In March 2020, after 40 years nourishing Melbourne’s musical community, Polyester Records (along with adjoining bar Crazy Arms) shut up shop on Brunswick Street. It was a heavy loss – it was one of Melbourne’s best-loved independent record stores and had been shaping the musical tastes of the city since 1981.
In its stead is the musically minded Avalon – where you’re equally likely to find yourself listening to DJs, poetry readings or local singer-songwriter Sarah Mary Chadwick, who has an indefinite residency.
The first thing you notice about Avalon is that it’s not noticeable. Owner Brian Edwards (East Elevation, Monsieur Truffe, Amarillo) has gone intentionally discreet, with minimal signage on the shopfront window, its vertical blinds generally closed. “You can walk past the place and not even know there’s a party happening inside, and then you open up the door and it’s heaving,” says Edwards. “And that is perfect.”
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SIGN UPEdwards, who was responsible for fitting out the space with a little help from a couple of friends, has created a sophisticated, moody space. The walls are covered with slim vertical timber panels that double as soundproofing, and the lighting lets off an intimate, warm glow. “We kind of went with [a David] Lynch, Memphis [vibe], [with a little] Miami Vice [in there],” says Edwards.
It was important to Edwards that Avalon paid homage to Polyester Records, so he’s added a tiny stage in the corner. With proper touring still a long way down the track, Chadwick was keen to commit to a Wednesday-night residency of no fixed term – it’ll simply go until either she or Edwards says enough. “She’s always wanted to have a year-long residency, like the old honky-tonk bars in [the US]. Or like in LA – Jeff Goldblum has had a residency [almost] every second Wednesday [at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz since the ’90s].”
The booze list at Avalon is much like the space – compact. To save on space, Edwards has installed a handful of taps in the tiny bar to dispense almost everything available. Expect wine by Noisy Ritual, a Moon Dog seltzer, a couple of easy-drinking Stomping Ground beers, two cocktails (a Pina Colada and a spicy Margarita) and a passionfruit spritz of Edwards’ own creation.
Out back you’ll find a small beer garden and stairs to a tiny patio with excellent views of the Fitzroy backstreets. Edwards will be adding a retractable awning to keep the outdoor space accessible during Melbourne’s long winter.
Hours:
Wed–Thu & Sun 5pm–11pm
Fri & Sat 5pm–1am
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