If you thought South Australia had some of the country’s best gin, whisky and rum bars, you’re not alone.
Three South Australian bars have made the finalist list for the 2026 Australian Bar Awards, earning national recognition across the Gin, Rum and Whisky Bar of the Year categories.
Let’s meet the finalists that are shaking up the competition.
Hains & Co
Images supplied
West End favourite Hains & Co is leading the state’s showing after being named a finalist for both the Gin and Rum Bar of the Year categories. The nominations continue an impressive run for the Gilbert Place venue, which has now been recognised in the national awards for the 11th consecutive year.
Hains & Co owner Marcus Motteram said he was proud of the recognition and attributed the bar’s longevity, to the welcoming atmosphere it has created for both regulars and first-time visitors.
“It’s just a bar you can just sit in and it doesn’t matter if you’re in there alone, or you’re there with a group of friends … it’s always comfortable,” Marcus said.
The nautically inspired venue is lined with maritime memorabilia that the team has collected or received over the years, giving patrons plenty to take in while they settle in for a drink. Gin has been central to Hains & Co’s offering since its early days, with the bar also making a point of supporting emerging South Australian distilleries.
“Gin is certainly one of those things we hang our hat on from the early days.”
That support has included a long-running relationship with Adelaide distillery Never Never Distilling Co, which sold its first three cases of gin to the venue. The two businesses have continued working together throughout their respective journeys, with Marcus estimating the bar now pours around 20 litres of Never Never gin each week.
“We always have a gin and rum of the month, where we highlight these products.”
While gin may be the scene-stealer, Hains & Co’s rum offering has built a strong following and foundation of its own. The team imports the spirits from overseas before redistilling them locally, designed to work just as well neat as they do in cocktails.
Ralph Louis Frederick
Hains & Co’s sister venue, Ralph Louis Frederick, has also been recognised and is in the running for Whisky Bar of the Year.
Located upstairs, the intimate and dramatic setting specialises in whisky, adding a third spirit category to the group’s national finalist tally. Marcus wanted to include whiskies that had a little flair to position along his back bar.
“We wanted to start choosing whiskies that are interesting and different and independently bottled that people just won’t know,” Marcus said.
“I got into whiskey after I employed a guy called Cody … he’s now currently working at Never Never… and while I was getting him into rum he was getting me into whisky.”
The Howling Owl
Across the city, East End favourite, The Howling Owl has joined Hains & Co on the Gin Bar of the Year shortlist.
Dan Appleby, Operations manager for The Howling Owl, said the nomination was a welcome acknowledgement of the work the team puts into its service and extensive drinks offering.
“It’s really encouraging for us and all our hard work … we hold ourselves to a really high standard of service and product knowledge,” he said.
Despite its substantial back bar and cocktail list, Dan said the venue remains relaxed and accessible to customers with all levels of gin knowledge.
“We’re really laid back … while we’ve got a huge back bar and huge cocktail list, it’s also really approachable … grab a can of Coopers or a glass of wine,” he said.
If you don’t like gin, think again. The team pride themselves on providing recommendations, with their belief is that there is a perfect gin for everyone. Rather than having one particularly popular pour, The Howling Owl rotates its top eight gins every three months to complement the seasons and divide the spotlight. Spiced and berry-led varieties feature during the cooler months, while summer brings more tropical selections.
However, one South Australian bottle remains difficult to overlook.
“On our back wall, our permanent collection of stuff, you can’t go past our Kangaroo Island Spirits Mulberry Gin,” Dan said.
South Australia is pouring its way onto the national stage, with the three local favourites now counting on home-state support.
The awards are held on 16 September 2026.
For more information visit the Australian Bartender website.
