Gertrude Street
Take the amount of time you've allotted to hang out on Gertrude Street, and double it. Getting to grips with this microcosm of the best bits of Fitzroy is equal parts time consuming and rewarding.
In just one strip you'll find bars, restaurants, galleries, boutiques, vintage wares, costume hire and old-school pubs. You just need to decide where to begin.
Starting the day
Will you go for breakfast bagels at Arcadia? Pastries and killer coffee at De Clieu? Gourmet brunch at Birdman Eating? Load up on energy for some mega browsing.
Tick off the galleries first. Gertrude Contemporary, Dianne Tanzer Gallery and the Australian Print Workshop will expand your mind with emerging and contemporary works and Artisan Books will steal hours from your life. The flower displays in Mr Lincoln could be mistaken for an installation, and the vintage fashion in Circa could be lifted from a museum. Third Drawer Down is like the gift shop at the end.
Locals who lunch
Locate the luncheon spot of choice, whether pizza at Ladro, a cheeky glass of wine and antipasti at Gertrude Street Enoteca or hip arepas in Sonido. Be tantalised by the tapas at Anada.
Shopping on the strip
Ditch downloading for the joys of browsing the music, films and books in Title, or gorge on the new and second-hand gastro titles in Books for Cooks. Rummage through industrial and commercial furniture and finds at Industria X.
Feel the flush of pride in local labels Obus and Aesop. Go gaga in Little Salon, check out the textiles at Spacecraft, and the crafts at Cottage Industries. Dress up for dinner with designer duds from Dagmar Rousset and NOM*D.
Late night delights
Make room for a course or two of perfection on a plate at Cutler & Co. or taste bush tucker gone gourmet at Charcoal Lane.
Worlds converge at Rue De Fleurus, a salon that invites you to indulge in a spot of casual dancing and a lot of philosophical discussion. Ascend unassuming stairs to the pedigreed sophisticated boozy reading room that's the Everleigh and sip the bartender's choice through a metal straw.
End your night where all good nights must, on the dancefloor at The Builders Arms or standing shoulder to shoulder with your mates by the stage at The Workers Club.