The best wine bars in and around Adelaide

Raise a glass to Adelaide's wine bars — where bold drops, worldly tales and experiences worth sharing are always on the menu.

When it comes to wine bars, Adelaide knows how to deliver. Whether you’re enjoying a lazy afternoon at a leafy suburban bar or diving headfirst into the hum of Adelaide city, there’s a pour for every palate.  South Australia's wine culture flows straight from the vineyards to the wine bars in Adelaide — every bottle has a story, and the staff are just as passionate about sharing it as you are about sipping it. Ready to explore the best wine bars in Adelaide? Grab a glass and let’s dive in.

City sips

Jennie Wine Bar | Peel St 

Named Australian Wine Bar of the Year in 2023, Jennie Wine Bar sets the standard for sipping in style. Founded by five wine-loving friends, Jennie takes its cues from European enotecas, blending old-world charm with an effortless South Australian cool.

With over 25 wines by the glass and a rotating selection of 250 bottles, Jennie keeps you guessing in the best way. Their list changes fortnightly, so there’s always something new to try — whether it’s a bold McLaren Vale red, a zesty Italian orange or something rare and surprising.

True to its roots, Jennie doesn’t complicate things. The vibe is warm, the tunes are spot on and the food menu is tight with simple, shareable snacks like oysters, charcuterie and just-right cheese plates. Designed with a floor-to-ceiling wine wall and a striking African mahogany table at its heart, the bar feels like an intimate dinner party with friends (but with way better wine).

Mother Vine | East End 

The East End knows its wine, and Mother Vine is proof of just that. Located on Vardon Avenue, this spot boasts a wine list showcasing the best of South Australia, alongside international heroes and lesser-known treasures you’ll want to brag about discovering first. If you struggle with commitment, their tasting paddles let you try a little of everything.

Mother Vine’s name nods to the MV6 Pinot Noir clone, a symbol of Burgundy’s legacy thriving in Australia. This connection to wine’s rich history shines in their In Focus nights, a monthly deep dive into wine regions from across the globe. One week you'll be sipping on Sicily's sun-soaked reds and the next, you’ll be debating the nuances of Rheinhessen rieslings.

With a wine list full of surprises and a team that knows their stuff (without making you feel like you should), Mother Vine will give you plenty of reasons to stay for “just one more”.

LOC Bottle Bar | Hindmarsh Square

Wine bars often follow a formula — LOC Bottle Bar didn’t get the memo. True to its name (short for “left of centre”), LOC redefines what a wine bar should be. Forget wine lists — here, you can pick your bottle straight from the wall of low-intervention wines or let the knowledgeable staff make a recommendation. Whether you’re after an old-world classic or an experimental natural drop, Loc's ever-evolving collection ensures there’s always something new to uncork.

Add a rotating roster of pop-up chefs and small bites that range from French cheeses to house-pickled delights, and you’ve got an experience as eclectic as the wines themselves.

Just a stone’s throw 

Pastel Wine Bar | North Adelaide

If Wes Anderson designed a wine bar, it might look something like Pastel. Tucked along O’Connell Street, this spot is all charm and character, with nutmeg-toned timber panels, exposed brick and bold abstract art setting the scene. Step outside and the courtyard brims with leafy nooks, ripe for sharing bottles and wine-fuelled secrets. Pastel’s collection is 140 bottles deep and walks the perfect line between low-intervention drops and tried-and-true classics.

Stay late on Jazz Club Tuesdays, where free live jazz transforms Pastel into a midweek treat you’ll happily make a habit. With sultry melodies and electric energy, it’s the perfect setting to dazzle a date or simply soak up the tunes solo.

Oddio Wine Bar | Bowden

Hidden in Bowden’s backstreets and wrapped in the charm of a heritage-listed 1800s church, Oddio flips the script on your typical wine bar in Adelaide. Forget polished tasting rooms and pretentious pours — Oddio's rustic, no-fuss vibe keeps things unfiltered and undeniably cool.

Home to three standout wine labels — Delinquente Wine Co, Frederick Stevenson and Giovanni Armani Giorgio (plus aperitivo Bizzarro for some spritzy fun) — the lineup ranges from easy-breezy rosés to deep, brooding reds. And when Oddio teams up with culinary heavyweights like Africola Canteen or Golden Boy for pop-up events, the space buzzes with clinking glasses, belly laughs and a crowd that knows how to have a good time.

Oddio doesn’t do “regular hours,” so keep an eye on their socials and pounce when the gates swing open.

Ballet Wine Bar | Glenelg 

Ballet Wine Bar has pirouetted onto Glenelg’s Jetty Road, bringing a European flair and over 140 wine varieties to this seaside hotspot. Housed in a beautifully restored heritage building, it marries classic sophistication with a touch of today.

Inside, fireplaces and cosy corners beckon for intimate evenings, while the menu strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. Expect house made gnocchi, zucchini flowers and anchovy soldiers that pair perfectly with the bar’s French and Italian varietals.

Writer’s tip: Make a beeline for the balcony, pinot in hand — it’s the perfect perch for people-watching.

Worth the drive

Adelaide Hills Wine Bar | Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills

If Hahndorf’s historic main street wasn’t already endearing enough, the Adelaide Hills Wine Bar takes it to the next level. Showcasing the crème de la crème of South Australia’s wine regions, this cosy spot serves up expertly chosen local drops alongside pizzas, platters and tapas that scream “fresh and local”. The team here is all about easy-going hospitality, serving up a wine list that’s as unpretentious as it is unforgettable.

The bar doubles as the home of the Wolf Blass Gallery & Museum, an ode to one of Australia’s greatest winemaking legends. Between sips, you can explore the life and legacy of Wolf Blass himself — because a little wisdom pairs perfectly with great wine (and it’s a great excuse to pour another glass).

Muni | Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula 

Okay, so Muni isn’t a wine bar — it’s a wine restaurant. But when the wine’s this good, who’s keeping score? With a natural wine list that’s equal parts daring and delightful, it’s no surprise Muni’s made the cut for the prestigious Star Wine List. Every bottle is chosen with care, showcasing producers who pour their hearts into every drop.

Located in charming Willunga, just 40 minutes from Adelaide, Muni opened in 2021 under the helm of chefs Mug Chen and Chia Wu. Their philosophy? Keep it sustainable, seasonal and sensational. Working hand-in-hand with local producers, they’ve created a menu that sings of South Australia’s land and sea. Let the accolades speak for themselves: SA Life’s Restaurant of the Year 2024, a spot in the Delicious 100's top 10 for 2022 and Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent award in 2023. Need we say more?

Love what you see?

Browse Adelaide’s best bars — where cocktails, craft brews and standout sips await.