Reviews

***** Johnny Halleday's Fad Gallery is a unique and delightful art gallery and bar. The relaxed ambiance, arty decor and friendly crowd make it a favorite amongst locals. The bar offers a range of beverages both Australian and imported. Attend the periodic events which showcase different art forms through paintings and photography. The place makes for an interesting venue for casual conversations, social engagements and even private parties.

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***** To launch their limited 200 vinyl run of the double A side Surreal/Beyond Us The Demon Parade have something special planned for the night. For one thing the venue seems to be tailor made for the event with its retro furniture and pop art adorning the walls Fad Gallery oozes cool. The crowd too spills style out on to the floor but still manages to be friendly and approachable. The DJ lays down tunes both familiar and obscure from the likes of Spiritualized, The Kinks, The Stone Roses and The Brian Jonestown Massacre between acts so that there is never a sense of waiting.

*****FAD Gallery *
By Melinda Houston
September 27, 2005

Fad has everything you could want in a bar, plus quality art.
FAD: Everything you want in a bar. Photo: Supplied

FAD: Everything you want in a bar.

Style
Cocktail/Wine Bar
Hours
Tue-Sat: 2pm-1am

Wing-backed armchairs, scarred wooden tables, lots of velvet and a crowd that epitomises eclectic.

Everything you want in a bar (along with drinks, of course).

And then there's the art.

An endlessly varied display of paintings, photographs and works on paper from all kinds of creative types, both lauded and obscure, provide an instant conversation starter.

And although not every piece will be to everyone's taste, the quality is consistently good.

Everyone's welcome but Fad is, unsurprisingly, a favourite hangout of local artists, so be prepared to talk perspective and negative space.

(And be careful about tossing criticism around too freely.)

Do keep an eye out for gallery director Jonathan Halleday - he loves a chat, and his stories alone are worth the price of admission.

******An inner city bar that doubles as an art gallery and function space, has made FAD Gallery a regular port of call for Melbourne's art kids. With new exhibitions and art auctions every few weeks, anyone with a beer wallet can pick a swish new wall print.