The new ADL Grounds Bar is being described as a place that pays homage to Adelaide’s rich sporting identity, and will showcase sites like Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Hindmarsh Stadium.

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said the bar is expected to open near the international departures entry in mid December as part of a push to evolve the airport’s retail environment and showcase the best of South Australia, that includes the recently opened pay-as-you-go Plaza Premium Lounge.

“An ongoing core commitment to ourselves and our customers is to ensure South Australian themes, products and flavours play a starring role in our retail environment,” Cox said.

“We love that Emirates Leisure Retail has developed the localised sport bar concept so that we can feature Adelaide’s iconic sporting grounds while also tipping the cap to some of our sporting legends.

“In addition to murals of our great sporting grounds and adorned with sporting memorabilia, the bar will feature words of wisdom from some of our sporting greats such as Malcolm Blight as well as video footage showcasing the history of the sporting grounds of Adelaide.”

Cox said the idea was shaped by feedback from passengers using the airport and the bar will serve food along with local beers on tap, with an array of screens featuring live sport day and night.

It comes as the Adelaide Airport tweaks its offerings under its completed $200 million terminal expansion of retail shops and international.

The ADL Grounds Bar is being developed in the current location of the Penfolds Bar and Kitchen, with Cox saying airport management is working with Penfolds to create an alternative experience on site.

“We are actively working to ensure our travelling customers can continue to engage with iconic South Australian brand, Penfolds, in a wine-bar focussed concept,” he said.

“There will be more to come on this refreshed opportunity in another site. In the meantime, the Penfolds Bar and Kitchen will continue trading through to mid-December this year.”