A much-loved Adelaide bar is holding its “last hoorah”, with astronomical overheads forcing its closure.
Enigma Bar has announced it is shutting down, after what it calls 25 years of being a “music haven” for hundreds of bands and ten of thousands of patrons.
Owner of the Hindley St venue, Eric Ott, said the decision was not taken lightly, but was inevitable as a result of increasing rent, running costs, electricity and insurance.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
He also pointed to challenges with consistently securing local and international acts.
“We have done our best to keep the venue running in these challenging times, operating as efficiently as possible,” Ott said in a statement on the bar’s website.
“However, the current climate and the astronomical overheads associated with limited trading days have made it unsustainable.”
Enigma Bar became popular for hosting rock and metal bands such as Ocean Grove and Justice For The Damned.
Ott said it was also the first venue in Adelaide to have free public Wi-Fi.
“From its inception, the ethos of Enigma Bar was simple — we welcomed everyone, regardless of appearance, style, or music preference,” he said.
“Our primary concern has been creating an environment where people from all kinds of backgrounds could come together, feel safe, and enjoy great music.”
Enigma Bar’s last day of trade is Friday, November 17.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.