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Gilbert Street Hotel

places|sa|adelaide|gilbert%20street%20hotel
There’s a renaissance happening down in the southeast corner of town; at its heart is the newly renovated Gilbert Street Hotel – a showpiece of modernity mixed with old Adelaide style elegance.

Editorial


Sometimes renovating a 'stinky old man pub' into a flashy hotel actually works, and the Gilbert Street Hotel is a case study in doing it right. The main bar is a stunning open space with an island bar making it easy to get a drink. The old guys are still here, but a younger professional crowd has joined them making for a nice mélange of clientele.

The thing that really hits you is the spectacular Red Room - the gorgeous scarlet-coloured feature walls of the dining area. It's a brave and bold statement, but also very lush in the way it complements the gilt-edged mirrors, modern dark wood furniture, an open fire place, and red brocade banquettes. It's part boudoir, part high-end whorehouse, but it really works. Lighting is soft and intimate, mostly created by dozens of candles scattered around the Red Room - perfect for a lush and romantic night out. But if all that intimacy sounds a bit too much for you, there's a tranquil beer garden out the back, and tables out on the street for watching the passing parade.

Beers on tap are aplenty with Asahi, Carlton Draught, Pure Blonde, Stella Artois, Coopers Light, Pale, Premium and Sparkling. Happy Hours happen every night of the week except Sundays. If you are into cocktails, catch the Saturday 10pm Cocktail Hour for $10 each - includes old favourites, signature 'tails and 12 different house-made Vodka infusions. That will keep you busy. The wine list is a short and concise list of well-chosen labels - I'd stick to the local SA drops and you can't go wrong.

The menu is many and varied, with modern Australian, traditional pub and snacky tapas to choose from. Music is live on Thursday nights, with DJs playing a funky mix of jazz-fusion and commercial house on weekends. The pokies are still here, but thankfully tucked away out of sight.

Meri Harli, April 2010

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