Wassail Wine Bar

Prospect locals Trish and Judd Chillingworth just wanted somewhere to drink. Long-time lovers of food and wine, the couple successfully beat the hangover of a 60-year temperance movement that left the suburb’s heart without a watering hole.

Despite this, it seems that Wassail was always meant to be. The rambling 1890 house was built by the son of a local publican and is imbued with a history of wine worship – from the grapes carved into the original keystone above the bar to the century-old vine that snakes its way along the beer garden’s fence.

The couple preserved the old-world feel of the building with antique furniture and embellishments, adding modern twists along the way. One room is hung entirely with glittering salvaged mirrors; another is decorated with a collection of porcelain ducks, ready to take flight from the walls.

The menu emphasises South Australian produce. A platter of local cheese can be enjoyed with a glass of McClaren Vale, Barossa or Clare wine, while listening to an eclectic range of live jazz, rock, soul or Celtic tunes.

On a sunny afternoon, resident artist and Prospect icon Geoffrey Stapleton – whose work adorns the bar’s walls – can be spotted painting with a smile beneath Wassail’s eaves. Just follow the warm glow and the music echoing out onto Prospect Road, and you’ll find yourself at home in no time.