For a while now Sydney has been running pub markets and now the trend is catching on in Melbourne. It’s a great idea – pubs are usually dead spaces during the day, so why not run up a few stalls inside and encourage people to shop, chat, have a beer and eat some pub grub.
The inaugural Blackbird Market opened to a large, enthusiastic crowd of browsers inside The Workers Club last Saturday (markets will be held monthly). The rabbit-warren of colourful rooms contained a surprisingly impressive number of stalls given that it was the first time the market was held. The bulk of the stalls sold second hand clothing and shoes or independent jewellery and accessories, interspersed with homewares, zines and art.
While not as high spec as the Rose Street Artists Markets, I liked the quirkly ambience and the mix of small vendors, plus the market seemed to attract a range of shoppers, not just the hipsters of Fitzroy.
Out the back in the courtyard I was the first person to volunteer to have my picture taken in The Photo Booth. Abby Storey’s art project is about exploring the communication of private expression in a public realm. By taking a photograph of someone who is looking directly at their reflection and hiding the photographer behind the mirror, Abby is able to capture a portrait of a person which is truly open and honest, whether that person is feeling comfortable, uncomfortable, silly or guarded. You can see my cheesy mug here, with my bike helmet still on! I realised afterwards that when faced with the mirror I had unconsciously focused my gaze not at myself, but about 5 cm forward from the reflection so I wouldn’t have to look at myself directly in the eye. Hmmm….
- Blackbird Market, The Workers Club, corner of Brunswick St and Gertrude St, Fitzroy +61 3 9415 8889
I went, and it was great!
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Hi Steph
What did you buy? And did you say hi to Abby at the Photo Booth?
Jetsetting Joyce
Hi Joyce,
I picked up a pac man ghost necklace, and a couple of awesome vintage scarves. I was very interested in the wall decals that one stall was selling, but my place is already covered in wall decals so I just took their business card instead.
I didn’t make it to the photo booth, was a bit intimidated!
Steph
Hi Steph
Speaking of vintage scarves, if you’re up for a drive the best source of vintage scarves I’ve found is at the Newport Neighbourhood House and Op Shop. There’s a post of my visit there with Melbourne Op Shop Tours and the scarves were $1 each! For that price it’s even worth buying the ugly ones to use as gift-wrapping.
Jetsetting Joyce
I think I went to a pub market a few years ago in Melb and it was crap. So maybe they are not such a new thing but a GOOD one is actually a new thing.
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| December 9, 2009, 11:02 am
I also went and enjoyed myself. I bought a couple of small badges — one made from a Barrel of Monkeys monkey! — and would have bought more, but lack of funds got the better of me.
Quite a few pubs have been doing this stuff lately — I went to a good one at the Corner Hotel the other weekend, and a less good one at the Grace Darling. The Fox on Alexandra Pd/Wellington had something the other weekend, and the Old Bar has been having some as well. I think the Carlton in the city has had a few markets this year too.
More, I say! They’re a great place to browse and people-watch, even if you don’t buy anything, and they’re a great place to buy cheap and original christmas gifts this time of year.
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| December 9, 2009, 4:26 pm
Hi Ruth
Thanks for the tips on other pub markets. There are so many now that I can’t keep track, and with the lead up to Christmas there are at least a couple of markets on every weekend.
I’ve been meaning to go to the one at the Corner Hotel, and I believe that Revolver in Prahran has also been running a market – do you know what that’s like? Recently I went to the one at Order of Melbourne but wasn’t too excited by it. So far, in terms of pub markets I’ve been most impressed with the range and number of stalls at Blackbird Summer Market.
Jetsetting Joyce
Nope haven’t been to the Revolver one (I’m a norf-side bogan and only dare cross the river if I have a very good reason to), the Corner one was great, though. Loads of stalls, and a good mix indie designers, vintage sellers and folks just selling off their old clothes and records. Plus you could get fresh scones with jam and cream at the bar. It was a tad dark, though (being the corner and all) and I got a headache from squinting after a while.
Ruth´s last blog ..Lunch at Charcoal Lane in Fitzroy: pumpkin gnocchi, yam…
Twitter: rbbrown
| December 9, 2009, 5:36 pm
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for dropping by the market and for your write-up here – we are so happy to hear you enjoyed your Blackbird experience!
We’ll be skipping a Jan market but will be getting into the monthly spirit as of February – hope you can make it again!
Cheers, Sam @ Blackbird
Hi Sam
Congratulations on a successful first market and thanks for the tip about the non-January market! Looking forward to seeing what Blackbird comes up with in 2010.
Jetsetting Joyce
Yeah good market. I had my son with me and I noticed he was the only child in the whole building. Interesting….
This is a brilliant idea. I might pitch it to the pub in my area, it’s completely dead during the day. Would be great if there was an activity going on that related in some way to the area.
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