Aimee O'Keefe
20 Best Pubs in Adelaide For a Pint and a Feed | Man of Many
LIFESTYLE
A century-old venue that is perhaps the pulse of Adelaide’s pub scene. With a little something for everyone, this grand historic pub offers a fine-dining restaurant, a bistro, pizza bar, boutique accommodation, a function area and a library! With fun contemporary takes on traditional pub meals and cocktails, this pub has effortlessly stepped into the next century. Echoed with its pairing of contemporary interiors, huge open veranda and outdoor furnishings, the Stirling Hotel is a spot for the ages.
1. Stirling Hotel
The open fireplace, cosy bar and sprawling beer garden sets the Stanley Bridge Tavern apart as a local favourite amidst Adelaide’s pubs. A good spot for a classic pub meal with the family, pair your meal with a local beer or a fine wine. This place never lets you down when you’re simply in the mood for the warm comfort of a pub on a winter evening.
2. Stanley Bridge Tavern
Once another dirty old pub, The Uraidla is now a quirky, trendy spot known for its great kitchen and craft beers. The best part of the refurbishment is the huge glasshouse that looks over the town’s oval. The Pork Ramen is a must try on the menu, or the SA market fish and chips. Most wine drops are local too. You won’t have a bad night at this trendy Adelaide pub.
3. The Uraidla Hotel
This Adelaide hills pub gained a new lease on life in 2014, transforming into a timeless spot for French-bistro cuisine and wines from all over the world. Manage to score a spot out the front to enjoy the full experience The Crafers has to offer. Elegance, good wine and good times are guaranteed at this fine Adelaide establishment.
4. The Crafers Hotel
Always open and ready for any crowd, The Austral has become somewhat of a landmark on Adelaide’s main street since its birth in the 1880s. Keeping true to its heritage, the building hasn’t changed much, and we love it! Classic pub meals and copious amounts of Coopers will be on the agenda for a night at The Austral. No pub crawl would be complete without a stop at this old place that just seems to keep getting better with age.
5. The Austral Hotel
The Hotel Metropolitan is a perfect Adelaide pub for live music and is known for its laid-back attitude and no thrills vibe. With two outdoor areas, you can escape the tunes and enjoy one of the many beers or wines on offer. The food at the Metro consists of a range of pub fare, but with a twist, offering some dishes with touches of international flavours. The Metro provides that classy pub experience that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
6. The Hotel Metropolitan
With an onsite brewery and award-winning food, Sparkke at the Whitmore is a treat for anyone looking for a pub meal and a beer in Adelaide’s CBD. Also scoring brownie points is the pub’s socially conscious beers, with slogans like “Consent can’t come after you do”. An industrial exterior with a warm heart, a trip to Sparkke at the Whitmore is a service to the community!
7. Sparkke at the Whitmore
Known by locals as The Cranker, this watering hole is a nostalgic dream set on the backdrop of Adelaide’s ever-changing bar scene. Live music, a pinball machine, comedy nights and $3 schooners on Wednesday nights- it’s no doubt why the locals love The Cranker so very dearly.
8. The Crown and Anchor
Another keen participant in Adelaide’s live music scene, The Grace Emily has all sorts of entertainment, with open mic nights and slam poetry. The wine chalkboard consists of plenty of Ochota Barrels as well as a few other SA wines. Come with a full stomach as there’s not much food here, just plenty to drink!
9. The Grace Emily
Idyllically set on the street corner of bustling Rundle Street, The Exeter is by far one of the best pubs in Adelaide. There’s a beer garden, live music almost every night and plenty of cheap food options like the $10 steak sandwich, as well as plenty of vegetarian options too!
10. The Exeter
The perfect sunny balcony seat in Adelaide’s inner west can be found at the iconic Wheatsheaf Hotel. The Pub is known for stocking craft beers from all over the globe as well as its on-site brewery. With food trucks outside on most nights, this pub and brewery has a youthful and fun atmosphere that never goes amiss.
11. The Wheatsheaf Hotel
There’s a little bit of everything at this prototypical Adelaide Pub. The modern West Oak Hotel serves locally brewed beers and local wines and offers a simply classic menu. A beer garden outside and live-music also makes an appearance on some nights and tucked away upstairs is The Jolly Bar. A mini deli-café has also been added which faces out to Fenn Place, catching the hordes of uni students on their way to and from class. The upper story also houses a gallery for local artists!
12. West Oak Hotel
The Stag Public House is an iconic East End pub with a kitschy aesthetic and fine food options. Around since 1849, the pub is a perfect mixture of old and new, in both décor and the menu. You can play a game of billiards for just $1, and don’t miss out on the cob loaf to share with mates with your afternoon pint.
13. The Stag Public House
The Port Admiral Hotel is one of Adelaide’s oldest pubs, with a lot of life left in it yet. What make this place special is its open-fire barbecue and its loyalty to local beers, stocking plenty of The Port Local, a favourite house lager. The uncluttered interior leaves plenty of space for all sorts of memories and people coming together.
14. Port Admiral Hotel
Located in the heart of Adelaide’s Norwood, this heritage-listed pub is a local institution. The Irish inspired pub takes you right to the streets of Dublin, complimented by local beers and wines. The hotel has four dining spaces all serving modern Australian cuisine. Ideal for a casual catch up or a long family lunch, there’s also live music acts and gigs.
15. The Norwood Hotel
Also known as the Cumberland Arms Hotel, The Cumby is another one of Adelaide’s heritage-listed hotels. With a warm pub atmosphere, the Cumby has been refurbished to perfection. The pub also boasts a sun-drenched beer garden and fine food options, offering the classic schnitty and burgers. There is a vibrant dance-floor on Friday and Saturday nights for all those looking for a jive, and live music on Sundays for those hoping for a more relaxed evening.
16. The Cumby
A lot of Adelaide’s best pubs are known for supporting local, but this one takes it to the next level. The King’s Head only serves beer, wine or food that comes exclusively from South Australia. This also means you’ll find some secret brews you won’t find anywhere else. With plenty of board games on offer as well, The King’s Head is the perfect cosy pub night we all need every once in a while.
17. The King’s Head
An all-rounder venue, The Archer has been revitalised since its reopening in 2019. Only a short walk from Adelaide oval, it’s the perfect spot for a beer and a feed post- match. The pub also boasts a huge beer garden, pool tables and an atrium eating area, offering the classic experience.
18. The Archer
Set in a historic 1800s fit-out, this charming old spot is a local favourite and one of the bet pubs in Adelaide. The Earl of Leicester serves boutique wines and pub grub and has an extensive amount of beers available. Tucked away in Parkside, the venue is renowned for the massive-sized meals available, like the 600g schnitzels for just $25. If you’re in need of some old-school comfort in the form of some good old pub grub, then this is your place.
19. Earl of Leicester
If you’re one of those returned Aussies from the quintessential time abroad working and living in the UK, The Elephant will undoubtedly ignite those feelings of nostalgia. This British pub sits in the back streets of Adelaide’s East End. It hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights and has over 30 draught beer and cider taps. But more importantly, you’ll feel like you’re right back in chilly old England.
20. The Elephant
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