After 4 long years The Ashes (symbolically) are finally back at Adelaide Oval, and as the Baggy Greens prepare to head off the Brits at the pitch, we’re preparing our weekend for prime viewing (and drinking…)!
If you want to kick on after the game, watch it from a bar, or even throw a few back before heading to the Adelaide Oval, we’ve got your backs! Of course, if you’re just looking for a feed that’s not oval hot dogs and pies, then we’ve got you covered here too. Especially if you’re looking for an all important fry-up for brekkie before the Test day kicks off.
Read on for our picks near the Oval for food and drinks!
Adelaide Riverbank Bars
The banks of the Torrens are bursting this December! With bars and restaurants that is. Just a hop skip and a jump away from the Adelaide Oval are some of Adelaide’s hottest new venues, opening just in time for the 2nd Test.
NEON Bar
The prime location of the old Adelaide Festival Theatre restaurant, right on the Riverbank, has been transformed for our partying pleasure. With epic views over the Torrens, Adelaide Oval and the Footbridge, this indoor/outdoor space is made for Summer. A great idea for pre-cricket drinks, sunset cocktails on the terrace overlooking the water, or pre-theatre eats, Neon is one pop-up we don’t want to see close! More details here.
NEON Bar
Pimm’s Bar
The Adelaide Casino has reinvented the area off Station Lane once again, this time into a Pimm’s Bar! The fabulous little nook is themed to the hilt, and has incredible Pimm’s on offer, alongside a full bar. DJ decks complete the picture, with good times guaranteed. Read more here.
Urban Beach
Pinky Flat is coming alive this Summer! Another Riverbank destination for your partying pleasure. With tonnes of sand shipped in, you can kick back in your beach hut, wiggle your toes in the sand, and drink cocktails, while your mates play beach sports like volleyball and more. Or you can just soak up the sunshine and enjoy. More details here.
Home Ground
Goodbuns Diner is open for lunch and dinner daily, offering a modern twist on Americana classic favourites including burgers, hot dogs, southern fried chicken, slow-cooked beef brisket and more.
Sage Delicatessen is the venue our brunch dreams are made of. Using local produce to tempt us with smashed avo, chia pods, poké bowls and more!
Home Ground Bar is also open for The Ashes! Pouring from an extensive beverage list complemented by the necessary bar snacks, it’s the place to stop at the bottom of the Adelaide Convention Centre!
Home Ground Summer Pop-Up is open daily from 2 December to 6 December, 10am till late, and will provide the ultimate ‘chill’ zone with shaded lounge areas, food trucks, bars, nightly entertainment and all the sporting action live on a big screen! More details here.
Backyard Cricket Pontoon (BYC)
The pontoon on the Torrens River has been repurposed for The Ashes! This floating bar will have cricket nets, DJs, bars and views galore, while food trucks will be alongside it on the riverbank to curb your hunger while you celebrate the start of Summer! More details here.
Walking Distance From Adelaide Oval
PEEL STREET
Peel St is one of Adelaide’s many bustling laneways, bursting at the seams with small bars and restaurants just waiting to provide you with one (or three) of the best cocktails or craft beers you’ve had in a long time!
Therapy – 2 Peel St, Adelaide. Escape the Adelaide heat and head underground to an era where the glamour was profound and cocktails were strong – the 80’s! But seriously folks, Therapy feels like a speak easy, except on Sunday 3 December, where the 80’s tunes will be cranking! Perfect way to end a day/night session! More details here.
Peel Street
LEIGH STREET
Another of our famed laneways, with more small bars that you can throw a pink ball at, and some of Adelaide’s best restaurants. Leigh St really is an all-rounder.
GRESHAM STREET
Soak up some culture down Gresham St at a French bar, or for the more literary cricket fans, a bar that doubles as a book exchange!
TOPHAM MALL
One of Adelaide’s up and coming laneways. Past the construction work you’ll find one of our famed microbrewreys, serving up the (cold) beer and pizzas to quell those Ashes nerves.
Lady Burra Brewhouse – 4 Topham Mall, Adelaide. Traditional brewhouse fare with a Portuguese twist. These guys are all about shared experiences—between many or few. Lady Burra is open for lunch and dinner. They’re also a fully-functioning microbrewery who produce some kick-ass small-batch beers. Even better, Lady Burra will be open on Sunday (Day 2) from 11am for lunch & beers! Plus, if you aren’t heading to Adelaide Oval, make yourself at home in front of the big screen and watch the test! For more info, please call 8231 8928.
GILBERT PLACE
What’s that we hear? “Another laneway?!?” Why yes, yes it is. Gilbert Place houses more of our fantastic small bar scene, with everything from a nautical bar, sunny rooftop bar, or even a Soviet throwback.
Hains & Co – 23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide. This fun, nautical-themed bar is the place to be on a warm summer’s night. It’s all about the gin, rum, whisky and cigars so be sure to come thirsty, friends. Open 4pm ’til late.
Red October – 22 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide. The newly opened Red October, is a Russian-inspired restaurant and bar serving up quirky dishes throughout the night. Open 5pm ’til late.
Florence Rooftop Bar – 27 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide. Discover a little piece of Europe in Adelaide at Florence Rooftop Bar. Think sunny arvos lounging with friends, a cold beverage and views of the cityscape and nights spent enjoying cocktails and live DJ’s under the stars.
KING WILLIAM STREET
Adelaide’s main drag, King William St, splits our city in half and leads straight down to Adelaide Oval. It’s along here you’ll find some of the best middle to larger sized venues all serving up (or bowling up?) delicious foods and those cool cool drinks.
Treasury 1860 – 144 King William Street, Adelaide. Located in the Adina Apartments the Treasury is the perfect oasis in the middle of the city. The gorgeous courtyard is the place to be, with a pop-up bar and delicious food on offer.
Spaghetti Western – 111 King William St, Adelaide. Don’t let the name fool you, this place is more than just your favourite Italian dish. Home to the Spaghetti Western Saloon, definitely stop by here for a cheeky cocktail, or if you’re feeling fancy – Prosecco. The themed decor makes for a great Insta snap too.
2KW Bar & Restaurant – 2 King William St, Adelaide. Resting high above the city is five spaces offering magnificent views of northern Adelaide, which one can only see if they could fly (and we all know that it’s only possible if your Santa himself being pulled along by Rudolph). With stunning views, delectable food, and delicious drinks, the occasion will be most memorable at 2KW Bar. To make a booking or enquiry contact 2kw at [email protected] or 88212511.
2KW
The Collins Bar – Cnr Victoria Square and Grote St, Adelaide. Located in the heart of the city overlooking Victoria Square, The Collins Bar is the perfect sophisticated and stylish place to stop off for a drink before or after the match. They’ve got a large and unique collection of cocktails, bourbons and gin as well as a fine selection of wines and spirits.
Hennessey Rooftop Bar – 45 King William St, Adelaide. At level 13, this spacious, chic rooftop bar has it all. An amazing cocktail list, alcoholic ice pops, plenty of seating (indoors/outdoors) and you’re only a short walk to the Oval.
Electra House – 131 King William St, Adelaide. Grab a meal at Electra House where Executive Chef Jamie Kang has produced a collection of inspired dishes just perfect for the warmer weather. Or even settle in with Electra House’s exclusive ‘My Gin, My Gin’ gin (produced in-conjunction with Settlers Spirits) and Unico Zelo wines. Perfect for summery cricket days!
RUNDLE MALL
The outdoor shopping extravaganza might not strike you at first as a traditional entertainment precinct, but wander along and you’ll hit two of Adelaide’s favourite watering holes.
The Barlow Room
Lindes Lane & The Barlow Room – Rundle Mall. Looking for a nice inner-city hideaway on your way to the cricket? Look no further. This little laneway bar has your usual fanfare of drinks and small eats. There’s also a secret dimly-lit basement bar hiding beneath Lindes Lane that you’ve gotta check out. But you’ll have to find the door on your own though – our lips are sealed.
First, Hotel Richmond – Rundle Mall. This is another great stop-off in Rundle Mall if you’re looking for a meal or cheeky drink. Get in early to grab yourself a seat on the balcony though and watch the passers by.
EAST END
The first stop on many a journey to Adelaide, the East End deals in cool Americana bars, late night spaghetti joints, and one of Adelaide’s best cellars/bars.
BRKLYN Bar – 260-262 Rundle St, Adelaide. One of Rundle Street’s most popular bars is hosting a Christmas party on the 23rd of December, details aren’t finalised but we will keep you updated – knowing them, it’s going to be a good one!
Midnight Spaghetti – 196 Grenfell St, Adelaide. From indoor booth or bar seating, to alfresco aperitivos on the balcony, both settings will have you scanning the walls for forgotten framed celebrities, irreverent paraphernalia & more spaghetti thats failed the stick test than you’ve ever seen. The soundtrack like the atmosphere will be moving faster than lightning.
Roxies – 188 Grenfell St, Adelaide. It’s the reincarnation of Superfish and Little Miss Everything (think Miami, Mexico etc), and it’s coming to a Summer near you. This lush outdoor garden bar is filled with plants and happy thoughts, and ready for your balmy Adelaide nights.
Roxie’s
The Tasting Room – 25 Vardon Ave, Adelaide. The Tasting Room is a hybrid between a bottle shop and bar, which makes it the PERFECT place to enjoy a cheese plate and a glass or two, before picking up a bottle as a souvenir (or for later… we don’t judge!)
WAYMOUTH STREET
Come to Adelaide for the cricket, stay for the food. And what better entry point to our culinary delights than Waymouth St? Packed with restaurants (and maybe the odd bar, we won’t lie) this is the place for food lovers and hungry fans alike.
George’s On Waymouth – 20 Waymouth St, Adelaide. If you’re after a more refined dining experience, George’s On Waymouth is a great sit-down option with either an a la carte or set menu. Book your table on 8211 6960
Melt Pizzeria – 38 Waymouth St, Adelaide. It’s pizza and tapas all day, from 11am. They’ve got a delicious and unique selection of pizzas including epic monthly specials. Their wine list is extensive and they offer beers on tap. So round up the gang and grab a spot at Melt. To book, call 8211 6723.
NORTH ADELAIDE
Just a hop skip and a jump away from the Oval’s Clarrie Grimmett Gate is North Adelaide, with two main streets serving up pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants!
The Lion Hotel -161 Melbourne St, North Adelaide. Having started out as a brewery in 1871, this iconic North Adelaide venue now has a little something for everyone. From their cool bar, their amazing event spaces and, of course, their absolutely stunning restaurant, The Lion Hotel is hitting it for six!
The Store – 157 Melbourne St, North Adelaide. All day brunch. Need we say more? The Store serves brunch until 3pm. Which makes it the PERFECT stop when the first ball is at 2pm, and you’re trying very hard to recover from the final ball (and post-beers) from last night! To book, call 8361 6999.
The Queens Head -117 Kermode St, North Adelaide. Just around the corner from the Oval is the oasis of The Queens Head. With wood fired pizzas, Pimm’s and cold beer on tap, this place is a cricket favourite. To book, call 8267 1139.
Cathedral Hotel – 45 Kermode St, North Adelaide. The rooftop bar of Cricket fan dreams exists here at Cathedral Hotel. Pub food, tap beers, and some open air make this the perfect venue. Just walk out the gate, cross the road, and settle in. To book, call 8267 2197.
BREAKFAST IN THE CITY
With the Day/Night Test, we really can’t afford to forget to eat a hearty breakfast. Sprinkled across the CBD you’ll find brunches you never dared dream exist, from greasy bacon buttys to platters loaded with breakfast food. Make sure you fuel up for the days ahead!
Bottomless Brunch at Electra House. What better way to kick off Day 2 of the Test than with a boozy brunch? Electra House are putting on another one of their sell-out Bottomless Brunch events which includes brunch and bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys. BOOK HERE.
Luigi Delicatessen – 151 Flinders St, Adelaide. Trip Advisor’s #1 breakfast spot in Adelaide is open from 7am-1pm on Saturdays, serving up incredible breakfast boards, Nutella coffee and more.
Luigi’s Deli
Rigoni’s – 27 Leigh St, Adelaide. Start the morning right at Rigoni’s (Monday-Friday) with an amazing breakfast and then stroll over to the Oval at your own pace. We can never go past the Port Lincoln Lobster omelette or lemon waffles (check out the breakfast menu here). To make a booking, please call 8231 5160.
Lindes Lane’s Greasy Spoon. From Friday 1st December to Wednesday 6th December Lindes Lane will offer a little slice of home for the travelling Barmy Army with it’s take on the traditional English ‘greasy spoon’ cafe, including all-day cooked breakfasts and bottomless mugs of builders’ tea. Get your bacon butty, your full English or your sausages and chips from 10:00am to 4:00pm every day during the 2nd Ashes Test. Of course, being summer in Australia, the beer will be cold – sorry.
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