The Best New Bars in Adelaide

by Broadsheet Editors

Updated 5 days ago

We've been drinking well with some great new openings of late. While there's always room for a glass at one of Adelaide's best wine or cocktail bars, it's always fun to try somewhere new, too.

This is our edit of Adelaide's best new bars, updated monthly. Some could become your new favourite; others may just be good for one memorable night. All are worth a try. Here's a tip: come hungry. A lot of these bars have killer menus that deserve to be explored.

East End Cellars Norwood
Bar
One of Adelaide’s favourite wine shops has expanded to Norwood, with a menu of brasserie classics by a former Press Food & Wine chef. As ever, the wine list is sure to impress: around 600 bottles are available to take away or drink in-house.
Alt Wine Bar
Bar
The owner-chef behind cafe Lockwood General has turned his attention to nights with this intimate and moody wine bar. On the menu? It could be miso devilled eggs, crab croquettes and fried chicken with truffle sriracha.
Spread Delicatessen & Bar
Cafe
The Dolly team's next-door nook is a masterclass in paninis and toasties. At night, it flips into a cosy wine bar with clever dishes and a tight edit of stirred cocktails. Grab fancy pantry items from the retail section on your way out.
Dolly
Bar
Stop by this slick bar, by the team behind Lune, for crab soldiers, buttermilk-fried quail and a grilled cheese sandwich with mushroom and Vegemite. Plus, an approachable wine list favouring local producers.
Four Sides Bar & Kitchen
Restaurant
Somehow, this cool neighbourhood wine bar manages to be effortlessly cohesive while refusing to conform. The menu taps everything from Japanese to Ukrainian cuisine, and the impressive single-pour wine list seals the deal for us.
Yellow Matter
Restaurant
This pretty mid-century-style brewery serves approachable beers, new-wave wines and a veg-forward menu in a heritage former council chambers. It also doubles as the home of beloved inner west cafe, Karma and Crow
El Camino and Walden’s General Store
Bar
The vast, diverse landscapes of southwestern America were the inspiration for this store and eatery. Order tacos, charcoal-grilled corn, nachos and Mexican beer out the back, then peruse American-made items in the front.
Wax Bar
Bar
Head upstairs to find this neon-lit vinyl bar, which has a balcony and red-tinted dancefloor. Come for its disco balls, DJs, and 800-odd disco, funk and house records. Stay for its tropical cocktails and late-night dance parties.
The Brompton Hotel
Bar
This heritage pub has lived many lives, but loves to keep a bit of nostalgia on menu. Find Euro classics like a chorizo scotch egg and a fancified chicken Kyiv, plus local beers and spirits from the inner west.
Fu Cocktail & Wine Bar
Bar
Fu translates to “good fortune” in Mandarin, and at this cosy spot you’ll find the recipe for just that: cocktails with pickle juice, a killer wine list, delectable dishes with an Asian flair and creative snacks for your pet.
Aces
Restaurant
The modern Aces is a two-storey bar and diner with an Italy-meets-Chinatown menu and one of Adelaide’s best chefs at the helm.