The Best Wine Bars in Adelaide

Adelaide’s relaxed city vibe blends seamlessly with the deep wine culture that runs through South Australia. These wine bars bring the two together, offering great local bottles, lively streets and a chance to understand the state’s wine scene without leaving the city.

Exploring Adelaide’s Wine Bar Scene

Adelaide sits at the centre of one of Australia’s great wine landscapes. Within a short drive lie the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, regions whose names appear on countless wine lists around the world. While many visitors head straight for the vineyards, the city itself offers an easier way to explore what South Australia produces.

Wine bars across Adelaide pour bottles from nearby producers alongside interesting labels from further afield, creating city spaces where you can taste the region without straying far from your hotel, or the restaurant you just ate at.

A glass of Adelaide Hills chardonnay or Barossa shiraz in an Adelaide wine bar often arrives with knowledgeable staff and small plates designed for lingering over the evening.

Best Wine Bars in Adelaide

For anyone curious about local wines, these Adelaide wine bars offer a great place to begin your journey into the world of South Australian wine.

Mother Vine

Vardon Avenue in Adelaide’s East End is one of the city’s liveliest dining strips and is simply packed with energy. Mother Vine sits right in the middle of it all. Tables spill onto the street and the atmosphere tends to get louder as the night goes on. South Australian and French wines dominate the list, with tastings and wine events appearing regularly. Tapas and share plates make it an easy place to stay for the evening if you don’t have other plans.

Good Gilbert

A neighbourhood wine bar rather than a city hotspot, Good Gilbert sits in the suburb of Goodwood just south of the city. It’s the sort of place locals wander into after work on a Friday and has a friendly vibe. Australian and European wines fill the list, many available by the glass, while the kitchen creates seasonal dishes that turn the bar into a proper dinner destination (if that’s what you’re after).

Jennie Wine Bar

Walk into Jennie Wine Bar near Peel Street and the walls of bottles immediately set the tone for a night filled with exciting wines. Inspired by European enotecas, the focus here is discovering interesting wines rather than simply ordering a familiar label. The staff will be happy to help.

Around 250 wines feature on the list, many poured by the glass, alongside a few small plates designed to keep the attention on your drinks.

Proof

Hidden on Anster Street, Proof has helped shape what Adelaide’s small-bar scene really is. Cocktails are a major draw, but the wine list holds its own with carefully chosen Australian and international bottles. It’s pretty small, and the compact space and low-key atmosphere make it a comfortable and cosy place for a late evening glass.

La Buvette Drinkery

Small, dimly lit and quietly Parisian in spirit, there’s nowhere else in Adelaide like La Buvette Drinkery on Gresham Street. This spot specialises in natural wines and classic aperitifs, and a few outdoor tables give the place a relaxed café feel. There is some food on the menu too; with simple, cheeses, bread and light snacks designed for grazing with a drink.

Nearly

Nearly feels like part wine bar, part local gathering spot in Adelaide’s West End. The room is usually buzzing and the wine list changes fairly frequently. Natural and low-intervention producers dominate the wine list. In nice weather, you can sit outside and be part of the fun al-fresco atmosphere of the area.

East End Cellars

Part bottle shop, part wine bar, part restaurant, East End Cellars is an Adelaide classic and one you simply can’t miss.

This spot opened on Vardon Avenue in 1998 and has grown into one of Adelaide’s best-known wine venues, loved by locals and visitors alike for its incredible collection of wines. Thousands of bottles line the shelves, with a strong focus on South Australian producers, and guests can choose one to enjoy with food from the kitchen next door. Don’t forget to take home a bottle of your favourite!

Where to stay in Adelaide

A good night out deserves an easy journey home. Adelaide’s compact layout makes it simple to move between wine bars, restaurants and late-night spots, so choosing the right base means you can enjoy the city without travelling far.

Just south of the CBD in the suburb of Goodwood, Grow at Goodwood offers a modern and design-focused stay with a relaxed neighbourhood feel. The location keeps you close to the city’s dining scene while still feeling slightly removed from the bustle, and the nearby tram line makes heading into the CBD for an evening of wine bars super quick.

For travellers who like the idea of combining city nights with time by the ocean, Glenelg Motel places you close to Adelaide’s most famous beach. Glenelg’s jetty, restaurants and bars are all nearby, while the direct tram line connects the area with the city centre, making it easy to move between coastal sunsets and CBD wine bars.

A practical option close to the action, the Adelaide Royal Coach is found in Kent Town on the edge of Adelaide’s East End and green park. From here it’s a short trip into some of the city’s liveliest dining streets, with plenty of restaurants, bars and late-night spots within easy reach, making it a convenient and affordable base for exploring Adelaide after dark.