Malt Shovel Taphouse Adelaide

Malt Shovel Taphouse sits on the Riverbank under the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre, a craft-beer bar and kitchen with a wide riverside terrace looking across the Torrens to Adelaide Oval. Dogs are welcome on that covered terrace, with water bowls usually on hand, which makes it one of the more comfortable city tables for a drink with the dog.

The dog setup

Dogs join you on the large outdoor terrace rather than inside the main bar. The seating is covered and shaded, so it works through summer heat and the odd wet afternoon alike. Water bowls are typically provided; bring your own as backup on a busy hot day. Dogs stay on lead, and since the terrace fills before Festival Centre shows and Adelaide Oval events, book ahead and mention the dog when you do.

Worth knowing

The taphouse runs a big rotating beer list, around 48 taps with tasting paddles, over a casual menu of spit-roasted meats, pizzas and sharing plates like the feast platter. Doors open from 11:30am Wednesday through Sunday, closing late on Friday and Saturday; Monday and Tuesday are dark. Expect crowds around show and game times, so an off-peak afternoon is the relaxed version of this terrace.

Getting there and parking

The venue is on Festival Drive at the Festival Centre, an easy walk from the city across the Riverbank Footbridge or down King William Road. The Wilson Parking Festival Centre car park is the closest off-street option, and Adelaide Railway Station and the North Terrace tram stops are both minutes away.

Close by with the dogs

Elder Park is right alongside, though the City of Adelaide keeps dogs on a lead of no more than 2 metres across the park and Riverbank precinct. The River Torrens circuit runs past the door for a flat on-lead walk, and for proper off-lead time the All Dog Park in the Park Lands is a short drive away.

More options are on the South Australia dog friendly restaurants guide and the Adelaide destination page.

Pepsi: walk the flat river path first, then claim a shaded terrace table and let the dog sprawl while the paddles land.