Tucked away from the city’s often-crowded streets, Routine Social is bringing a new day-to-night offering to Gouger Street, transforming from a bright coffee spot into a moody wine bar as the sun goes down.
The venue has mornings covered, with baristas pouring silky frothed milk into golden coffee, preparing fresh bagels for brunch and serving slices of banana bread and toasted croissants.
For co-owner Anthony, it’s his first dive into the hospitality industry, with the help of Jared Chahoud.
“Jared and I are both Lebanese, so we took inspiration from bars in Lebanon,” Anthony said.
“They often have lots of small details throughout the space, particularly around the bar and in the lighting, which creates a warm and cosy feeling.
“That was the kind of atmosphere we wanted to offer our customers.”
With timber accents lining the walls and warm globe pendants hanging above the seating, it’s easy to see how the space transitions from a bright daytime café into a sleek, moody wine bar as the sun sets behind the surrounding buildings. Booths line one side of floor to ceiling windows, while the long bar stretches across the other side of the space.
“During the day, it operates as a coffee shop serving coffee, bagels and focaccias.”
Early birds will be pleased with the extensive drinks list, which features trending favourites including matcha, fresh juices and cold brews, as well as cold foam add-ons.
Just a four-minute walk from the bustling Adelaide Central Market and Chinatown precincts, Routine Social uses produce sourced from the nearby markets to support local businesses and the surrounding community.
When the weekend arrives and the group chat starts planning a night out, Routine Social’s Mediterranean-inspired menu fits the share-plate brief.
Like many of the city’s newest wine bars, the night menu follows a tapas-style approach, beginning with marinated olives and focaccia bread to accompany the first drink of the evening.
This is easily followed by a selection of curated meats like sopressa, mortadella, beef bresaola and capocolla. If seafood is more your thing oysters, anchovies and smoked salmon also appear on the menu.
Cheese and wine go hand in hand, and thankfully, the list is not shy on either. Options include whipped feta with greens, caprese with tomato and basil, and burrata with walnuts and honey.
Dessert is a need, not a want, the selection is small but tiramisu lovers won’t be disappointed.
Moving forward, Anthony said more Lebanon-inspired tapas will be introduced once things are more settled, along with a sangria on tap, using a Six Simple Machines beverage-dispensing system.
“We’re also planning to introduce live music and create more of that lively Saturday-night atmosphere.”
The hero of the drink menu is the cocktail list, inspired by Chinatown, Market Street and the Adelaide Central Market precinct.
“Even the names of the cocktails are inspired by the markets, so people will be able to try drinks and flavours they may not have experienced before.
“They’re very unique.”
Routine Social is a new spot to add to the Friday night routine, the daily coffee run or the list of places to visit when you are looking for a change from the norm.
Routine Social
When: 7am–4pm Monday and Tuesday, 7am–late Wednesday and Thursday, 7am–midnight Friday, 9am–midnight Saturday, and 9am–4pm Sunday
Where: 13 Gouger Street, Adelaide
For more info, click here.
