Fitzroy

Perch in a Brunswick Street bar and celebrate the way that sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same in this bohemian enclave.

While inevitably undergoing inner-city gentrification, Fitzroy has retained its creative edge thanks to a great mix of art galleries, studios and specialist bookshops. Idiosyncratic bars pop up on Smith Street, Marios. Polyester and Brunswick Street Books still call Brunswick Street home, and Johnson Street continues to flaunt its Spanish heritage, especially during the November Hispanic Fiesta.

Brunch and bar hopping on Brunswick Street
Grab an all-day breakfast, an outdoor lunch and hang around until evening to make merry in Brunswick Street's bars and pubs.

Ring the doorbell for the privilege of classic cocktails at The Attic, listen to vinyl crackle at Black Cat or go frou frou at Polly. Prop up the bar alongside old-timers and bearded musos at Sullivans-style pubs like Labour In Vain, the Standard, the Napier or Marquis of Lorne.

Fossicking Fitzroy
Browse quaint and quirky shops selling vintage wares and locally designed goodies. Try Vintage Sole, Somebuddy Loves You, The Untitled Shop, FAT 4, Hunter Gatherer and in.cube8r. Flick though cult classics at alternative bookstore Polyester Books or rifle through records at the music shop sibling. Do your one-stop independent design shopping on Saturdays at the Rose Street Artists' Market.

Tour d'Art
Get snapping the local street art and commissioned murals, and check out studios, galleries and workshops like Brunswick Street Gallery, Alcaston Gallery, Sutton Gallery, Window99, Dear Patti Smith, PanelPop and Centre for Contemporary Photography.

East to Smith Street
Get your dancing shoes on and head to Smith Street. Pick up the appropriate footwear at the outlets along the strip, or at one of the growing number of stores stocking local designer wares. Check out the bands and DJs at Yah Yah's, Panama, Kent Street and Collingwood World.

How to get there
By tram: Number 112 from Collins Street or Number 86 from Bourke Street.
By bus: From the city take Route 200 towards Bulleen, 201 towards Doncaster or 207 towards Donvale.