Sensational-Adelaide.com

Adelaide Railway Station’s Overland Dining Hall to reopen as new restaurant, bar

The Adelaide Railway Station’s former Overland Dining Hall will be restored to its former glory — operating as a new 24/7 restaurant and bar employing 60 people.

A new 24/7 bar and restaurant will bring the Adelaide Railway Station’s former Overland Dining Hall back to public life this November, creating 60 jobs and injecting new energy into the precinct.

NZ company SkyCity Entertainment, the parent of the SkyCity Adelaide casino, is investing $6 million in the new venue, The Guardsman.

According to artist impressions released exclusively to The Advertiser, The Guardsman will feature a grand central bar, open kitchen, multiple dining and seating zones, a private room and shopfront serving coffee and takeaway items opening onto the Railway concourse.

It includes full restoration of the Hall’s heritage features.


Artist impression of new SkyCity restaurant, The Guardsman.

Originally opened in 1928, the Hall, which sits below the casino’s marble hall, has been used as a storage area for more than a decade.

Once opened, the near-1000sqm space will be a key part of Adelaide Railway Station owner Renewal SA’s plan to revive the precinct, which sees 230,000 people pass through each week, including commuters, game day patrons and convention centre visitors.


Old photo of the Overland Dining Hall.

The investment is in addition to the $330 million being spent as the part of the Adelaide Casino expansion, which includes a 12-storey luxury hotel as well as work to redevelop the current building.

The expansion will be completed by October 2020, creating another 800 jobs and attracting new tourists to SA.

Adelaide Casino general manager of marketing Greg Stirling said the venue will work with some of SA’s most well-known food and beverage producers to bring a strong local flavour, but those discussions were still ongoing.


Artist impression of new SkyCity restaurant, The Guardsman.

“It’s a unique opportunity to develop a part of the railway station that has not been used for many years and create a place where stories can again be shared and made,” said Mr Stirling.

“We are sure South Australians will be proud of this project which we believe will become a catalyst for further interest in the revitalisation of the Adelaide Railway Station.”

Renewal SA’s director of city projects Matt Hunt said he expects the venue to make a major contribution towards transforming the station into a destination.

“It will be a place where people choose to start their journey, meet friends and make plans.”

Local architects and interior designers Studio Gram have designed the unique venue, and the brand identity and signage has been developed by Tristan Kerr of Uppercase Studio.

The build will be undertaken by local construction firm SHAPE.

Earlier plans for the Dining Hall included a US-style sports bar, but SkyCity decided on the restaurant and bar instead.

SRW wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:25 pm

Fantastic news! Restaurants have proven successful in similar buildings around the world and it's nice to have another pre show or pre game option. Most importantly, it's great to see some of the grandeur of the station concourse restored. Personally, I'd love to see the Marble Hall/waiting lobby returned by the Casino to enable public access from the concourse to Station Road. Here's one of the few pics I could find of it before the Casino took it (stolen from Chris on Flickr): iu-4.jpg

Actually, does anyone know what happened to that lobby clock/bench? It was placed on the concourse for a while but hasn't been there on recent visits.

SRW wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:25 pm

Fantastic news! Restaurants have proven successful in similar buildings around the world and it's nice to have another pre show or pre game option. Most importantly, it's great to see some of the grandeur of the station concourse restored. Personally, I'd love to see the Marble Hall/waiting lobby returned by the Casino to enable public access from the concourse to Station Road. Here's one of the few pics I could find of it before the Casino took it (stolen from Chris on Flickr): iu-4.jpg

Actually, does anyone know what happened to that lobby clock/bench? It was placed on the concourse for a while but hasn't been there on recent visits.

utaussiefan wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2019 3:38 pm

Subway on Rundle Street closes today after 20 years of trading, the lease was not renewed.
St Louis Ice Cream and Desserts also seems to have closed on Rundle Street. All the tables were stacked in corner last night after walking past.

The Scooter Guy wrote:

utaussiefan wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2019 3:38 pm

Subway on Rundle Street closes today after 20 years of trading, the lease was not renewed.
St Louis Ice Cream and Desserts also seems to have closed on Rundle Street. All the tables were stacked in corner last night after walking past.

Another Subway bites the bullet!
It's literally going the way of Red Rooster!

LGBTQI-friendly bar Mary’s Poppin getting a bigger and better makeover

Adelaide’s drag scene will reach new heights when Mary’s Poppin moves into a bigger and better venue to cater for growing crowds.



The LGBTQI-friendly bar, in Synagogue Pl, is undergoing its second expansion in two years, this time moving into the former Haçienda and Apple Nightclub – right next door to its current home.

Founder and owner Stephen Craddock says the new space is three times the size of the current venue and will have bars, a round stage, art, private booths, an outdoor deck and pink decor to boot.

“We strive to provide an inclusive safe space for our community and their friends each and every week,” Mr Craddock says.

“People should expect a true Mary’s vibe, but with bigger shows and more room to shake their booty.”

Mr Craddock says it is “hard to say exactly” the cost of the upgrade, but it was a “major renovation” that will open next month.

The new space, which will fit about 400 people, will allow his drag queens to put on bigger shows.

Its former home, which remains open during renovations, will be transformed into a “sexy cabaret space”. “It’s top secret, but we’ve a super exciting plan for it which will compliment Mary’s,” Mr Craddock says.