment follows a similar move by the Cross Keys Hotel in Adelaide’s industrial north and nearby Cavan Hotel.