If you’re looking for a night out with friends, Adelaide has plenty of places where you can dance and drink until the early hours.
While many interstaters see South Australia’s capital as a sleepy hollow, that couldn’t be farther from the truth on weekends.
There are hundreds of pubs and nightclubs scattered across the city where you can party until the sun comes up.
Here’s the 7 Adelaide nightclubs you have to experience at some point in your life.
The Woolshed
If you want somewhere where you can get merry, dance to some top 40 or old school tunes, and even ride a mechanical bull (yep, you read that correctly), then this is the place.
‘The Wooly’, as it’s often referred to, is a massive, multi-level club on Adelaide’s main night strip, Hindley Street, and basically has all the charm of a huge country pub, except 10 times the size.
When people visit Adelaide from regional areas, you can almost guarantee they’ll spend a fair portion of their time at The Woolshed on a night out.
What is the layout like?
This Adelaide nightclub has three levels, comprising seven expansive bars.
The basement is where you’ll find the grommets sweating it out to flat-out dance music, while the ground level is massively popular as it plays all your favourite tracks from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 00s.
I’ve witnessed The Nutbush being performed by everyone on the dancefloor far too many times for my liking.
Similarly, this area is where you’ll find the mechanical bull!
If it’s your first time at The Wooly, it is a non-negotiable to ride the bull at least once before you leave.
You can watch drunk people try and stay aboard for hours and you’d never stop being entertained.
Upstairs is my favourite area, as it incorporates a dancefloor, decent-sized bar, and you also have access to an expansive balcony that peers over Hindley Street.
You can have a cigarette with mates (if that’s your thing) and enjoy people watching all the drunk groups of friends stumbling their way along the street below.
The last main area is on the ground floor, but outdoors. Here, it’s a bit quieter and you can have a smoke, drink and chat quite easily.
If you get in the mood for a boogie, you can sneak around the corner to another dancefloor that is always packed, and usually good fun.
What type of music do they play?
You’ll find different genres of music in The Woolshed, depending on what area you’re in, ranging from RnB, country and pub rock, to top 40 and commercial dance.
What is the age demographic?
Because of the very different areas, the nightclub really does cater for people of all ages – you’ll find a younger crowd upstairs and, in the basement, while outdoors and on the ground level there’s usually a mix of young and old.
How long is the wait time to get in?
On a Saturday night, it’s not uncommon to see the entry line to extend out the door and around the corner of the building.
People unfamiliar with the venue way be turned off by this, but don’t be disheartened – the line moves pretty quickly, and you’ll rarely have to wait more than 15-20 minutes to get in from my experience.
Summary
If you’re looking for an Adelaide nightclub where you can let your hair down without too many worries, The Woolshed gives you plenty of options.
Red Square
If you’re aged 18-25 and want a down and dirty, bumpin’ and grindin’, sweaty Saturday night, as far as Adelaide nightclubs go Red Square on Hindley Street is the standout.
Colloquially known as ‘Reds’ by Adelaidians, it’s often one of the first places you’ll visit when you turn 18, and if you’re looking for a serious few hours of clubbing, this will without doubt tick the box.
It can get a bit of a bad knock as being a bit of a cesspool, but if you want the stereotypical club experience then look no further.
What is the layout like?
The complex comprises two main areas: the main room, covered in white tiles (which get pretty sticky) found at the front of the club, and the R&B room. Both areas are exactly how they sound, and both are usually pretty packed on a Saturday night.
I do remember one time swaggering into the R&B room to the sounds of ‘SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, EVERYBOOOODY’, only to find Lil’ Jon performing live, so it certainly has its surprises.
What type of music do they play?
Reds predominantly plays R&B, dance, house, and electro.
What is the age demographic?
If you’re over 25, you’ll probably feel a bit out of place here (depending on how many drinks you’ve got in you at the time), as this is definitely a club for people aged 18-22.
When it boils down to it, this really is a club for young people. In fact, doing a ‘Red Square Close’ (effectively, partying until the place shuts its doors in the very, very early hours of the morning) is worn as a badge of honour by many Adelaidians.
To do this requires some serious staying power (previously fuelled by Rhythm cans before they were discontinued, and whatever other extracurricular help people indulge in), but if you’re going to do it in any Adelaide nightclub, Red Square is the place.
How long is the wait time to get in?
Most people who are planning a night out at Reds will contact the club’s Facebook page to get themselves on a door list, and this will speed up your waiting time.
Others will go and get stamped earlier in the night, and head back there later on.
This is the smart way to do it, as waiting times at this Adelaide nightclub can be pretty length – I’m talking up to an hour – on a busy Saturday night.
Summary
If you’re a teenager or in your early 20s, you’ll probably have a great night out at Red Square.
If you’re celebrating your birthday on a Saturday night, you can register for a birthday package via the website that puts you and 10 friends on the door list, gets you free entry, and also a $100 drinks card to spend. Not bad at all.
As far as Adelaide nightclubs go, you have to experience ‘Reds’ at least once.
Dog and Duck
After closing in 2015, ‘The Dog’ has since reopened after being refurbished and is definitely one of the Adelaide nightclubs you should check out one weekend.
Similar to Red Square – in fact, it’s virtually next door – but smaller in size, it attracts a mostly younger crowd, and fits the mould of your typical nightclub. Music, drinks, dancing.
What is the layout like?
The Dog and Duck has three rooms: front, back, and upstairs (although, the latter are virtually incorporated into one big area that includes the main dance floor).
The front area usually has a separate DJ and a smaller dancefloor that peers out towards Hindley Street, but isn’t so loud that you can’t hold a conversation with anyone.
If you want to get your muzz on, the back room is the place to be.
The DJ sets up on stage, and the space is big enough to pack plenty of people in there, but small enough to create an intimate, club feel.
What type of music do they play?
The Dog mainly plays commercial dance, top 40 hits, dance, house, and electro.
What is the age demographic?
People who frequent the Dog and Duck are typically between 18-22. You’ll usually see a lot of university-aged students letting their hair down there on the weekend.
If you’re in your mid 20s you won’t feel too out of place here, but anyone over 30 may feel like it’s not their scene (but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy go).
How long is the wait time to get in?
The Dog and Duck is definitely one of the most popular Adelaide nightclubs, and because of this is can get very busy on a Saturday night.
I’d definitely recommend trying to get on the door list by contacting the club in advance, or get yourself stamped earlier in the night (I’m talking before 9pm) as waiting times have been known to take up to 60 minutes.
Summary
If you’re a young person looking for a good, fun night out with friends at a place where you can dance, get a little silly, and not deal with too many idiots (although I can’t promise this anywhere on Hindley Street), the Dog and Duck is well worth a visit.
The London
If I could sum this Adelaide nightclub up in a few words, it would be: cheap drinks; just the right level of dirty; and dance podiums.
The London is a favourite stop for a lot of people looking to get their night started, due its cheap Skittle Bomb shots and mixed spirits drinks, and is often incorporated into pub crawls being held in the city.
What is the layout like?
The London is located on North Terrace, and while you queue outside, the actual nightclub is downstairs.
There’s really not much to say about the layout, other than it’s one big room that generally has two different sections (although there is no wall dividing them, it’s more just an unspoken kind of thing).
At the entrance to the club are some long lounges, booths and tables for those looking to sit down and mingle, while at the back is the dancefloor.
Incorporated into the ‘D-floor’ are these cool little podiums, which are great to jump on and show off a few moves (in my case, bad ones) after a few drinks.
What type of music do they play?
Like the Woolshed and the Dog and Duck, The London predominantly plays commercial dance, top 40 hits, dance, house, and electro.
What is the age demographic?
There’s normally a pretty good mix of people at The London. It really is a place for everyone.
People aged 18-40 won’t look out of place here, and this is partly helped by the fact the floor layout is big enough, and it doesn’t have the intense ‘club’ feel you might expect at Red Square.
How long is the wait time to get in?
I’ve visited The London plenty of times on a Saturday night and can’t recall too many occasions where I’ve had to wait more than 10-15 minutes to gain entry. The line usually moves pretty quick.
Summary
If you could call a night club ‘casual’ or ‘more laid back’, then that’s how I’d describe The London.
It’s a great place to start a night, and is somewhere that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously. I’ve had some ripper times there with mates.
Jive
If you’re not into the traditional Adelaide nightclub scene and prefer live music or, DJs then this little venue on the West End of Hindley Street is going to be right up your alley.
When you walk into Jive, sometimes you’ll feel like you’ve taken a trip back to the ‘70s.
There are people with long hair and vintage outfits, and the music can range from modern day indie rock, to remixed DJ sets.
What is the layout like?
Jive has two floors.
Downstairs, as soon as you walk into the venue, you’ll see the front stage, which is where the main dance floor is and the live acts perform.
There’s also a small bar, which can get quite busy, but you shouldn’t be waiting too long for drinks.
The upstairs area overlooks the main dance floor and stage, and is a great place to enjoy a chat with friends and have a drink if you’re not really into tearing up the d-floor that night.
What type of music do they play?
Jive isn’t going to play your typical club music such as R&B, house, or electro; it really does focus on indie rock, soft rock, and indie pop, with the DJs late at night often adding their own spin to it.
Regardless of the genre, it’s always high energy.
What is the age demographic?
Due to its hipster, trendy nature, Jive has an age demographic that reflects that.
On the dancefloor you’ll find 18 to 25-year-olds, often wearing some interesting kits that belong in bygone eras.
Some people call this fashion, but each to their own.
That said, if you’re in your late 20s or early 30s you’ll still fit right in – especially if you rock some denim, or have long locks.
How long is the wait time to get in?
The waiting time for Jive will vary greatly.
Some Saturday nights you’ll be able to walk straight in, and other times you might be facing up to a 30-minute wait
However, I haven’t really experienced too many waiting times over half an hour in the many times I’ve been there.
Summary
If you want to get away from the big booming clubs of Hindley Street, such as Red Square or the Dog and Duck, then Jive will provide you with a great alternative.
I’ve had some great times at this Adelaide nightclub, and if you’re someone who isn’t always feeling like a massive rave session, Jive is perfect.
Electric Circus
If you’re a serious clubber, and by that, I mean someone who really loves their house, electro, R&B, and techno, then this Adelaide nightclub has to be on your list.
This small venue is all about the music; yes, there are space to mingle and chat, but really, if you’re going to ‘EC’ – as it’s often shortened to – you’ll want to be prepared to spend some serious hours on the dance floor rubbing up against guys or girls (whatever you’re into) who will no doubt be seriously sweaty by the end of the night.
What is the layout like?
Electric circus is located in the basement of a three-level complex that also houses some other great Adelaide nightclubs called Mr Kim’s and Rocket Bar & Rooftop. These are also great place, and I’d highly recommend you check them out also.
EC, compared to places like The Woolshed, is very tiny by comparison, but that’s what makes it so good.
There are a few booths that you can sit at, but the main attraction is definitely the hardwood dancefloor.
The DJ is based at the front, and everyone packs in like sardines and moves to the bass.
What type of music do they play?
Electric Circus is definitely renowned for its deep house, R&B, electro and trance.
If you can picture a German nightclub, this is probably the closest you’re going to get to one in Adelaide.
What is the age demographic?
Electric Circus is undoubtedly a place for young people, particularly single people, looking to put some serious hours in on the dancefloor and see if they can get lucky.
That being said, you’re also going to find some guys and girls who are still hanging on to their clubbing golden years – I’m talking late 20s and early to mid-30s – but this is pretty common with most Adelaide nightclubs.
You’re mainly going to be mingling with people aged 18-25 at EC.
How long is the wait time to get in?
Out of all the Adelaide nightclubs, Electric Circus probably ranks up there as having one of the longest average waiting times – that’s been my experience anyway.
This is partly due to the fact the entrances to both EC and Mr Kim’s are at the same spot.
You could find yourself easily waiting up to an hour to get in.
Summary
If you ask most young Adelaideans what their top three Adelaide nightclubs, are more often than not Electric Circus will make the list, as it has built up a reputation as one of the city’s most popular venues on the circuit.
Zhivago
This Adelaide nightclub has been the premiere location on Sunday nights for as long as I can remember.
It’s great for people wanting to kick on after spending an afternoon on the turps, and has a really great, fun vibe to it.
Zhivago has hosted some massive international such as Fatman Scoop, Jay Sean, Sean Kingston, and Havana Brown – it really is a great venue.
What is the layout like?
Unlike most of the other popular Adelaide nightclubs, Zhivago isn’t found on Hindley Street – instead, it’s located a couple of roads over on Currie Street.
The floor layout is wide open with a big, central bar and the walls are colourful giving it a retro vibe.
There are tonnes of dance space, but also plenty of booths to kick back and relax in.
What is the age demographic?
Zhivago is a place for all ages. You will find a young crowd mixed with an old crowd (I’m talking mid to late 30s at the upper end of the scale), and everything in between.
If I could compare it to any other Adelaide nightclubs I’ve already reviewed, in terms of what the crowd is like, it’s probably a mixture of Jive and Dog and Duck, with the average age probably in the mid-20s range.
What type of music do they play?
The genres heard at Zhivago are pretty stock standard nightclub tunes: R&B, electro, some commercial dance, and maybe even some house.
How long is the wait time to get in?
This will really depend on what night you visit Zhivago.
Saturday night wait times are a lot less, probably under 30 minutes, while Sunday nights – due to Zhivago’s massive popularity – may be longer than that.
Summary
Zhivago really is one of the best nightclubs in Adelaide, but you won’t experience it at its best unless you drop in on a Sunday night.
