If you’ve ever sent a text to your girlfriends on a Saturday evening proposing the question, ‘Should we go out?’ and have been met with the short and sweet reply of ‘when and where’, then, boy, do we have the spot for you.
When and Where is the newest cocktail bar set to open in Adelaide, and it comes from a team with plenty of experience. This is the latest venture from the crew behind the long-running favourite, Gondola Gondola, who are ready to bring this new retro-inspired venue to Adelaide’s evolving bar scene.
Taking over the former Thirsty Tiger space on Hindley Street, the yet-to-open bar has been years in the making for owners Annie Tran and her husband, who have spent more than a decade building Gondola Gondola into a local institution. “We’ve always wanted to open a bar, but it had to be the right timing, the right team and the right people,” said Annie.
Set to open by the end of the month, pending final construction, the venue will shift away from Adelaide’s wine-heavy bar scene, switching focus to cocktails, particularly those inspired by Southeast Asian flavours.
Taking inspiration from the couple’s travels and their existing menu at Gondola, the drinks list will highlight fusion-style creations using house-made syrups and infusions. While classic cocktails, wine and beer will still be available, they’ll take a back seat to a rotating lineup of seasonal signatures.
“This new venue will be cocktail-focused, with light food and nibbles rather than a full-scale restaurant, especially in the current climate. It’s something we’ve been working towards for years, and we’ve been lucky to have strong support from investors who believe in us,” explained Annie.
The space will have a moody, retro aesthetic, with darker tones, neon accents and a lively feel. A projector playing old-school films will add to the atmosphere, creating a layered experience that goes beyond just drinks. And with plans for a nightclub licence, the venue will host regular DJ sessions and events, designed to be accessible and welcoming rather than exclusive.
Located upstairs, the bar is also perfect for private functions, from birthdays to hen’s nights, offering a more intimate setting for groups. Despite being licensed for 100 people, the team plans to keep numbers closer to 60 to 70 to maintain a comfortable, curated vibe.
Annie says the space has been designed with inclusivity in mind, catering to a wide range of age groups. “We also want to make it clear that it’s for all age groups over 18. When people hear ‘cocktail bar’ or ‘DJ nights’, they often think it’s just for younger crowds, but that’s not the case. If someone is celebrating a 70th birthday, we’ll tailor the music and experience to suit them.”
While connected to the same team, When and Where is a standalone concept, not a sister venue to Gondola Gondola. It’s the evolution of the team’s passion for hospitality, and an exciting project that will grow separately. Importantly, the goal is simply to bring something new to Adelaide.
“At the end of the day, we just want to bring something new to the city, a space where people can gather, have fun and enjoy great drinks in a different kind of setting.”
When and Where
When: End of April
Where: 99 Hindley Street
For more information, click here.
