8 Best Dive Bars in Adelaide to Chill and Drink Your Worries Away
Partying and drinking with mates is my go-to way to unwind, but let’s be real—I’m not about to drop $100 on booze. And since I’m picky about where I drink, the place has to have the right vibe, not just cheap liquor.
Armed with ibuprofen, I hunted for spots with character, affordable drinks, and great energy—the kind of places where the walls have stories, and the atmosphere is just right.
If you love timeworn bars with great energy and budget-friendly booze, stick with me here!
Cry Baby
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Address: 11 Solomon St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Website: https://crybabybar.com.au/
Price Range: $
A dive bar that nails the vibe? Cry Baby is the spot, mixing old-school grunge with a speakeasy twist and a cosy, no-nonsense feel.
The jukebox is stacked with rock ‘n’ roll bangers from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, so you can belt out a classic while knocking back a drink.
Don’t miss the towering fridge menu; it’s over two metres high! You’ll find the essentials like bar nuts, jerky, and meat and cheese platters, perfect for soaking up the drinks.
Best of all, they’ve teamed up with Pirate Life Brewery to brew their own Cry Baby Dive Beer, a top-notch addition to their cocktail and local beer lineup.
A mate introduced me to this place, and now it’s my regular Friday haunt. Their beer keeps me coming back. It’s crisp, balanced, and just hits right.
Tip: Check out their merch online. It’s a ripper!
Shotgun Willie’s
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Address: 22 Gilbert Pl
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Friday to Saturday – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday – 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Website: http://www.shotgunwillies.com.au/
Price Range: $
Keen to see what it’s like drinking in a proper country-western saloon? Get yourself to Shotgun Willie’s! It’s the brainchild of Jon Di Pinto, the bloke behind Cry Baby, so you can bet it’s got that same casual, slightly rough-around-the-edges charm.
This place is all about laid-back vibes, country tunes, and a bit of friendly competition at the pool table or dartboard.
If you’re drinking like a true Westerner, it’s bourbon and whisky all the way. And if you’re feeling peckish, they’ll sort you out with barbecue classics like Philly cheesesteaks and chicken-fried steaks—served up in foil and paper bags, no fuss.
I popped in one weekend, and it was all country music, good chat, and top-notch drinks. I had a Hundred Thieves whiskey—smooth, with hints of caramel, vanilla, and a little spice—perfect for sipping while having a conversation with the bartender.
Tip: For something fresh, try a bourbon with apple, pear, or pineapple juice. It goes down a treat!
Bank Street Social
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Address: 48 Hindley St
Phone: +61 870 809 800
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Friday to Saturday – 5 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
- Sunday – 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Website: http://www.bankstreetsocial.com.au/
Price Range: $
If you’re up for a drink in an underground bar, Bank Street Social is the spot. With its speakeasy-style setup and a chilled yet lively atmosphere, it’s the kind of place where conversations flow as easily as the drinks.
And if you feel like moving, there’s plenty of space to have a little dance!
On the menu, you’ll find fresh pizza, charcuterie, cocktails, and a solid lineup of SA beer and wine. After something stronger? The back bar is stocked with top-notch gin and whisky from Australia and beyond.
I headed there with some mates, and the vibe was spot-on—relaxed, with dim lighting and candlelit corners adding to the mood. Their espresso martinis are a winner, but the barrel-aged Negroni stole the show for me—smooth, with hints of vanilla and spice.
Tip: Swing by on a Wednesday for $10 pizzas.
The Little Pub
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Address: 17 Hindley St
Phone: +61 882 313 225
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thursday – 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Friday to Saturday – 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: http://thelittlepub.com.au/
Price Range: $$
The Little Pub isn’t so little when it comes to atmosphere. It’s always buzzing with good vibes and plenty of laughs.
Blending old-school pub charm with modern touches, it’s welcoming. The dining area is simple, but since it’s housed in the old Bank of Australia, there’s plenty of history on the walls.
Drinks-wise, you’ve got local craft beers, fine wines, and some creative cocktails to choose from.
If you’re after a feed, they serve up proper pub grub, from classic burgers to share plates.
And if you fancy a bit of fun, there’s a gaming bar upstairs and a breakout area downstairs with a pool table and foosball.
A mate introduced me to this place, and I was sold after my first sip of their Pimm’s Cup—sweet, tart, and just the right amount of fizz from the lemonade.
Tip: Sign up for free membership on their website to score discounts and earn points for goodies!
Black Bull Bar
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Address: 58 Hindley St
Phone: +61 882 313 236
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday – 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
- Sunday – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: http://blackbullhotel.com.au/
Price Range: $$
Grab a drink in Adelaide’s biggest beer garden, tucked inside Black Bull Bar at the historic Black Bull Hotel. With a laid-back vibe and an intimate dance floor, it’s got a bit of everything for a good night out.
But what really won me over was their massive three-metre screen and top-notch wood-fired pizzas.
The menu is all about modern Aussie pub fare, with options like British White beef burgers, brisket and fries, and chips cooked in beef fat. As for drinks, you’re spoilt for choice with house beers, wines, cocktails, and spirits.
I stopped by when the Boston Celtics faced the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, and it was the perfect setup—big screen, good crowd, and a Johnny Walker Red in hand. Can’t ask for much more than that!
Tip: Swing by on a Saturday night for drink specials or test your knowledge at their trivia comps!
Fumo Blu
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Address: Basement/272 Rundle St
Phone: +61 403 434 650
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
- Friday and Saturday – 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Website: http://fumoblu.com/
Price Range: $$
Fumo Blu strikes the perfect balance between elegance and a laid-back vibe. With stylish décor and moody lighting, it sets the scene for a top-notch night out.
Plus, getting in feels a bit mysterious too! You’ll step through a small staircase before the good times kick off.
Their cocktail menu is a real gem, packed with both classic and creative mixes. If you’re up for something tropical with a kick, try the Zombie. It’s a blend of three rums, passionfruit, and pineapple.
I celebrated my birthday here, and the highlight? Nutella shots! Smooth, a little spicy, and with a hint of vanilla. It was something I never expected to be doing, but no regrets!
Tip: Drop by on a Friday for Fringe acts, cocktails, and surprise special guests!
Leigh Street Luggage
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Address: Shop 3/22A Leigh St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Friday to Saturday – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday – 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Website: http://www.leighstreetluggage.com.au/
Price Range: $$
Step into the golden age of jazz and aviation at Leigh Street Luggage, a European-inspired wine and cocktail bar with a touch of old-world charm. The décor oozes vintage European vibes, making it the perfect spot to unwind with a classy drink in hand.
Beyond their stellar selection of European wines and cocktails, they’ve got cheeses and charcuterie to match.
And if you’re after something a little more hidden, sneak through an unmarked door near the restrooms to find Nevermind, a tucked-away bar serving new-age cocktails, local craft beers, and more.
I’m all about their baby martinis, especially the Seven Seas mini martini. It’s got a bold mix of herbal notes and a bit of spice from the umami pink pepper gin. And when the mood strikes, I slip into Nevermind and keep the night going.
Tip: Pair your baby martini with sliced chorizo or salami. The smoky, savoury flavours are a perfect match!
The Wheaty
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Address: 39 George St, Thebarton
Phone: +61 884 434 546
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Wednesday to Thursday – 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday – 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday – 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Website: http://wheatsheafhotel.com.au/
Price Range: $$
For a proper Aussie country pub experience, you can’t go past the Wheatsheaf Hotel. It’s family-friendly and pokie-free and has a laid-back, welcoming vibe. With a focus on live music and community, it’s the kind of place where good times come naturally.
Drinks-wise, they’ve got craft beers, wines, whiskies, and local brews to keep you sorted. If you’re feeling peckish, their rotating food trucks mean there’s always something new to try.
And when it comes to entertainment, you’ve got a pool table, darts, and live bands bringing the energy.
What keeps me coming back is their own beer, brewed fresh on-site. Whether it’s the Anchovy IPA, London Porter, or Red Ale, every pint is packed with flavour and goes down a treat.
Tip: Check out their monthly art exhibits displayed right in front of the bar!
