Tucked into the southern suburbs of Adelaide, Colonnades is one of South Australia's most recognised regional shopping and entertainment destinations. Located on Beach Road in Noarlunga Centre SA 5168, the centre draws locals from across the Onkaparinga council area and beyond — not just for its 170-plus stores but also for the lively atmosphere at the Colonnades Tavern, where pokies players have been spinning reels and enjoying cold drinks for years. Whether you're a regular punter heading in for a few spins on your favourite machine, or someone curious about what this southside landmark has to offer, there is genuinely something here for everyone.
The Colonnades Tavern, which sits externally near Ramsey Place at the Colonnades Shopping Complex on Beach Road, is the beating heart of pokies entertainment in the area. Trading under the banner of the 5th Quarter sports bar and dining room, the tavern has cultivated a reputation as the go-to local for punters who want a proper gaming experience paired with great food and a genuine pub atmosphere.
The gaming room at the Colonnades Tavern is kitted out with an up-to-date selection of electronic gaming machines (EGMs). For South Australian players, the experience is shaped by state regulations, which mean machines operate under strict rules around bet limits, game speed and player notifications — all designed to keep gaming enjoyable and responsible. The Tavern fully embraces these obligations and goes further through its participation in the PlaySmart Harm Minimisation program, giving players real control over how they engage with the gaming floor.
The venue also houses a dedicated TAB bar, entirely separate from the gaming room. This means punters who enjoy a punt on the horses, AFL, NRL or any other code can do so without crowding out the pokie floor. Multiple screens throughout the TAB bar make sure nothing is missed, and the full food and beverage menu is accessible from anywhere in the venue.
Below is a snapshot of what the Colonnades Tavern gaming setup offers:
Feature | Details |
Venue Name | 5th Quarter at Colonnades Tavern |
Gaming Type | Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies) |
TAB | Yes — dedicated TAB bar, separate from gaming room |
SA Lotteries | Yes — available in venue |
Loyalty Programme | Jackpot Club J-Card (free membership) |
Responsible Gaming | PlaySmart Harm Minimisation Program |
Gaming Hours (Mon–Fri) | 8:00am – 2:00am |
Gaming Hours (Saturday) | 8:00am – 3:00am |
Gaming Hours (Sunday) | 9:00am – 2:00am |
Phone | (08) 8384 3166 |
The combination of pokies, TAB, and SA Lotteries under one roof makes the Colonnades Tavern one of the most rounded gaming destinations on Adelaide's southern fringe. The gaming room itself is designed for comfort — patrons are in a relaxed environment, and the venue's extended trading hours (until 2:00am most nights, and 3:00am on Saturdays) mean there's no rush to finish your session early.
One of the standout features of playing pokies at the Colonnades Tavern is the access it grants to the Jackpot Club rewards programme. Membership is free — you simply ask a staff member to sign you up at the venue, and you'll be issued a J-Card on the spot.
Once you have your J-Card, every dollar you spend across the gaming machines, at the bar, at the bottle shop, and on meals contributes points to your account. Those points translate into tangible benefits — whether that's free meals, drinks vouchers or other exclusive offers. For regular visitors who were already spending at the Tavern, the J-Card is essentially a way of earning rewards for something they'd be doing anyway.
The PlaySmart element of the J-Card is worth mentioning in its own right. Through the programme, card holders can set their own personal spending and time limits directly linked to their J-Card. If you set a daily or weekly limit, the system enforces it at the machine level, preventing spend beyond what you've chosen. This kind of built-in harm minimisation is something South Australian gaming venues are obligated to offer, and the Colonnades Tavern puts it front and centre rather than burying it in the fine print.
If you ever find that gaming is no longer enjoyable, or you have concerns about your own or someone else's behaviour, confidential support is available 24 hours a day by calling 1800 858 858 or visiting gamblinghelponline.org.au.
The 5th Quarter at Colonnades Tavern holds an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5 based on nearly 500 reviews — a solid result for a suburban pub that competes against a saturated market. Reviewers consistently call out the friendliness of the staff, the value of the meals and the quality of the gaming environment as the venue's strongest points.
Here is a selection of verified patron feedback from real visits to the venue:
Reviewer | Date | Key Feedback |
Danielle Kindleyside | July 2024 | "Amazing food and cocktails. The staff were super friendly. 10/10 will eat here again." |
Trudy Docking | January 2024 | "Really impressed — fed a family of four with drinks for outstanding value. Modern décor, friendly staff." |
Glenn Oldfield | September 2023 | "Wings night was awesome. Great value, terrific atmosphere. We will definitely be back." |
Sean Skelding | September 2023 | "Service is quick and friendly. Food is great value and quality. Meat tray raffle every Friday." |
Anonymous Regular | Ongoing | "Always friendly, smiling staff and the food is very enjoyable. I recommend it to everyone." |
From a gaming perspective, players report that the venue maintains its machines well, with a selection that balances classic titles familiar to long-time Australian pokies players alongside newer additions. There are no complaints about long waits for machines, and the extended hours mean the floor rarely feels overcrowded, even on Friday and Saturday nights.
Gaming industry observers in South Australia have noted that the Colonnades Tavern has positioned itself sensibly in the local market. Rather than relying purely on pokies revenue, the venue invests heavily in its food, beverage, sports and live entertainment offerings, which creates a more sustainable and enjoyable atmosphere for gaming patrons. In practical terms, this means you're unlikely to find yourself sitting alone in a poorly lit room — the energy from the 5th Quarter dining area and the TAB bar spills across the whole venue, keeping the mood lively.
The Colonnades Tavern might be the most convenient option for locals at Noarlunga Centre, but the southern suburbs of Adelaide have a handful of other venues where pokies players are equally well catered for. If you're in the area for a day or staying on the Fleurieu Peninsula, here's what else is within a reasonable drive.
The pokies landscape around Noarlunga reflects the broader South Australian pattern — most gaming machines sit in licensed hotels and taverns rather than standalone casinos, and the atmosphere at each venue tends to be pub-focused rather than casino-formal. This suits a lot of players perfectly, since it means you can have a parma and a pot while you play.
Venue | Address | Machines | Gaming Hours | Loyalty Programme |
Colonnades Tavern (5th Quarter) | Beach Rd, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168 | Multiple EGMs | Mon–Fri 8am–2am, Sat 8am–3am, Sun 9am–2am | Jackpot Club J-Card |
Old Noarlunga Hotel | 38 Patapinda Road, Old Noarlunga SA 5168 | 40 machines | 7 days, 8am–2am | Jackpot Club J-Card |
Port Noarlunga Hotel | 2 Gawler Street, Port Noarlunga SA 5167 | 33 machines | Daily 8am–2am | Jackpot Club J-Card |
893 South Road, Clarence Gardens SA 5039 | Multiple EGMs | Daily from 9am | Local rewards scheme |
Old Noarlunga Hotel is probably the closest alternative to the Colonnades Tavern for residents of the immediate area. Known locally as "The Oldy," the venue recently refurbished its gaming room and now boasts 40 machines across a modern, well-lit space with banknote acceptors, a private entrance and comfortable seating. Complimentary barista-made coffee and snacks are available for gaming patrons throughout the day, which is a nice touch that elevates the experience above the typical suburban pub standard. Like the Colonnades Tavern, The Oldy is part of the Jackpot Club network, so your J-Card points accumulate across both venues.
Port Noarlunga Hotel, sitting just a short drive from the main Noarlunga Centre, offers 33 carefully selected gaming machines in what management describes as a "relaxed gaming room." Titles like Dolphin Treasure and Jewel of Arabia are among the crowd favourites, alongside newer games that have become popular with regulars. The hotel also runs its own TAB bar, separate from the gaming floor, and has daily promotions that can make a session particularly rewarding. Complimentary tea, coffee and snacks are available for gaming patrons here as well, and the venue prides itself on standout service.
Avoca Hotel in Clarence Gardens rounds out the nearby options for punters who don't mind a slightly longer drive up South Road. The Avoca is well regarded in the area for its bistro and gaming lounge, and it holds consistently strong ratings among Adelaide pub-goers. Its location at 893 South Road makes it accessible from most parts of the southern suburbs, and the gaming area is kept separate from the main dining spaces, giving players the focus and quiet they need.
Colonnades sits on Beach Road in Noarlunga Centre, and getting there is genuinely straightforward from most parts of greater Adelaide. The centre is approximately 30 kilometres south of the Adelaide CBD, and the Southern Expressway makes the drive quick and easy — most people from the city are pulling into the car park within 30 to 35 minutes. From McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Colonnades is typically a 20-to-25 minute drive heading north.
For those travelling by public transport, bus routes service Noarlunga Centre regularly, and the O-Bahn and train network connects to nearby Noarlunga Centre station. From there, the shopping complex is within a short walking distance, and the Tavern is accessible from the external perimeter of the complex near Ramsey Place.
Parking at Colonnades is never a stress. The centre provides more than 1,000 parking spaces across its car parks, meaning even on the busiest trading days — Thursdays (late night) and weekends — you should find a spot without circling for more than a few minutes. For gaming patrons at the Tavern, there are also dedicated entry points that don't require you to walk through the full shopping centre.
Below is a quick reference for getting oriented once you arrive:
Access Type | Details |
By Car | Beach Road, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168. Southern Expressway from Adelaide CBD. |
By Public Transport | Bus services to Noarlunga Centre; short walk from Noarlunga Centre station. |
Parking | 1,000+ spaces. Free parking throughout the centre precinct. |
Tavern Access | External entry near Ramsey Place. Separate from main shopping mall entry. |
Beyond the Tavern, Colonnades Shopping Centre operates a full suite of services designed to make visiting as convenient as possible. The Customer Service Desk, located within the centre, handles everything from gift card purchases and balance checks to general centre enquiries. Free WiFi is available throughout the centre, so you can stay connected while you shop, dine or wait for your next gaming session.
Gift cards are a popular option at Colonnades, and they make excellent presents for people who'd rather choose their own purchases. Cards can be loaded with any amount and are accepted at most specialty stores and major retailers throughout the centre where EFTPOS is available. Note that cash payments for gift cards are no longer accepted — transactions need to be contactless, EFTPOS or credit card. A $2.95 issuance fee applies, and standard terms and conditions govern the cards.
Here is a summary of the key services on offer at Colonnades:
Service | Details |
Free WiFi | Available throughout the entire centre |
Gift Cards | Accepted at most stores; $2.95 issuance fee; no cash payments |
Customer Service Desk | Located within the centre; handles general enquiries |
Centre Management Office | Ground Floor, Commonwealth Building, near ANZ Bank |
Pop-Up Retail | Short-term retail spaces available for new and emerging brands |
Leasing | Long-term leasing enquiries handled through Centre Management |
ATMs | ANZ (internal and external), Commonwealth Bank, BankSA |
Banking | ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, BankSA branches all within the centre |
The standard centre trading hours at Colonnades follow a pattern typical of South Australian retail — slightly earlier starts and earlier closes Monday through Wednesday and Friday, a late-night Thursday for those who work during the day, and modified hours on the weekend. Individual store hours can vary, particularly for food and specialty retailers, so it's always worth checking directly with a specific store if timing is tight.
The Colonnades Tavern and its 5th Quarter gaming room operate on its own schedule, which is considerably longer than the main shopping centre. This is what makes it such a practical option for after-work gaming, late Friday nights and Saturday evenings.
Day | Shopping Centre Hours | Colonnades Tavern / Gaming Hours |
Monday | 9:00am – 5:30pm | 8:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
Tuesday | 9:00am – 5:30pm | 8:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
Wednesday | 9:00am – 5:30pm | 8:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
Thursday | 9:00am – 9:00pm | 8:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
Friday | 9:00am – 5:30pm | 8:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
Saturday | 9:00am – 5:00pm | 8:00am – 3:00am (following day) |
Sunday | 9:00am – 5:00pm | 9:00am – 2:00am (following day) |
The Thirsty Camel bottle shop, which is attached to the Colonnades Tavern, operates its own hours: open from 10:00am until 9:00pm, making it a useful stop for takeaway beverages before or after a session on the pokies.
One of the things that sets the 5th Quarter at Colonnades Tavern apart from straight gaming venues is the quality of its food. The kitchen produces proper pub meals — think house-made schnitzels with chips, salad and gravy, wings nights that locals rave about, and a family-friendly menu with generous portions. The Tuesday night schnitzel special is frequently called out in reviews as exceptional value, regularly drawing families and couples who might otherwise cook at home.
The broader Colonnades precinct adds further dining variety. Within the shopping centre itself, the food court and dining precinct includes options ranging from Zambrero (Mexican), Hungry Jack's, KFC, Kintaro Sushi, Gong Cha, Soul Origin, Grandalf's Burgers and Tacos, and several Asian cuisine spots. For a coffee before or after gaming, Gloria Jean's, Boost Juice and several smaller cafés are all within easy walking distance of the Tavern entrance.
For punters who appreciate a drink with their gaming session, the Colonnades Tavern's bar has an extensive selection on tap and in bottles. The full-service bar means you never have to leave the floor to refresh, and staff are attentive without being intrusive.
Whether you need to reach the Colonnades Shopping Centre team for a general inquiry or want to speak with someone at the Tavern directly, the contact options below cover all situations.
Contact | Phone | Hours |
Customer Service Desk | (08) 8486 5700 | Mon–Wed & Fri 9am–5:30pm; Thu 9am–9pm; Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm |
Centre Management Office | (08) 8384 2000 | Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (closed weekends and public holidays) |
Colonnades Tavern | (08) 8384 3166 | In line with gaming/tavern trading hours |
Centre Address | Beach Road, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168 | — |
Problem Gambling Helpline | 1800 858 858 | 24/7, free, confidential |
The Centre Management Office is physically located just outside the main centre in the Commonwealth Building Ground Floor, near the ANZ Bank branch. If you have leasing, pop-up retail or commercial enquiries, this is the office to contact during business hours.
The Colonnades precinct extends well beyond its internal stores. Bunnings Warehouse operates adjacent to the main centre footprint, making it a highly practical destination for tradies and home renovators heading south from the city. Dan Murphy's is also part of the complex, giving liquor shoppers a reason to combine a trip to the bottle-o with a session at the Tavern.
For fitness enthusiasts, both Anytime Fitness and Goodlife Health Club operate within the centre, running around the clock or near enough to it — handy if you want to knock out a workout before or after heading to the gaming room. The array of banks and ATMs (ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, BankSA) within the shopping centre means access to cash is never an issue, though note that EGMs in South Australia accept banknotes directly, so a machine-side ATM visit is rarely necessary.
The Old Noarlunga area surrounding the centre has a relaxed, suburban-south character. The Onkaparinga River is a short drive away, the beaches at Port Noarlunga are just minutes down the road, and the McLaren Vale wine region begins within 20 minutes' drive heading further south. This makes Colonnades a practical midpoint stop for day-trippers who combine wine country, beaches and a bit of gaming entertainment all in one outing.
The pokies venue at Colonnades is the Colonnades Tavern, which operates its gaming floor under the 5th Quarter sports bar and dining brand. It is located externally on the Colonnades Shopping Complex precinct near Ramsey Place on Beach Road, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168.
The gaming room at the Colonnades Tavern is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 2:00am the following morning, Saturday from 8:00am until 3:00am, and Sunday from 9:00am until 2:00am.
No membership is required to play pokies at the Colonnades Tavern. However, signing up for the free Jackpot Club J-Card is strongly recommended, as it allows you to earn points on gaming, meals and drinks, and also lets you set personal spending and time limits through the PlaySmart programme.
The closest alternatives include the Old Noarlunga Hotel (40 machines, 8am–2am daily) on Patapinda Road, the Port Noarlunga Hotel (33 machines, 8am–2am daily) on Gawler Street, and the Avoca Hotel on South Road in Clarence Gardens. All are within a 10-to-15 minute drive.
Yes. The Colonnades Tavern has its own TAB bar, which is kept entirely separate from the gaming room. The TAB bar features multiple screens showing live racing and sport, and the full menu and bar service are available throughout.
Absolutely. The 5th Quarter dining area operates independently, and there is no obligation to visit the gaming room at all. The kitchen is well regarded for its pub meals, and the venue welcomes families, couples and groups who are simply there for a meal and a drink.
For general customer service enquiries, call (08) 8486 5700. For Centre Management, call (08) 8384 2000. To reach the Colonnades Tavern directly, call (08) 8384 3166.
Yes. Colonnades Shopping Centre provides more than 1,000 free parking spaces. The car park services both the shopping centre and the tavern, making it convenient for visitors who combine shopping and gaming in a single visit.
The Colonnades Tavern participates in the PlaySmart Harm Minimisation programme and is a member of the Jackpot Club, which allows J-Card holders to set personal limits on their gaming. For confidential support, the Gambling Help Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 858 858.
Yes. SA Lotteries products are available at the Colonnades Tavern. There is also a dedicated Colonnades Lotto Kiosk within the main shopping centre for lottery purchases.