The spritz has become a reliable staple at many Adelaide cocktail bars. Aperol, limoncello, blood orange, whatever flavour you fancy, here is a selection of bars to indulge in a refreshing aperitif.
2KW
Perched atop the heritage-listed former bank building at No. 2 King William Street in the city, 2KW is a destination for its panoramic views of Adelaide’s East to West. The classic Aperol spritz is served as it should be: with plenty of ice, and a generous helping of orange slices. Time it correctly and you could be sipping the sunset in your knockoff Aperol spritz as day turns to night over Adelaide Oval.
Bank Street Social
Bank Street Social
Tucked down a West End laneway just off Hindley Street, this abandoned basement-turned-trendy-bar is the perfect spot if you’re after a date night destination. The term speakeasy comes to mind to describe the venue’s exposed brick and mood lighting. The team at Bank Street focus on seasonal fruits when crafting their spritz, so it’s subject to change; aside from the classic Aperol you could find gems such as lychee. A surprise spritz seems like just the reason to give this hidden venue a go.
Bar Lune
Bar Lune
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Only a short drive out of the CBD, Bar Lune is your friendly neighbourhood wine bar on Norwood Parade from the crew at EMBR Hospitality, whose portfolio also boasts Dolly, Spread and Oliveti. Pull up a stool to the terrazzo benchtops and sip on their limoncello spritz, which boldly swaps the traditional sparkling wine for vodka. This combo is a party-starter, best followed by some share plates.
Good Gilbert
In the heart of Goodwood, Good Gilbert is an unpretentious neighbourhood bar where walk-ins are welcome. Their spritz-gimlet hybrid is unique and refreshing, featuring Never Never Oyster Shell Gin, which uses Kangaroo Island oyster shell and is made with savoury cocktail lovers in mind. It pairs the oyster shell gin with sparkling wine and elderflower tonic. Enjoy it with a contemporary seafood dish from their restaurant menu, or on its own in the cosy front corner bar.
East End Cellars
East End Cellars
East End Cellars has become a city institution since opening in 1998. The reputable wine and spirit stockist now has two locations, Norwood and Vardon Avenue in the CBD. We personally can’t go past the atmosphere of Vardon Ave at Friday knockoffs, particularly during festival season. Their spritz is as classic as they are: Aperol, prosecco, orange wedge and soda served over ice. The balance of sweet and bitters at the CBD stop is best enjoyed while people-watching.
Mother Vine
Mother Vine
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Mother Vine is another Vardon Avenue spot that comes alive at knockoffs. The Mother Vine cocktail list is rotating and enjoys putting a seasonal twist on the classics. Stuck on a Bramble is their zingier spritz with a spicy complexity. It stars Beach House Spiced Rum, blackberry, lemon and Fever-Tree ginger ale. If you prefer something a little sweeter and European, we recommend Frank’s Fresca which adds strawberry, basil and Lillet Blanc to the classic Aperol, prosecco and soda. Hats off to Frank.
Enoteca Lounge & Cucina
Located on Rundle Street, Enoteca Lounge & Cucina stretches back to Vardon Avenue, where their aperitivo bar overlooks the Ebenezer/Vardon thoroughfare. Natalie Fazzari, the daughter of now-retired Calabrian chef Enzo Fazzari of Enzo’s Ristorante, opened Enoteca in 2023 with her Milan-born partner Alessandro Ennor. Enoteca upholds the legacy traditions of Italian cuisine with a modern flair. As you would expect, their Aperol Spritz is classically refreshing, with a non-alcoholic version available for sober friends or designated drivers.
Leigh St Luggage
The original Leigh Street Luggage shop called time after 40 years of selling travel gear before being reborn as a bespoke cocktail joint in 2021. It offers a range of curated wines and exciting cocktails. There’s an Apple and Bergamot Spritz up for grabs, featuring cucumber-infused Milledges gin, apple, bergamot, lime, soda and prosecco. But the crowd favourite is the Montenegro Spritz. Starring Amaro Montenegro, passionfruit, grapefruit, mint, soda and prosecco, it’s light, fruity and perfect for a spring evening.
Prohibition Liquor Co.
Prohibition Liquor Co is an industrial-style bar and tasting room on Gilbert Street in the city, celebrating the liquor that emerged from the prohibition era of the 1920s: gin. Their blood orange spritz is zesty and refreshing, pairing their award-winning blood orange gin with a blood orange cello and the usual spritz suspects: sparkling wine, soda, fresh citrus and basil. The cello is a citrus liqueur using the remains of the Riverland fruit from their blood orange gin, so it’s sustainably made, too.
Seamore’s
Seamore’s
Beachside is surely one of the best ways to enjoy a spritz, so look no further than Seamore’s at Henley Square. Seamore’s is an Italian inspired take on an Australian surf club. Spritz wise, you’re spoiled for choice. There’s the classic Aperol, a Hugo Spritz, which uses elderflower liqueur, and the Seamore’s Spritz which features grapefruit, 78 Degrees sunset gin, prosecco and soda. We recommend sipping your spritz while enjoying ocean views from the balcony.
This article first appeared in the 2024 issue of SALIFE Food Wine and Travel.
