It’s World Cocktail Day: Here are 12 cool Adelaide bars where you can raise a toast
Shaken, stirred or blended? Rum, gin, whiskey or vodka? To toast World Cocktail Day, here are some of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide to mix your favourite drink.
Lifestyle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Shaken, stirred or blended? Do you prefer yours with rum, gin, whiskey or vodka? Perhaps it’s a classic cosmo which takes your fancy, or a strong martini? Maybe you’re after something a big more exotic?
Whatever your preference, nothing gets a night going quite like a perfectly made cocktail at a stylish bar.
To toast World Cocktail Day, here are some of the best spots in Adelaide to secure your favourite drink.
The Sorcerer’s Bar
25B Bank St, Adelaide
If you're in need of a magical pick-me-up, the bewitching Sorcerer’s Bar in Bank St has some spellbinding spirits.
But Harry Potter himself might struggle to get a spot with the wizard-themed venue seating just 10 inside and 10 outside.
The drinks list features a selection of cocktails made only at the Sorcerer’s: from Butterbeer shots; Polyjuice Potion, served in a cauldron; the Half-Blood Sangria, served in a giant mirrored goblet; a gold liquor cocktail called The Phoenix, Sorcerer’s Gin, made with real butterfly pea flower, which changes colour as you drink it and German gin and schnapps.
Hains & Co
23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide
Ahoy, me-hearties! Set sail to this nautical-themed gin and rum bar and your tastebuds will come alive with a wide selection of thirst-quenching aperitifs, perfect for a night out or an afternoon tipple.
The brainchild of industry veteran Marcus Motteram, the venue features some of the city’s top mixologists working with top-shelf spirits from across the seas. What could go wrong?
Proof
9A Anster Street, Adelaide
Quality mixology in a relaxed setting is the secret behind Proof, which was awarded Adelaide’s first small bar license in 2013.
Tucked away in a little city laneway, the two-level venue prides itself on personalised service and you’ll feel right at home from that very first sip.
There’s a bar downstairs, booths upstairs and an outdoor deck for guests, who can also enjoy one of their acclaimed toasties - the mushroom, truffle and gruyere is a winner.
Udaberri
11-13 Leigh St, Adelaide
One of Adelaide’s first small bars which kicked off the boom, Udaberri recently celebrated 10 years of delectable drinks - and eats.
Gin is its strong suit, with a long list of variations on the basic gin and tonic, complete with colourful garnishes, alongside an extensive selection of classic and house cocktails.
When you’re feeling peckish, Udaberri – which means spring season in Basque – also specialises in traditional pintxos, including croquetas de bacalao and bocadillos. Delish.
Therapy Cocktail Bar
2 Peel St, Adelaide
One of the city’s hidden gems, it’s easy to walk past basement bar Therapy as you stroll down Peel St on a busy Saturday night.
But if you’re after a tasty drink, head down the stairs and explore their extensive cocktail list, which includes more than 100 options. Plus, you can take advantage of old fashioned, negroni and Hendricks gin specials daily from 7pm. You won’t be disappointed.
Maybe Mae
15 Peel St, Adelaide
The entrance to this award-winning, art deco-styled bar is a nondescript wood-panelled door, beneath sister venue Bread and Bone.
Once inside, grab a spot at the bar or in one of the large booths and enjoy one of their sustainably-focused cocktails using local produce.
Actor Bill Murray has his own drink named after him, featuring whiskey and apricot liqueur, and currently on the menu there’s a Consider The Plum cocktail using rhubarb, chrysanthemum, bubbles, Bizzarro aperitivo, plum umeshu.
The Collins Bar
Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square
Located on the Grote St corner of Victoria Square, this sophisticated venue, inside the Hilton Adelaide, has served some of the world’s best cyclists (and cycling commentators – see below) as a regular haunt of Tour Down Under guests.
Whether it’s a classic cocktail or something more daring and progressive, you’ll always find something delicious being mixed behind the bar.
Hennessy Rooftop Bar
45 King William St, Adelaide
There’s always plenty of cocktail options available at this stylish nightspot, situated on the top of the luxurious Mayfair Hotel.
But don’t take our word for it; big names such as Janet Jackson and Jason Derulo, and The Bachelor’s Nick Cummins aka ‘The Honey Badger’ have been spotted sipping on drinks at the bar, which was singled out by The Times of London in 2020 as one of Adelaide’s top places for a tipple.
The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange
27 Gresham St, Adelaide
If you like devouring a good book with an even better cocktail in hand, this is the place for you.
Launched in 2014 by Russian couple Roman and Marina Tazhdynova, Bibliotheca is an intimate, secluded, European-style bar stocked full of vintage books (which can be exchanged), with a focus on top-shelf spirits from around the globe, including more than 100 different whiskies.
Ideal for literary types or anyone who prefers to sit solo and page-flick without feeling the need to mingle.
Pink Moon Saloon
21 Leigh St, Adelaide
From the front it looks like a tiny ski chalet, but once you get past the blue doorway, a whole world of cocktails await.
The Leigh St hotspot – which was named Australia’s best bar by Gourmet Traveller magazine in 2016 – is located in a laneway just 4m-wide yet it’s cosy rather than restrictive.
The creative drinks list features a range of favourite and bar classics of various strength, from lighter spritzy numbers to boozier beverages including a New York Sazerac (rye, cognac, bitters, stirred down with sugar and a lick of absinthe).
Paloma Bar and Pantry
20 Peel St, Adelaide
Mediterranean vibes and innovative cocktails are the selling points at this light and bright venue in the heart of the West End.
Paloma gives a twist on the classic spritz with four different options, either with gin, limoncello or rose, plus a range of other European-inspired cocktails which will make you feel like you’re on summer holiday in the middle of winter.
The bar’s namesake, a Mexican tipple made from tequila, grapefruit and soda, is also be available.
Then there’s the pantry itself, filled with snacks such as Sicilian olives, tins of anchovies, sardines and a selection of cheese and charcuterie.
The Howling Owl
10 Vaughan Pl, Adelaide
Gin is their thing at The Howling Owl, which was formerly located on Frome St but moved to Vaughan Place next door to Palace cinemas in 2017.
They’re not joking either, with their gin list an incredible 25 pages long.
Couple that with a clever range of cocktails including the Howling Bramble (raspberry jam, fresh thyme, roku gin and topped with soda) and it’s doubtful aperitif-loving adults will make it to their movie on time.
More Coverage
You’re probably not breathing correctly (and it could be killing you)
Yes, there’s a right and wrong way
Human Nature brothers reveal what happens on tour
As half of pop group Human Nature, brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney are kept on the move with their music.