Fish Lane is one of Brisbane City Council’s Vibrant Laneway Projects. We entered via Grey Street across from the Queensland Museum, Cultural Centre and Performing Arts Centre at South Brisbane. The eclectic lane stretches along six blocks where shops, cafes and bars have been skilfully set up in some of the most minute nooks between and underneath the surrounding buildings.
Interestingly, Fish Lane has no relation to fish or seafood. It was originally called Soda Water Lane until it was rechristened Fish Lane in 1904 after a South Brisbane Alderman. Since then, the lane has seen many restaurants, cafes and bars come and go and get renovated and change names. The ever-adapting laneway is now home to some of the most popular bars and restaurants in South Brisbane.
Crafted by Elizabeth Woods and Kevin Leong, individual scales intertwine to form a flowing river – a play on the laneway’s moniker. Unlike large-scale public spaces, crammed with crowds and stilted displays, a laneway has rhythm; a chance to flow, to lead its guests on a journey, much like the river this work embodies.
As well as an array of bars and restaurants, the street art was wonderfully entertaining.