Bars and Cafes in Central Adelaide (Adelaide)

Art Gallery Restaurant

Take a break from your artistic wanderings and relax with a cultured luncheon. Popular local chef, Cath Kerry, brings a touch of French sophistication. This glass-walled restaurant in a bright corner of the Art Gallery Of South Australia overlooks a courtyard which is used for fine-weather dining. The simple decor leaves the artistic masters to shine. The menu is contemporary, with a touch of provincial French and good vegetarian options. Choose from a simple sandwich to a three-course meal (between noon and 2.30pm). Try Barossa chicken stuffed with dates and almonds, with sweet potato grating and pomegranate glaze.

The Austral

Sitting on popular Rundle Street in an elegant 150-year-old building, the Austral is bustling with people most days of the week. Wooden bars and furniture give this place a homely, old-style look. A couple of wacky paintings add an arty edge. Local university students usually flood the front bar while the dining room attracts all ages and types. Live bands and DJs play music most nights of the week. Budget accommodation is also available and bookings can be made online. The Austral serves inexpensive pub snacks and elegant modern meals, together with a wide range of beers, wines and spirits.

Rio International

You will find Rio International in the middle of a busy party strip featuring several pubs, cafes, video game parlors and a movie complex. While the venue is very dark and loud downstairs, it has the look of a casual tavern upstairs. Gaming machines are found on both levels and a room at the back has pool tables. The DJs usually play commercial dance. Drinks offered at the bar include Australian and imported beers, a wide range of spirits and house wine.

Crown and Anchor Hotel

Sitting in a grand 19th century building just a short walk from busy Rundle Street, the casual, no frills "Cranchor" is one of the town's alternative hubs. If you like to dance then come by. DJs spin a variety of tunes, funk, indie pop, retro - in a room at the back from Wednesday to Friday. Live alternative bands play here every Saturday night. Australian beer is the drink of choice here. Famished revelers have to rely on a vending machine stocked with nibbles. The pub is open from 11 am to 4 am.

Moore's Brecknock Hotel Pub

Built in 1851 and run by the Moore family for the past 100 years, Moore's Brecknock Hotel Pub, lies to the south of the city centre. This pub has a traditional Irish look and feel. Open fireplaces and a garden courtyard add to the homely atmosphere. It is a sweet spot to waste an evening while chatting over a pint of Guinness. The hotel serves inexpensive Irish meals and there is a barbecue where guests can play chef. Live musicians entertain the patrons here on weekends. Budget accommodation is available too.

Rhino Room

An eccentric little party place that refuses to be pigeon-holed, the Rhino Room always offers something new, a real gem on the local club circuit. The decor is plush, off-beat and colorful, the mood relaxed, hip and open-minded. There is no dress code but many like to get creative with their threads. Attractions include anything from stand-up comedy to live world music and, once a month, an art gallery. On most Saturdays the Rhino Room becomes a dance club, featuring house, techno and electronic pop. A decent choice of alcoholic drinks awaits you at the bar. Also be sure to be there for Thursday Comedy Nights featuring both new and old comedians.

Tincat Cafe Restaurant and Gallery

Tincat Cafe Restaurant and Gallery is a cute cafe nestled in a spruce old mansion just east of the city center. Hidden in the suburbs, this breezy diner is an ideal spot to get away from Rundle Street's party crowds. The Tin Cat's bright colors, local modern art and groovy melodies lend a cheerful vibe and an alternative edge. Gay-friendly, the place attracts many hip and arty patrons. The Tin Cat Cafe serves modern Australian dishes at reasonable prices. The cafe is open for most of the week for brunch and dinner, kindly check the website for details.

F.A.D. Bar

This interesting haunt is probably best described as a coffee house gallery. Its aim is to showcase the work of local designers and artists in a cafe setting. Fad is filled with funky decor including many modern artworks. On some nights the place doubles as a dance club, on others it features live bands. Private parties are held regularly, so call ahead. You can buy a wide range of alcoholic drinks at the bar with waiters who often experiment with cocktails.

Manna Cafe

For a good quality, well-priced cup of coffee, head to Manna--an institution in the deadline-filled business of print media. Located across the road from the office building of Adelaide's local newspapers, the Advertiser and Sunday Mail, you can expect to share your coffee with Adelaide's journalists and local business people. Famous for its fresh pasta; the pumpkin gnocchi is especially recommended, the cafe provides friendly service and excellent coffee.

PJ O'Brien's

Irish, to be sure, this pub was designed and built in Dublin, then reincarnated in Adelaide! PJ O'Brien's Irish Pub is one of the most popular destinations in town. The timber furnishings and fittings immediately transport diners to the traditional village pub with some fascinating black and white photos and kitchen knick-knacks adorning the walls. A nicely varied menu featuring many authentic Irish dishes offers something for everyone, with the rich beef and Guinness pie a real favorite. The list of cocktails is excellent. There are live bands, DJs and other performances as well as theme nights. Visit website for more details. 

Supermild Lounge Bar

This cozy retro haunt makes a top place to unwind. It is one of the smallest night-spots in town but offers plenty of variety. To blend with the colorful decor many regulars like to dress up in their 70s gear. Getting through the door can be a problem wearing training shoes and denim, but once inside, the mood is quite laid back. Local short films are screened once a month. The bar serves a variety of cocktails, and anyone with a taste for imported beer will be charmed by the choice of brews available.

The Astor

The Astor was one of the first in a recent trend in Adelaide, a fine restaurant integrated with a good old pub. Walking in, it is still a pub atmosphere, but the restaurant is separate from the bars, with timber chairs and tables set with fresh white linen. Generous serves ensure no one leaves hungry, while the chef's modern approach to vegetables provides some delightful accompaniments to succulent steaks of beef or kangaroo. The spicy Harissa chicken is a popular favorite.