Tucked away in the leafy inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy lies the second coolest street in the world – at least according to culture and entertainment website Time Out’s newly released 2022 rankings.
But those familiar with the area might be surprised to learn that it isn’t the famous Brunswick or Smith Street that’s taken out the silver medal, it’s their less well-known bisecting neighbour, Gertrude Street.
The 850 metre-long strip - dotted with wine bars, cafes and small independent boutiques – was only beaten out by Rue Wellington, a pedestrian (and tuk-tuk) only culinary hub in the heart of Montreal, Canada.
A total of 33 streets were included in the Time Out rankings, with only Enmore Road in Sydney also making the cut in Australia.
The website used its “index survey” - where more than 20,000 people answered the question “What is the coolest street in your city?” – to create a shortlist, which was then curated and ranked by the website’s editorial staff and contributors.
In an article announcing Gertrude Street’s victory, Time Out’s Melbourne editor, Eliza Campbell, said the lack of gentrification along the road was what set it apart.
“While Brunswick and Smith [streets] have slowly gentrified over the years, Gertrude has remained the independent shopping and dining force of the north,” she said.
“From end to end, this leafy little strip is chock-full of some of the city’s best retail stores, galleries, bars, pubs, restaurants and cafés. It’s Fitzroy funk, but with noticeable polish.”
The street is also home to a large public housing block, but not all the locals agree that it has remained as accessible and economically diverse as the website purports.
Hélène Frichot, who works at nearby Melbourne University, said the street had changed radically due to the forces of gentrification.
“If you can live around here, then you’ll probably have got a pretty good salary, and you’re probably pretty privileged.”
Others, like Charis Billings, were shocked to hear it made the cut.
“No, not the second coolest street in the world,” she said.
“I have been living in Melbourne my whole life, and Gertrude Street doesn’t even hit my top 10.”
But shop owners along the strip said the ranking was right on the money.
“Anyone saying [Brunswick or Smith Street] is better aren’t real locals,” Audrick Cheah, who runs the menswear store, Urban Loop, said with a laugh.
“Everyone kind of operates to the beat of their own drum, which is awesome. It’s not a homogenous mix of people.
“We’re very fortunate we have this here in Melbourne.”
• This article was amended on 27 August 2022 to clarify that Enmore Road in Sydney was also included in the Time Out rankings.
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