Fitzroy Life with Tightarses of Melbourne

LifestyleTight Deals & Good Times: Meet the Fitzroy Locals Behind Tightarses of Melbourne

If you’ve ever scored a $6 spritz, found the coziest pub fireplace, or discovered a next level two-for-one ramen deal, you probably have Tightarses of Melbourne to thank. What started as a clever Instagram account sharing happy hours and tight deals has grown into a go-to guide for living your best life on a budget, all while celebrating some of Melbourne’s best spots. Tightarses of Melbourne call Fitzroy home, and prove that a great time out doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We asked the creative force behind the account to share how it all began, their favourite local haunts, the joy of trivia nights, and what’s next for this much-loved, cheeky guide.
Fitzroy French Restaurants

Food + DrinkThe Best Fitzroy French Restaurants and Bistros

As the air gets colder and the layers get thicker, there's a certain je ne sais quoi about the warm embrace of comfort food. And where better to find it than nestled in the charming French restaurants and bistros of Fitzroy and surrounds? Whether you're dreaming of sharing a classic French onion soup or a hearty beef bourguignon on a cozy winter date night, Fitzroy’s dining scene certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to French offerings. The local French cuisine blends local ingredients with traditional French flair, whether you are settling in for a three-course feast or just grabbing a warm, freshly-baked pastry or sweet crepe on your morning walk. With Bastille Day celebrations approaching on 14 July, we've gathered a list of fantastic local French restaurants, cafes and bistros in Fitzroy and the surrounding area, ready to transport you straight to the streets of Paris.
Deb Huff

LifestyleDeb Huff Draws Out the Stories of Fitzroy’s Old Buildings

If you’ve ever wandered through Fitzroy and wondered what stories the buildings could tell, Deb Huff’s art might just have the answer. A Perth-based artist and illustrator, Deb has a deep appreciation for old buildings, local legends and the quiet beauty of the everyday. Her black-and-white digital works celebrate the kinds of places we often overlook: heritage shopfronts, hidden terraces, long-loved pubs and corner stores with ghosts in the walls.
Shelley Collins - The Galerie Fitzroy Brunswick St

LifestyleThe Galerie Fitzroy: Original Vintage Posters, Curated With Heart

The Galerie Fitzroy is a bright upstairs studio built on decades of collecting, curating and chasing down bold, beautiful pieces from around the world. Founded by Shelley Collins after a serendipitous encounter with vintage posters in San Francisco, the upstairs Brunswick Street studio has become a destination for original works with heart, history and humour. In this Q&A, Shelley shares the story behind the gallery, what keeps her inspired and how she helps others find the poster that truly clicks.
Masses Fitzroy Bagels

Masses Bagels Fitzroy: Slow Fermentation, Big Flavour, Local Love

What began with a love of bagels and a flair for experimentation has grown into one of Fitzroy’s favourite bagel destinations. After years of refining their technique, Carmen Newton and Jack Muir-Rigby launched Masses Bagels at local markets before opening their Smith Street shopfront. In this Q&A, Carmen shares how the journey unfolded, from learning to make bagels in a tiny shop in Japan to creating seasonal, flavour-packed favourites in Fitzroy — and what’s coming up next.
Fitzroy Indian Restaurants

Food + DrinkA Local’s Guide to the Best Fitzroy Indian Restaurants

With Melbourne pulling on its grey winter coat, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite Fitzroy Indian restaurants to enjoy a spicy warming curry or aromatic chai this season. In classic Fitzroy fashion, Indian restaurants here offer unexpected delights beyond basic butter chickens or simple kormas. From upmarket fusion to authentic street food, spice-laced cocktails to a piled plate of home-style all-you-can-eat feasts, the Fitzroy Indian Restaurant scene highlights the best of what cuisine from the Indian subcontinent has to offer.
Scout for Vintage Johnston Street Fitzroy

LifestyleFitzroy’s New Denim Destination: Step Inside Scout for Vintage

A love of denim, a sharp eye for tailoring and a desire to do things differently inspired Jodie Hayes to open Scout for Vintage, a denim reworking and alteration store that first took shape in Torquay before making the move to Fitzroy. Since 2020, she’s been quietly transforming wardrobes one jean at a time, specialising in quality labels and one-off pieces that combine craftsmanship with personal style. Drawn to denim for its rebellious roots and long-standing place in fashion culture, Jodie brings a creative, hands-on approach to everything she makes.
Things To Do in Fitzroy After Dark

Lifestyle7 Great Things to Do in Fitzroy After Dark

When the sun goes down, Fitzroy comes alive. Whether you’re up for a round of pool, a drink and a drawing session, live music or a memorable karaoke night, there’s something to head out for every evening of the week. From dazzling drag shows and open mic nights to salsa dancing and cocktails with jazz, this neighbourhood knows how to keep things lively after dark. Whatever your pace, you’ll find a bar stool, a dance floor or a quiet corner waiting. We’ve rounded up seven after-dark favourites to help you make the most of your nights — read on and try something new this week.
At the Above - Fitzroy Gallery Melbourne Design Week

LifestyleThe Best of Melbourne Design Week in Fitzroy

Melbourne Design Week is back from 15 to 25 May this year, with a dynamic program of talks, tours, exhibitions, installations and workshops taking place across the city. Presented by the NGV and Creative Victoria, the festival brings together designers, educators, thinkers and creatives to explore how design can shape a better future. This year’s theme, Design the World You Want, encourages designers to imagine how creativity can foster sustainability, repair and transformation.
Zory McGrath - Napier Hotel Fitzroy

Urban Essence, Local Heart: Zory McGrath’s Fitzroy in Focus

Fitzroy pub façades, old Victorian windows and stories embedded in architecture, these are just some of the fragments that Melbourne artist Zory McGrath brings to life in her layered, expressive work. Her latest exhibition, Fragments of Urban Essence, runs from 8 to 25 May at Brunswick Street Gallery, with opening night celebrations on Friday, 9 May from 6 to 8 PM. Using recycled cardboard and textured surfaces, the series explores urban renewal, memory and the beauty found in overlooked corners of the built environment. Zory’s separate series on Fitzroy’s pubs, a tribute to the character and charm of these beloved spaces, is also available through the BSG store. She’ll be exhibiting alongside a diverse group of artists across the gallery’s May program.