Best quirky markets in Melbourne

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair

If it’s a pair of vintage Italian leather mules you’re after then head to Hello Sailor Vintage Fair and toast your new purchases when you’re done. Housed inside the Grace Darling Hotel, each stallholder has to meet tough criteria before being handpicked by the Hello Sailor crew for their expertise and knowledge of vintage fashion. The clothes cater to Collingwood hipsters (minus the hefty price tag) while the stylish sellers provide service with a smile - sans attitude.

Crate Digger Record Fair

Never has a market and venue been so perfectly paired. Set in the heart of the dirtiest rock club in Melbourne, Yah Yah’s opens its doors during the day to host the Crate Digger Record Fair. Hoards of vinyl aficionados meet and carefully display their collections. Get there early - there is always a line of eager people busting to get inside and ferret through crates for that one record that has eluded them.

Blackbird Market

The Blackbird Market offer a fun mix of vintage clothes, locally designed jewellery, artwork, plus a tarot reader thrown in for good measure (perhaps she can advise which stallholder has the perfect leather skirt you’ve been fruitlessly chasing?) The stalls are housed inside the Workers Club and are dispersed between four colourful spaces. With DJs and live bands doing their thing in the band room and icy cold beer on tap, it’s a little bit of wonderful under the one roof.

The North Melbourne Market

The sewing masters of Thread Den represent the North Melbourne Market. With over 70 stallholders displaying the best in local and handmade fashion, jewellery, vintage pieces and fabrics, you’re bound to find something to buy. Held in the iconic Lithuanian club, stalls are set up below the glistening chandeliers of the ballroom. Early birds can enjoy an omelette breakfast while late comers don’t really miss out with mojitos made to order.

Finders Keepers Markets

An institution in Sydney, Finders Keepers has ventured south and set up shop at Docklands. Some of Australia’s most talented designers and artists form the stallholder base at the market, which are renowned for quality one-off designs. The market space also has a decent cafe so you can walk, shop, and sip. Finders Keepers is perfect for finding that quirky gift or vibrant accessory to bring your LBD to life. Buy up big when the market comes to town, as sadly, it’s only a quarterly event.

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