Bohemians Prefer Fitzroy and Collingwood
Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Smith Street in Collingwood are Melbourne’s favourite twin haunts for artists, musicians, writers and actors.
The 86 Tram to Boho Heaven
Take the 86 tram and get off at pricey, designer heaven Gertrude Street (for all the new high-rise apartment owners) and wander in the direction of Brunswick Street, Fitzroy or its parallel Boho shopping twin, Smith Street, Collingwood.
Broke musicians moan that Smith Street in Collingwood has been gentrified since the good old days of cheap share houses but you can still bag some boho bargain buys or have a Happy Hour beer.
Beer-battered chips for bands to share are $11 at The Workers’ Club on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, just a few minutes’ walk away.
Fitzroy and Collingwood Street Art
The art galleries here are truly in the laneways in Fitzroy and Collingwood – and all free of course.
Banksy was raving about Melbourne street art 20 years ago and the stencils and collages, as well as the original paintings, have now evolved into Victoria’s very own outdoor Met.
Kate Bush flanked by Saturn in paper collage, outside The Workers’ Club on Brunswick Street is a favourite of local musicians even though it may disappear by the time you read this.
The Keith Haring mural in Collingwood is heritage listed. It’s at 35 Johnston Street near Wellington Street.
For the most stunning street art, duck into all the laneways in Fitzroy and Collingwood. Prepare to be amazed.
SWOP
Swap your clothes or just buy the Boho look at Swop, 8 Peel Street, Collingwood, close to Smith.
Shop from the website before you go.
For better bargains, visit the six op shops (opportunity/charity/thrift stores) on both Brunswick Street and Smith Street.
We like the reviews of this Boho half-dozen at She Hunts Op Shops.
The Workers’ Club
The $16 lunch is well-known on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The Haloumi Toastie with salad and chips, perhaps? They also do Black Bean Burrito. Happy Hour pints of beer and wine will set you back $9.
This is the place for live music in Fitzroy and Collingwood, but also live musicians (almost) putting their elbows on the table for lunch. Or is it breakfast?
Gaudy and Prim
The place to go for a gift voucher if a kind fellow Bohemian friend has invited you to stay is Gaudy and Prim.
The seven-day ritual candles (try Holy Spirit) are part of a large range. They also sell Zodiac Candles in tins, if you are travelling.
They specialise in Indian Cotton Block fabric dressing-gowns, bedspreads and tablecloths.
If you need to burn something in the bedroom, the hand-rolled incense ($14) or that 1960s hippy favourite, Patchouli, is worth a sniff.
Boho Picnics
Head for Edinburgh Gardens for a picnic, off Alfred Crescent, Fitzroy North.
It’s a short stroll from Brunswick Street or Smith Street.
If you don’t have a hamper, you can collect cutlery, plates and glasses for a few dollars from the charity shops. Makeshift picnic blankets too.
Did you know Coles supermarket began life on Smith Street in Collingwood? The first shop was first opened here in 1914. You’ll find the new super Coles at 172 Smith.
This enormous supermarket has all the cheese, fruit, Bachelors’ Handbags (roast chicken in a bag) and bread you desire. A bottle shop is a few doors down.
It’s legal to drink until 9pm in Edinburgh Gardens or you can actually begin at 9.00am according to City of Yarra laws. Basically, you can never picnic too early in Bohemia.
Sit in the 1925 Edinburgh Gardens Rotunda for your picnic or find a place to perch on the huge 59 acre expanse of grass.
The Lucksmiths wrote a classic indie song about it, called Under the Rotunda.
Tip: You may want to return to these two streets again and again. A half-day isn’t enough.
