Nearly a Bar

Our Guide to Bars with Games

Last updated 24 June, 2026

Looking for a bar with a little more than a good drinks list? Adelaide has plenty of places where the atmosphere comes built in, from underground bars and candlelit wine spots to karaoke dens, quiz night locals and full-scale board game venues.

If your ideal night out includes a little friendly competition, a singalong, or simply something to do between rounds, these Adelaide favourites deliver drinks with an extra layer of fun. Whether you are planning a date, a catch-up with friends or a group night that needs more than a standard booking, here is where to start.

Mothervine Wine Bar

Tucked into Vardon Avenue in the East End, Mothervine is one of those bars that feels made for lingering. The space is grounded in wine culture, with an impressive list, shared plates, featured wine flights, jazz on Sundays and regular wine dinners, but it still manages to feel warm rather than formal.

If you are after a venue where the night can move at its own pace, this is it. Order a glass, settle in over a few snacks and pull out a game of Uno for a low-key but memorable catch-up. It is the kind of place that suits easy conversation, a second bottle and the feeling that no one needs to rush anywhere.

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Udaberri

If your perfect bar leans lively and relaxed Udaberri is an easy addition to the list. A game of Jenga adds a playful element to drinks with friends, giving the table something to rally around between sips and stories.

This is the kind of venue that works well when you want the energy of a night out without the structure of a formal activity. It is social, simple and ideal for groups who want a catch-up that feels a little more animated.

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Bank Street Social

If you like your nights out with a little atmosphere, Bank Street Social is a standout. Set beneath the city in Adelaide’s West End, this underground bar pairs cocktails and pizza with large leather booths, exposed brick, reclaimed timber and warm lighting that nods to a prohibition-era New York mood. During the week, it can feel intimate and tailored. By the weekend, the dance floor starts to pull a crowd.

There is plenty here for those who like a bar that shifts gears across the evening. Start with a game of Uno over drinks, settle into the booth for pizza, then stay as the DJs take over with funk, soul, disco and house across the weekend. With more than 350 spirits on the back bar and a strong focus on South Australian gin, whisky, craft beer and boutique wine, it is a venue that balances polish with personality.

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Nearly a Bar

Nearly Bar has the feel of a neighbourhood local in the middle of the city. Positioned on Hindley Street, it is described as the perfect spot to catch up with friends over a tipple, and that easy, unfussy quality is exactly the appeal.

Add in quiz nights and it becomes a smart option for groups who want a built-in plan without committing to a major night out. It is ideal for a midweek get-together, an after-work drink that rolls on a little longer, or any evening where a bit of trivia can sharpen the mood.

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The Lost Dice

For anyone who wants to make games the main event, The Lost Dice is hard to beat. This board game restaurant and bar on King William Street has a library of more than 500 unique board games, making it less of a novelty stop and more of a destination for the whole evening.

What sets it apart is that you do not need to choose between play and dining. Food and drinks can be ordered straight to the table without interrupting the game, so the night keeps moving while the competition heats up. It is a strong option for groups, birthdays, low-pressure dates or anyone who loves the idea of a bar where conversation naturally flows because there is always something happening on the table.

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Ancient World

Not every great night out needs to feel polished. Ancient World is for those who want something looser, stranger and more memorable. Tucked down an alleyway off Hindley Street, the venue has been described as gritty, grungy, experimental and weirdly wonderful, with a thriving creative community at its centre.

It is an artist-run multifunctional space, and that energy carries through everything it does. Expect local musicians, drag, punk shows, unexpected art and karaoke that is less about pitch-perfect performance and more about commitment. If you are planning a night with friends who like their venues full of character, this is where to embrace the unpredictable.

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If you are after a bar that gives you more than a drink in hand, start here. Gather your most competitive friends, choose your atmosphere and let the night unfold from there.

Whether you are in the mood for a polished East End pour, an underground West End dance floor, a city-wide board game session or karaoke in a venue full of personality, Adelaide has a bar for it.

The only hard part is deciding where to begin.

Plus, if you're looking to extend your night out that won't break the budget, Check out our Deals and Offers page.

Our Guide to Bars with Games

Mothervine Wine Bar

Udaberri

Bank Street Social

Nearly a Bar

The Lost Dice

Ancient World

Our Guide to Bars with Games

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