I remember when electro music was getting really big again and there was loads of hype about…read moreElectric Circus. I could never be bothered lining up in their ridiculously long queue, with no guarantee that I'd get in within the hour. Fortunately a friend of mine worked there and brought me in on her door list one night, and my curiosity was subsided. To be frank, it was shit. It didn't live up to my expectations at all. Whilst the bar area was kind of cool, the dance floor was made with those retro black and white tiles, and everyone was dressed like a dick. Fluorescent t-shirts, sweatbands and wearing sunglasses indoors (at night, underground) is not and never was cool, unless you were freaking Olivia Newton John - and was she ever truly "cool" anyway? I'd gone back a few times to see if I'd change my opinion of it, but my mind was made up. The drinks are way overpriced, the music is interminable, and the people are all either on pills or just naturally love dancing like nobheads. Save yourself the misery and head upstairs to the far superior Rocket Bar.

Electric Circus is my favourite club in Adelaide. It's open Thursdays, Saturdays and occasionally…read moreon Fridays. The music is predominantly electro, boasting some of the best resident DJs, including Loot and Plunder who were voted the best DJs in South Australia by In The Mix. Almost every week they have national and international guests playing at the club. Some of these have included Ruby Rose, Sinden and Uffie. The interior has recently been renovated, with new comfortable seating areas, a shiny long bar and of course a massive dance floor. Now we need to talk more about the dance floor. Right next to the DJ booth there is an area with padded walls. I can't stress to you how amazing these walls are, especially when you're dancing after having one too many drinks. The toilets leave a lot to be desired, however, this is very normal for nightclubs. There are only two female toilets so there is often a line, especially if one becomes unusable during the night. The price to get in varies between $10-20 depending on the night and guest. There is also usually a large line, so be prepared to wait for a while. Electric Circus is busy, messy and sometimes a bit dirty. I would definitely recommend going here if you are planning on having a large night!

I think that the best thing about Zhivago making a move from their old dingy premises is the fact…read morethat they no longer reside next door to Savvy's, it is a corner of light square I religiously avoid. Before Zhivago moved I didn't quite understand what they were bringing to the table. The music was a confusion of current and old & every genre under the sun. While this works for me in some places, it just didn't at Zhivago. But now the club has moved, its like the sun has come out and cast light on the issue. There is so much more space and oh my gosh...is that an empty chair?? you mean, I can sit down. It's still pretty eclectic in its decor, inbetween dances you can sit and try to make sense of the walls, not easy after a few shots I can tell you. Still great for a Sunday night if you feel like you're not ready to say goodbye to the bottle just yet and partying still seems like a good idea.

I don't go to clubs much anymore...this makes me sound old. I'm not…read more I love love love to dance and when I do need to get a good dance on with my girls (and some select boys) this is the place that I like to do it in. In Zhivago you can guarantee that you will be surrounded by beautiful people. I don't know where they all come from but they all seem to come here! I love the look and feel of Zhivago, it's a little bit industrial and warehouse-y while remaining funky and completely cool. I love the booths around the edge for when my feet are killing me at the end of the night but I love the dance floor even more (except that the hard concrete dose make my heeled feet hurt)! I love that when I come here I always seem to bump into old friends who like to buy me drinks.... I love the music...one minute we're listening to Dizzee Rascal, the next we're all singing 'Ceeeeelebrate good times, come on!' Yeah...I'm pretty much in love.

Absurdly excessive entry charge, cash-only for no valid reason other than to generate even more…read moreincome from the ATM fees, and understaffed bars with beer taps sitting there disconnected... just as well the shows are pretty good or this place would have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

It's been a LONG time coming, but Adelaide has a second 'Gay' bar, and it's oh so so SO much better…read morethan the incumbent. The new owners of Apple have stuck a genius move by cutting the top function room off from the main facility, and exiting though the side alley, letting them take advantage of small bar licensing - this does however mean that to smoke, you're down stairs & out at the entrance. Walking into the room, the first thing you notice is the giant chandelier that adorns behind the DJ's booth of a white grand piano, raised up in the corner. The Kitchy chic & glam decor has been exquisitely pulled together.Ample chairs, stools, lounges surround the venue and the dance floor. A small stage on the edge is pretty perfectly sized and placed... and is full of people dancing untill the show begins. The sound is loud, but not too loud no echoey booms in here! The bar is stocked with standard fare and the cocktail menu excites and delights. Bubbles by the bottle, served in cute ice bathtubs is the most fun - with plenty of spaces to rest her down. I can see many nights being spent with Adelaide's new babe, Mary.

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!

Everyone likes dancing. Actually that isn't true, many people are far too uptight to like dancing…read more But anyway, everyone who is truly human likes dancing. Unfortunately though, unless you're a trained professional, in a line-dancing club, or really, really drunk at Red Square, dancing isn't something you just do, whenever you want. Dancing Room is your chance to dance - sober, untrained and unfettered. Every Tuesday at 6pm, for a gold coin donation, a big group of people meet at the Reading Room and dancing their little hearts out. Silly dancing, serious dancing, only dancing. Endorphins flying everywhere. Dignified adults, having a good time, without the aid of drugs nor alcohol. It's heart-warming. And leg-warming if you're doing it Footloose style. There is a different DJ each week, and there is no stylistic preference. Hip-hop, Spanish music, 90s pop - it depends who is DJ'ing that week. It isn't that hard to get your turn DJ'ing either - just come along and have a chat to one of the organisers. There is also a special location occasionally - this week for example it is happening on the little island at Rymill Park (affectionately known in some circles as 'Goon Island'). I would recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-Room/261295520577239?sk=wall. GOOD VIBES ONLY!

I'm far too uptight to like dancing…read more I like to entertain my own personal facade and delusion that I'm a pretty cool guy. I thrust this delusion onto other as often as I can. And I like to think I can keep it up, for the most park. There is one activity I cannot, however, and that's dancing. I'm completely ignorant and untalented. I can tap my foot and shake my head to a beat REALLY well, but I've no idea what to do past that. So when my friends dragged me along to the 'Dancing Room' assuring me I 'wouldn't have to dance', that I could just 'sit and watch'. This was a stark lie. I was given no quarter! But because everyone's really laid back here, I didn't feel AS awkward as I normally might, and I had a great chance to study other dancers and try my best to learn just what the friggen hell I was supposed to be doing.

Unless you've been born into a well to do old Adelaide family - and you're a gentleman - you're…read moreunlikely to ever get past the front door of The Adelaide Club. This is an exclusive 'gentleman's club' the likes of which don't exist in many places these days. The club was established back in 1863 and its still stands today in its original location on North Terrace. Much of the exterior of the building has remained unchanged since those early days but those 'allowed' inside report that it has undergone a myriad of changes inside through the years. Not that average bods like you and I can get in there but those who have say there's a library, billiards room, bar, library, cards room and of course accommodation. If you come from old Adelaide money, you may get inside one day but I don't like my chances of ever paying them a visit. I'm sure this establishment is deserving of five stars but its exclusivity status prevents me from granting it - so there!

or secret Mens society, as I like to call it…read more It's that exclusive, that the staff are contracted to keep their mouths shut about anything and everything that happens within The Adelaide Club walls. Now it isn't just old Adelaide money, its for anyone of a certain upper class in society who also happens to drive a Bentley and isn't still paying it off. There is a restaurant which offers silver service, a smoking room for enjoying a fine Cuban cigar... and accommodation. I'm of course just going by what I've been told, The Adelaide Club is for doctors and lawyers and their home away from home wifeys. I would be concerned if my partner was frequenting this gentlemens club, the exclusivity is ridiculous and dated and the secrecy is just plain uncomfortable.

Having heard so much about Tijuana, also know as TJs, I didn't know what to expect. I would have…read morewalked straight past the unassuming signage outside and a fairly dark and large looking staircase that leads to the depths of Hindley Street. Much like Zhivagos this place seems tiny when you are on the crammed dance floor but once you move away there are heaps of benches lining the walls for you to rest your dancing shoes. I didn't have to line up ages for a drink at the bar which is always a bonus. Plus, being Adelaide I naturally bumped into people I knew from school and the like on several occasions. I adored the Mexican vibe of the place, especially the cactuses (or is that cacti?) painted around the place. I'll be back for a drink and a dance rather soon.

I don't normally write reviews but I was seriously impressed…read more I had been there a few times previous and thought it would be a fun place to end up on my hens night. All the staff were so friendly and helpful to my huge group of 17 girls, making sure we al had a great night. I origanaly had told the guys at the door we were only expecting 10 people and I think they were a bit overwhelmed when 17 showed up... But they smiled and reassured me what everything was fine and just enjoy my night. Great staff, great music and great drinks :) Big thank you for everything and I will be back again!!

Not my first choice in places to go on a Friday night but we were convinced by the type of music…read morethey were said to play. When we entered there was no one there except staff, it was dead! This was a bonus as we scored a booth and got drinks quickly. Once we got up and got the dance floor moving more and more people came in until it was eventually heaving. Drinks became harder to get but it was still reasonable service. The floor was extremely sticky and the smoke machine kept making everyone cough but we were all having fun. Drink prices were reasonable for town and if you drink whatever's on special for the night you can have a relatively cheap night out. There was an incident with the DJ berating a friend and using not so kind language to tell her to leave so that's when the whole group of us left the club. Until then it was a good night. The bouncers outside were great guys and I even got to sit with one on his tea break later on in the night in HJ's and had a great chat.

Pretty much the biggest nightclub in SA, HQ has almost a dozen rooms with multiple storeys and so…read moremany genres of music and DJs. HQ has events on nearly every night, with Wednesday being flashdance with old music and crazy themes like schoolgirls and vampires, Friday is usually a small event with a semi known DJ and Saturday's the biggest one of all with big names headlining. Sunday sometimes has underage events, Monday and Tuesday are band nights when someone is in town. They always have great drink specials, which is especially good for Sat nights because it costs $20 to get in normally, so got to make it worthwhile. HQ has a cocktail lounge, RnB room, rooftop garden, outside smoking area and a giant main room with a huge stage and dancers. The lighting is amazing, and the stage always looks professional to suit the event/theme. My favorite is going there on Wednesday nights for a themed flashies and getting on stage dancing or air guitaring to win a prize. The crowd is fairly young, and they are fairly hard partiers too.

If you're currently in the line up for HQ, get out, before they pat you down, rummage around…read morethrough your handbag and take away your chewing gum. Although I can understand why they take security to such an extent because it is filled with wankers sporting rat's tails and brotherhood tattoos. After waiting for a year to get in just to get molested at the front of the line, the covercharge is $20, no sir, I'd prefer to spend that 20 on a takeaway and loiter on the steps of Macca's drowning my sorrows. There are two main beverages here and they are Alize with lemonade and vodka lemon lime, how boring to work here in the bar. If you don't have one of these drinks in your hand people may look at you funny, just saying. There are 10 bars to choose from to get your Alize, I recommend the Newmarket Cocktail Lounge because it's the least sleazy area in the whole venue and if Joel is working then you're in luck. Guys, I got so bored here that I found myself sitting at the foot of the spiral staircase playing "guess which colour underwear that chick has on" and watching girls walk up the stairs. Do you know how many girls don't wear underwear at HQ? did their mothers teach them nothing? There are fights upon fights in this place, they usually run for a couple of minutes before the security guard who is busy chatting up the skanky blonde in the corner of the room actually notices and actually does his job. What a messed up environment. Open til 6am, ladies, remember to hold your dress when you are going up the stairs.

This is by far, Adelaide's best kept secret right now. Small bars are popping all around town, but…read morethis one stands true to the whole hole-in-the-wall hidden bar concept. GENIUS. It is so refreshing. If you're not looking hard enough you would easily miss it. Walk in and it's like the prohibition era, from the grungy shelves to the dark, moody decor and booths to the sad music. It is easily one of the best themed cocktail bars in Adelaide. Drinks are fantastic. Some bars have expensive drinks for not much and they don't taste great. Not at Baddog, they are top notch and the barman does it right in front of you on the bar so you don't miss a thing. Brilliant. Best find of the year for me so far.

Zack has built an amazing speak easy style bar that makes you feel like you've ducked back in time…read moreto a prohibition era. The waist coats, crystal glasses and twisted stainless steel and silver spoons all work to make this a top spot for a cocktail or cheeky beer. A maestro of the common and rare cocktails and a range of spirits you wont find in many bars Zack makes this bar. Sitting at the bar is mandatory for the first drink in my opinion then sneak off to the lux booths for quiet and intimate drinks. Its dark, has very cool décor and edgy clean bathrooms. Bad Dog Bar doesn't have tvs, doesn't have pokies and doesn't have tap beer and for goodness sakes never order an apple-tini :) and that's the way we like it. Top Tip: order the pickleback - rye bourbon shot followed by some freshly made pickle juice. The SMoking Joint cocktail is also a fav!