Original Adelaide small bar Proof honours the classics, says co-owner Shane Ettridge

The Hendrick’s Curious Gin Trail is back at Adelaide Fringe right now, with 10 great bars to visit showing just how good the cocktail scene is in Adelaide right now.

Proof got hold of the very first Adelaide small bar license when they were first introduced, opening in 2013 down a then little used laneway in the CBD.

Well, Proof turns 12 years old this August, which puts it neatly into icon status for Adelaide small bars, and you’ll still find co-owner Shane Ettridge kicking about the place today.

Below, he talks to Hendrick’s ambassador James MacRae — you may know him as Wee James — about what to expect at Proof, their classic service style, and what Fringe is doing for hospo in the city.

JAMES: Tell us who you are, and where we are?

SHANE: My name’s Shane, as you know Jimmy. We’ve had Proof Wine Bar since 2013, so we’ll be celebrating 12 years this August. Myself and my mate Joe, we kicked this off and we’re happy — we’re still having a great time 12 years on.

Amazing. And tell us about these fabulous drinks that you’ve lined up?

Yeah, for sure. So with Hendrick’s in mind, one drink is the Lunar Del Rey. We’ve used some Davidson plum liqueur and some salt, they work famously together. Salted plum is a beautiful combination. And the Hendrick’s Lunar is a lovely mellow style of Hendrick’s gin, but still has a great citrus kick.

It’s going to be a great drink pre or post Fringe show.

And the next drink, using the Hendrick’s original, we have Fringe Benefits. We get the muddler out of retirement, we muddle up some ginger and then that’s added to some pineapple juice, some Lillet Blanc and then a healthy measure of the original Hendrick’s Gin. We shake that vigorously, double strain.

Alright, so if you’ve never been to Proof before, what should you expect?

It’s a great question. You walk through the door, you’re right into the bar. So you should expect a a really enthusiastic welcome upon entry. We’ll get a menu in your hand if you need it. If not, let’s just get a drink in your hand as fast as possible. It might be a cold draft beer off the tap, a really lovely gin and tonic or a refreshing glass of Clare Valley riesling. We’ve got you sorted.

We value the classic service style and looking after our punters from the moment they walk into the farewell. That’s Proof.

And what’s the Fringe period like for you guys?

Fringe, what a great time for South Australia and Adelaide, and we’re now seeing South Australia spread out our festivals really thoughtfully. Fringe now is moving away from just the East End, there are venues through the centre of Adelaide, and then down into the west and it’s really starting to encompass all of the city. So it’s a great time to show the venue and Adelaide hospitality to a lot of people from interstate, and lot of people from internationally as well, which is a great deal of fun.

Okay. We have the Hendrick’s Curious Gin Trail again this year — where would you start off your night, if it’s not Proof?

There’s some fabulous venues on here obviously. I’d head over to Malt & Juniper. The cocktail game there is outstanding and they nail the classics really well, but have also got some fairly exciting twists on those classics. Joe and I pop in there for a whiskey and a gin fairly regularly. And then it’s party time at Memphis Slims. That certainly might be where I end up, which is great fun. And then Hains & Co. has really pushed it, and the gin and whisky selection in there and obviously rum has been a thing they’ve been doing for a while, it is outstanding. You can go there and leave a little lighter in the pocket, but jeez, you’ve had a great deal of fun.

Lunar Del Ray

• 45ml Hendrick’s Lunar
• 30ml Davidson plum liqueur
• 30ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml sugar + salt (a pinch)

Fringe Benefits

• 45ml Hendrick’s Gin
• 30ml Lilet Blanc
• 45ml Fresh Pineapple juice
• 30ml Fresh lemon juice
• 15ml sugar syrup