The Big Bang of Braddon saw the Hipster explode on the scene in a blaze of cardigans and ironic spectacles. No one could have seen this coming – yet after the Ice Age – one that saw a mass-production of suit-and-tie wearers traipsing into the government buildings around Canberra – something had to give.
The ironic old bookstores were crying out for customers who would argue, “That’s soooo, like, transcendent!” as were the tiny indie cafés placed gently throughout Canberra, yearning for someone to order a soy decaf latte to drink while attending a poetry reading.
As any hipster knows, mass consumerism and losing your uniqueness means Braddon might be on the way out as this flock tries to find a new home.
Pushbikes from the days of old (mid 90’s) are littering the streets of Yarralumla as the Hipster crowd try and uproot all their ideals and post-modern thoughts to a new scene. Two very delectable and somewhat alternative cafés both stand almost side-by-side at the Yarralumla Shops – Bees & Co and The Farmer’s Daughter.
Now The Farmer’s Daughter has ‘sold out’ and ‘gone global’ (translation: become successful and expanded to the Canberra Centre) Bees and Co might be your safer bet for a hipster happening. Perhaps the crowd of Yarralumla gives some indication for the preference of this suburb (median age is about 49 – 55) and they’re less likely to throw a kebab at their cardigan-wearing counterparts, this age group stays well away from the hipsters… as the hipsters pretend not to envy their BMWs.
Chifley has another indie spot nestled away at their local shops – A Bite To Eat screams ‘retro!’ and serves as a place to read On the Road by Jack Kerouac while downing your vegan salad of choice (for god’s sake – don’t forget the quinoa.) The cups and plates are mismatched (and so is the cuisine), yet their homey feel and excellent service are beacons for anyone looking for a funky lunch out.
The Hipsters may be relocating but their like are here to stay. While the far north side remains mostly untouched by innovative rhetoric and shouts of, “I liked them BEFORE they were cool!” it remains to be seen that at any moment we should cue the Jaws music and see an influx of skinny jean wearing men and women solemnly walking towards us.
Da-Dum…
