The best pubs to watch the footy in Adelaide during AFL Gather Round 2025

Made the trip to Adelaide for Gather Round? Or just a local who wants to soak up the atmosphere? We’ve got you covered – here are the best venues to enjoy the footy this week.

Adelaide might have had the ‘City of Churches’ nickname for some time.

But it also could be called the city of pubs with plenty of options in and out of the CBD for footy fans to whet the whistle before, during or after Gather Round matches this week.

We’ve compiled a list of the places to check out in the city, North Adelaide or around Adelaide Oval for games at the iconic venue, those out east for the Norwood Oval games and a couple of other pubs to consider out in the suburbs.

CITY

SIM’S NO.1 CHOICE

The Stag

299 Rundle St, Adelaide

In the city’s east end The Stag is a place steeped in history. With plenty of beers available on tap, they also do imperial pints for our interstate visitors, there’s also an extensive menu. In addition to boasting a dedicated sports room it also has a large projector and screen for live sport.

Coopers Alehouse

316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Facing one of the city’s squares, Hurtle Square, it boasts the entire range of the iconic South Australian brew as well as two big screens. While not near the main drag, it is still well within walking distance in the city.

Cumberland Arms

205 Waymouth St, Adelaide

Boasting one of the most loved outdoor areas in the city, ‘The Cumby’ is always a popular option with South Australians. During Gather Round it will be taken over by former Fremantle and GWS player Tommy Sheridan’s Ausmerican Aces on the Friday and Saturday with Crows captain Jordan Dawson and Brisbane stars Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley to make appearances.

General Havelock

162 Hutt St, Adelaide

One of the iconic Adelaide establishments that holds a very special place in the hearts of locals, the Hutt Street watering hole has long been a place where nights start. For footy a big screen is set up on the balcony.

The Exeter

246 Rundle St, Adelaide

OK they don’t show the footy here but this Rundle St establishment is a true Adelaide icon and almost a rite of passage for locals. The best way to enjoy the Ex is to get a seat outside and soak up the atmosphere on the street, but you have to be quick to secure a table.

The Golden Wattle

110 Pirie St, Adelaide

Right in the middle of the main part of the city the Golden Wattle has the vibe of an old school pub but with an interesting wine list and a quality food menu.

The Hotel Metropolitan

46 Grote St, Adelaide

Open seven days, also with food all day, sport is always on at the historic venue with its big screens. If you like live music this is also a place for you.

The District at SkyCity

125 North Terrace, Adelaide

Part of the SkyCity Casino complex, The District is a proper sports bar with numerous massive screens that shows whatever live sport is on throughout the day and night. There is also an atrium area that has a giant screen as well.

The Strathmore

129 North Terrace, Adelaide

Owned by the same family since 1972, the Strathmore has a great location on North Terrace just opposite SkyCity and on the way to Adelaide Oval from the city. With big screens to watch the footy on there’s also game day drink specials all weekend during Gather Round.

The Franklin

92 Franklin St, Adelaide

If you like craft beer then the Franklin is for you. With an ever rotating tap list there’s plenty of interesting beer here as well as an elite beer garden out back.

NORTH ADELAIDE/ADELAIDE OVAL

SIM’S NO.1 CHOICE

The Queens Head

117 Kermode St, North Adelaide

Around a minutes walk from Adelaide Oval, the Queens Head is one of the main place footy fans go before games at the ground. With plenty of screens and a big one out back in the beer garden it is normally pumping before games. Before the Thursday night clash between the Crows and Cats the Triple M Rush Hour with James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless will broadcast from there.

The Cathedral

45 Kermode St, North Adelaide

Just across King William Road from Adelaide Oval, 450m to be exact, the Cathedral is another one popular with footy fans for its proximity to the ground.

The British

58 Finniss St, North Adelaide

A little further away from Adelaide Oval but still well within walking distance. The British is known for its food and wine, as well its relaxed atmosphere, which has proven to be popular with footy fans.

The Lion

161 Melbourne St, North Adelaide

A historic and much loved pub among the people of Adelaide, it is always a popular location before and especially after games. This Gather Round, they have events with Port Adelaide star trio Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis, while Collingwood legend Peter Daicos will be at their Block Party on the Friday and Saturday. Unlike some other pubs the Lion does Sunday’s really well.

The Kentish

23 Stanley St, North Adelaide

A bit further away from the ground than the others but the setting of the leafy streets of Stanley St make up for it, with the Kentish just a good pub.

Malt Shovel Taphouse

Festival Centre, Festival Dr, Adelaide

An easy option for a place to stop off at on the way to or from the game, or even during if you don’t have a ticket, with the Taphouse just off the Adelaide Oval footbridge. With plenty of craft beer, the views across the River Torrens to Adelaide Oval are stunning.

NORWOOD/EAST

SIM’S NO.1 CHOICE

The Republic

120 Magill Rd, Norwood

A perfect pub if you want to watch sport with three massive screens inside and multiple TV’s around the place. For every game they have a $20 jug deal of selected beers from siren to siren and on the Saturday of Gather Round they will have a carpark party with a giant screen outside.

The Colonist

44 The Parade, Norwood

A charismatic pub on the Parade that is a favourite among those going to watch the footy at Norwood Oval the Colonist is like what old pubs used to look like and on Friday afternoons has free oysters for patrons.

The Norwood Hotel

97 The Parade, Norwood

The closest to Norwood Oval and serving $9 Guinness every day if you are a fan of the black stuff this Irish pub is very popular.

The Bath Hotel is ready for Gather Round again. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The Bath

232 The Parade, Norwood

A long established venue the Bath has a great outdoor area with a big screen that is perfect to watch the footy on.

The Kensington Hotel

23 Regent St, Kensington

A little bit up the road, the Kensi is a classic pub, with a corner bar featuring plenty of screens to watch the footy on as well as a TAB facility.

The Alma

66 Magill Rd, Norwood

While it isn’t part owned by Crows legends Mark Ricciuto, Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane any more the Alma is going to be a busy place during Gather Round with multiple events as well as a promotion on the Thursday Crows v Cats game in which when the Crows score their first goal in each half the Coopers will be on the house.

Fans watch the 2024 AFL grand final at the Highway. Picture: Brenton Edwards

OTHER

The Highway

290 Anzac Hwy, Plympton

A massive pub – with an equally massive TV screen – on Anzac Highway, many an event has been held at the Highway. Essendon legends James Hird and Tim Watson, Collingwood Royalty Sav Rocca and Dane Swan and Richmond three-time premiership winner Jack Riewoldt are all having events here during Gather Round.

The Arkaba

150 Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton

Just outside the city live sport is always on at the Ark with their sports bar boasting a huge LED screen, a 360C funnel screen and TAB facilities, as well as food and drink specials, a shuffleboard, digital darts and a pool table.

Ramsgate Hotel

328 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach

We all know about the Ramsgate from the infamous pub brawl between Adelaide and Port players after a Showdown in 2002. So if you want to go out to Henley Beach and see where the rivalry between the SA clubs really took off there’s also plenty of specials when the footy is on.

Originally published as The best pubs to watch the footy in Adelaide during AFL Gather Round 2025