Hains & Co - Adelaide

Hains and Co is right at the top of my list when a drink is in order. The staff are always great happy to point you in a direction if you are undecided, they always have something new to try and there is always a great atmosphere.

This nautical-themed bar is tucked into the same Adelaide laneway as the 24-hour Original Pancake Kitchen (important if you’re out after 2am, and craving a maple syrup-slathered stack of pancakes).<br/ <br/ With so many maritime nods, Hains and Co will make you question whether you’ve unknowingly come aboard a boat. Especially given rum and gin are the drinks of choice here. But there’s also a decent range of other spirits, wine and beer – the latter you order in the sizes of dingy, tanker and tall ship (in case there aren’t enough nautical wink-nudges).<br/ <br/ Naturally, the big kahuna-sized bar opens out onto the front deck, so us drunken sailors outside can sit and watch some serious cocktail-making in action. I visited on a winter’s night, and while there’s café blinds and heaters doing a fine job taking on the cold, you don’t need to be a cocktail scientist to see how this inside-outside bar will go off in summer.

You would never know that Hains Co was here tucked between the gaudy Penang Restaurant and the dodgy Pancake Kitchen in Gilbert Place. Looking from afar you wouldn't think much of it, but step closer and you'd be blown away by the ship like interior, cosy booths and frames on the walls. Just shows how important ambiance and atmosphere is it can make a place memorable.<br/ <br/ Didn't get any food there (there is a nice looking bar food menu), but there is an extensive drinks list from wine to beer, from homebrew to hard liquor. I got the Applelachian cocktail which was to die for straight bourbon mixed with home cooked apple puree, lemon juice and a stick of vanilla. Mmm mmm. <br/ <br/ Maybe be prepared to fish out a bit from your wallet for the drinks, but they are worth it. Swing by after work on a Friday afternoon to unwind and have a good time.

If you're into Gin this place is heaven in the west end of Adelaide. Super knowledgeable staff, great garnishes and an obvious passion for drinks, this bar brings fun and boisterous vibes to your Friday night drinks. Yaarrr

This is simply the best bar in Adelaide, hands-down. Clever Little Tailor comes close, but everything considered it's a distant second. This is up there with The Baxter Inn in Sydney and Black Pearl in Melbourne.