Wassail Wine Bar

one of the better nights I’ve been having since I got to south australia. it sure is a Friday night, but It seems like driving to downtown would be a hassle. thank goodness for this lovely wine bar near by. it has one of the greater vibes I’ve seen so far.
I’m just loving the vibe that australia has. the people here are friendly and I feel that no worries vibe going on. I surely think I fit right in with my aloha Friday shirt day going on. I mean, it sure is Friday/​casual day. a night to relax and enjoy a glass or two or three or four and live music.
tonight’s entertainment is a pianist and a lovely lady with a soothing voice. I wonder if it’s the wine talking… maybe not.
it’s just that lovely no worries feeling of a good time. what a lovely way to the the week. the only downfall is that i didn’t try the food. it surely does smell like I would enjoy it, but I have a feeling my clothes will smell like it when I leave.
oh well… loving this atmosphere with the surrounding artwork. time for another glass or two.

We discovered this spot some time ago and have visited it a few times since.
Time for a review.
Last night we got an off the cuff invite for drinks at 16:30 and to hear a band The Prospectors. Arriving late (that’s our style) we missed the first set so sat out the back with a glass of bubbly and had a chat.
There are a variety of rooms from the main with couches, large and small tables and bar stools, to small quiet intimate side rooms that can be used for groups.
The wine is varied, many by the glass at fair prices and the staff are well versed in wine so are able to find something you’ll like.
The food is so very tasty. Mustard cheese bread, arancini balls, crushed potatoes and a three cheese plate. Ordered just at the end of the bands second set we were up on the dance floor.
Tradition states with The Prospectors, that one of their last songs of an evening is ‘dancing on the streets’ in which you go and do just what the song says.
A final note on the first Wednesday of the month they do a wine food pairing night with a local wine producer. It is a very popular event often being booked out weeks if not months in advance (we booked the last seat for the December event, 2 months in the future from time of posting)
So expect an update in a few months.

Wassail is a wine bar, live music venue and gallery. Live music is on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. I was there on a Sunday to support a friend who was performing and I am so glad I discovered this place. I obviously need to venture beyond the city bars and Hyde Park/​Unley. I’m glad Wassail did not disappoint. The atmosphere there was very friendly and laid back, mostly locals and regulars based on what I observed. The age group was on the older bracket (50+) the Sunday evening that I was there.
The other reviewers have already described the décor and food style, nothing has changed much in the last two years I gather, it remains true to SA food and drinks. The prices of the wines actually shocked me, in a pleasant way. There were a few interesting drops there which made me curious to try something new. They take reservations. I found my happy spot on the leather couch near the fireplace, which happened to be near the bar (how convenient! lol).
Wassail is also a gallery space, with changing exhibitions. The upcoming exhibition opening on 22 Aug is a group exhibition by 25+ artists called Food curated by The Geoffrey Stapleton Gallery.
I will certainly return for the live music, try something else on the wine list and also the food.

A perfect winter hideaway and little spot for a Friday or Saturday night drink. The crowd is super local and often the place is quiet but they are now putting on jazz mid-​week to add some pizazz to the venue.
An ever changing and simple wine list of SA wines by the glass and bottle as well as a few ciders and beers to boot complement the gourmet tapas style menu on offer.
I love sharing food and so this place suited me perfectly however my partner was hoping we would go out for the «main meal» after dining here! Every dish was incredibly well flavoured and spiced as well as being rich enough to be filling. It wasn’t the healthiest meal but every we tried couldn’t be faulted. From the thai chicken balls with a caramelly soy sauce to waygu meat balls, fennel and orange soaked olives (my fav) and the fried haloumi it all worked well with each other and what we were drinking.
This venue is also deceivingly larger than you would expect as you walk up to the counter (in a room behind the front bar and dining area) and can explore a larger carpeted dining and entertaining area as well as seating out the side of the house.
It has been furnished very classically with old wooden chairs and tables but given a modern twist with the quirky addition of wine glass chandeliers and a mirrored room indoors.
So if you’re looking for a pre-​dinner or late evening snack over some unusual local wine and tasty tapas, this place is worth bookmarking.

This is a recent addition to the ever-​developing Prospect Rd. Just across from the revered Café Komodo and near Cibos, this wine bar showcases South Australian wine and beers. Through the windows, we saw these great chandeliers made of wine glasses and stainless steel racks. From the street, it looks like a one room venue, but the tardis that is this wine bar has two more large rooms upstairs and in the back. The prices are reasonable and the selection is interesting and eclectic. I had a Goodiesons Wheat Beer from the McLaren Vale while my partner enjoyed a lovely grenache from Tarot Box and Dice Vineyard, also in the Vale. This may well be our new local haunt.