
Format had a farewell party earlier this year on Peel st after an unexpected closure. The multipurpose underground art and music hub was home to the annual Format festival and breathed new life into Peel st. Image courtesy Rip It Up.
I love
Melbourne and its laneways. It's fun to roll a huge ball of yarn around and knock over coffee tables and pedestrians (remember the Melbourne tourism ad?)
Adelaide may soon be rivalling Melbourne with the introduction of
new laws aimed at creating more
vibrant and lively streets. This means that applications for
laneway bars (with a capacity of up to 120 people) can now be fast tracked. Processing time is about
six weeks compared to several months under the previous laws.

Leigh st has been closed to traffic which has seen its emergence as a new restaurant and nightclub area. Image by writer.
Developers are set to make the most of the new laws with up to nine new bars planned for our city laneways.
Leigh street has recently seen a marked improvement into a pedestrian friendly eating and drinking spot with several restaurants and the popular
Casablabla and
Udaberri bars.

Udaberri serves cocktails, finger foods & wine. It has a live DJ and features a chill-out mezzanine level beneath the exposed timber beams of this old bank building. Image by writer.
Peel street is coming to life again with three bars being planned and the recent opening of new bar
Clever Little Tailor. Plans are afoot to connect Peel st and Leigh st with a walkway creating a vibrant restaurant and bar 'precinct'.

The southern end of Peel Street is pretty drab with 11-9 storey Office buildings either side fronting Currie st. The northern end is set to be totally revamped with several bars and restaurants planned. Image by writer.
The former
Fletcher Jones site on the corner of Hindley and Peel st will be transformed into a unique dining experience, from the same guys who put together the successful
Aquacaf in Goolwa. The appropriately named '
Shopfront Peel Street' will be open all day and about three nights a week.

New eatery 'shopfront Peel Street' will open soon in this building and will complement the new bars planned for the street. Image by writer.
Chihuahua is a new South American-themed bar expected to open this month in Peel st. Brought to you by those behind
Arcade Lane, the two-level bar will feature boutique products and décor and a fenced beer garden.

Chihuahua logo. Do we really need another Mexican bar? Image courtesy Rip It Up.
Do you think the relaxing of the licensing laws in Adelaide to encourage more bars is a good thing?
What is your favourite new bar in Adelaide? Leave a comment.

Clever Little Tailor has recently opened and is among several new bars planned for Peel street. Image by writer.