I asked my friend George if he had any soft drinks at his house and his reply was«no». I walked into the bottle shop and walked out with a 6pack of beer… This bottle shop is highly recommended for acquiring that Friday night roadie ;)
David S.
Place rating: 3 Melbourne, Australia
While my friend and I were wondering around Port Adelaide one wet summer’s day, he suggested that we take a walk down Semaphore Road to check out the beach, and also to visit a pub he had been to a few years back with some friends of his. It turned out that this was the pub, though he was a little confused because he thought that there was a basement, whereas I suspect that he had entered the pub from the carpark, which is on the first floor. The Federal is not a bad pub, and the beer garden, known as ‘The Winter Garden’ did feel like winter, but that had more to do with the weather than anything else. However, it still felt a lot like an ordinary suburban pub as opposed to a pub located near the beach.
Grant H.
Place rating: 1 Mawson Lakes, Australia
Terrible food — oil soaked chips nasty burger oysters were served at room temperature Service average — girls nice enough not well trained I don’t think.
Scott N.
Place rating: 3 Australia
The Federal is the Locals Local down at Semaphore. If I had to sum up this pub briefly I would call it the Anti-Ponce! No airs and graces in sight, inside or out. The pokie lounge is solidly utilised most of the day by the usual suspects, the meals and bistro are designed for the economy crowd and the front bar is as old school ozzie as you can find in Adelaide! Yes the pub is a bit shabby, but it really has some character! The locals are pretty jovial, the bar man is good for a yarn and it is super close to the local yiros joint for that inevitable post boozer grease fix!
Brad J.
Place rating: 3 Adelaide, Australia
It’s been awhile since I last darkened the doors of the Federal, but some places never change. That’s all part of the charm, really. You know exactly what you’re getting. This pub wouldn’t be out of place in a small town a few hundred kilometres out of Adelaide, but at the same time, Adelaide definitely needs some more traditional pubs. The trendy ones are becoming far too common. They did use to have a schnitzel night — I’m not sure if that still happens or not, but it was a pretty good deal. The food was alright, the prices were good, and the beer is cold. That’s what you’re there for.
