We searched the streets for independent bottle-o's and found, in our opinion, some of the best places in Adelaide to get your grog.
June 27, 2024
Habits
The best places in Adelaide to buy booze
Fassina
Multiple locations
With eight locations spread around the state, you’ll never be far from a Fassina liquor store. Unless you live outside of Adelaide (and Whyalla)… South Australia’s longest-running family wine store, Fassina was founded in 1975 by father and son duo Joe and Ross Fassina. The stores regularly host wine masterclasses for those wanting to become a bit more legitimate with their wine critiques. Personally, CityMag’s expertise goes as far as red, white and sweet.
Hurley Cellars
Multiple locations
The Hurley Hotel Group, who own Hotel Royal, Arkaba Hotel, Marion Hotel and more around South Australia, also run Hurley Cellars. There are seven of them across Adelaide and they are boutique cellars with a local focus. Hurley Cellars frequently puts on events such as masterclasses and tastings.
This picture: supplied.
The Exeter
246 Rundle Street, Adelaide 5000
God we love the East End, and we sure do love The Exeter. For a late-night six-pack or a selection of wines, you’d do far worse than stopping past The Ex and asking for a takeaway. Of course, the team also serves up cold Cooper’s (on tap) and has a rotating menu — which will always include schnitzels, burgers and a big ol’ scotch fillet.
The Ex. This picture: Jonathan van der Knaap.
Home Supermarket
Multiple locations
This, perhaps surprising, option has gotten one CityMag journalist out of many a last-minute drink needs. This extensive Asian supermarket is a go-to when you’re looking to branch out your drinking habits. From Japanese umeshu (plum wine) to the popular Korean soju, the Home Supermarket has plenty on offer. It also stocks a variety of imported wines, for those looking for a nice middle ground between their classic drink of choice and something new.
Parade Cellars
161-175 The Parade, Norwood 5067
Norwood’s Parade Cellars had us at weekly in-store tastings. The merchants offer everything from $4 wines through to a $5200 bottle of Rousseau 2013 Chambertin. Truly, something for everyone. These self-titled wine-loving connoisseurs can be found inside the Norwood Place Mall on The Parade, open until 9:00 on weeknights, perfect for a stop-in on the way to a dinner party.
Hutt Street Cellars
253 Hutt Street, Adelaide 5000
Found on one of CityMag’s favourite streets (hello, Sugar Man, Sofia and Latteria), Hutt Street Cellars offers Australian and imported wines, spirits, beers and bubbly – for that celebration, or if you just want it. In a service this amateur wine drinker especially enjoys, the website offers an AI chatbot to help you find your perfect wine. This journalist asked for something with strawberries, which was sweet, tart and dry all at the same time. Our new best friend recommended a Chain Of Ponds 2022 Innovenve Dry Rosé. No need to tell me twice!
Edinburgh Cellars
1/7 High Street, Mitcham 5062
This independent liquor retail business, nicknamed Ed Cellars, operates from a heritage-listed sandstone shopfront in Mitcham Village. They’ve been around since 1997 and have a large range of wines from South Australia which they say are rare and carefully cellared.
This picture: supplied.
LOC
6 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide 5000
LOC is CityMag’s unofficial favourite little bottle bar. Not only is it 30 seconds from our office, but owner Olivia Moore makes it her mission to have a small rotating list with a large focus on natural wines. In her small, humble abode, she says she tries to focus on “the organic farming side of things in terms of the wines that we buy”.
Owner, Olivia Moore, outside of LOC. This picture: Claudia Dichiera.
Share —
CityMag loves Adelaide (that’s the foundation this magazine is built from) and although Dan Murphy’s sure does come in handy when it’s 10pm and you’re stuck in the burbs in need of a bottle of something, these independents do it better.
So read on for a tour of the best places in Adelaide to buy booze.
East End Cellars
Two locations
We couldn’t write a list without including these guys. East End Cellars’ history began in January 1998. They’ve built their reputation and are now known as a reputable wine and spirit stocker. They take their wine very seriously. Now in two locations, Vardon Avenue and in Norwood, you can purchase all your alcoholic needs at East End Cellars.
This picture: supplied.
Brooklyn Park Cellars
293 Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park 5038
Located on Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park Cellars offers a service that could have saved CityMag countless disappointing wine purchases. That’s right, this boutique bottle-o offers a select range of wines available to taste for free in an exclusive “wine tasting machine”. Colour us intrigued! Open 365 days a year, Brooklyn Park Cellar offers free home delivery for orders over $100 for those unplanned gatherings, and will even deliver wine interstate for when you want to let your long-distance besties know you miss them (and that they need a drink).