As the weather warms and festive plans take shape, few places capture the energy and flavour of summer celebrations quite like Rosemont Hall. With its tropical laneway, glowing neon lights and a menu built on nostalgia and bold flavour, the Prospect venue is made for long lunches, cocktail catch-ups and festive gatherings that stretch into the night.
Owner Aaron Ratanatray says it’s a space designed to feel both lively and laid-back – a little bit of Bangkok street buzz mixed with Adelaide charm.
“It’s basically suitable for everyone, whether that’s a little intimate evening or a big workplace festive gathering, he says. “I want people to feel welcome no matter how old they are, no matter what they’re wearing. Whether you’re walking the dog and just want to sit in the laneway for a beer, or you’re coming in for a 50th birthday dinner – it works for every kind of night.”
That versatility is part of what makes Rosemont Hall such a popular choice for end-of-year functions. The venue’s front bar has the comfort of a neighbourhood pub while the hall itself is warm, moody and full of character. Then there’s the laneway – lush and overgrown with tropical plants, lined with lightboxes and neon signage, and cooled by misters on balmy evenings.
“It’s so nice there,” Ratanatray says. “You really feel like you’re in Thailand when you’re sitting down there and the sun’s setting. It’s just such a nice setting — vibrant, fun and atmospheric.”
On the menu, the team has been busy perfecting the kind of dishes that bring people together – food that’s easy to share, packed with flavour and designed to spark conversation.
“We’ve developed a few new dishes with chef Jordan Theodoros, the original owner of Peel Street Restaurant, who’s been helping me out,” Ratanatray says.
Think grilled scallops with XO sauce, betel leaves with ocean trout, and sweet, sticky pork – all bursting with freshness and texture. There’s also a standout whole fried snapper with green mango salad, perfect for sharing at a festive table.
“It’s really great for banquets and events,” Ratanatray says. “We’re all about sticking with the classics, but it’s exciting to have a few new things that match the season and the energy this time of year.”
The drinks list follows the same playful, tropical lead. At the front bar, guests can pull up a stool for a pint or dive into cocktails designed to taste like summer itself. “They’re all fresh and tropical, with a little bit of nostalgia mixed in,” Ratanatary says.
“We’re talking mai tais, blue lagoons, gin sours – all really bright, fun drinks. And we’ll probably turn a few into slushies as the weather gets warmer. Imagine a Long Island slushy in the middle of summer.”
It’s this attention to atmosphere – both in flavour and design – that makes Rosemont Hall feel like a mini holiday in the heart of Prospect.
“I’m such a sensory person myself,” Ratanatray says. “I love scent, music, light – anything that can transport you to another place or time. We’ve paid such particular attention to those details. When you walk in, you really feel like you’re somewhere else. It’s a whole sensory experience.”
And for those planning a Christmas or end-of-year event, the options are endless. The main hall can cater to large groups, while the laneway or private dining room offers intimacy for smaller celebrations.
“If you’ve got a big Christmas function and lots of people, our space can cater to so many different groups and budgets,” Ratanatray says. “It’s just such a perfect place for that. But if it’s a quiet dinner for two or a catch-up with friends, there are beautiful little corners and different settings for that too.”
Rosemont Hall is open for lunch Monday to Saturday and dinner seven nights a week, closing only from December 23 until early January. And with festive bookings already rolling in, Ratanatray says the season ahead is shaping up to be one of the venue’s best yet.
“It’s just such a unique venue,” he says. “We’ve poured so much heart and soul into it, and you can feel that when you walk in. It’s vibrant, it’s fun and it’s so much more than just food and drink.
“If you haven’t experienced it yet, you really owe it to yourself to come down and check it out.”