Five Music Venues To Visit While The Crown And Anchor Is Closed

Last month, Adelaide’s iconic counter-cultural institution The Crown and Anchor announced an impending twenty-four month hiatus. From mid-July 2025, the pub-cum-music venue will be temporarily closing its doors to allow for redevelopment.

The Crown and Anchor is a landmark of the Adelaide music scene - it is in fact a landmark of the Australian music scene at large. The Crown and Anchor - or, “The Cranker” for short - has always promised music and company (and alarmingly cheap schooners) to those who crave it. So it is a daunting prospect, to have to experience an Adelaide without The Cranker, even if it isn’t forever.

But during this time South Australia will not be without music and community - far from it. In The Cranker’s temporary absence, there is a plethora of charming local music venues to indulge in. Here’s a list of just a few that could become your next staple for a musical night out.

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The Austral

This historic pub is set to re-establish itself as a staple of the East End.

General Admission Entertainment - the independent South Australian music business - recently announced that they have partnered with The Austral to bring live music back to the beloved Rundle Street pub.

The Austral is, in fact, a mere four minute walk from The Cranker, making it a perfect substitute for those who are craving a venue on the eastern side of the CBD.

The Scenic

We at The Music have waxed lyrical about The Scenic before - and that is because it is a venue deserving of mammoth praise.

Located in Norton Summit, the pub boasts a fittingly gorgeous view of the Adelaide Hills. It is a venue that is cozy and welcoming - and notoriously kind to the musicians who perform there. Any Young Mechanic frontman Sam Wilson once said of his band’s experience playing at The Scenic that it was the “best” they had ever been treated by a local venue.

So why not support a place that knows how to treat local hard-working musicians right?

The Grace Emily

This Waymouth Street pub is notoriously warm and welcoming - perhaps because it possesses a “strict no dickhead policy.”

The Grace Emily is a champion of local music. It is multi-faceted as a venue - it can be mellow or it can be upbeat, depending on the night. And ultimately it is a lovely (and safe) place to be.

The Wheatsheaf Hotel

This Thebarton venue is folksy and friendly. The bar serves “real beer, real wine, and odd whisk(e)y.” The music room is lit with fairy lights, flushing attendees with warmth as they listen to kaleidoscopic emerging local acts. The venue describes the acts they tend to showcase as “eclectic” and “original,” from cult accordion ensembles, to string quartets, to alt-country outfits, to folk trios.

The Wheatsheaf - affectionately dubbed “The Wheaty” by locals - offers a bit of everything. They proudly aim to keep music “live” and art “public.”

Cry Baby

This edgy Solomon Street bar boasts an old-school vibe - it even has a jukebox.

Whereas previously Cry Baby was perhaps relegated to weekend night shenanigans, more and more locals have been attending the venue simply to witness emerging talent rock out onstage (especially on Thursday nights).

And watching local artists excel in a vintage, neon-lit bar is definitely a good way to spend your Thursday night - or any night at all.