Arkaba Hotel

Sports bar review only:
The energy is electric. The crowd is diverse and the drinks are flowing. Most importantly, the sun is out for what seems like the first time this year! It is the afternoon of the AFL Grand Final (‘GF’) and the venue of choice for today’s affairs was the Arkaba. AKA ‘the Ark’, this iconic venue has been converted into a fully functioning sports bar, function venue, hotel, bottle shop, restaurant and pokie venue. It’s a pretty big joint! However, I did not run the gamut on this one so I will restrict my commentary to the sports bar.
I will preface the following by saying that I have actually been to this particular bar for a beer and a bite to eat on a regular, non-​big event weekday and it was very quiet. A few punters trying their luck on the ponies/​doggies, and a couple of barflys, but nothing like what we were in for during the GF.
It was a fun day. When I arrived (from the bus stop conveniently bang on the door step for those venturing around on public transport) I spied what seemed to be a large crowd in attendance. But as I moved closer and into the actual bar, it didn’t seem that packed at all. Comfortable enough to be able to get to the bar, grab a drink and chat to the person next to you if you so desired. Plus, we got a couple of good seats in front of a big screen to watch the game.
Be prepared for an onslaught of TVs and other external stimuli. This is a loud bar, as in loud setting (the noise isn’t actually that bad because of the high ceilings I presume). But, it was a GF and we were there to get a bit rowdy and have some fun.
The service was pretty good considering the crowd numbers, and the drinks specials were OK too. Carlton draught pints for $ 6.50. As I said — OK. The TV screens can cater for large numbers watching which was the main draw card for us for the day. A couple of my mates grabbed meals which looked to be reasonable sized (none of them sent anything back). Note that you have to order food at the bar and collect it at the serving area near the kitchen.
For what it is (a Sports bar) the Ark did not disappoint. The game was pretty boring, but the venue did a good job of keeping it light hearted and fun. There was a free raffle where you chose a players name and got a free beer every time they kicked a goal and a half time goal kicking match on an ipad (which I lost badly). All around fun day and I will definitely consider it the next time there is a big sporting event to be enjoyed.

Recently attended a Beer and Cider festival here which was upstairs — was a great event. Unfortunately we decided to have a pub lunch downstairs which ended up being one of the worst pub meals I have tried. I had the brisket burger — the meat was very scant, dry and not moist. BBQ sauce was on one side of the burger but not soaked into the meat. There were a few canned kidney beans in the burger and very few chips. I felt ripped off for paying $ 18 for it.
My friends had schnitzels — none of which were finished. The chicken portion was not very big and the crumbing was very thick and gluggy sitting around the meat. The coleslaw served on the side was quite off putting — it looked as though it had been sitting for a while. KFC coleslaw came to mind.
All in all I would not eat at the Arkaba again.

Finally I have found somewhere that serves a half schnitzel. The pain of ordering a huge schnitzel only to be unable to finish it. The chips with the schnitzel are very nice but the salad leaves something to be desired, luckily I never order a chicken parmigiana and chips with the desire to tuck into a hearty side salad.
I have had Sunday lunch here twice now. The other time I ordered a tandoori pizza. The tandoori chicken, yoghurt and cheese were great, the excessive mountain of bean sprouts were nice to start with but I could not eat my way through all of them.
A few ciders on tap so this is a good place for me for a Sunday catch up session.

A group of us headed the The Arkaba last night to see a Fringe Show. To makes things easier we decided to get dinner there beforehand. I really wanted my Arkaba experience to be a good one, because let’s be honest, they have copped a bad rap over the years. So I went along with an open mind and hopeful heart (ok, that might be a bit dramatic).
It was a huge letdown.
Despite a revamp of the front Sportys Bar, the décor in the whole place is incredibly dated. The menu had a fair selection, albeit with some strange choices (egg on a beef schnitzel anyone?). Once we ordered we waited… and waited… and waited. We actually played a game taking it turns to go to the toilet because you know how your meal always arrives while you’re in the toilet?
After close to 45 minutes (and let’s remember we had tickets to the show upstairs — no one wants to be the person that walks in late to a comedy show) I asked a waitress how much longer we could expect to wait. She said 2 minutes more. It was closer to 10.
Once the food came out, we had to shovel it in so quickly to get to the show in time. But perhaps that was a good thing as it was awful & I don’t think any of us wanted to prolong the experience any further. Two of us had burgers & the rolls were freezing like they had just come out the fridge or even freezer. One in our group had gnocchi, which she thought was more like a warm tomato-​y mess.
I really wanted it to be good… but next time I go to a show there, I’m sad to say I’ll be dining at another restaurant nearby.
The two stars are for the fries… they were ok.

A Unilocaler below hit the nail on the head describing the atmosphere as that of an 80’s ski lodge!
it seems the older you get the more you fit in at the ark, not the adelaide hotspot for under 30’s, unless your looking to pick up a cougar/​sugardaddy! — if so then this is the place for you… once you realise you fit in here, your past your prime!
that being said, its not a bad place to go for a fun night out, but its not a great place either!

Since my fellow Unilocalers have pretty much covered The Ark, I’ll just briefly mention the accommodation.
I’ve stayed here after a few functions at the Ark left me unable to drive home. The rooms are actually surprisingly nice and modern. I think I was expecting something a lot less that what it actually was.
The bed was comfortable, and it had all the usual amenities you’d expect in a medium range hotel. From inside the room, I couldn’t hear the noise of the pub or the traffic either, which is great. I’m always a little wary of the noise levels at pub based accommodations.

Haha, The Arkaba.
My family and I have come here quite a few times for dinner, and it’s not too bad actually. It’s quite nearby, so we find it practical.
I’ve had the Atlantic salmon, which wasn’t bad considering the (more) affordable price. The steak is good too.
My favourite here: the dessert! The apple crumble is really good, but the chocolate ice cream with chocolate cover peanuts and other chocolatey bits is even better! I get it every time after my meal.
The staff are friendly too, but I think they have to revamp the place or add more lighting — it gets a bit dark and depressing sometimes. And yes, I feel like this place is for the over 30s. Maybe after a revamp they’ll attract a younger crowd, if that’s what they’re going for. You never know, it might turn into the next Cremorne…

Do you like 80’s ski lodges? Because if they’re like how I imagine they’re like — then you’ll LOVE the Arkaba. Set on the fringe of Adelaide City, the Arkaba is a huge establishment that seems to always be full of seminars, sales pitches and support groups.
It has everything:
A stereotypical depressing pokies room that once would have been smoky until laws changed, the typical players stay in this room, tracksuit wearing mainly.
The restaurant is very pub like, but always full. The lamb shanks are tasty but took over an hour to come out — but we were compensated with drinks. The menu is not very gluten free friendly and the staff seemed ignorant as to what gluten is. The bar area is big and the bar menu is a lot more casual with schnitzels, burgers, calamari and chips.
There is a huge function room upstairs which hats a giant disco mirror ball and is host to some huge comedy events during the year, including DVD tapings for local Adelaide comedians, Fringe shows and the RAW comedy gigs. Every Tuesday throughout the year, the Arkaba upstairs has local Adelaide comedy, but the room — which is big enough for 600 people — is too big for the small weekly comedy crowds (about 50).
The Arkaba is always hosting special events — for Australia day, new years eve, st pats day, valentines day and christmas.
The Arkaba is a huge venue that has its fingers dipped in every pie (including accommodation, which I haven’t experienced) and they’re giving it a good crack.
It just looks really old.

My first tip if you’re a female is, do not flick the light switch on the way out of the ladies bathroom. This switch turns off the lights to the whole bathroom, not just the little swing door bit. Don’t do this twice, either. Angry cougars with lipstick smudged for a different reason.
The most fun I ever had here was upstairs on the dancefloor, I was wearing a superman t-​shirt, I got so many high fives for this and I’m still not sure why, must be a generational thing…
The Ark is quite a large venue, lots of areas pumping music over the weekend, I cant say I’ve ever eaten or stayed here (yes there are rooms available, all you cougar hunters) I have seriously sterotyped this venue I know, but it’s good fun even if it’s just for the people watching! Drinks aren’t too badly priced, it did seem like the main beverage on offer was Bacardi Breezers though.
Décor is a bit dated, reminds me of airline carpet! Sometimes you may feel like the walls are closing in on you, I dont think it’s the walls though, I think it may be the people… this is the time to leave.
If you like dancing the night away to Abba then get on over to the Arkaba and own the dancefloor.

I’ve only just reached the demographic where the Arkaba is particularly appropriate (30+) so I’ve rarely been to the Ark on a night out but I’m sure I will start to.
What I have been to the Ark for is performances/​events held upstairs. The cabaret style theatre has ample room for people to watch comedians, singers, quiz nights, which are held here every week.
One of the best things about the set up, is that even when packed, the theatre maintains easy access to the bar, exit or toilets with a walk way that runs around the space.
Drinks are average in price. Some events allow food service upstairs, but if you’re hungry, there is pub food on offer downstairs and the Sports bar has good nibbles. Bar staff serving at the bars are fast and efficient, bar staff that serve food at the events unfortunately let the service down.

The Arkaba used to be known as the ‘grab a granny’ venue of Adelaide, however it appears lately, Noah has let less dinosaurs on board the Ark, and more cougars (which is definitely a good thing).
There is a huge venue upstairs used for live entertainment such as comedy, latino dancing and cover bands. Downstairs areas also house live music, and there is a huge gaming area (If that is your thing).
I was here on a Saturday night, and the place was absolutely packed. I chose to retreat to the outdoor areas, but had to navigate through the Labyrinth downstairs first.
Hop on board the Ark, I say, and take home a cougar.