The 10 best pubs in Adelaide

This exquisite building has been a Rundle Street landmark since the early 1880s, becoming the much-loved pub The Austral in 1898. The 2020 renovation hasn’t diminished the pub’s history; instead, the new look honours the heritage with character and ornamental archways. There is also more room for live music, something the pub was famous for in the 1980s and ’90s. Try the Austral burger, a juicy medium-rare beef patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese, egg, onion, beetroot and a bitey pickle. The chicken parmigiana is just as impressive, with some really tasty cheese and Napoli sauce.

Dating back to 1853, the Crown and Anchor is full of character, just like its patrons. Often dubbed ‘the Cranker’, the pub thrums with live music all through the interior, which is covered in signs and stickers. Comedians perform at Cranker Comedy on Tuesday nights – entry requires merely a donation. If you have a craving for carbs, upstairs is Midnight Spaghetti, which offers delicious pasta, like their signature spaghetti with anchovies, olives, chilli, parmesan and pangrattato. You'll also find hits like arancini, garlic bread, Biscoff cannoli and tiramisu on their late-night menu.

The Grace Emily Hotel is everything you’d want from a pub: incredibly laid back, grungy and welcoming. As one of the historic pubs of the city’s West End, it was established just three years after South Australia was settled in 1839, and known then as The Launceston. Today, the pub’s reputation hinges on its commitment to live music, a staple most nights of the week that landed the Grace an induction into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

The craving for a witbier and a steaming pot of mussels with chips is a hard one to resist, and the Belgian Beer Café 'Oostende' is the place to indulge these characteristic lowland pleasures. Go the classic moules provençale (mussels cooked in tomato broth with roasted peppers, olive, garlic, thyme and basil) and get your frites on the side – with mayonnaise, naturally. More than 80 local and imported beers span dark ales, pale ales, lagers, abbeys and Trappist beers. The bartenders here take the Belgian thing seriously, with the famous ‘nine-step pour’ process that culminates in ‘trimming’ the head of your pint or half pint with a knife.

The Astor’s biggest strength is its function rooms, which are ideal spaces for big parties, conferences and other shindigs.  The more intimate Adelaide Fringe shows are staged in these rooms and there’s often live music too. That’s not to say The Astor is not a great spot to catch up with mates over a beer or a decent cheap pub meal – on-street dining lets you enjoy the passing parade of this city fringe location.

Established in 1851, this pub – affectionately known as ‘The Welli’ – has been a long-time favourite of the area. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer up views of the greenery in Wellington Square. In the warmer months, the retractable doors open up, which makes for some lovely alfresco dining. The grilled chicken comes in a really soft, toasted bun, with avo, lettuce, tomato and a side of chips – delicious, tender and juicy. The menu offers an extensive list of Aussie entrees, including braised kangaroo tail, barramundi wings, sundried tomato arancini and siu mai pork dumplings. 

Gilbert, you good thing. There’s never a quiet day at The Gilbert Street Hotel. Kick off your weekday evenings with happy hour from 5-6pm, where the vibes are as good as the $20 meal deals running Monday to Thursday – think pasta, pizza, steak and Caesar salad. But let’s be real, The Gilbert’s claim to fame is Adelaide’s OG buffalo wings, available by the kilo every Wednesday and Thursday night – pre-ordering is a must. Whether you’re into jazz, blues and roots or DJs, live music is always on the menu.

Gluten-free dining: it may not be what you’d normally expect from a pub, but the Alma specialises in it, with more than 30 gluten-free meals on the menu. There are plenty of vegan options too and a dedicated dog menu, including doughnuts and puppucinos. Local AFL stars Mark Ricciuto, Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane are part owners of the pub, which naturally has a big screen for the game. The three of them can sometimes be spotted at Tuesday trivia, on Thursday family night or at Sunday Sounds, featuring live acoustic from 3-6pm. 

Located on the busy main strip of North Adelaide, The Archer is the watering hole for students who populate the neighbouring residential colleges. There’s a front bar, a dining area and a beer garden, as well as a spacious large balcony featuring books and oil paintings. It’s in homage to the venue’s history – first built in 1849, the historic building changed from a library to a pub in 2002. A special Gin Wall has more than 50 gins, and the menu boasts everything from schnitties to fish and chips, pizza, double smash burgers and Wagyu rump. 

The Irish certainly know how to have a good time, and continue to do so at the Norwood Hotel, a heritage-listed hotel on The Parade. Locals gather here to catch up over a beer at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub, the venue-within-a-venue. There is a wide range on offer, including, of course, Irish lagers and Guinness, as well as a mixture of local, interstate and international wine and spirits. Pop in any day for $9 pints, or come in on a Sunday for the $20 roast.