Located in the heart of Stepney at 106 Payneham Road, Avenues Café & Bar has established itself as one of Adelaide's most accessible and welcoming pokies venues. Situated within the convenient Avenues Shopping Centre in the SA 5069 postcode area, this establishment combines quality gaming entertainment with excellent food and beverage facilities, making it a favourite destination for pokies enthusiasts throughout Adelaide's eastern suburbs.
The venue features 40 of the latest gaming machines in a spacious, well-appointed gaming room designed specifically for player comfort. Operating seven days a week with extended hours, Avenues Café & Bar caters to both casual players seeking entertainment and serious pokies enthusiasts looking for quality machines in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. With gaming hours from 7 am Monday through Thursday (closing at 1 am), 7 am to 2 am on Fridays, 8 am to 2 am on Saturdays, and 9 am to midnight on Sundays, the venue provides flexible access to suit various schedules throughout the week.
The gaming room at Avenues represents a significant investment in player comfort and satisfaction. Unlike cramped or poorly ventilated gaming spaces found at some venues, Avenues has deliberately designed its gaming area with ample space at each machine. This thoughtful layout ensures players never feel crowded, even during peak periods on Friday and Saturday evenings when the venue reaches its busiest.
Player testimonials consistently praise the attention to detail and cleanliness that sets Avenues apart from other pokies venues across Adelaide. Regular patrons note the gaming room is maintained to high standards, with machines kept in excellent working condition and the entire area cleaned thoroughly throughout operating hours. This commitment to cleanliness extends to all facilities, creating an environment where guests feel comfortable spending extended periods.
One of the standout features attracting dedicated pokies players is the complimentary service package. Unlike many venues that charge for basic amenities, Avenues provides complimentary barista espresso coffee, soft drinks, and house-made nibbles prepared fresh by their kitchen staff. This generous hospitality approach means players can enjoy quality refreshments without interrupting their gaming sessions or incurring additional costs.
The machine selection focuses on providing the latest gaming technology. Avenues regularly updates its 40-machine fleet to ensure patrons have access to contemporary pokies titles featuring modern graphics, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpot opportunities. This commitment to maintaining current equipment demonstrates the venue's understanding of what serious pokies players seek in their gaming experience.
Gaming Amenities | Details |
Number of Machines | 40 latest pokies |
Gaming Hours Monday-Thursday | 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM |
Gaming Hours Friday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM |
Gaming Hours Saturday | 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM |
Gaming Hours Sunday | 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM |
Complimentary Services | Barista coffee, soft drinks, house-made nibbles |
Machine Spacing | Ample room for comfort |
Customer feedback reveals Avenues Café & Bar maintains a solid reputation among Adelaide's pokies community, with a 4.0-star rating based on 163 Google reviews. Regular patrons particularly appreciate the friendly, attentive staff who create a welcoming atmosphere. Several reviews specifically mention gaming staff members, including Brook, Sam, Chaten, and Bebo, who are praised for their excellent customer service and willingness to accommodate player needs.
Mattia Sfarra, a frequent visitor, shared: "My husband and I often have dinner there, and I must say the staff are so polite and happy to accommodate. We also like to play the pokies, and again, we are treated so well. Happy to get us a drink or coffee. The staff who are the very best are Brook, Sam, Chaten and a new girl who is just so sweet and polite, Bebo."
Natalie Barker highlighted the exceptional service: "I've been coming to the Avenues Tavern for I can not remember how long, and we have a fairly recent member of the bar staff. His name is Chetan. Oh my god, he is the best thing since sliced bread. He is the most amazing person. If it wasn't for him, I don't know if I would come here as much. Unbelievable service, would do anything for you."
From an expert perspective, Avenues Café & Bar represents what Adelaide's gaming venues should aspire to achieve. The combination of modern equipment, generous spacing between machines, complimentary refreshments, and genuinely caring staff creates an environment where players feel valued rather than simply processed. Industry observers note that venues succeeding in today's competitive Adelaide gaming market are those that prioritise player experience over simply maximising machine density—and Avenues clearly follows this philosophy.
The venue's approach to responsible gambling also deserves recognition. Clear signage provides information about gambling support services, and staff are trained to identify and assist players who may be experiencing difficulties. The venue prominently displays Gambling Helpline information (1800 858 858) and directs people to problemgambling.sa.gov.au for additional resources.
Gaming experts recommend Avenues, particularly for players who value cleanliness, personal space, and attentive service over venues that might have larger machine counts but compromised player experience. The 40-machine selection, while smaller than massive gaming venues like Adelaide Casino, provides sufficient variety while maintaining the intimate, local atmosphere many pokies players prefer.
For those exploring pokies options around Stepney and Adelaide's eastern suburbs, several alternative venues operate within reasonable proximity to Avenues Café & Bar. Understanding the competitive landscape helps players make informed choices about where to spend their gaming dollars.
The Maid & Magpie Hotel (1 Magill Road, Stepney SA 5069) sits virtually next door to Avenues, offering 33 gaming machines in a beautifully refurbished heritage hotel setting. Operating seven days from 9 am till late, The Maid presents a slightly more upscale atmosphere with its iconic architecture and recent renovations. The venue has gained attention for Lucky's Beach Club, a seasonal outdoor space perfect for those wanting to combine pokies gaming with social entertainment. Gaming hours are 9 am to late daily, with the venue itself featuring contemporary bistro dining and full bar facilities.
Alma Tavern (66 Magill Road, Norwood SA 5067) represents one of the eastern suburbs' most established gaming destinations. Located approximately 2 kilometres from Avenues, Alma Tavern features a newly renovated gaming room with state-of-the-art facilities and the latest gaming machines. The venue provides a comfortable, laid-back setting popular with both locals and visitors from across Adelaide. Alma Tavern offers multiple spaces, including a separate restaurant, function facilities, and regular live entertainment, creating a destination experience beyond just pokies gaming.
Norwood Hotel (95 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067) offers 40 gaming machines similar to Avenues' fleet size, along with SA Lotteries products including X-Lotto, Oz Lotto, Powerball, and Keno. Located in Norwood's bustling commercial district, this venue attracts substantial foot traffic and maintains consistent patronage throughout the week.
Payneham Tavern (673 Payneham Road, Payneham SA 5070) provides another substantial gaming option approximately 3 kilometres from Avenues. With 670 reviews and a 4.0-star rating, Payneham Tavern has established itself as a reliable eastern suburbs gaming destination featuring bistro dining, sports bar facilities, and family-friendly areas alongside its gaming room.
Venue Name | Address | Gaming Machines | Distance from Avenues |
The Maid & Magpie | 1 Magill Rd, Stepney 5069 | 33 machines | Adjacent property |
Alma Tavern | 66 Magill Rd, Norwood 5067 | State-of-the-art gaming room | ~2 km |
Norwood Hotel | 95 The Parade, Norwood 5067 | 40 machines | ~2.5 km |
Payneham Tavern | 673 Payneham Rd, Payneham 5070 | Multiple machines | ~3 km |
The competitive proximity of these venues demonstrates the healthy gaming market throughout Adelaide's eastern suburbs. However, regular patrons consistently note that Avenues distinguishes itself through its combination of convenient shopping centre location, generous complimentary refreshments, and particularly friendly staff culture.
Accessibility represents one of Avenues' strongest advantages for pokies players throughout Adelaide. The venue's location at St Peter's, 106 Payneham Road, Stepney SA 5069 within the Avenues Shopping Centre provides multiple transport options.
By Private Vehicle: Drivers approaching from Adelaide CBD should take Rundle Street east, which becomes Magill Road. Continue approximately 3 kilometres before turning right onto Payneham Road. Avenues Shopping Centre appears on the left-hand side. The venue offers free parking facilities with a well-lit, secure car park featuring two direct entry doors into the gaming room. This security-conscious design means players can access gaming facilities safely at any hour of operation, particularly important for late-night visits on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Public Transport: Adelaide Metro bus services provide regular connections to Payneham Road near Avenues Shopping Centre. Routes servicing the Stepney area include multiple options from Adelaide CBD and surrounding suburbs. The O-Bahn Busway provides rapid connections from the city centre and northeastern suburbs, with passengers disembarking at Klemzig Station before connecting to local bus routes. Journey times from Adelaide CBD typically range from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and the specific route.
Parking Availability: Unlike venues in heavily congested commercial zones, Avenues usually provide plenty of parking, ing according to venue information. Both free parking lot spaces and free street parking ensure visitors rarely struggle to find accommodation for their vehicles. This convenience factor particularly appeals to players visiting for extended sessions who value easy vehicle access.
Accessibility Features: The venue provides wheelchair accessible parking, ensuring patrons with mobility requirements can access gaming and hospitality facilities without barriers. This commitment to inclusive access reflects contemporary Australian hospitality standards.
Beyond gaming, Avenues Café & Bar operates a full-service bistro featuring a seasonal menu created by their head chef and culinary team. The menu showcases a selection of small plates, brunch options, and classic pub meals that have earned positive reviews from both gaming patrons and regular diners.
The bistro serves customers from Tuesday through Saturday, with coffee, cake, and light snacks available from noon daily, while the complete seasonal menu operates for brunch, lunch, and dinner service. This schedule accommodates both early-bird pokies players seeking breakfast whilst gaming and evening visitors wanting substantial meals alongside their gaming sessions.
Dining options include both indoor bistro seating and an alfresco area where guests can enjoy Adelaide's pleasant climate. The outdoor dining space proves particularly popular during spring and autumn months when temperatures create ideal conditions for al fresco dining.
Price points remain reasonable, with meals typically ranging between A$20-40 according to customer reporting. This affordable pricing structure means visitors can enjoy quality food without the premium pricing sometimes found at major casino venues. The 15 customers who reported pricing data indicated 26.7% of meals fell in the A$1-20 range, 46.7% cost A$20-40, and 6.7% reached A$40-60, demonstrating most patrons find meals affordable.
The venue also operates extensive drink facilities, including full bar service. Happy hour promotions provide additional value for regular visitors, whilst the drinks list encompasses beer, wine, cocktails, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. The emphasis on barista coffee—provided complementarily in the gaming room—extends to the café and bar areas, where customers can purchase specialty coffee beverages.
Located within the complex, Booze Brothers Bottle Shop provides convenient bottle shop facilities for customers wanting to purchase packaged liquor, adding another dimension to the venue's hospitality offering.
Dining Details | Information |
Service Hours | Tuesday-Saturday from 12:00 PM |
Cuisine Style | Seasonal menu, small plates, brunch, classic pub meals |
Typical Price Range | A$20-40 per meal |
Dining Areas | Indoor bistro, outdoor alfresco space |
Special Features | Weekly rotating specials board, house-made cakes |
Beverages | Full bar, barista coffee, extensive drinks list |
Customer reviews and expert observations consistently describe Avenues Café & Bar as possessing a casual, cozy atmosphere that distinguishes it from larger, more impersonal gaming venues. The venue deliberately cultivates a neighbourhood pub feeling rather than attempting to replicate the bustling casino environment.
The popular times data reveals interesting patterns in venue visitation. Wednesday and Saturday evenings represent peak periods, with busyness scores reaching 80-100 during 4 pm-9 pm on Wednesdays and 7 pm-10 pm on Saturdays. Monday through Thursday generally see moderate traffic levels, making these ideal days for players preferring quieter gaming sessions. Sunday afternoons also experience increased traffic (2 pm-6 pm), likely reflecting weekend leisure activities.
The venue attracts diverse demographics, including solo diners and groups, with many regular patrons forming a community atmosphere. Staff recognition of regular customers contributes significantly to the welcoming environment that keeps players returning.
Venue characteristics include modern furnishings, proper climate control ensuring year-round comfort, and contemporary décor throughout gaming and hospitality areas. The gaming room features timber screening around the outdoor smoking area, providing privacy for those who utilise this facility whilst maintaining the venue's overall aesthetic standards.
Avenues Café & Bar takes its responsibilities regarding gambling seriously, operating under South Australian gaming machine licensing regulations. The venue prominently displays responsible gambling messaging and provides clear information about support services available to anyone experiencing gambling-related harm.
Contact information for Gambling Help Services (1800 858 858) appears throughout the venue, and staff receive training in recognising signs of problem gambling and providing appropriate assistance. The venue website links directly to problemgambling.sa.gov.au, where comprehensive information about gambling support services is available.
South Australia's regulatory framework requires gaming venues to hold appropriate licensing and maintain gaming machine entitlements for each machine in operation. Avenues complies with all regulatory requirements and maintains its 40-machine entitlement through Consumer and Business Services South Australia.
Address: St Peter's, 106 Payneham Road, Stepney SA 5069, Australia
Located within: Avenues Shopping Centre
Phone: (08) 8362 3500
Email: info@avenuestavern.com.au
Website: avenuestavern.com.au
Gaming Room Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Bistro Service:
Tuesday-Saturday from 12:00 PM
Coffee, cake, and light snacks from noon daily
Whilst specific membership program details aren't extensively publicised, regular patrons benefit from becoming known to staff who often provide personalised service and may advise of special promotions. The venue occasionally runs promotional events and specials, which can be found on their "What's On" section of the website.
The weekly rotating specials board in the bistro provides regular variety for dining patrons, ensuring frequent visitors experience menu diversity beyond the core seasonal offerings.
The Avenues Shopping Centre location provides exceptional convenience for combining pokies gaming with other activities. The shopping complex houses various retail outlets, allowing visitors to accomplish shopping tasks before or after gaming sessions. This integration into a functional shopping centre distinguishes Avenues from standalone pub venues.
The Stepney and Norwood areas offer diverse dining, entertainment, and shopping options within walking distance or short drives. The Parade Norwood, one of Adelaide's premier retail and dining precincts, sits approximately 2 kilometres away and features numerous restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and entertainment venues.
For accommodation needs, several hotels and motels operate throughout the eastern suburbs, though Avenues itself doesn't provide accommodation facilities. Visitors from interstate or regional South Australia typically stay in nearby Norwood, St. Peter's, or Adelaide CBD areas, where numerous accommodation options exist across various price points.
Avenues Café & Bar represents an excellent choice for pokies gaming in Adelaide's eastern suburbs. The combination of 40 modern gaming machines, exceptionally generous complimentary refreshments, friendly, attentive staff, and a convenient shopping centre location creates an attractive package for both regular players and occasional visitors.
Whilst larger venues like Adelaide Casino obviously offer greater machine numbers and 24-hour operations, Avenues provides what many players prefer: a local, welcoming atmosphere where staff remember your name and preferences, where you're not just another customer feeding coins into machines. The venue's commitment to cleanliness, player comfort, and responsible service establishes it as a quality operator in Adelaide's competitive gaming market.
For pokies enthusiasts seeking a friendly local venue with quality equipment, reasonable food and beverage prices, excellent parking, and staff who genuinely care about customer experience, Avenues Café & Bar delivers consistently positive experiences that explain its solid reputation and loyal patronage.
The gaming room operates Monday-Thursday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Fridays from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and Sundays from 9:00 AM to midnight. These extended hours provide flexibility for players across different schedules throughout the week.
Avenues Café & Bar features 40 of the latest gaming machines in a spacious, well-designed gaming room. The machines are positioned with ample spacing between them to ensure player comfort during gaming sessions.
Gaming patrons receive complimentary barista espresso coffee, soft drinks, and house-made nibbles prepared by the venue's kitchen staff. This generous hospitality sets Avenues apart from many competing venues that charge for basic refreshments.
Yes, the venue provides a safe, secure, well-lit car park with free parking spaces. There is also free street parking available, with information indicating the venue usually has plenty of parking available. The car park features two entry doors directly into the gaming room for convenience and security.
The bistro operates Tuesday-Saturday, serving a seasonal menu featuring small plates, brunch options, and classic pub meals. Coffee, cake and light snacks are available from noon daily. Most meals fall in the A$20-40 price range, making dining affordable alongside gaming activities.
You can reach the venue by phoning (08) 8362 3500 or emailing info@avenuestavern.com.au. The venue is located at St Peter's, 106 Payneham Road, Stepney SA 5069, within the Avenues Shopping Centre. The website avenuestavern.com.au provides additional information.
Yes, several alternative venues operate within proximity, including The Maid & Magpie Hotel (33 machines at 1 Magill Road, Stepney), Alma Tavern (state-of-the-art gaming room at 66 Magill Road, Norwood), Norwood Hotel (40 machines at 95 The Parade, Norwood), and Payneham Tavern (673 Payneham Road, Payneham). Each venue offers different atmospheres and amenities.
Yes, the venue provides wheelchair accessible parking and facilities. This ensures patrons with mobility requirements can access all gaming and hospitality areas comfortably.
Avenues displays responsible gambling information throughout the venue, including Gambling Helpline contact details (1800 858 858) and references to problemgambling.sa.gov.au, where comprehensive support information is available. Staff are trained to recognise problem gambling signs and provide appropriate assistance.