The Best Bars in Glenelg for Your Next Night Out

When sunny days call for a drink down by the coast, call up the girls and stamp your social calendar in Glenelg. Whether you’re toasting with cocktails under the sun or sipping wine as the sea breeze rolls in, this buzzing beachside spot is packed with top-tier bars serving delicious drinks, tasty bites, and unbeatable vibes.

Glenelg’s watering holes are not just about cocktails and mocktails; they set the scene with the perfect ambience for a laidback afternoon by the sea. From balcony bars overlooking Jetty Road to cosy wine bars and longstanding pubs that transition to a party come nightfall, this is where great drinks, great music and great company collide. So, why settle for the ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Head west to this energetic ‘burb and make a day of it at the best bars in Glenelg. Cheers!

Molly’s 

Uncover the allure of Molly’s, the gem tucked away in the Colley Hotel. This intimate space invites you to sip Negronis and Spritz while basking in great company, transporting you to the Amalfi Coast with its delectable Italian fare and refreshing cocktails. When hunger strikes, enjoy tender polpette bursting with rich tomato sauce, ricotta-stuffed zucchini flowers and Kingfish crudo with pickled cucumber, while the charcuterie selection and an array of pasta and pizza promise to be the perfect pairing to a South Australian wine.

Level 1, 28 Jetty Road, Glenelg

Ballet Wine Bar 

Jetty Road’s newest gem, Ballet Wine Bar, brings a slice of Europe to Glenelg with its chic, French-inspired interior and a selection of boutique, old-world, and European wines alongside Australia’s finest interpretations. Owned by hospitality veterans Mike and Mel, Ballet offers a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, perfect for sipping global wines, craft beers, and classic cocktails.

The space, designed by SMFA Architects and Elite Building Co., exudes old-world charm and modern elegance, with intimate tasting rooms and open windows. Pair your drinks with seasonally curated small plates, and look out for exclusive events featuring winemakers and new vintages. 

Sitchu tip: Need some inspo for your next date night? Wednesdays Pasta & Pinot deal is the perfect mid-week treat!

29 Jetty Road, Glenelg

Terra and Sol

This bright and airy multi-purpose venue is an aesthetic pastel Pinterest dream – so be sure to be photo-ready! Terra and Sol is a premium bar with good times to be had all year, best for sunny days and fabulous functions. The kitchen boasts a multi-cultural inspired menu that is best for sharing – we highly recommend the crispy skin miso salmon with apple slaw, or the burrata with honey and dukkah for something light.

As for the drinks – the extensive menu will delight just about any thirst-quenching desire, with proudly South Australian wines, beers, ciders and cocktails all on offer. Frozen daiquiris will keep you cool, and sensational sours add a little more punch, though sometimes it’s impossible to pass up a quintessential Aperol Spritz in the afternoon sun.

18 Jetty Road, Glenelg

The Moseley Bar and Kitchen

Ask any Adelaidean for a Glenelg bar recommendation with a great view, and they’ll likely mention The Moseley Bar and Kitchen. Sitting pretty in Moseley Square, it is hard to miss this double-storey spot that calls for after-work drinks, a fuss-free meal with friends on the balcony, or a late-night boogie.

With events happening at The Moseley year-round, there is always something fun to do – from insulated igloos in the middle of winter to indulgent one-off dining events. The menu is perfect for sharing – with crowd-pleasing hot chips, burgers and oysters all covered on the extensive list. For the party people, the Moseley nightclub kicks off every weekend upstairs with resident DJs lifting the mood when you aren’t quite ready to call it a night. 

11 Moseley Square, Glenelg

Threefold Distilling

A cocktail bar and tasting room after our hearts, Threefold Distilling is home to premium gin and experienced, warm hospitality in a modern space in Glenelg East. Pop into the tasting room to try a selection of varieties on their gin flight, or choose a gin-inspired cocktail with classics and creative concoctions – one cherry Gimlet, please.

There is themed musical bingo, seasonal menus, workshops and monthly cocktail masterclasses to keep things interesting, too!

1/524 Anzac Highway, Glenelg East

Fourth

Sitting back from the beach and the main square is Glenelg’s Jetty Road – a popular shopping strip of boutiques, restaurants, ice cream shops and most importantly – great bars. Fourth quickly became a crowd favourite thanks to its stunning interiors, friendly and relaxed staff, all-day menu, and delicious drinks. With a cocktail list that oozes spritzes and vibrant flavours, this is the place to be. Our drink of choice? We can’t look past the classic Limoncello Spritz or the Pineapple Express – a mix of coconut tequila, orange curacao, pineapple and passionfruit.

34 Jetty Road, Glenelg

Junipers on the Marina

Stroll down Glenelg Marina to find Junipers on the Marina, a destination for live acoustic music, world-class gins, tantalising tapas, and a relaxed beachside atmosphere. Sometimes overlooked; this little pocket of fun is easily one of the best bars in Glenelg, with no shortage of entertainment.

Come for the views of the marina and stay for the amazing food – think oysters, BBQ pork spare ribs, nachos, speciality paella and grilled chorizo – plus an impressive drinks menu placing a strong focus on gin. What’s in a name after all? If gin isn’t your thing, Juniper’s has you covered with beers, wines and spirits, and is a perfect spot for your next sunset sips sesh. 

11/12 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg

The Moseley Beach Club

A fabulous summer-only addition to the Moseley Bar and Kitchen that well and truly deserves a shoutout is the Moseley Beach Club. Taking inspiration from the laidback and oh-so-fabulous beach clubs in Europe, The Moseley sits on the sand at Glenelg Beach…and the vibes are immaculate. Grab a sun lounge, apply the sun lotion, order a pitcher of cocktails and a few shared plates to enjoy as you watch the sunset and for a moment, you might trick yourself into thinking you’re on a European holiday. We’ll drink to that.

Check out The Moseley Beach Club socials here for up-to-date opening dates.

Glenelg Beach, Glenelg

Marina Sunset Bar

The sun is shining and the cocktails are waiting at Marina Sunset Bar! There’s no pretentiousness, just laidback fun by Glenelg Marina, where it’s all about sharing moments with friends over tasty drinks and old-fashioned pub grub, with live music or party tunes to set the mood.

Dive into tapas – the mozzarella sticks and dip board are a crowd-pleaser, and mouthwatering pizzas are available gluten-free. The drinks menu has all you could need for a good time. Choose from wines and classic cocktails, and if you’re up for a big night, kickstart the party with their epic fishbowls. Gather, relax, and soak in the sunset views as you enjoy a carefree afternoon by the water.

Shop 3, Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg

Oyster Bar Holdfast Shores

What do you get when you combine South Australia’s freshest oysters, a prime location, a laidback atmosphere and a drinks menu of premium wines and refreshing cocktails? Oyster Bar Holdfast Shores! Oyster lovers rejoice and head down to Glenelg, where you can perch alfresco to make your way through fresh oysters served any way you like, from classic Kilpatrick or panko crumb to a chilli and cheese variety. Wash it down with your favourite drink, or go for something new like the Minton mango cocktail – Bulleit rye whiskey with mango, lemon, mint and raspberry. Yum!

Shop 10, Marina Pier, Glenelg

The Wharf 

The Wharf is one of the best restaurants in Glenelg… but it’s also one of our favourite stops for sundowner cocktails along the Marina Pier. Lounge at a table overlooking Glenelg Beach and indulge in a colourful array of their signature or classic cocktails; from the Strawberry Blush (vodka, strawberry and elderflower liqueurs) to the warm weather stalwart of a Pina Colada. Curating the most calming, relaxing environment for everyone, The Wharf is one of the best bars in Glenelg. 

The Marina Pier, Shop 4, Glenelg 

Has our list of the best bars in Glenelg got you in the mood for a fun weekend? Why not go from a day in Glenelg to a night on the town, with these hidden bars in Adelaide? If all this talk of food makes you hungry, look at the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide. 

Kelly Mills, Kelsey Harrington

26 February 2025