Lumen Bar once again lights up North Terrace amongst Illuminate Adelaide's City Lights trail. The buzzing sanctuary brings the community together on campus to unwind and soak up the winter glow of the city.
Lumen Bar. Credit: Jon Wah
City Lights is a free public program running from Friday 4 July to Sunday 20 July featuring large-scale installations, projections and interactive works from local and international artists across iconic sites in Adelaide.
Amongst the installations, Goodman Lawns at the University of Adelaide becomes home to the beloved pop-up Lumen Bar, a cosy winter haven created in collaboration with the National Wine Centre.
Now in its fifth season, Lumen Bar takes a subtle retro look this year with a 1970s-inspired lounge complete with conversation pits, while a flowing textile canopy by Tetrik Structure adds a sleek modern edge. A nightly lineup of vinyl DJs, local bites and University alumni wines welcome visitors to settle into the warmth and rhythm of the space.
Meanwhile within Bonython Hall, audiences can experience SomniUs - an interactive artwork by UK-based studio illumaphonium, featuring over six metres of LEDs and nearly a thousand light bars. The immersive field pattern of light and sound shifts in response to human movement, exploring our deep connection to each other and nature.
Illuminate Adelaide has partnered with the University of Adelaide since 2021 with a focus on free programming. This year marks the beginning of a new partnership between Illuminate Adelaide and Australia's newest major university, Adelaide University - the amalgamation of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia which will officially open in 2026.
(L-R) Lee Cumberlidge, Professor Jessica Gallagher, Rachael Azzopardi and Professor Craig Batty. Credit: Jon Wah
The partnership supports both Lumen Bar and City Lights and will continue through to 2028 reflecting a shared commitment to community engagement.
"We're proud to showcase our city campus as a hub for creativity and connection and strengthen our ongoing partnership with Illuminate Adelaide through Adelaide University," says Professor Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), Adelaide University.
"Hosting Lumen and City Lights on North Terrace not only celebrates world-class artists, but also brings our community together to see the campus in a whole new light."
Illuminate Adelaide Co-Founders and Creative Directors, Lee Cumberlidge and Rachael Azzopardi say the University plays an important role in the city activations.
"We're delighted to continue our partnership with Adelaide University," Cumberlidge and Azzopardi say.
"The innovative precinct and outstanding facilities are a critical part of our activation of iconic city sites, attracting millions of attendances to the University campus every year."
The food and drink menu at Lumen Bar highlights local produce, featuring snacks like whipped ricotta with honey, karaage fried chicken, sun-dried tomato arancini, and lamb kofta with tzatziki, plus larger plates including orecchiette with slow-braised beef ragu and kangaroo osso bucco. Cheese and charcuterie boards are also available for grazing well into the evening.
SomniUs by illumaphonium in Bonython Hall. Credit: Jack Fenby
A curated selection of wine is available from University of Adelaide alumni winemakers, who are also hosting midweek wine tastings and oyster nights.
Yangarra Estate Vineyard head winemaker and 1998 graduate of the University of Adelaide, Peter Fraser, says it's exciting to return to campus for Lumen Bar after decades in the wine industry. He's looking forward to sharing a glass with both new and familiar faces.
"As a University of Adelaide alum, it's a privilege to be part of Lumen Bar, a space that celebrates curious creativity and community," Fraser says.
"With both our Grenache Blanc and Grenache Noir available by the glass, these wines reflect innovation and a deep sense of place, making them right at home in such a vibrant and thoughtful setting."
Classic cocktails like espresso martinis, Aperol spritzes and negronis are also on offer, with a daily happy hour from 5pm to 6.30pm including discounts for Adelaide University staff, students and Illuminate personnel.
The DJ lineup features Adelaide favourites Mehdi, Driller, Sharnibanarni and El Fuentes, with sets live streaming through the University of South Australia's student internet radio Unicast. Collector vinyls are available for purchase throughout the season.
