Fowler's is home to Adelaide's live music scene, hosting local, interstate and international…read moretalent. This place is the epitome of what a music gig should be; loud, sweaty, plastic beer filled cups in hand, and music lovers standing, moshing, or doing their interpretive boxing dance moves apparently known as "throwing down". I'm usually here for the metal gigs, which are always great. The stage isn't out of reach of the audience so you can get right up and personal to the bands, at your own risk though, it can be a bit rough up front. Although not as large as some other music theatres, Fowler's offers a reasonably big area and a more intimate experience. Merch areas are easily accessible in the bar room, as are a small array of beverages. Toilets are down a ramp like area, which even without alcohol in your system can be a hot spot for stacks. Girls, don't wear heels here, you'll fall down the ramp to the toilets and you will also generally look like a twat. Casual and relaxed is the dress code here; band tee's, jeans, flannies and caps. This is definitely one of my favourite places to go watch a band.

Fowler's Live is undisputedly the best place for live music in Adelaide. After having played shows…read morein venues all over Adelaide, I've concluded that you won't get a better sound anywhere else (unless you up the ranks to Thebarton Theatre or the Entertainment Centre). Fowler's holds live shows weekly, ranging from international artists to local acts. They're consistent in providing one of the most intimate and sonically impressive live music experiences in the State, and it's no wonder acts from all over the world choose to play here. The drinks are cheap and the venue is nice and spacious, allowing a lot of movement. There are stools and tables in the front room, but the action is in the second room with the stage. The staff is friendly and helpful, but you don't want to get on their bad side. Be nice to them, and they'll be nice to you. Treat them like shit, and, well.....something bad will happen.

I once went to the Promethean for a friend's 21st. I'd never even noticed that it was there next to…read morethe enormous Asian grocery next door, but I was surprised at how large it was upon entering. I can understand why my friend chose the Promethean for her milestone event, as it makes the perfect party venue. The building used to be a church, a meeting hall, and a theatre before it became a live music venue. Some history, right? It's reinvented, yet old-world look is bold yet easy on the eyes, with rich colours and soft lighting. The bar is an obvious push towards the modern, with sleek white counters stylish decorative lighting. The large variety of beers and wines are relatively cheap, and the bartenders are capable of making some mean cocktails if so requested. I'm not sure how often live shows are held at the Promethean, but it's definitely a place worth checking out if you get the chance.

The Prom is a hidden yet wonderful live music venue and event space whose shiny fluoro green bar…read morewill be an image imprinted onto my brain forever. This venue has a tiny capacity but as a result you barely need to mic up the acts on stage. It is also an old converted church with a carpeted upstairs balcony that can fit 20 people and a half carpet, half wooden dance floor downstairs infront of the stage. For a converted church everything seems to feel cosy with carpeted floors, couches and fairy lighting on the stage. However the place also maintains an element of nightclub with their long fluoro bar. It must look like an odd mismatched space during the daytime! I have seen some wonderful acts here including The Audreys and Pimpin' Horus and the venue both suited dancing having people cosy up on the floor. Never have I seen a whole group of people in a live music venue sit on the floor in front of the stage! They also host wine tasting events, poetry nights and other spectacles during the week so check out their website for upcoming events. One final bit of awesomeness about The Prom...No matter who is performing or what the venue is being hired out for they will always offer up a themed cocktail for the evening based on who is performing. Simple touches that make this place feel comfortable and almost holy!

A brilliant theatre resource in the northern suburbs. The Shedley Theatre is part of the Playford…read moreCivic Centre. It seats just under 400 and is a proscenium arch stage with small orchestra pit. Over the years it's been the home of Comedy Capers Gang Show, Carry on Guides, Northern Light Theatre Company and many school, dance and community recitals. We are somewhat biased as we have been involved in shows here (or Alexis has at least) for the last 30 or so years.

Think young trendy underground, trying hard to not be trying hard; sort of hip, but a bit too…read moremawkish to actually be hip and you'll start to understand the Format Collective crowd - they don't care what you think mostly. They are a mixed group and none of them are particularly concerned about being real cool, they just want to explore their particular bent be it music, computers, film making, video art, painting, cartooning or social speaking, and to get on with things like drinking alcohol and fornicating with their chosen partner. They are young, but older than their years and they are absurdly un-trendy for that is their main aim I think, to be but not to be. If you consider underground publications photocopied and stapled together interesting artifacts then you will love Format. If you like post punk and alternative rock you will enjoy Format. If your idea of a big night is moshing on a small dance floor to a Melbourne underground band who are releasing an limited edition EP you have hit the jackpot here. They are a combination art gallery space, band gigging venue and computer geek experimental group with free internet that is a bit intermittent but it's the thought that counts. They have had poetry readings, zine workshops, talk festivals where they discuss how young and different they are (while they still are young and different in some cases, and while they are no longer either in others but remain in denial about that). They may have an obscure band in one night and a gallery opening the next night attracting many local geeks and inked freaks all in it for the cheap unpretentiously chilled out good time. To an outsider, a newbie to their group it may seem like they are nothing but a gaggle of masturbators, and that would make some of them laugh out loud while others of their number would cross the road and never speak to you or of you again, preferring to pretend that you do not exist. I personally enjoy my Format adventures and go along whenever I can. I think the group who run it are a little odd, but I'm sure they couldn't care less, and they may well think the same of me - whatever any of us think we always enjoy a good peaceful time in a largish group with no violence or actual vomiting, that's got to be good!

The Format Collective are a group based on Peel Street in the city who run the Format Festival,…read moreStreet Dreams art, the zine shop, and a variety of art exhibitions, live music, and community and art based events. The Format Festival, which was a surprise success and is what they're most well most known for, is on every year in February and gets all the DIY kids riled up. The zine and DIY fair is hugely popular, and what a great opportunity to pick up strange little publications you'd never normally read. Over the last two I've noticed the number of cat based zines to normal zines ratio is about two to one, and I personally hope that trend continues. The great thing about Format events is they're come one come all, you can rock up without having any sort of connection to this crew, and have a great time and always guaranteed see and learn something new. I for one am very excited to see what they come up with in 2012.

Last night I was very fortunate enough to go to the Rhino Room to support one of my best buddies on…read morehis second open-mic night. Did you know that every Monday the Rhino Room does an open-mic night? Anyone can have an attempt at their stand up routine if they bring along three paying audience members at $10 per person. I am really sad that I did not know about this before. I would have been hanging out at the Rhino Room a lot more if I knew this earlier. Also, in saying that, if you are bored on a Monday night, go down for $10 worth of awesome local comedy. It is a great way to support locals who are testing out their material in a very comfortable and encouraging environment. The set that I watched last night was really awesome. There were some really talented newbies. It was great to watch them learn how to work the crowd. I will definitely be back to continue supporting them in the future. There is something about the Rhino Room. It is really cosy and intimate with the audience. Featuring classic velvet red stage curtains and some really cool and funky art painted on the walls. It is also available for hire for functions. Would be a cool place for a birthday or work function. I read a sign that said free room hire with bar tab of $1500. That is pretty decent these days. The bar stocks a good selection of beverages, including a couple of craft beers. This venue is renowned as one of the favs for travelling comedians and artists when they reach Adelaide. I read somewhere that Greg Fleet in particular really loved it. So, it is really worth keeping an eye on the acts on the Adelaide Central or Rhino Room website to see what is coming up. Or just come down for a good way to wind down after a hectic Monday!

Over the last decade or so I have seen the Rhino Room evolve into a regular drop in centre for many…read moretraveling comedians, and a second home for local bands and open mic performers. The homely environment it offers and strong network it has built around it, has helped build a fantastic hub for artists and fans. Rhino Room is also a supporting venue for visual artists as a gallery space, and back entrance to the Urban Cow Studio situated right next door. If stand up comedy, local music or visual art isn't really your thing, then book the room yourself for a private function and invite your own friends - It's your night, and a great place to hang out with people you like. Plus the introduction of the downstairs bar, courtyard area, and regular themed parties, It now offers more opportunities to mingle and party on until the wee hours of the morning. There's a giant rhino painted on the side of the building, so you can't miss it!

The fact that I had thrown off my shoes and was walking barefoot and fancy free within 5 minutes of…read morearriving at this outdoor music venue is a good sign. This little sanctuary of calm in Dunstone Grove transports you to another world - feeling a bit like a hootenanny of straw hats and banjo players at one point and then a magical world of fairy lights, live music and rolling around on the grass as the sun sets over the garden. What made this place so appealing was the "ease" of everything on the night. Pay for tickets at the door, walk a few metres to the bar, walk another few metres to dinner and roll around on pre-laid out rugs and old vintage sofas throughout the garden. Bistro Dom and Devour Dessert caters for the event with a southern style menu of Fried Green Tomato Sliders, Charred Black Bell Peppers, Pork Belly Buns and Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sandwiches. Don't miss out on the sauce bar where you can pick from mild to smokin' hot chilli sauce to add to your dishes either! Highlight of the evening was grabbing a LOBO cider, a spicy fried green tomato slider which kicked like a mule with its spice and size and finishing off the night laying on a rug digesting my dinner while sweet live music melodies washed over me and the other 100 or so people there. Fingers crossed this venue remains after Adelaide Fringe or returns again for a second year of knee slappin, toe tappin, fried green tomato fun!

Great spot for a summer evening. Chilled setting with smokin' food. Fried green tomato sliders,…read moreblackened red bell peppers, beef brisket sandwich with satan sauce, pickled pigs' feet from Bistro Dom. For dessert from Devour there is a peanut butter ice cream sandwich, a bucket of donuts, or macarons. Yummmm! Relaxing music ( Baker Suite is French bistro accordion mixed with a bit of blues or acoustic rock guitar and bass - what's not to love?)

There's nothing jaded about this monkey. Cosy, welcoming and full of character, it's a great place…read moreto start with an after-work drink, or to settle in for the whole evening. Two magnificent open fires, cosy lounges as well as big tables for groups, makes it versatile for any situation and perfect for a cold winter's night. They have a few gourmet pies on the menu, including chicken korma and cheese kransky and what I thought was a massive vat of soup. Turns out it was spiced rum! My kind of soup. The service is attentive and very friendly. There are only 2 red wines available by the glass, so it's not an extensive wine selection, but they are very nice wines, so I'm not complaining! I haven't seen a band here yet, but I look forward to that treat soon. It looks like it would be a magnificent place in summer sitting outside under the fairy lights, so I look forward to that too. Meanwhile, I'm very happy for it to be winter as I can't get enough of those gorgeous open fires!

Jade Monkey is going to be a great hub for live *stuff * in Adelaide…read more The performance venue fitted around 110 people with a mix of seated and standing. The main area I front of the stage is sunken, so plenty of room for dancing, or for the people around the edge to See over. An ample size stage for bands and choirs, and a huge greenroom area upstairs, that doesn't have you clambering over audience and ruining any costuming surprises. The inhouse PA is a pretty sweet inhouse system. A roof mounted projector makes for showing your slides and videos while you take up all the stage without making all the shadows too! Out in the bar side, the cracking fire and comfy couches while you knock back one of the beers from the local selection and munch down on some tasty snacks, and maybe if you're in for a bit of nostalgia, play a round or three on the pinball machine.

As has been mentioned a few times, location is key. Having said that though, it can get freezing…read moresitting outside as the wind really whistles through there. I've been caught out many times! The service has never been 5 star and sometimes it takes a while to be served. Staff always seem friendly though and I try to relax into the beach vibe instead of worrying that things aren't perfect. I like the atmosphere and it varies delaying on day and time of day. Sunday evenings is always busy and there is live music, plus an enthusiastic dancing crowd. Quite an older crowd the later it gets on Sundays. I have had a few meetings here in the day and it's a great spot to chill out and pretend to work ;-) I agree with Chloe about the food being a bit overly deep fried. I have had some tasty food here, and it does always look fresh and nicely presented, but some lighter options would be welcome. The cocktails look amazing, but somehow I just about always order sparkling wine! I'd recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook page as they put up great photos and details of their specials and new offerings. They put up some enviable sunset photos too. All in all, a fun place in a brilliant location!

Location, location, location! This place has it all when it comes to romantic sunset views, an…read moreoutdoor patio and umbrella covered area and a space for live music on Friday and Saturday nights. There are few and far between choices when it comes to grabbing a good, well priced drink outdoors in Henley Beach on a weekend in summer. And I know you're thinking - "What? There's tonnes of places down at Henley to grab a drink!" Yes but I could list them off for you and that would be enough said... Bacchus is one of the better locations because of their good wine menu and well made cocktail and drinks list. They would get 5 stars in my books for location and the fact you can drink on the foreshore alone. Unfortunately though they have an incredibly ordinary food and tapas menu and no matter how many times I give that place a try I am always disappointed by their unoriginal, over fried, pre-packaged food. It's weird, because their menu and photos of food from Facebook always look so enticing, so maybe I'm just ordering wrong? That said, I won't say no to a nice vino on the deck as the sun sets in winter or summer, enjoying the 25+ eye candy and imagining I own my own apartment on the beach in Adelaide!