12 things to do in Adelaide at night

When visiting South Australia’s Adelaide, you’ll find many fantastic things to see and do to fill your days and nights. For starters, many visitors choose to jump on the City Circle Tram and listen to commentary about the history of several major attractions and landmarks. It’s a great way to learn more about the city, and the tram is free! You can also visit the Adelaide Botanic Garden or the Adelaide Skydeck, then shop in the Adelaide Arcade.

Many terrific daytime attractions will keep you busy from sunrise to sunset, but what to do when the sun goes down and most of the main attractions close is the question on many visitors’ minds. A whole new world of possibilities opens when you visit Adelaide at night. You’ll find more than enough bars and dance clubs to socialize in and other choices for those who enjoy shopping, sightseeing, and scary stories.

Before you hit the town, drop your things off at an Adelaide baggage storage space. Enjoy the freedom of going bar hopping and all the other fun things to do when night falls without lugging extra belongings and gear. After you’ve had enough of Adelaide’s nightlife, grab your things and return to your accommodation to rest up for your next day of excitement.

Shopping

Ebenezer Night Markets

 Address: 31 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide

Looking to shop? Visit this excellent seasonal market for some of the most fantastic street food in Adelaide, wonderful gift ideas, and must-see crafts. This night market is open throughout the summer and is the place to be when you just want to stroll along and hang out with the locals. Plan on spending a few hours exploring all the market has to offer. The night market isn’t all that different from the delightful Adelaide Central Market or the famous Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.

From jewelry, artisan crafts, clothing, home items, baked goods and foodstuffs, this market does have a little bit of everything. Bring a big appetite because you’ll want to sample several goodies offered at the food courts and stalls throughout the Ebenezer Night Market. Some nights, you’ll see live music and street performers entertaining the crowd.

Bars and clubs

Mary’s Poppin

 Address: 5 Synagogue Place, Adelaide

When you’re looking for a fantastic place to party all night, Mary’s Poppin is the place to be. It’s an 18-and-over bar open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 pm until the early hours of 3 am. Some of the best live entertainment in Adelaide can be found here.

This place is pretty popular, so arriving early is a good idea. To get the party started right away, skip the long lines to get into the club by reserving one of the best tables in the VIP sections. Bookings can be done online to guarantee your private booth and all the best VIP services available. The bright lights and live music will keep you partying all night.

Holey Moley Golf Club Adelaide

Address: Level 1/162-170 Pulteney Street, Adelaide

Play a round of miniature golf at one of the best golf clubs in Adelaide. Located next to Hindmarsh Square on Pulteney Street, you’ll have a blast hanging out and playing mini golf with friends while sipping a few cocktails. The nightclub vibe will draw you in and make you want to stay a while.

Holey Moley is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and closes at 10 pm the rest of the week, making it a great weekend spot. It’s an 18-and-over establishment since it functions as an official bar, with ID checks being done for all entering the golf club. The full-service bar with several signature cocktails and brews on tap will make playing a serious round of mini golf almost impossible. Book your tickets online to ensure you and your friends can visit on the night you want.

Electric Circus

Address: 17 Crippen Place, Adelaide

You’ll want to dance the night away at the Electric Circus nightclub. The club is open Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm until 5 am. Listen to the DJ create fantastic dance mixes with techno and R&B playlists while dancing with friends and meeting new people.

Located just a short walk from the Adelaide Casino and Adelaide Festival Centre, this is one of the best nightclubs in the city and a fantastic way to end a night on the town in Adelaide. The industrial-chic nightclub offers a huge dance floor, techno lighting, and a full-service bar. What more could you ask for?

Hellbound Wine Bar

Address: Basement/201 Rundle Street, Adelaide

After spending the day museum hopping through Adelaide, sit back and relax at the Hellbound Wine Bar for a pleasant time of wine tasting. The wine bar is located near the University of Adelaide, making it within walking distance of several must-see museums and attractions. Before your tasting, check out the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Rundle Mall.

The venue is a great place to sit back and taste wines alone or to meet for drinks with friends. Many options on the wine list come from local wineries. Adelaide is in the heart of the wine region, with goods coming from nearby spots like the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Cheese, fruit, and other small goodies are also served with your wine upon request.

Therapy Cocktail Bar

 Address: 2 Peel St, Adelaide

Stroll down Hindley Street and turn onto Peel Street to find Therapy Cocktail Bar near the Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Grand Chancellor, and Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide city centre. This is one of the quirky bars in the area and shouldn’t be missed when looking for things to do in Adelaide at night.

The bar opens for business at 5 pm and has over 100 different options on the menu, including a few signature cocktails created by the bartenders. Take your pick from their nice range of drinks, relax with friends, and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the Therapy Cocktail Bar in Adelaide.

Live entertainment and movies

Grace Emily Hotel

Address: 232 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

The Grace Emily Hotel is one of the best live music venues in town and is a fun place to spend a Friday night. Located only about four minutes from the Wauwi City Park and Light Square, this entertainment spot is open from 4 pm until midnight or 1 am almost every day. Spend time hanging out in the beer garden and enjoy a quick snack before listening to live music in the main hall.

The artists' schedule is often updated and posted on the Grace Emily Hotel's Facebook page. We recommend you check out the schedule and learn how to order tickets in advance to skip the long lines when you get there.

The Regal Theatre

275 Kensington Road, Kensington Park

Having first opened in 1925, The Regal Theatre has been around for a while and is a well-known entertainment venue in a suburb of Adelaide. The one-screen cinema is grand and regal, hence its name, and watching anything here can be an exciting experience. It occasionally puts on evening shows beginning as late as 8 pm, 9 pm or 10 pm, and is a fantastic choice for when you aren’t sure what to do at night.

Before the movie starts, treat yourself to sweets they sell at the counter. From snacks and candy to several flavors of ice cream, you’ll be well equipped for a tasty and comfortable experience at The Regal Theatre.

Activities

Moonlight Cinema Adelaide

Address: Botanic Park, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide

Once the sun sets, kick back and enjoy a movie at the Moonlight Cinema in Adelaide. Depending on the film being shown, it can be a fabulous family fun evening or a romantic night on the town. Located near the Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide Botanic Garden, you can spend your day exploring both places and then settle in for a wonderful night at this creative and fun outdoor movie theater.

Although the gates open at 7 pm, the movies don’t generally start until after 8 pm. You’ll have plenty of time to find the best spot to watch the movie, rent a bean bed, and arrange your snacks. You can bring your own food and drinks or buy from the candy bar and concession stand on site. Alcoholic beverages are allowed, and since nights can sometimes get chilly, bring a blanket.

Adelaide Zoo

Address: Frome Road, Adelaide

Zoo nights at the Adelaide Zoo are perfect for those looking to relax while enjoying the outdoors on balmy nights. Stop by when the gates open after hours to experience the zoo and its jungle-like atmosphere at night. Hop on the EcoCaddy to get up close and personal with native and exotic animals at the zoo, including dingoes, giraffes, and meerkats.

Sit and watch the zookeepers work with the little penguins (the smallest species) and marvel at the pelicans as they enjoy a nighttime meal. You can even participate in the Flying Colours Free Flight experience with the zoo’s Nature Theatre Team. One of the best things about visiting the zoo in the evening is watching as the keeper starts putting some of the animals to bed for the night. 

Tours

West Terrace Cemetery Tour

 Address: 161 West Terrace, Adelaide

Conveniently located about ten minutes from the Adelaide Casino and only a short walk from the Elephant & Castle Hotel restaurant, the West Terrace Cemetery may sound like an odd and slightly creepy place to spend an evening. But trust us, this walking tour is one of the best things to do in Adelaide at night. The tour lasts about 60 minutes and will leave you speechless.

With sound effects and special lighting, experienced actors dressed in period costumes will bring stories and mysteries from the past to life. Listen along as ghost stories unfold before your eyes and unsolved tales are spun as you walk through the cemetery. Ghost tours are held year-round.

Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tours

 Address: 18 Gaol Rd, Thebarton

Located just outside Adelaide in Thebarton, Adelaide Gaol is one of the most notorious prisons in South Australia. This is the longest continuously operating prison in the country and is rumored to be one of the most haunted. It has some pretty spooky stories to tell, which is why children under 12 aren’t allowed on the tour.

Be on high alert when you take part in the tour, as you may come across the ghost of Governor Ashton. Legend says that he was killed inside the gaol and then had his body dropped through a window. You may also come face-to-face with the ghost of the most notorious serial killer in South Australia. Once you learn about Sister Mary MacKillop’s interesting connection to the gaol, the hairs on the back of your neck will stand on end.

There were said to be 45 hangings carried out at the Adelaide Gaol, and a burial site is found under Murderer’s Row. It’s believed that at least 12 of those who were buried there still stalk the halls of the gaol, causing odd occurrences inside the 147-year-old prison. The tour will last about two hours.

Enjoying Adelaide at night

Visit Adelaide and spend your days checking out some of the city’s wonderful attractions, like going on a food tour at the Adelaide Central Market, strolling through the coastal town of Victor Harbor and admiring street art, or attending a sports event at the Adelaide Oval. The best part about your trip to Adelaide is that when the sun goes down, the city doesn’t simply go to sleep. Walking around the city streets, you’ll encounter several fantastic things to do in Adelaide at night. Whether you want to enjoy views of the city skyline lit up from a rooftop bar, go see a show, sit down for a couple drinks or dance until the early hours of the morning, a night in Adelaide is never boring!

Both day and night, Adelaide has many activities and attractions to offer travelers. Don’t let your bags slow you down when you're out and about. Store your things at any of our convenient locations for baggage storage. Unlike traditional storage lockers, we only charge one base price for all sizes of bags and don’t have any size restrictions. Take advantage of Bounce luggage storage service no matter what time of day you’re exploring.  You’ll find convenient luggage storage locations near Adelaide Airport, other transit spots and the best places to spend your night out in Adelaide.