Hutt Street Olivia Hotel owners evicted over $12,000 debt

Another Adelaide venue has closed, with an eviction notice appearing on its doors as its owners make a surprise social media post.

Eviction notice dated July 4, 2024 on front door of the Olivia Hotel, 170 Hutt St, Adelaide. Picture: Patrick McDonald

Hutt Street hospitality venue the Olivia Hotel has closed after its operators were served an eviction notice for more than $9000 in unpaid rent and an additional $3300 in costs.

A notice of re-entry and termination was posted on the front door of the business on July 4 by lawyers acting for the premises’ Sydney-based landlord.

Eviction notice dated July 4, 2024 on front door of the Olivia Hotel, 170 Hutt St, Adelaide. Picture: Patrick McDonald

Eviction notice dated July 4, 2024 on front door of the Olivia Hotel at 170 Hutt St, Adelaide. Picture: Patrick McDonald

A final post on the venue’s Instagram page the next day said it would be closed.

“Sorry fam. Have to close tonight,” the post read.

The Olivia Hotel was opened in late 2020 by co-founders Simon Schumann and Jack Wilkes, operating as the Red Herring Group, and was described as a mix between a pub and wine bar.

Both owners had extensive hospitality careers, with Schumann having produced wine experiences for The Lane and Maxwell Wines, and Wilkes being the final bar manager at Restaurant Orana.

An inventory of assets seized was also attached to the entry, listing items including chairs, tables and couches, a stereo system and speakers, and 60 assorted wall hangings.

The address was previously home to chef Cheong Liew’s first restaurant Neddy’s and GoodLife Pizza, and is adjacent to the General Havelock pub, which is currently up for sale.

The Olivia Hotel’s closure occurred the same month that Rundle St eatery Dumplings R Us, which had different operators and owners, was evicted over claims of $30,000 of unpaid rent.