Hindley Street, mon amour
It’s a street that keeps ticking around the clock – and across the generations. Here are some of the creative and unique businesses – and the stories behind them – that keep iconic Hindley Street bustling.
Ancient World
116a Hindley Street
Chelsea Zerna has been living her dream of owning a nightclub since 2020. Ancient World is known for supporting artists, being a safe space and hosting parties that co-owner Chelsea says are “fun, kooky and left of field”. With queues snaking to the back alleyway entrance and a cool aesthetic, it’s clearly the go to spot for a lit night out. Come closing, there’s time for Chelsea to shout staff a drink before heading home at 4am. Her tips for a local lunch: something healthy from Peter Rabbit or fresh Vietnamese from Phonatic.
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Safe party environments
Underground Arts Culture
The Map Shop
3/110 Hindley Street
Neither club nor hospitality venue, The Map Shop is indeed what it says. There’s cartographer and owner Anthony Stephens, admin June and fellow cartographer Bernard, who make maps on demand for organisations, explorers and people “doing weird and wonderful things”. The well-travelled team is generous with their travel and destination tips. For a local lunch or coffee, they suggest Café Bang Bang. Open six days a week, on Saturdays they close at 12.30pm – “working gentlemen’s hours” – to go bushwalking, cycling and “all the other activities that people who are involved with maps, do”.
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Cartography
Friendly service
Apoteca
118 Hindley Steet
Owner Paola Coro says she never gets tired of looking at the apothecary cabinets that line the walls of this Hindley Street mainstay. The award-winning bar and restaurant has hosted everything from weddings to their own great parties. Paola says the strip’s point of difference is its ever-changing landscape, naming Hindley Street Music Hall as her favourite spot. She recommends Café Bang Bang for the morning coffee run, while lunch is a no-brainer. “Have you tried Dino’s? It’s really great Greek food.”
BEST KNOWN FOR:
The cabinets
Tasting menus
Imprints Booksellers
107 Hindley Street
Founded in 1984, this seminal book shop stocks an eclectic range. Owner Amelia Eitel starts her day with early bird customers and catalogues, studying new books on the horizon. She credits her excellent team for keeping the shop humming and loves it when younger customers visit. “It’s always so lovely when you have the book that they want, you can see the joy, the anticipation.” It reminds her of being a little bookworm. Her favourite shop? Cacas Day/Night Chemist next door. “They’re really excellent, knowledgeable people.”
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Unique variety
Team of bookworms
Belles Hot Chicken
14 Hindley Street
At Belles, you’re probably going to have the best chicken you’ve ever had, says venue manager Harry Townsend. This relative newbie serves up a happy welcome with a side of Nashville – think mash and good gravy, or a healthy side of pickles. If you’re heading out after Belles, Harry recommends 99 Gang Social for a winter warmer. “You can be whoever you want to be on this street; Adelaide plays that game pretty well,” Harry says. “Hindley Street’s good for any occasion.”
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Great vibes
Great chicken
Hindley Street Music Hall
149 Hindley Street
No matter where you are in Hindley Street Music Hall, there are great sight lines to the stage, says venue manager Taryn Walton. She loves watching punters, brought together by live music and enjoying the shows. Her own peak moment was hugging Zac from MMMBop purveyors Hanson. Her day can start quite early and finish late, with 8am load-ins and 5am load-outs. Downstairs, the Seinfeld-inspired Cosmo’s Pizza gets her approval, as does nearby wine bar Nearly – “it’s super sweet, great wines in there”.
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Big names
Accessibility
