Formerly the Austral Hotel's beer garden and live music area, this space has recently been given a $2-million revamp. It's now a concrete, sound-proofed bunker. DJs and restaurant dining feature.
The Austral is central to the pulse of pub life on Rundle Street, and it has recently upped its status with the $2 million creation of The Bunka.
As a chic new adaptation of the classic beer garden, The Bunka is a soundproof dugout, big enough for more than two to tango - or groove, bounce or head-bang to the raging live acts that perform on most nights of the week.
Compared to the rest of the old pub, this space is light and airy. During the day, it offers a gorgeous setting for lunch, with the big double doors opening invitingly onto a quiet side street.
The crowd varies from corporate knock-off drinkers to the typical Aussie pub alterna-punk, depending on which live act is on. Here, it's a mixing pot of styles, but anyone with an avid interest in local music will find themselves feeling at home.
The bartenders are dressed casually and seem laidback. The drinks themselves scream 'Pub' with two kinds of Coopers on tap, along with imported favourites such as Heineken and Stella Artois. While the refreshments are reasonably priced and there's also pub grub on hand, The Bunka's main draw card is still remains to be its status as one of Adelaide's best live music venues.
Emily Green
