The best hidden shops in Melbourne

Melbourne is no stranger to unique boutiques hidden down arcades and laneways. Want to take it to the next level? Check out these ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ secret pop-ups.

Play Music & DVDs

Calling all music nerds. Enter Play Music & DVDs down a Melbourne laneway and you’ll find floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with CDs, records and more. Browse through stacks of old and new music. Have a good dig around for rare vinyl for your collection. Or grab hard-to-find albums including out-of-print items.

Tessuti Fabrics

Tucked away above Flinders Lane is a secret haven for fabric lovers. Look for the little black Tessuti Fabrics sign, then climb the stairs to explore a textile wonderland. Expect rows upon rows of luxe linens in seasonal colours. Stunning silk, lace and beaded bridal fabrics. Italian boiled wools, designer fabrics and more. Get inspired by the Tessuti patterns sewn up in beautiful fabrics, then recreate the look at home.

Nimki

Find a treasure trove of lovely gifts at the adorable Nimki Christmas Pop-Up shop in Royal Arcade. Hunt for homewares, candles, accessories, beauty products, art and more. Grab the cutest heart-shaped clips from First Nations label Haus of Dizzy. Or a handmade vase from local ceramicist Shuh Lee. But be quick, this limited-time pop-up is open until 29 December.

Karlaidlaw

Love Y2K vibes? The new kid on the fashion block is Karlaidlaw at 500 Queensberry Street in North Melbourne. This unique streetwear brand is designed locally. Think deconstructed denim mini skirts, big slouchy bags with giant buckles and pink velour tracksuits. The best part? Each piece is ethically-made right here in Melbourne.

Saloon Store

Level four in the iconic Curtin House is home to Saloon Store. A dreamy boutique filled with pretty and playful designs for your home and wardrobe. Sift through sweet indie designer fashion. Then browse the expertly curated range of homewares. Think handcrafted Japanese paper lamps, photography books and dainty porcelain plates.

String Bean Alley

Look past the hustle and bustle of Queen Victoria Market and you'll find String Bean Alley – a little pocket of shops offering all sorts of goodies. The Purpose Precinct stocks products from over 20 social enterprises. Pick up a good read at Mary Martin bookstore. Check out vintage cameras and postcards at Retro Mamma. Or swing by Mr. B Handicraftsman for quality handbags and wallets. They even have free embossing!

Reina

Find retro fashion with the emphasis on luxe at Reina in Curtin House. Newly imported from the Nicholas Building, this vintage wonderland stocks European and Japanese designer labels like Chanel and Issey Miyake. We’re talking high-end couture from the early ’90s to mid-2000s. All pieces are one-off archival gems so pop in to see what you can score. Perhaps a ‘90s revival slip dress, or a classic kaleidoscopic Pucci print.

Ngali

Celebrating indigenous talent. Mindful manufacturing. Style that lasts. This is the ethos behind First Nations fashion label, Ngali. Using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork, stories are transformed into wearable art. Visit the Docklands store to browse the timeless collections. Find silk kaftans, cosy quilted coats and incredible printed scarves.

KICKSTW Level 1 pop-up

The streetwear legends at KICKSTW in Royal Arcade have just expanded their digs to a second storey. Head to level one to browse fashion from Korea's coolest designers. Find cult-status threads from the likes of Mardi Mercredi, LifeWork, EMIS and more. Joining the famous sneaker wall is the rainbow-bright cap wall of our dreams.

Song for the Mute

Make your way down to 20 Russell Place and you'll find the stunning Song for the Mute clothing store. Once inside, you'll be transported all the way to Tokyo with its minimalist design, soft lighting and rich wooden features. Then browse the racks and you’ll find unique, well-tailored pieces of menswear and womenswear made from fabric sourced from Japan.

Metropolis

If you’re looking for creative inspiration, Metropolis Books is for you. Tucked away upstairs in Curtin House is this shop packed with shelves of hard-to-find books. Culture vultures will love the selection of specialist books on art, graphic design, music, film and architecture. Looking for a rare read? The crew has access to a huge database of books from across the globe.

MR. CUFF

Want to dress to impress and level-up your wardrobe? Enter MR. CUFF, a bespoke menswear brand offering tailored looks. Think custom pants, ready-to-wear shirts and head-to-toe looks made just for you. Plus the newest drop – Adidas' on-trend Samba sneakers. Swing by the pop-up on Howey Place after work and let the magic happen.

Melbourne Visitor Hub

Not only can they help you plan an epic day in Melbourne, the crew at the Melbourne Town Hall and Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Hubs can also help you pick out the perfect locally-sourced gift. The retail selections feature gorgeous products from Victorian makers, designers and artists.