Adelaide doesn’t shout for your attention. Laid back and unpretentious, it welcomes you with a glass of something delicious and before you know it, you’re wondering why you don’t spend more time here.
The food and wine scene in Adelaide is impressive. As the intersection between the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, it’s bound to attract and nurture top tastemakers and creatives.
The boutique online bottle shop, Sometimes Always, fits right into that story. They bring together some of Australia’s most exciting producers, from the big names you’ve heard of to the small, culty labels. Shopping wine online can be a challenge, but the way Sometimes Always categorises, describes and presents their range on their retro-looking website is a joy to peruse.
Their brand feels like a mate with a cellar or your dreams and a knack for knowing exactly what you’ll love. We all need a mate like that.
Local Guides are brought to you by your friendly concierge, Worktones. We’ve got the plug on the best restaurants, cafes, bars and other gems in the neighbourhood by those who know a thing or two about serving up good times in the area.
We asked the team at Sometimes Always to share their favourite Adelaide haunts and if their taste in venues is anywhere near their taste in wine, well… this should be good.
The Sometimes Always team helping us put together this guide to Adelaide:
- Kirby - Creative Director.
- Kyle - Creative.
- Millie - Senior Creative.
What's your go-to when you knock off?
- Kirby - I'm a bit of traditional pub fan so the Grace Emily or Exeter would be my knock-off location of choice. The Grace Emily is a small live music venue with an eclectic interior and roaring fireplace, perfect for winter. And the Exeter Hotel is the heart of the city, you'd find me out the front watching the world go by with a glass of chardy.
- Kyle - When I’m craving a chilled drink and some laughs with my mates, I always end up at Nearly Bar — it’s my go-to. The vibes? Always spot on. Feels like home, but with better wine.
- Millie - LOC Bottle Bar for delicious wine and great snacks!
Where are you eating on a day/night off?
- Kirby - Etica is technically a Pizza Napoletana restaurant, but their antipasto plate is what I enjoy most. Paired with a Negroni and live jazz in the courtyard, that's my happy place.
- Kyle - When I’m in the mood to treat myself — like, really treat myself — there’s only one place I’m heading: Asha on Goody Road. From the moment you walk in, it just feels like somewhere special. Every dish is bursting with bold North African vibes that hit like a flavour holiday. Rich spices, saucy goodness, and that Lamb, WOW!
- Millie - Ying Chow, always.
It's staff party time... where would you take the whole team?
- Kirby - Smokelovers is a sweet little East End bar, conveniently located next to the Exeter. It does ripper cocktails and has been known to absolutely pop-off.
- Kyle - I’d definitely take the team back to Pastel Wine Bar — it just hits the mark every time. The vibes are effortless, stunning wine and it's just enough fancy to make it feel like a real treat. And the food? I’m still dreaming about it... Seriously, I haven’t stopped thinking about that chicken.
- Millie - Sunny's Pizza.
You have a 15 minute lunch break... where are you grabbing a quick bite?
- Kirby - I'd grab a POMPOM pocket, full of beautifully balanced pickled guindilla peppers, falafel, hummus and radicchio.
- Kyle - Hidden on Currie Street, Via Vai is my go-to carb haven. Crunchy, fluffy focaccia, fresh-as-it-gets toppings, and seriously good vibes. It’s a total hidden gem — made even better by the absolute legends who run it.
- Millie - Via Vai Pizzetta & Focaccia Bar.
Gotta kill time... where are you going window shopping?
- Kirby - I would be lusting over the Australian-designed and made furniture, lighting and objects at the Jam Factory. Nothing hits life hand-crafted.
- Kyle - Besides endless online window shopping, I’m all about this cute little surf shop in Blackwood — Salt Culture. Whether I’m after fresh threads, a scented candle, or sunscreen, they always have something for me that I can’t resist.
- Millie - Rundle Street.
