Step inside this New Orleans-inspired bar and be blown away by the amount of whisky on offer, alongside plenty of craft beer and delicious bites. We love NOLA Adelaide for its unpretentious nature and the live music on Wednesday and Thursday nights is worth returning to week after week. If you’re lucky, you might even find yourself on a night of whiskey tastings with some of the country’s best drams on offer.

Home to the self-described ‘biggest whisky collection in South Australia’, it’s no surprise that Suzie Wong Bar makes our list of the best whisky bars in Adelaide, and Australia, to be fair. Located on Hindley street, the spot is popular with hipsters and DJs playing late into the night on weekends. Those travelling interstate can think of this one as a Frankies Pizza meets Mary’s Underground vibe with a smattering of whisky cocktails, including Jack Daniels and Jesus (a personal favourite of ours) that includes Jack Daniels, Mandarin, Lemongrass Tea, Bubbles and Chilli Sugar. It’s a bloody wild ride.

Hains & Co have all the flavours of a modern-day speakeasy, this inconspicuous bar is one of the best whisky bars in Adelaide with a location hidden between two laneways. Not only are they fully stocked when it comes to whiskey, but we were impressed by their substantial gin and rum collection, perfect for those who like mixing it up. The food menu is full of nautical-inspired eats, just like the decor of the much-loved bar. Be on the lookout for their Whisky 101 Masterclass that’s held monthly and is your fast-track ticket to becoming a whiskey expert.

If you’re looking to pair your whiskey with a bite to eat (pizza), look no further than Bank Street Social. The underground bar is located in Adelaide’s West End and they love all things local – with SA produce, SA beer, and SA wine, alongside a long list of premium gin and whisky from Australia and the rest of the world. These guys won the 2015 Advertiser ‘Best Small Bar’ and the 2018 City Awards ‘Best Nightlife Experience’, so they’re definitely worth a visit.

Malt and Juniper is our pick for a moody, intimate drinking experience in one of Adelaide’s most iconic laneways, Peel Street. This is a throwback like no other, with decor and menu both paying tribute to the good old days, and their drinks list covers everything from every part of the world, along with a heavy focus on local labels. One of the best places for Japanese whisky in Adelaide, we were lucky enough to spot a bottle of Yamazaki 18-year-old Mizunara cask during our stay.

Head to Clever Little Tailor for all the boujee vibes. Nestled in the heart of Adelaide’s West End, the minimalist interior comes alive thanks to an epic selection of drinks, with plenty of local and international wines, spirits, and beers up for grabs, with notable whisky from Tasmania, USA, Japan, and Europe. We recommend pairing your dram or whisky cocktail with the charcuterie board to sort out your perfect evening.

About as unpretentious as it gets, Baddog is all about having a good time with a glass of quality whisky by your side. The laid-back vibe is perfect for casual drinks, there’s no menu – what you see behind the bar is what you get, and the focus is all on the drinks with no food options served here, so best grab something beforehand! Our top tip? Check out the live music on most Friday nights.

Maybe Mar is the Adelaide whisky bar that serves the best whisky cocktails. Another Peel Street hot spot, Maybe Mae is a right of passage in these parts and is located behind a concealed door where you’ll find a subterranean paradise with a 1950s style. Their extensive menu celebrates South Australian makers and is about all things sustainable, and as a 7-time winner of the ‘South Australian Cocktail Bar of the Year’ award, this place gets busy, so it’s best to book ahead.

What goes better together than a good book with a delicious whisky by your side? Not much, which is why we love The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange. Making our list of the best whisky bars in Adelaide for good reason, this European-style bar in the heart of the CBD has a drinks menu that’s longer than your arm. Brands range from your run-of-the-mill Bowmore to rare casks that will have you pinching yourself to remind you that you’re in Adelaide, not Scotland. You’ll find everything from Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, Caol Ila 12 Unpeated, and Dad’s Hat Rye.

When we say this place is small, we mean it. Located behind the bistro, this boutique bar can only fit a wee 35 people, perfect for an intimate night out. Delicatessen Kitchen & Bar is all about simple, classic drinks, with a focus on cocktails, gin, and of course, whisky. While they like to keep secrets, expect bottles from all your favourite players, including Laphroaig, Starward, and Jameson.

For one of the best whisky bars in Adelaide for all those cosy, pub feels, head to the Rob Roy Hotel and you won’t be disappointed. Whilst you can expect to grab some classic pub fare, this is no regular pub – the guys here offer up a unique, Scottish twist and some of the best single malt whiskeys in the whole of Australia.

If you’re wondering where that cool-looking whisky bar is in the feature image then allow us to introduce The Collins Bar. One of our favourite whisky spots in Adelaide to escape the hustle and bustle, this modern, sophisticated drinking hole prides itself on top-tier American whiskies such as Blantons, Eagle Rare, and even Pappy Van Winkle if you’re looking to try one of the rarest drops on the planet. All of this whiskey nerd propaganda sits alongside a number of inventive whiskey cocktails and delicious food.

You’ll know it when you see it because this giant blue pub sticks out like a sore thumb and houses some of the best whisky in all the land. Almost unchanged for the past 100 years, the Wheatsheaf hotel is still serving up some of our favourite weird and wacky whiskies all these years later, including the likes of Writers Tears, Springbank, and Fleurieu. Outside of the whiskies, you can expect craft beers from across the globe, plenty of local wines, and NO cocktails. It’s casual, it’s chill, and even plays host to roller-derby parties and a ukulele orchestra, because why not?!

Man of Many’s list of the best whisky bars in Adelaide comes from years of service as Australia’s premier digital publisher for all things whisky. We know what to look for in a great whisky bar after trekking our way around the country and drinking the best drams from all the land, however, we’ve also taken into account user reviews from Google, Opentable, and Zomato. Before adding any Adelaide whisky bar to this list we’ve taken a long hard look at their list of cocktails, snacks, and most importantly, whiskies, before culminating our thoughts in one list.