The Colonist Tavern

Isn’t it great when friends decide to go to pubs that they normally don’t visit? This is what happened a few years back, and while we were sitting at home one Saturday afternoon we all received a text inviting us to come down here. This was cool because I had driven past this pub numerous times but never been inside. Anyway, when I was back in Adelaide recently I decided to come back, if only for a drink. Okay, it was Christmas Eve, which meant that it was packed, but it was still a nice pub. I can’t say it was a great pub, but it did have an old, rustic colonial feel about it though. I suspect that it is sticking with the name. Oh, it doesn’t have a beer garden, but it does have a heap of tables out on the sidewalk.

This was my second visit to The Colonist. The last time I hung out here was just for causal drinks with family and friends. This bar is funky and eclectic in style. Be sure to check out the frozen chandelier in the front bar. I have never quite seen anything like it. The waitress told us that the beer line runs through it, so the glycol system freezes it. Very clever!
It’s a cool place to visit for afternoon catch-​ups with friends or Sunday sessions. I really love the outdoor area along the street side. I would image it would be popular to sit along there during the summer months.
But uh oh! Maybe I caught the chef on a bad night? I ordered the 250g Coorong Angus Flat Iron Steak. The presentation was lovely, but prep & cooking was just a little off. Such a shame.
My potato was just cooked. Almost more to the raw side. It felt like it was steamed and then warmed in an oven? There was no flavour at all. Maybe cooking it on a pan with some butter and seasoning would have helped? Even crisping it up on the fryer. But, this was tasteless. I guess it was a little more noticeable as the meal was served with a chimmi churri sauce which pairs with the steak and not the veggies. So I could not use it to spice up my veggies. Then there was the whole size of the steak. It was definitely under 250g, sliced to mask the size I think. I could tell as my partner’s steak was also 250g and it was much bigger than mine. I should probably also say that I notice these things more after working in hospo and in kitchens for many years. Maybe another customer wouldn’t have cared so much? But for me, it was disappointing and I felt bad to catch the chef on a bad day. Maybe this is just a knock off drink pub for me? Oh well.

what a gem! This little neighborhood coffee house and breakfast bar is fabulous the service is great the selection is Hardy and the people who frequent our locals.

Have moved to Norwood recently. Called in for an evening meal. Service was great and enjoyed my steak when it arrived. Cooked just as I like it and per my order. This pub is a must visit and they have live music on some nights
The night I was there is was Zkye as a duo with her partner. I think Thursday night is the music night. This pub is popular with the locals and that tells you the story really. If you are over Norwood way this is a good drop in on the Parade.

The Colonist is a cool local. It’s the sort of pub you’re happy to be living ‘near’, the pub that your mates love to catch up at, the old but somehow not pub that feels welcoming and doesn’t smell of grandma. The (dinner) meals aren’t large but they’re tasty (always check the specials) and my sole breakfast there was great also. Local beers on tap and enough of them to keep you entertained in a session. There’s no ‘set’ clientele, just assorted people enjoying a cool pub. Don’t assume your local caffe can be your only a.m. choice, give a pub a go.

Solid neighborhood pub with a solid food menu. Definitely worth checking out in Norwood.

After running a busy bake sale this morning my friends and I were after some delicious food. We were near the Parade so we headed over to the Colonist for a late breakfast, as they serve breakfast on weekends until 1pm. After a delicious ‘designer breakfast’ where you can choose the options on your plate (I had a lovely poached egg, cheese kransky, hash brown, portobello mushrooms, and a tiny tin of baked beans)
Our group all enjoyed their food and then one other friend and I enjoyed some cider and coffee on the couch in front of the fire, so lovely on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The art work and interior are interesting and the staff lovely and professional.
Will absolutely be back!

A leisurely Sunday breakfast that ended 6 hours later!
The Col is a great hang out with cool vibes, great service & a good selection of meals. Whilst some hipsters have found it, many of them are still hanging about Argo’s which leaves The Col available for many other personality types (after work suits, young families, first dates) to enjoy it.
Breakfast was simple yet delicious: fried egg, bacon & tomato served atop delicious toast that didn’t crack your jaw. Best of all, I opted to simultaneously enjoy one of their three yoghurt smoothie selections (berry) which was divine.
Price creep on the menu is a bit disheartening (big brekky now $ 28) but not yet too scary.
Overall, a great place to chill out.

What isn’t to love? The decore is nuts! The ice chandelier, the red brick walls with washed out street art, the kitsch-​y mirrors and boards for specials, the rounded bar — the place is fun. Well priced for a glass of French champagne ($ 10!), very SA driven wine list which had pretty much something for every palate. Good beer list. Didn’t eat but everyone around me who was eating was chowing down with big smiles. The steak sandwich looked to be a winner and the chips too. A very mixed crowd of patrons — late 20s to early 50s, from after work crowd to sports goers. A good blend and great smiling service. Very impressed. The bouncers were so helpful that one actually came to find our group and advise a table was available — that would never happen in Perth. Really impressed :)

The Colonist is quite a loner on The Parade, situated way down the road away from all of the happenings further up. Perhaps that’s why it’s got such a distinct character, and resembles no other pub on the same street.
The interior décor is definitely something to keep your eyes busy for a while. The furniture, the artwork and the tones give this place a really warm and cosy feel, in turn creating a great atmosphere for this little pub. Inside is a world of comfort, and you can easily spend a long afternoon here without moving, save for heading to the bar to replenish your booze. The beer isn’t too pricey, and there’s plenty of offer to keep you smooth-​sailing.
The outdoor area is always busy, but a bit disappointing. Though there isn’t too much space on that narrow sidewalk, there’s an incredibly limited number of seats, and the smoking corner is tiny — just what I hate. There’s not much chance of enjoying the sun if you don’t secure yourself a seat quickly; and nobody likes being inside on a sunny day! It’s a good thing the interior is so well-​decorated, otherwise you could be in a real pickle.

That ice chandelier is such a trip, isn’t it? You see a glass chandelier sparkling over the bar and then start wondering why water is dripping from it. I’m not quite sure how they keep that thing going (I’m not very bright), but I do appreciate its wackyness. The artwork in this pub is so good to the eyes, very modern and art deco and it gives the Colonist it’s individuality and great atmosphere. There are a few too many dogs and prams filling the outside area on weekends: I love both species but their paraphernalia can make it hard to find foot room.
They serve good pub food for lunches and a proper dining experience for dinner: the dining room is quite small and has a lovely intimate atmosphere. The food isn’t as cheap as the average pub fare but that can be forgiven on account of the taste: I can tell you the walnut and apple salad, and the lime aoili (paired with anything) is quite special. Bring a date for dinner, leave your doggy at home.

The Colonist is a rather small pub on the Parade in Norwood. What I really love about this place is the inside décor. It’s mainly wooden chairs and tables and they have some really comfy sofas as well. Every time I’ve been here there were plenty of newspapers from the same day to read so that’s definitely another plus. Staff are very friendly and drinks prices and choice are average for a pub.
Their outside area (if you can call it like that) constitutes of very few tables at the front and a very tiny smoking area on the side. If you want to enjoy your pint in a nice outdoor setting, don’t come here because it is certainly anything but nice. It just does the job. I found the crowds always good and civilised. apart from a few strange people you encounter every now and then in the smoking area.
All in all, a nice pub that I can certainly recommend.

I do quite like the Colonist, however, I wish it was just a little bit better.
There are some nice paintings on the walls, and the whole building itself has a really nice vibe. There is a nice menu and a nice dining room with large nice tables. There are nice couches and nice high set tables with nice stools. There is a really nice set of outdoor tables and a nice veranda with nice stools and a nice view over Sydenham Rd.
However, behind all this niceness there is a bit of a vacancy. Whilst presenting itself as a hip bar it really is not. It primarily caters to the suit and tie crowd, it is over priced, there is no live music and it is in reality somewhat of a culture void.
It is so disappointing as the Colonist has so much potential. It is ideally placed on the west end of the parade, close to town, (and by chance my studio). It is housed in such a beautiful and unique building and is the prime candidate for a venue of some alternative stature east of the city, but unfortunately I think the cash cow that is the luncheoning business man is just too appealing.
I would love to make the Colonist my local, but it just really dosen’t cut the mustard. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing nearby which is very much better.

Ahhh, the good old Colonist! The personality packed establishment takes the prize for my local pub of choice, and here’s why:
1. The décor. The Parade is awash with blandness when it comes to interiors (especially the pubs… snooze), but the Colonist is decked out pretty much how I would decorate my apartment. Vintage couches, chandeliers, paint-​peeling walls, raw wood, lots of art. In short: a bricolage (I always wanted to use that word!) of quirky, organic pieces that give it an overall warm and inviting atmosphere. The dining room has a more traditional style and feels a little out of place if I’m honest — we always prefer to eat in the bar or alfresco.
2. The crowd. It’s a local pub and there are locals in it. Despite its Melbourne-​esque «I just threw this together and it looks this awesome» vibe, hipsters haven’t caught on yet, which means it’s a super chilled out and mixed crowd. Your after work people mix with younger locals and older regulars: I’d be equally happy taking my mum as my girls.
3. The food and drinks. My absolute alltime favourite on the menu is the lamb burger, which is basically an excuse for me to eat bacon and eggs in yet another form: the words ‘hells’ and ‘yeah’ spring to mind here. But the salt and pepper squid takes a close second place, and the breakfasts are solid. A great selection of beers on tap and SA ciders aplenty.
In short: it’s the perfect place to cosy up and have a beer-​fuelled convo. If you are so inclined. And yes, yes I am.