Enigma Bar owner Eric Ott said in a Facebook post on Thursday morning that it was a “difficult decision” to close the venue’s doors, citing “increasing challenges posed by rising running costs, including rent, electricity, and insurance”.

“Additionally, the complexities of securing diverse acts, whether local, international, or interstate, have become more pronounced over time,” Ott said.

Enigma Bar. Photo: Liam Jenkins/InDaily.

“We have done our best to keep the venue running in these challenging times, operating as efficiently as possible. However, the current climate and the astronomical overheads associated with limited trading days have made it unsustainable.”

Patrons will enjoy “one last hoorah” this Friday 17 November for the final evening at Enigma Bar. The venue will be open from 8pm “until the last drop is poured”.

Since opening in 1999, Enigma Bar has become a staple venue for lovers of heavy music. Ott described the space as a “haven for music lovers in the Adelaide live music scene” and “a place where hundreds if not thousands of bands and tens of thousands of patrons have created lasting memories”.

“From great performances upstairs in Bar 2 to amazing electronic nights in Bar 3, to the times when we ran our tequila bar, amazing DJ night downstairs including when we ran our day club on Sunday mornings,” Ott said.

“We were Adelaide’s first venue with free internet, the unique atmosphere of the beer garden, to the grassroots stage downstairs, nights out at Enigma have brought the local community closer to their favourite local, interstate and international bands and DJs.

“Enigma Bar has been a special place to many”.

In 2021, CityMag reported that Enigma Bar was at risk of closure unless it could raise at least $50,000 from the public. Just $12,260 was raised as part of the bar’s GoFundMe campaign.

Ott’s statement on the GoFundMe campaign website said the money would go toward resolving “issues with the landlord, real estate and power company to reach a compromise”.