Funky Melbourne suburbs?

April 13, 2010 6:04 PM

MelbourneFilter - what are some funky neighbourhoods to explore now I've seen & done everything in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, Prahran, Windsor & St Kilda?
posted by UbuRoivas to Travel & Transportation (14 answers total)

North Melbourne isn't exactly "funky" but you'll get a damn good breakfast at the Townie. Really though I only ever hung around the inner city and the suburbs you describe, and this was three or four years ago. Presumably you've actually had a decent mooch around Melbourne proper, by which I mean the CBD.
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:12 PM on April 13, 2010

Uhhh I was thinking "fuck happened to the Town Hall" but that's the rubbish one in South Melbourne. This is the one I mean, on Erroll Street.
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:15 PM on April 13, 2010

Oh and if you've got a day to kill it couldn't hurt to take a train ride out to Bendigo, particularly in the winter. It's lovely.
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:16 PM on April 13, 2010

Best answer: I have some friends who live in the inner west (Newport and Yarraville, to be specific) and my occasional visits out that way suggested those areas were getting increasingly funky and interesting. It's a few years since I've been out that way, however, so don't blame me if you get stabbed in broad daylight :-)

A little further out of town, but it seems like bits of Geelong may be worth exploring these days, particularly around the foreshore.

Someone who has a bit more up-to-date information might be able to confirm or deny.
posted by damonism at 6:36 PM on April 13, 2010

I refuse to believe you've seen and done everything in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, Prahran, Windsor & St Kilda. But we'll let that go.

Have you eaten Soup #6 at Thy Thy 1, upstairs at 148 Victoria St Richmond?
posted by flabdablet at 7:07 PM on April 13, 2010

Response by poster: that could be my plan for tonight, although there's a malaysian roti place on gertrude st that also sounds good.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:16 PM on April 13, 2010

Best answer: Footscray. It's another world once you cross the river. And you haven't lived until you've had a tofu and salad roll with chili at the Nhu Lan bakery on Barkley Street. Bring your wallet though... It'll cost you about $4.

Seriously, the inner west is the obvious next stop. Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Spotswood, Newport and Williamstown all have their charm.
posted by tim_in_oz at 8:37 PM on April 13, 2010

Best answer: And then there's Chadstone.
posted by flabdablet at 8:47 PM on April 13, 2010

Best answer: Nthing Yarraville, Seddon, Footscray & Williamstown.
With the money you save on a $4 lunch, treat yourself to a million dollar (or less) cocktail at Acqua e Vino or coffees at Cornershop or Le Chien (Seddon). Then take in a movie at the Sun Theatre.
posted by WayOutWest at 8:58 PM on April 13, 2010

Oh yes, proper cinemas! You've exhausted Prahran and St Kilda, so you've clearly already experienced the Astor on the corner of Chapel St and Dandenong Road; but you should also check out the Capitol in the CBD and the Westgarth in Northcote.
posted by flabdablet at 9:17 PM on April 13, 2010

Best answer: Seconding Richmond, nice to wander there, especially the little streets near the river. Also, east st kilda around balaclava station.
posted by dave99 at 5:42 AM on April 14, 2010

Best answer: As a new Westie, (thanks to pompomtom) I heartily endorse the Yarraville etc recommendations. It's lovely around here. There's a great cafe on Ballarat st - just near the station and a block from me - called Feedback, great coffee.
posted by jonathanstrange at 6:32 AM on April 14, 2010

Best answer: Well everyone's said the inner west, where i lived till recently. Don't forget the movies at the Sun theatre.

But how about the far north east - hurstbridge, St Andrews, Warrendyte, where I grew up? Do them all together.

St Andrews market is on I'm not sure when, but always a bit interesting. Climb the tower here. Drive through Christmas Hills to Yarra Glen, on to Healesville.
posted by wilful at 7:20 PM on April 14, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks, all - this list should keep my busy for a while!
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:46 PM on April 16, 2010