The guys behind Delicatessen Kitchen & Bar have opened their cellar for dinner and drinks

A LONG-lost restaurant cellar in Adelaide is now open for after-work drinks and bites.

Andy Thiele in his new Deli Cellar, underneath The Delicatessen Kitchen & Bar. Picture: Emma Brasier/AAP

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A LONG-LOST restaurant cellar has become a CBD hidey-hole-in-the-wall for after-work drinks and small plates.

The existence of the cellar was news to Andy Thiele and Paul Gray, who opened the French-themed ground-level Delicatessen Kitchen & Bar on Waymouth St about four years ago.

“We only heard about it last year, when someone who worked here a long time ago told us there was a pretty big area under us,” says Andy.

After the pair spent months resurrecting access and gaining approvals, their gnarly-walled Deli Cellar on Waymouth St is now open.

Inside Deli Cellar.

“It was once full of water, so it was a crazy amount of work to make it dry and usable,” says Andy, who is happy with the results but “I doubt we would have done it, had we known how much work was involved”.

“The stairs were still there, but a floor had been built over the whole area.”

A rustic bar, retro seating and cosy tables have been added and there’s a romantic hidden booth nook.

“It has a well-stocked bar and a very keen American down there who knows his spirits and is doing a great job on the cocktails,” says Andy, who is already taking function bookings for the underground space that seats 35.

“We can move things around to get a long table in as well.”

For now, access is via the restaurant, but there are plans for a separate, dedicated entrance from the side laneway, where a small outdoor area is also under negotiation with Adelaide City Council.

The Deli Cellar is open Wednesday to Saturday 5pm-late, or by appointment.

12 Waymouth St, city, 8211 8871, delicatessenbar.com.au