Words: Ella Beart // Main photo: Ferg’s
A summer drink in the city is always a glorious time. Head a few strides away to its eastern fringe and you’ll find tipple just as special, but with an extra touch of suburban warmth and charm.
Amongst the urban homes and businesses in Stepney, there are plenty of options to eat, drink, and play, especially spots that thrive in the summer rays.
They might be easy to miss being so close to the hospo nest of the CBD, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites for when it’s particularly sunny.
Little Bang Brewing Co
As the air gets warmer and the holiday period rolls around, Stepney’s bars and breweries prove that they have just as much to offer as Adelaide’s CBD and seaside suburbs.
At Little Bang Brewing Co., an independent brewery and tap room with an open-space and industrial atmosphere, you can choose from a wide range of beers with 22 rotating taps — some being fruity and crisp, and others sharp and robust.
There’s a selection of local wines from Gatch Wines, as well as a series of homemade small batch gins to keep you refreshed in the summer sun. The brewery hosts regular live music, including Scratch Vinyl Saturdays on the first weekend of the month, where visitors can groove with a pint in hand.
At the front is where you’ll find an open beer garden, where furry friends are welcome to join and get in on a variety of food. Wednesday Wings and Beer, and Burger Fridays are weekly treats, while there’s also plate options such as summer chicken salad, and lobster prawn rolls.
25 Henry St, Stepney 5069 // Website // Facebook // Instagram
FERG’s
A 500-metre stroll up the road is where you’ll find Ferg’s — an urban cellar door and wine bar on Union Street, and the home of Massey Wines.
Behind its branded roller door, a moss green tiled bar greets visitors and offers Ferg’s house gins and wine, amongst local pours.
A spinning disco ball reflects on brown leather stools and wooden Plywood benches, where good-time goers snack on in-house eats including pork belly dim sums, and a generous grazing board.
The sheltered beer garden through to the back makes a lovely spot for private sessions with friends. Those wanting a seat in the sun however can snag a few stools and barrels out the front of Ferg’s under an array of fairy lights.
8A Union St, Stepney 5069 // Website // Facebook // Instagram
Lucky’s Beach Club
Take a 5-minute speed walk to the west, and you’ll find a European summer experience close to home at The Maid Hotel’s Lucky’s Beach Club.
Exclusively open during the summer period, Lucky’s is an outdoor sandy pop-up of picnic tables, beanbags, and lounges to recline on. The island bar serves a casual coastal Hamptons aesthetic, as well as summer cocktails.
The menu also takes coastal cues, with local seafood including lobster rolls, fresh oysters, and fish tacos.
When the sun goes down, Lucky’s Beach Club strongly encourages joining the dance floor. Regular DJs, and particularly Jungle Boogie Fridays, make the most of balmy nights and a serious boogie.
You can book in advance and reserve a private booth, which includes a fully catered experience and bottle service, or roll in late to end the night after a sunny afternoon in Stepney.
1 Magill Rd, Stepney 5069 // Website // Facebook // Instagram
