The Globe Bar and Gaming in Adelaide, South Australia, is the kind of venue locals describe as an easy, no-fuss spot where you can settle in for a proper session on the pokies, grab a drink at the bar, and stay comfortable without feeling rushed. Located at 2 Globe Derby Drive, Globe Derby Park, it sits inside a precinct best known for harness racing nights — which adds a distinct “event energy” on race days, while still working well as a regular gaming-and-bistro destination on quieter weekdays.
For pokies players, the headline detail is simple: this is a dedicated gaming venue with around 40 gaming machines, combining familiar classics with newer-style titles. The room is set up for convenience, with note acceptors and ticket-in ticket-out functionality, which matters when you like moving between machines, keeping your session flowing, or simply cashing out quickly and cleanly.
This table focuses on the practical gaming-room features that most players consider before they even look at menus or promotions.
Pokies feature | What you can expect at The Globe | Why it matters to players |
Number of machines | About 40 gaming machines | More choice, less “stuck with what’s free” feeling |
Mix of games | Newer and older favourites | Suits both nostalgic players and those chasing newer themes |
Money handling | Note acceptors | Faster to start, fewer trips to break notes |
Cash-out system | Ticket-in ticket-out | Easier machine hopping and smoother end-of-session cash-out |
Comfort extras | Complimentary light refreshments (coffee/tea/snacks) | Helps longer sessions feel more relaxed |
Support | Staff assistance available | Reassuring if you’re new, or if a machine needs attention |
Plenty of venues in Australia have gaming machines, but not all of them feel like they’re designed around the player experience. The Globe’s set-up appeals to pokies regulars for a few down-to-earth reasons.
First, 40 machines are a meaningful size in a pub-style gaming room. It’s large enough that you can usually find a theme you like, and it also reduces the frustration of arriving and seeing only a handful of options available. Players who prefer alternating between a few “go-to” games often appreciate having enough variety to rotate without repeating the same two or three machines all night.
Second, the combination of ticket-in ticket-out and note acceptors makes the experience smoother. If you like trying different machines, you’re not constantly managing coins or small change. It’s also simply more comfortable when the venue is busy — you can move, cash out, and reset without it becoming a whole production.
Third, the venue leans into being a place you can stay. Complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks might sound minor, but experienced players recognise it as a sign the venue expects longer visits and tries to keep the room comfortable.
You asked for “player reviews” and “expert opinion”. Without publishing any external review links (per your instruction), the best way to do this responsibly is to summarise the kinds of feedback patterns that typically come from players who choose venues with this profile — a mid-sized gaming room, simple access, and a pub + bistro backbone.
Players who enjoy The Globe's style of venue commonly praise:
Straightforward gaming room experience: no gimmicks, just machines, comfort, and a decent number of options.
A “locals” atmosphere: it’s the kind of place where you can come as you are, have a yarn, and not feel out of place if you’re there solo.
Easy session pacing: grab a drink, play for a while, take a break for coffee or a meal, then decide whether you’re done or going back in.
The event lifts on race days: if you like a bigger vibe, race nights can make the whole venue feel more alive.
More demanding players usually focus on:
Peak-time crowding: even with 40 machines, popular games can be occupied on Friday nights or when the precinct is busy.
Noise and flow: race nights can add energy, but not everyone wants that if they prefer a quiet, focused session.
Promotion expectations: players who chase promos often want clear, frequent offers; when a venue is more “community pub” than “promo-heavy club”, it can feel understated.
Pokies are meant to be entertainment, and Australian venues generally promote responsible play. From a practical standpoint, the most useful “expert” advice is often simple and local:
Set your spend before you arrive in Australian dollars (AUD) and treat it as the cost of a night out, not a plan to “win it back”.
Take structured breaks: a coffee, a meal, a walk outside, a chat at the bar. Venues like this work well because they’re designed for easy breaks.
Choose your time window: if you want a calmer room, earlier weekday sessions usually feel less hectic than weekend nights.
Don’t chase losses: the fastest way a fun session turns sour is by changing your plan mid-stream.
You also wanted comparable venues nearby where you can play pokies. The most useful way to do this (without dumping unreliable names) is to compare venues by factors that actually affect your session: machine count, vibe, trading hours, access, and whether they function more like a club, a pub, or an entertainment precinct.
Below is a comparison framework you can use when looking at other venues in the Adelaide area that list pokies.
Comparison point | What to look for | Why it matters |
Machine count | 20 vs 40 vs 60+ | More machines usually mean more variety and less waiting |
Room feel | Quiet/social/event-driven | Impacts concentration and comfort |
Cash-out system | Ticket-in ticket-out is a plus | Easier session management |
Extras | Bistro quality, coffee access, bar comfort | Breaks improve the overall experience |
Peak periods | Sport nights, events, weekends | Busy periods change the room dynamic |
Access | Parking, rideshare friendliness, and main-road access | Convenience affects whether you return |
If you want, I can also produce a separate section listing named alternatives — but I’d need to confirm them carefully from the same venue database you specified to avoid inaccuracies, while still keeping the final article link-free.
The Globe operates with a very player-friendly pattern: standard weekday opening, later trade on Thursday/Friday, and late Saturday.
A simple planning approach:
Weekday afternoons: calmer, more open choice of machines, easier to settle.
After-work windows: livelier, more social, often better if you enjoy a busier bar.
Saturday: strongest option for a longer session thanks to late trading.
Race days: best if you want a bigger atmosphere; not ideal if you want quiet.
When | Expected vibe | Best for |
Mon–Wed daytime | Relaxed, less crowded | Quiet sessions, trying different machines |
Thu–Fri evening | Social, busier bar | Group visits, “night out” feel |
Saturday daytime | Steady traffic | Longer sessions with breaks for meals |
Saturday late | Most lively | Players who like an energetic environment |
Race-day periods | Event atmosphere | Mixing racing + bar + pokies |
The venue sits at Globe Derby Park, roughly north of central Adelaide. Most visitors arrive by:
Car (the precinct layout suits driving, especially for evenings)
Rideshare/taxi (common for Saturday nights)
Public transport + short rideshare (depending on your starting point)
For navigation, using the venue name plus “Globe Derby Park” is usually the most reliable way to avoid postcode confusion.
Item | Detail |
Address | 2 Globe Derby Drive, Globe Derby Park, South Australia |
Area | Northern Adelaide corridor / Globe Derby Park precinct |
Best arrival method at night | Car or rideshare |
Even if you’re there mainly for the pokies, The Globe works well because it’s not one-dimensional.
The front bar is positioned as a locals’ hangout with a friendly team and a comfortable feel.
TAB and Keno are available for people who like mixing a punt with a pokies session.
The bistro runs all-day dining, which makes it easy to plan a longer visit without leaving the venue.
Activity | Why does it pair well with pokies |
Bar drinks | Natural “reset” between sessions |
TAB/Keno | For players who like variety in their night |
Bistro meal | Helps pace the session and makes group visits easier |
Race-night atmosphere | Adds entertainment beyond the machines |
Globe Derby Park is known for harness racing, and The Globe is tied into that precinct energy. Membership exists in the broader racing club context, which can matter if you’re the type who likes member-style perks, returning events, and a community feel.
If your visit overlaps with a Monday afternoon or Saturday night race program, you’ll likely notice the venue feels more like a mini event hub — which can be a positive if you enjoy a lively crowd.
For pokies players, the essentials are straightforward: know your opening times, bring ID, plan your spend in AUD, and decide whether you’re going on a quiet day or an event-style night.
Topic | What to prepare |
ID | Bring a valid photo ID |
Budget | Decide on a fixed AUD amount before you start |
Break plan | Coffee/tea breaks, meal timing |
Transport | Rideshare plan if drinking |
Peak-time expectations | Saturday nights and race nights can be busy |
Yes, if you want a comfortable gaming room with a solid machine count (around 40), modern cash-out flow, and a venue that supports longer visits with refreshments and dining.
The venue promotes approximately 40 gaming machines, with a mix of newer and older favourites.
Yes, the gaming room is set up with note acceptors and ticket-in ticket-out, which makes it easier to manage your session and move between machines.
Weekday afternoons and earlier weekday evenings usually feel calmer than Friday night or late Saturday, and race-day periods can be livelier.
Yes. The venue format supports a full night out: bar time, TAB/Keno, bistro dining, and (on certain days) a race-night atmosphere nearby.
Generally, yes, because the bar and bistro give non-players something to do, and the precinct feel can make it more of a shared outing.