Melbourne Neighbourhood Guide:  Richmond

Welcome to the Melbourne Neighbourhood Guide of Richmond, where culture thrives and creativity flourishes. Known as a cultural hotspot, Richmond boasts diverse communities and a vibrant artistic scene, drawing visitors from near and far. With a rich history and a transformation into a bustling urban hub for sports, music, and food, Richmond invites exploration and promises an unforgettable experience for all who wander its streets.

Richmond is known for its vibrant precincts, with Bridge Road, Swan Street and Victoria Street being the main hubs. Bridge Road is a bustling shopping and dining strip, Swan Street is a eating and music street and Victoria Street is famous for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

A Hub for Sports Fans

Richmond pulses with sporting heritage, anchored by the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Hosting the main events of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the MCG stands as a symbol of Australia’s sporting prowess. Home to the Richmond Football Club, affectionately known as the Tigers, the suburb reverberates with the cheers of passionate fans during AFL seasons.

Highlights of the MCG Tour include: a walk along the boundary line of the arena, the famous MCC Long Room, the MCC Library, the MCG Tapestry, player change rooms, cricketers’ viewing rooms, the Ron Casey Media Centre, portrait of Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar, Cricket Victoria Bill Lawry Centre and panoramic views of Melbourne’s skyline from Level 4 of the Ponsford Stand. Australian Sports Museum and MCG Tour Tickets. 

Beyond football, Richmond is surrounded by other sporting venues, including the Rod Laver Arena, where the Australian Open ignites the tennis world. Nearby, basketball enthusiasts flock to the AIA Centre (also known as the Glasshouse) for thrilling matches, while soccer fans gather at AAMI Park, the home ground of Melbourne’s soccer teams. This concentration of sporting facilities reinforces Richmond’s status as a sporting epicenter, where the love for sports transcends boundaries and unites communities in the spirit of competition and camaraderie.

Eating and Drinking

Eating

Richmond restaurants offer a diverse culinary landscape, reflecting the suburb’s multicultural essence. Iconic eateries like Top Paddock at 658 Church Street‍ and The Grand Richmond at 333 Burnley Street showcase Richmond’s flavours. Must-try dishes include Vietnamese pho from Minh Tan 2 (190- 192 Victoria St) and Hawker snacks from Botherambo (65 Swant St). 

Drinking

When I was a kid growing up in Richmond it seemed that there was a pub on every corner.  While a lot of them have since vanished there is still a large number of ‘watering holes’ to choose from. 

The Corner Hotel, renowned as a top live music venue, has hosted renowned artists such as The Rolling Stones after their concert at a nearby stadium. It now features a stylish rooftop bar and courtyard adorned with timber and polished concrete, ideal for daytime drinks. The menu offers classic beers like Melbourne Bitter and Fat Yak, alongside a variety of wines and spirits.  

Prince Alfred, a cherished local hotspot, boasts a spacious beer garden and outdoor bar. Situated at the Chapel Street end of Church Street in Richmond, it offers classic pub fare and refreshing drinks in an elegantly designed setting. The tree-lined courtyard provides a delightful setting for post-work drinks during the warmer seasons.

Pink Lemonade, a vibrant addition to Richmond, breathes new life into the former rental car yard near Richmond station. This summer hotspot offers an oasis in the heart of the inner city, with its outdoor beer garden adorned with converted shipping containers, palm trees, and fairy lights. Colorful murals by Juzpop add to the lively atmosphere, creating an ideal setting for enjoying cocktails after work or on the weekend.

Interested in more Melbourne Neighbourhoods? Check out this post Melbourne Neighbourhood Guide:  Lygon Street, Carlton

Arts and Culture

Art Galleries

There are some outstanding galleries in Richmond and these include Lennox Street Gallery (322-324 Lennox St), Sophie Gannon Gallery (2 Albert Street), Charles Nordrum Gallery (267 Church Street) and William Mora Galleries (60 Tanner St).

Music Venues

Richmond has a great tradition of music making.                       

Not really a music venue but a place of music making, Bakehouse Studios (27-29 Hoddle Street) in Richmond is a cherished cultural hub offering rehearsal, recording, and event spaces. It has nurtured talents like The Avalanches and Spiderbait, and hosted renowned artists like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Tame Impala, contributing to Melbourne’s status as the music capital of Australia. 

As previously mentioned in this post The Corner Hotel (57 Swan St) has a huge lineup of Australian and international music acts through its doors everynight.  I believe it was 2002 when I saw The White Stripes there before they became big.  What a gig!

The Leadbeater Hotel (1 Church St) is a gourmet pub grub dished up in a bustling tavern with contemporary furniture, plus gigs and trivia.

Retail Therapy

The main shopping areas are Bridge Road and Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre.  Bridge Road is a cosmopolitan shopping and dining strip which includes heritage pubs, restaurants, boutique stores, and factory outlets for some of Australia’s best loved brands. Victoria Gardens has a Hoyts Cinema, large department stores and over 70 specialty stores.

Vintage enthusiasts flock to stores like Global Vintage Collective (260-262 Church St) and rummage for bargains at the thrift stores such as the Salvos (42 Victoria St) and the Red Cross Shop (120 Swan St). The House of Handmade has an amazing range of handmade gifts from earrings to candles, baby gifts to children’s toys and much more.

If you are in the market for a luxury car Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, McLaren and Audi all have showrooms in Richmond. They are located on Swan Street up the Burnley end of the street.

How to Get There

Richmond is accessible via four train stations: Richmond, West Richmond, North Richmond, and East Richmond.  To reach Richmond stations, depart from Flinders Street Station in the city centre.  Tram 70 and 75 to Richmond can be caught on Flinder Street if you are in the city. Tram 48 from Collins street will also get you to Richmond.  If you are travelling by car from the city take Bridge Road (continuing on from Flinders St) or Victoria Street eastward. For all public transort information visit the Public Transport Victoria website.

Conclusion

In closing, Richmond shines as a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood, shaped by its rich history and diverse communities. With its blend of culinary delights, cultural attractions and recreational opportunities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss exploring Richmond’s roots as a melting pot for Italian, Greek, and Vietnamese migrants, adding to its unique character. Stay tuned for more neighbourhood guides in the series, promising further exploration of Melbourne’s diverse and dynamic locales.