The Best Cocktail Bars in Adelaide to Shake up Your Night
Sip sip hooray! Here’s an order of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide to suit every taste.
There is something about a cocktail that just hits differently. Fruity and sweet, sour and bitter, they are one of life’s little luxuries created purely to be enjoyed. Adelaide holds some of the best bars for all your cocktail needs. From the classic martini or a mojito, to sips that seem questionable yet exciting as they are lit on fire or rimmed with spice, there is always something to suit every occasion and all vibes.
Moody speakeasy style haunts for a romantic rendezvous and lavish lounges on rooftops are waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
We’ve delved into the best of the best so you don’t have to. These are the best cocktail bars in Adelaide to check out.
Smokelovers
Discover a world transformed at Smokelovers, once a tobacconist and now a chic cocktail and wine bar on Rundle Street. After 50 years of tobacco history, bartender Hamish Tregeagle revamped it into a cosy and relaxed space for classic cocktails like the smoky Margarita and refreshing spritzes. Beers, available only by the bottle or can, span a diverse range, and there's a curated wine list if that's more your style. Pair your drink with simple bites, and soak in the charm of the timber-and-greens decor - perfect for an after work tipple!
244 Rundle Street, Adelaide
Nevermind Bar
Tucked away behind the rather excellent cocktail bar Leigh Street Luggage is this late-night, low-key hangout.
Nevermind Bar is a red-lit spot for a good time and some of the best cocktails in town. The team are mixing things up with their caramelised popcorn espresso martini, whilst also providing a stellar range of classic drinks that makes picking your poison a difficult (but fun) task. Stop in on a Thursday night, when the bar hosts a DJ night fuelled by a classic collection of old-school hip-hop.
22A Leigh Street, Adelaide
Pink Moon Saloon
It may be tiny, but it’s hard to miss this Nordic inspired gem squeezed within the otherwise traditional streetscape of Leigh Street. Come nightfall, Pink Moon Saloon is all about their unique offering of innovative cocktails perfect for any social feed. Enjoy simple bar snacks like olives and almonds, before focusing on the real star of the show - the impressive drinks list. With cocktails split into 'Fruity/Zesty/Bright' and 'Classic into Boozy' there is bound to be a drink for everyone. Our cocktail of choice? The classic Margarita, of course.
21 Leigh Street, Adelaide
High Spirits
With neon lighting guiding you upstairs, High Spirits offers itself up as one of the newest and best cocktail bars in Adelaide. A cool mood is set throughout the room, with booth seating to fit the whole party and luxurious velvet couches to sink into – perfect for a cosy conversation with hip-hop beats setting the tone. Open 6pm ‘til late Wednesday - Sunday, High Spirits aren’t afraid of having a good time. You’ll certainly be in high spirits as their team of cocktail shakers and movers whip up an extravagant tiki-inspired drink with dry ice pouring out or exciting pyrotechnics with the classic rum infused Zombie.
20 Gilbert Place, Adelaide
Sôl Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Arguably the best spot in Adelaide for a drink with a view, Sôl Rooftop is a stylish bar and restaurant perched atop of the iconic Eos Hotel, SkyCity.
Day to night, Sôl transitions seamlessly between the warmth of their inside lounge bar to the vibrant energy of the stretching outdoor bar with sweeping views from the hills to the coast. When it comes to drinks, their local mixologists and award-winning head Sommelier have got it covered. Presenting a dynamic list of signature and time honoured cocktails, there is a taste for all pallets. The Meloncholy is refreshing and fruity, the Sol Spritz sets off a sparkle, and the dark tones of Stirred Not Shaken is rich with chocolate chilli liqueur. Thursday is the new Friday, as every Thursday from 5pm is the Sôl Cocktail Club. Featuring exclusive creations accompanied by DJ tunes, you’re sure to start your weekend on the right foot!
Level 9, SkyCity Adelaide
Mr Goodbar
You’ll find Mr. Goodbar tucked away on the corner of Union Street and the charming laneways of Ebenezer Place. Deep southern soulful vibe and stylish interiors lit with a neon glow makes this one of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide. And we haven’t even started on the drinks! A stellar menu of cocktails awaits, with classic favourites alongside signature specials for the choosing. Sweet lovers can sip on Fizzy Fuzzy Fruit with apricot brandy or A Rose Project for a firm favourite with lychee. Smoke & Mirror will be the one for fans of Mad Men, or Thyme after Thyme for a spritz with a difference. Just sit back, enjoy the tunes and let their award-winning staff will shake up a storm!
12 Union Street, Adelaide
Society Bar
Handcrafted cocktails are being served in style at underground Society Bar in the heart of the East End. Ticking all of the desirable boxes that the best cocktail bars in Adelaide should, they offer a classy yet approachable destination for your next drinks. Open ‘til late 7 days a week, Society is a perfect choice for a pre-dinner aperitif, a late-night tipple, and everything in between. Choose your poison from a base spirit, with multiple options for each taste. Vodka martinis and margaritas with tequila may be the ones for you, beautifully garnished to bring out the flavours. A smoky gin negroni or whiskey old fashioned are available for those wanting an intense taste, fitting to the late-night mood.
279 Rundle Street, Adelaide
The Bibliotheca Bar & Book Exchange
They say that French is the language of love, and there’s a lot to love about Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange. Tucked away just off the lively night life of Rundle Street, the European style small bar focuses on spirits from around the globe, perfect classic cocktails and books. Their characteristic bar-come-library has low lighting, leather furniture and of course, towering bookcases. Endless bottles of spirits fill the walls behind the bar, waiting to be mixed into an inspired cocktail. The cocktail menu continues the literature theme, with Master & Margarita, Lolita and Elementary. Build your perfect martini, selecting each step from a vodka or gin base, wet, dry or dirty style, shaken or stirred, and topping off with a garnish from a twist, olive, cucumber or pickled onion.
27 Gresham Street, Adelaide
Maybe Mae
Disappear from the busy laneways of Peel Street and discover the concealed entrance of Maybe Mae. A true hidden gem in the crown of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide, this art deco dreamland makes believe that you have stumbled into a speakeasy in 1920s New York. Deep green both seating, lighting and vintage style glassware continues the theme, right down to their cocktail menu. Broken down into key South Australian landscapes, each cocktail is designed by the sights, sounds and stories with The Market, The Cellar, Hall of Fame, and Non-Alcoholic. Maybe Mae has been awarded as “South Australian Cocktail Bar of the Year” at the Australian Bar Awards for 7 consecutive years, so we would say this is one not to miss.
15 Peel Street, Adelaide
2KW Bar and Restaurant
Step off King William Street and go up, and up again, to reach the rooftop bar 2KW. This elegant bar overlooking Adelaide Oval and the river Torrens opens up in the warmer months to become an airy, sophisticated setting with picture perfect city views. Fill a booth with friends or find a cosy corner with your love, spending quality time over a few of their bespoke cocktails. A visit to 2KW wouldn’t be complete without experiencing their signature cocktail, The 2KW, with gin, peach, pear and honey. Other signatures are named after Adelaide figures and locations, with fruity and tropical flavours, bitter favourites and wine-based cocktails.
2 King William Street, Adelaide
Hains & Co
Spirit lovers should run, not walk, to Hains & Co. Peruse their gin, rum and whisky focused menu at your own leisure from 4pm-2am every day to find your perfect pour. You are in good hands thanks to their team, who take pride in serving up a range of high quality cocktails with a twist.
Escape to paradise with Club Tropicana made with Hains & Co rum, or wind down with their coveted Whiskey Sour. Inspired by their flavoursome cocktails and want more? Hains & Co conduct regular tastings, spirit masterclasses and larger special events with other Gilbert Place venues with live entertainment, cocktails and unadulterated madness.
23 Gilbert Place, Adelaide
La Buvette Drinkery
La Buvette is a little slice of the backstreets of Paris, right here in Adelaide. Spend warm afternoons and evenings out on Euro style al fresco seating, and your dark winter nights within La Buvette’s historic old-worldly interiors. A range of charming furnishings, artwork, great tunes and a menu of classic beverages pushes La Buvette to the heights of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide. Classic French style is served up in the tall flute of a Kir Royale, their lychee martini packs a delicate punch and a spicy margarita can be ordered to add some pep to your step.
27 Gresham Street, Adelaide
BRKLYN
A bar that just screams 'New York Cool', BRKLYN is a whole experience. There is space for all throughout the first-floor bar, from secluded tables and booths tucked away in corners, group-friendly tables for the whole gang, and even a balcony with excellent views of the East End. A buzzy atmosphere, share-style menu and inspired cocktail creations make for an excellent experience. Seasonal cocktails keep things interesting time after time, inviting you to try something different on each visit. The OG BRKLYN basil and passionfruit Gimlet cocktail is a regular favourite. Low alcohol cocktails and seasonal mocktails bring all of the taste and the fun of BRKLYN, just without the booze.
260-262 Rundle Street, Adelaide
Loving our pick of the best cocktail bars in Adelaide and looking to continue the boozy inspiration? Why not check out Adelaide’s choice bar scene for a tipple or two? Start your weekend right with the best boozy brunch spots, classy wine bars and a look at the newest bars on the block to try out.
