Among the art studios, phở restaurants and noisy pubs of Adelaide’s west end, there is a haven of calm. People gather after work to enjoy some wine, and a few simple snacks, and to be soothed by a carefully selected vinyl record. Nearly is a diligently designed bar that opened in January 2023; the idea was to buy a high-end sound system so co-owner Tom Paxton – a longtime vinyl collector – could bring in a box of records to spin each week.
On a recent visit, classic records by Lauryn Hill, Led Zeppelin and A Tribe Called Quest were in queue for the turntable. At Nearly, music fills the space, complementing the warm colours of local artist Cécile Gariépy’s wine-themed sculptures and paintings. At the curvy-edged tables and bar, South Australian wines are on pour.
