DUYU WANNA PARTY
From humble beginnings on a back verandah to becoming one of Alice Springs’ most beloved hangouts, DuYu has brewed something special in the desert. To celebrate 20 years, they’ve got a week-long party planned, with music, memories, and mouth-watering menu throwbacks at The Roastery.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
THE CREW HAVE poured more than just espressos, lattes, and cold-brews. They’ve poured themselves into a place that’s part-café, part-community hub, and part-DIY dreamscape.
The capacious venue compels people to it, over and over, with delicious food, rich aromas of freshly roasted beans, and deep connection to this desert community.
“We inherited DuYu's community connectedness through Dalton and Isabel Dupuy’s support of events, groups and environment,” says co-owner, Estelle Roberts.
Roberts and business-and-life-partner, Kim Hopper, took on DuYu with their choice to start a family and truly make Alice home. Now, as The Roastery, this venture has its very own place in the heart of Mparntwe.
“Ah! The Roastery is our third child! We spent a winter going down design DIY rabbit-holes. We wanted to create a space that could double as a night-time venue, capable of holding epic private parties and community events. Something we would seek out ourselves. Something unique to Alice Springs,” Roberts says.
This bespoke, custom-made, industrial warehouse has become an important gathering space for the town.
“It’s as custom-made and DIY as it comes,” says Hopper.
The Roastery hosts Christmas, election, anniversary and birthday parties. Friday lunch crowds are serenaded by musos every week. Musicians host gigs and launch their albums. Festivals, like NT Writers, Red Dirt and Desert Festivals, launch events and programs. The Dirty Word, a famous spoken word event, holds its gatherings there monthly.
The Alice Sings Choir practice there on the regs. Local First Nations initiative, Running Water Community Press, hold collaborations. All this while a changing program of local, established, and emerging artist exhibits on walls.
“I sometimes liken The Roastery to a town hall. People are just so happy to be all together, taking part in something wholesome, yummy and good,” Roberts says.
Speaking of yummy, The Roastery is your place to experience a delectable variety of single-origin, house blends and specialty batch beans, available in fresh-roasted, take-home bags or as your very own cup of happiness, served on the spot. The menu is a treat of house-baked goods, gourmet toasties, lunch specials, and gluten free and vegan options.
“We aim for high quality in every aspect. Our attention to detail goes from our darling fish-tank to every drink and meal that crosses the pass. I've built the menu around hand-made, high-quality, fresh-as ingredients,” Roberts says.
For those who can eat gluten, there’s plenty to devour. For those who can’t, The Roastery is a dream-come-true, with savoury tarts of beetroot and goat’s cheese or prosciutto, leek and parmesan, or sweet pecan pies and lemon curd tart.
“We want people to really feel like they've stepped out of the grind, walk in and just exhale. We hope every visit … is like that, but we’ll be turning it on for our birthday week celebrations,” Roberts says.
“We’re looking at a full week of lunchtime music sessions, menu throwbacks, goofy old pics, and promos on special edition merch and beans. Friday the 24th will see a special evening of what we do best, including cake!”
So get on down. Get your fresh-brewed cup of happiness. Savour the treats. Soak up the art. See your mates. Be serenaded by musos in this bespoke, DIY dream-place. Come celebrate The Roastery, this beloved hub of the town.
Duyu Coffee
WHEN TUE 21 – FRI 24 OCT | 7AM-2PM
AT THE ROASTERY
INFO duyucoffee.net
instagram.com/duyucoffee
