Maybe Mae - Through the Secret Door

Food, Wine & Design

Adelaide, SA, Australia

If you’ve ever asked a local where they recommend going for a great drink in Adelaide, it’s likely Peel Street will have come up in their suggestions. Peel Street is home to some of the best bars Adelaide has to offer and Maybe Mae is no exception.

While finding Maybe Mae involves more stealth and detective work to find than others, it’s well worth nosing around to discover the beautiful interior and cocktails waiting within. Once a disused stock cellar, this space has been re-purposed and converted into a below ground cocktail bar; the sister bar to the ever popular Bread and Bone eatery and found within the archway connecting Peel Street to Leigh Street.

Designed by Claire Kneebone, its Art Deco inspired interior features classic colour pairings and details of the era including deep green leather booths, brass paneled mirrors and timber paneling around the central bar. A solid concrete slab counter-top encircles the bar where you can watch some of the best bartenders whip up some pretty impressive drinks and prepare some amazing accompaniments.

The dimly lit, lounge style bar may be small in size, but their cocktail menu packs a punch. With an ever changing cocktail menu which takes full advantage of seasonal flavours and pairings, you’re guaranteed to leave with a new favourite drink. And the variety of condiments, garnishes, spices and sauces they incorporate into their drinks mean your palette will never be left feeling lacklustre.

For all the gin lovers, the Quince Fizz is the current favourite among the bartenders, made from quince gin, pear, vanilla, lemon and topped with bee pollen sugar. If you’re a rum drinker, you can’t go past the Suzie Q made from Suze with house-made coconut rum and garnished with sesame seeds.

Open from 5pm weekdays and from 6pm on the weekends, if you’re looking for something a bit more secluded, with an array of specialties and ever changing cocktails then Maybe Mae is the perfect place to escape to.