The city is Adelaide Festival Centre Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier’s stage, and the small businesses around town help set his show’s scene.
From pubs, historic theatres to specialist bubble tea shops, Mr Gautier says there are many places worth putting in the spotlight for their cultural and social experiences.
“Small businesses are so important to Adelaide,” Mr Gautier says.
“When we have a show on at the Adelaide Festival Centre or at Her Majesty’s Theatre (on Grote Street), we like people to come out and go to a restaurant before, maybe do some shopping.
“We offer the shows and they (small businesses) offer everything else in between to make for a truly great experience for visitors.”
ADLocal caught up with Mr Gautier as part of its A day out with series where business leaders highlight the small businesses that make up the fabric of the city.
Just metres away from the iconic Festival Theatre, Space Theatre and Dunstan Playhouse, the Malt Shovel Taphouse is among Mr Gautier’s favourite places to visit and enjoy a beer or two.
The watering hole celebrates all things craft beer and specialises in rotisserie meats in a relaxed, contemporary space.
“There are great beers here, a really great collection, and good food” Mr Gautier says.
“It has a great view down to the river to Elder Park and … the sunsets here in the evening are absolutely delightful.
“It is just a perfect place to watch the world go by.”
The Atrium Lounge, at the Intercontinental Hotel on North Terrace, offers "great hospitality" that Mr Gautier, visiting artists and audiences enjoy because of its proximity to the theatre.
Every Friday and Saturday the venue offers live music that can be enjoyed with a meal or beverage from its extensive list of local and international beer, wines and spirits.
“I particularly like the linguine, but the flathead fillets and chips are also pretty good,” Mr Gautier says.
“We just experience really good hospitality here with great offerings.
“I actually even enjoy staying at the Intercontinental Hotel and the great Japanese restaurant (Shiki).”
Bubble Tea, flavoursome tea with chewy tapioca pearls, is one of Mr Gautier’s favourite drinks reminiscent of times he spent working in Hong Kong.
The Taiwanese sensation has become popular beverage among Adelaideans, prompting Mr Gautier and his team to create a Bubble Tea Garden at the OzAsia Festival.
The Garden takes over the Festival Plaza on 5-6 November and will boast exclusive bubble tea flavours and activities.
Mr Gautier’s favourite bubble tea businesses to visit is Thea Tea Shop in Gawler Place that offers a plethora of flavours, including peach mango, honey lemon, Thea black tea, blueberry tea and chocolate black tea.
“Where there is tea, there is hope,” Mr Gautier says.
“I lived in Asia for many years and there's some wonderful eateries and places around Adelaide that reflect … the involvement of Asia in Australia and Asia in Adelaide.
“I love these sorts of restaurants because they are great partners with our OzAsia Festival.”
Mr Gautier is encouraging South Australians to get behind OzAsia to support local traders at the Bubble Tea Garden and Lucky Dumpling Market, as well as the performers putting on shows and exhibitions.
“There is the iconic Moon Lantin Trail where we bring out beautiful lanterns in Elder Park and it is a wonderful time for families,” he says.
“Last year we had 40,000 people out in the park for it, and we hope to do better this year.
“The OzAsia Festival just has so many wonderful things on offer — the food, film, literature, ideas, dance, you name it.”
Details: ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au