The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange image

The Bibliotheca Bar and Book Exchange

Bar Cocktail bar

👍👍 There is no more a pleasant a way to spend a Tuesday evening than drinking delicious cocktails, enjoying warm service, and reading interesting books at this bar. Delightful. People often mention cocktails, drinks, great, time, drink, staff, service, amazing, Great, books,


Address

1/27 Gresham St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Website

bibliotheca.com.au

Contact

+61 400 066 650

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (323 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 5 pm to 2 am
  • Saturday: 5 pm to 2 am
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 5 pm to 12 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: cocktails (17) drinks (12) great (11) time (8) drink (8) staff (8) service (7) amazing (7) Great (7) books (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 kl p. 1 year ago on Google • 309 reviews
    Located right in Adelaide, next to Rundall Mall, off Hinley Street. We were just wandering on Hindley Street, and decided to explore some of the lanes off it. The bar looks very welcoming and had some books on display at the front as more as you go in, in front of the bar. We came for drinks, so did not explore the book section, he he. Maybe next time. We sat outside on the tables provided. Service wasn't great as we waited for a while and finally went inside and helped ourselves to the menu and drinks list. The drinks list had wine, gin, spirits and cocktails. It is not only extensive but also had very interesting names. Named after books, movies, sayings or quotes, the list had drinks such as Elementary, Memoirs of a Geisha, Moloko, So Long and Thanks for all the Fish, Lolita, Honeypot, Don Quixote, 1984, Metro 2023 and more. The cocktails were refreshing. The place seems to cater for the more mature audience as everyone there were middle-aged or more . The location is good for a quiet drink as it does not have the noise or walkabout foot traffic of Hindley Street and the mall. Other than the hiccup with service, it is a nice place for a quiet drink.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alessa Y. 1 year ago on Google • 289 reviews
    A must visit bar for all book lovers in Adelaide! The atmosphere is quaint and cozy like your favorite reading nook and the cocktails are always impressive and given clever, bookish names. On my last visit, I enjoyed the memoirs of a geisha which was served in a Japanese style soup dish with a mochi on the side. A drink and dessert! 😋 I highly recommend this drink as it smells like sesame, but doesn't taste like it at all. We also were able to watch the bartender make the drink that shall not be named. What a cool experience!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy C. 4 months ago on Google
    There is no more a pleasant a way to spend a Tuesday evening than drinking delicious cocktails, enjoying warm service, and reading interesting books at this bar. Delightful.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eleanor J. 7 months ago on Google • 143 reviews
    Absolutely love this place! It's been 4 years since we last visited and we're equally enjoying the delicious cocktails (The Honey Pot & So Long and Thanks for All the Fish) now as we did then. Thanks very much!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Asha S. 2 years ago on Google • 99 reviews
    Such a wonderful place with a great atmosphere and superb service. Really great drinks too accordingly to the people who drank.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sam W. 5 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    Creative drinks, friendly bartenders, willing to make things to request. Best of all it all tastes great. Specifically made a tiki drink to request, was one of the best I've ever had.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kylie H. 4 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    Perfect combination of my favourite things - whiskey, cocktails and books. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere, fast and friendly staff and books you can read or exchange. Perfect place to drop in for an after work drinks or a party place for the weekend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peggy F. 6 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Really nice Unexpected menu Unexpected cocktails Good for bar hunting
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Super K. 1 year ago on Google • 874 reviews
    Finally came at a decent time!! What a vibe! So laid back, amazing drinks and there are so many choices! Bar staff were superb, so knowledgeable! Had a great time sitting back and playing cards.

  • 5/5 Kyoko D. 11 months ago on Google • 88 reviews
    A stylish adult bar with delicious cocktails. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable about alcohol. They also make original cocktails, so you can always have a wonderful time here.

  • 4/5 Elisa H. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a cute set up but the drinks didn't taste that great unfortunately.

  • 5/5 Gareth D. 11 months ago on Google
    Great date destination, intimate and cozy with friendly knowledgeable staff that make amazing cocktails.

  • 5/5 Tim O. 1 year ago on Google
    These guys know whisky! All reasonably priced as well. There are quite a few off menu options you can try too!

  • 5/5 Shaun C. 1 year ago on Google
    Magic place. Pooped in with a group and all had various drinks. Staff helped with selections and also with the knowledge of the drinks. Book exchange idea seems super cool! Location is very nice as well. The staff are on point! Hands up for them.

  • 5/5 Brynn B. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome cocktails! I loved the creativity!

  • 4/5 Scott C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little bar in Gresham Street. Drinks are on the pricier end for Adelaide, but they have a great cocktail menu.

  • 5/5 Renae Marie P. 2 years ago on Google
    Drinks were so amazing!! Dj was really good too.. and the whole look of the bar was really pleasing..

  • 5/5 D G. 1 year ago on Google
    I love this place. Books feed my soul and the cocktails fuel my need for fun. Honestly a cute bar with great staff, ambience and service.

  • 2/5 Kate M. 1 year ago on Google
    Gorgeous place but felt a bit pretentious this time. I have really enjoyed this place in the past but this time service was pretty poor. Waited 10 minutes while 1 person made a cocktail and 2 others chatted beside them, without us being acknowledged. It wasn’t empty but it wasn’t busy. Went next door and they were lovely 🤷‍♀️

  • 5/5 Leah b. 1 year ago on Google
    I really love this place. Its so beautiful. I love that you can check out books while your having some cocktails. I will be going again.

  • 4/5 Fabian F. 5 years ago on Google
    Great venue and incredibly stylish furniture + decor. However, I was not too impressed with the cocktail that we ordered (Golden Ticket 🎫) ... we’ll definitely give it another shot next time, but order different cocktail from the very extensive and creative list 🍸🙏🏻

  • 4/5 Chanel H. 4 years ago on Google
    Called in with work colleagues before a conference dinner. Atmosphere was good. Prices for drinks were about $20 and upward. Not the most wonderful mojito I have had but all and all I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

  • 3/5 Karina L. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome flavours Do remember the size of cocktails being much larger though.

  • 5/5 Arson 2 years ago on Google
    It's great for a quiet place to read a book and have a drink or bring your friends. Great atmosphere and friendly staff.

  • 5/5 Brett W. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic vibe with great atmosphere and cool decor. Funky background beats, extensive whisky menu and ticks all the boxes. Finally a bar where quality, conversation, funk and vibe is the focus.

  • 5/5 Philip N. 2 years ago on Google
    If you love spectacular cocktails, this is the place for you. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy their range. And then there are the whiskies too...

  • 5/5 HAKE MATE A. 3 years ago on Google
    An excellent “bibliotheca” of liqueurs and cocktails, fabulously well prepared by a mixologist bartender who makes magic with fire 🔥 ! Why not have a 📚 or a game or just sit down and enjoy a good glass of whiskey 🥃

  • 4/5 Susan B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great range of interesting cocktails. Great space.

  • 5/5 Jessica F. 2 years ago on Google
    Went here last year during our wedding anniversary. We loved it. Great service helpful friendly staff. Foods great quality. Drinks are amazing to die for. I could have kept drinking here all nite. So comfortable and chill here. Lovely vibes intimate spot. Can’t wait to go back.

  • 5/5 melissa G. 4 months ago on Google • 1 review
    This would have to be the best place for a relaxing drink in Adelaide. The staff are absolutely amazing. In particular Rah (I hope I spelt that right) he not only has amazing service but nearly two years ago he helped me by calling an ambulance for my son when he had a medical emergency. Ever since that whenever we have seen him he has always been amazing and remembered both my partner and I and always asks how my son is doing.


Call +61 400 066 650 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Outside food allowed
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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