Port Adelaide has quietly welcomed a new local to Divett Street, with Fossil’s Wine Bar reopening as The Dock, a relaxed, nautical-leaning neighbourhood bar with new owners and a fresh sense of purpose.
At the helm are Michelle and Allan, partners in both business and life, who took over the venue last September after being drawn to the Port’s character and tight-knit community. Neither came from a traditional hospitality background – Michelle spent most of her career in administration, while Allan had kitchen experience earlier in life – but both were ready for a change.
“We love the Port Adelaide vibe and felt it had so much potential,” Michelle says. “We also love talking to people and listening to their stories.”
Rather than rushing into a rebrand, the pair took their time. Fossil’s had long been a well-loved community local, so Michelle and Allan spent months getting to know regulars, local musicians and the wider neighbourhood before making any big moves. The Fossil’s name stayed through summer – right up until a New Year’s Eve Gangsters and Molls party – before the bar briefly closed and reopened over the weekend as The Dock.
Step inside, and the new fit-out tells you exactly where you are. The space has been refreshed with a nautical theme that nods to its Port Adelaide surrounds, featuring high seating, standing tables built around wine barrels, and authentic maritime memorabilia sourced locally. Outside, the laneway has been given new life with barrels, umbrellas and a fresh coat of paint, creating an easy spill-out space for long afternoons and balmy nights.
“We wanted to create a space that reflected the location and local community,” Michelle says. “Somewhere people want to come to listen to live music, have a drink, a bite to eat and if they want… a chat!”
The menu keeps things simple and social. Pizzas and arancini are the staples, alongside generous cheese boards designed for grazing and refuelling mid-set. Behind the bar, the focus is firmly on South Australian wines, local beers, spirits and a concise, no-fuss cocktail list.
Live music sits at the heart of The Dock’s identity. Fridays and Saturdays bring evening performances, while Sunday afternoon sessions round out the weekend with cover bands, acoustic duos and solo artists filling the intimate space and giving it a charming local feel.
The Dock officially launched over the weekend to a full house, with opening night spilling onto the dance floor and Sunday’s first session drawing a steady afternoon crowd. Those who dropped in also left glowing praise for the new space, congratulating Michelle and Allan on the fantastic new local.
The Dock is exactly what it sets out to be. A comfortable, unpretentious local, and the kind of place you drop into for one, end up staying awhile, and accidentally find yourself on the dance floor.
The Dock currently trades Friday to Sunday, with plans to extend opening days as the venue continues to find its rhythm.
The Dock
When: Fridays & Saturdays 5pm-midnight, Sundays 1-6pm
Where: 5 Divett Street, Port Adelaide
For more info and to see who’s playing, click here.
