The Astor’s biggest strength is its function rooms available for hire, ideal spaces for a parties, conferences and other events. The five options each accommodate different sized parties and include greenery, wooden furnishings and modern and stylish touches like wooden tables, black chairs and a painted feature wall. 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.
Whenever Time Out drops by and pulls up a stool by the slick copper bar we get a warm welcome from friendly staff. There’s a good variety of beers on tap, a wine list including impressive local names such as Serafino, d’Árenberg and Rockford Wines, and an Espresso Martini that will only set you back $10. Those classic pub meals include steaks, schnitzels, fish and chips, burgers and sharing options such as fries or nachos. The daily specials have some hearty comfort food mains such as beef vindaloo curry, homemade pie or bangers and mash. There is also dessert with your ice creams, puddings and affogato.