Kelly Landry's been to Adelaide quite a few times but, like many visitors to a city, she's never been sure where to go when the sun sets. To solve that she joined up with local entertainment reporter and former Miss Australia, Olivia Stratton, who knows the ins and outs of Adelaide after dark.
Edinburgh Hotel
Known to locals as "The Ed", the hotel in historic Mitcham Village has been running since 1855. The Adelaide institution has three bars, each with a different vibe. Depending on your mood you can relax and unwind, or go to something a little more upbeat. The huge beer garden is bordered by pergolas, vines and lush gardens. There's a DJ on Tuesday and Thursday nights and on Sunday afternoons there's live music.
Apart from being a great watering hole, their cafe offers a fine dining experience. They also have an award-winning cellar and retail outlet, so everything's covered.
Mesa Lunga
The Spanish term
mesa lunga translates to "long table". On Adelaide's Gouger Street, Mesa Lunga captures the essence of European culture in a chic but relaxed atmosphere. Pizzas are made for grown-ups and Spanish doughnuts with chocolate dipping sauce are winners in the dessert stakes. Apart from the fabulous food, the interiors are eye-popping. Great tapas dishes are served at the bar.
Sangria Bar
This is a spin-off from Mesa Lunga and is a winner in its own right. They serve 15 different sangria cocktails created in San Sebastian and bite-sized tapas known as pintox and chupitos.
The sangria varieties have some unusual flavours — including hibiscus and Turkish apple — and bases are made from juices, liqueurs, spirits and wine.
An acoustic guitarist and saxophonist entertain on Sundays and there's a DJ adding to the fun.
Botanic Bar
Their last stop was Botanic Bar which is a massive heritage building. It has a fantastic atmosphere (no gambling machines or beer on tap here) and it's dedicated to the divine cocktail. The owners have a gourmet produce store at Central Markets which is where they source their cocktail ingredients.
Three full-time cocktail bartenders devote themselves to maintaining, expanding and serving more than 40 cocktails. They choose from over 50 liqueurs and shake, build, stir, blend and muddle the most exotic beverages.
There's a DJ most nights and while there's no official dance floor, that doesn't stop people hopping up to bop.
Location
After dark spots across Adelaide.
Cost
The Edinburgh Hotel is open from Monday to Saturday between 10am until midnight and from 10am until 10pm on Sunday.
Mesa Lunga is open from 6pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Wednesdays to Fridays they open from noon until late. On Sundays they open at noon and serve pizza and tapas until late.
Sangria Bar is open between Wednesday and Sunday from 6pm until late.
For further information
Edinburgh Hotel
1-7 High Street
Mitcham 5062
Ph: (08) 8373 2700
Fax: (08) 8373 3083
www.edinburgh.com.au
hotel@edinburgh.com.au
Mesa Lunga/Sangria Bar
Morphett and Gourger streets
Adelaide 5000
Ph: (08) 8410 7617
www.mesalunga.com
Botanic Bar
309 North Terrace
Adelaide 5000
Ph: (08) 8227 0799
www.botanicbar.com.au
To find out more about the hot deals mentioned on the show, check out Holidays for Sale.
