Hindley Street
Hindley Street is located in Adelaide, Australia. It is the city's best-known nightlife street and functions as an unofficial red-light district. The area is lined with pubs, bars, nightclubs, late-night restaurants, sex shops, adult entertainment venues and a number of massage parlours. Although far less concentrated than the traditional red-light districts found in some other Australian cities, Hindley Street remains the centre of Adelaide's adult nightlife.
Most escort services now operate online rather than on the street. Independent escorts commonly advertise through escort directories and Dating Apps, including Tinder, while street prostitution has become much less common due to police attention and the growth of online advertising.
Contents
Bars and Nightclubs
Hindley Street is Adelaide's main entertainment strip and is busiest on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. It attracts students, tourists, backpackers and locals, with dozens of pubs, cocktail bars, sports bars and late-night clubs within a few blocks.
Beer prices generally range from AUD $8-12, with happy hour specials available at many venues. Entry to most pubs is free, while larger nightclubs may charge AUD $10-25 depending on the event.
Several LGBTQ+ venues and inclusive bars are located around Hindley Street and nearby streets, making the area the centre of Adelaide's gay nightlife.
Strip Clubs
Several adult entertainment venues operate on or close to Hindley Street. Most focus on topless or nude performances, private dances and stage shows rather than prostitution.
Private dances generally cost between AUD $30-80 depending on the venue and duration. Cover charges are usually free to AUD $20 on busy weekends.
Customers should confirm prices before purchasing drinks or private dances, as packages and minimum drink requirements vary between venues.
See also Strip club and How to Behave in Strip Clubs.
Escorts
Most commercial sex in Adelaide now takes place through independent escorts and escort agencies rather than street solicitation.
Escorts are widely available throughout the CBD and commonly provide hotel outcalls. Independent providers advertise primarily through escort directories, classified websites and Dating Apps such as Tinder.
Typical prices are approximately:
- 30 minutes: AUD $150-250
- 1 hour: AUD $250-400
- Overnight: from AUD $1,000
Street workers are occasionally seen around Hindley Street, Waymouth Street and nearby CBD streets late at night, but their numbers have declined considerably over recent years.
Massage Parlors
Numerous massage parlours operate around Hindley Street, Waymouth Street, King William Street and the surrounding CBD. Most advertise legitimate massage services, while some offer additional services by private negotiation.
Many establishments are Asian-operated, although ownership and staff vary considerably.
Typical prices:
- 30 minutes: AUD $60-90
- 1 hour: AUD $80-120
See also Massage Parlor Etiquette.
Sex Shops
Several sex shops operate along Hindley Street and nearby King William Street, selling sex toys, lingerie, lubricants, sex films, novelties and condoms. Most remain open until late evening on weekends. For potency pills, you need to go phamacy.
Where to Stay
Hindley Street offers numerous hotels, serviced apartments, hostels and backpacker accommodation within walking distance of Adelaide's nightlife.
Many hotels are considered girl-friendly, although visitors should always confirm individual guest policies before booking.
Rooms facing Hindley Street can be noisy until the early hours of the morning, particularly on weekends.
Stay Safe
Hindley Street is generally safe but becomes crowded after dark, particularly on weekends.
Common issues include drunken dudes wanting to fight, aggressive begging and petty theft. Drug use is sometimes visible late at night around transport hubs and quieter side streets, but usually they are not the issue.
Police maintain a regular presence throughout the entertainment district.
As elsewhere, confirm prices before entering strip clubs or massage parlours, keep valuables secure, and avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
