
Culture & Cuisine Street Art Walk
Laneway Street Art
Syrian Café
Australian-made Ethical Gifts
East St. Kilda and Balaclava often lies in the shadow of grand St Kilda but there are many unique experiences to behold.
SPACE2B ARTS HUB

Tucked away in Balaclava is Space2b, a social enterprise celebrating its tenth year in 2023. Space2b supports people seeking asylum, refugees, and newly arrived migrants through training, mentorship and simply providing a friendly space to connect with like-minded people. This little gem includes a shop featuring ethically made gifts and produce and an art gallery with monthly exhibitions. Local and emerging artists showcase their art and communicate to the world, sometimes their most complex emotions. You never know what you will discover. Venture out the back of Space2b to find the most glorious art laneway. Don’t be distracted though, because it is here, you will find the Flavours of Syria Cafe.
LANEWAY CAFE - FLAVOURS OF SYRIA

Nestled behind Space2b is a colourful laneway café, ‘Flavours of Syria’ lovingly managed by asylum seeker and chef, Nayran Tabiei. Nayran fled Damascus in 2011 and was detained at Christmas Island before settling in Melbourne. ‘Flavours of Syria’ is a small dog-and-child friendly indoor-outdoor space. Come in to sample Syrian delights such as hummus with lamb mince and fried almonds; stuffed eggplant; chicken and sumac wraps and delicious Arabic mint tea and coffee. Nayran says it best, "Australia has opened the door to bring my culture to the people. I feel blessed to be here and so happy to cook and serve."
STREET ART

The Space2b Arts Hub laneway is adorned with sensational community art featuring a Kids Games Floor Mural (2022); Flora and Fauna Wall Mural (2021); Spoken Wall Mural representing diversity and the resilience of the women of Space2b (2019); Imagining Laneways celebrating traditional design from around the world (2018); and The Art of Belonging exploring the idea of belonging in an unfamiliar place (2017). Heesco, well known for his silo works in regional Victoria and street artist Be Free join a respected group of artists including: Anahita Diba, Elena Nabavi, Farhad Bandesh, Karen Bravo, Karen Hopkins, Uncle Les Stanley, Leila Ashitani, Nidhal Attaie, Robert Scholten and Sarika Deokar. This exotic art laneway will make you smile, guaranteed.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

Just across from Space2b is historic St Kilda Primary School, built in 1875 and once described as ‘one of the best schools in the colony”. It has had a colourful history including the school becoming a temporary hospital for 600 patients due to an influenza epidemic in 1919. One of its most distinguished pupils was prominent artist, Sidney Nolan. Several of his works depict St Kilda subjects, including Luna Park, the Sea Baths, and Brighton Road State School yard, including the school’s number. He was at St. Kilda Primary School around 1922-28. The school is part of the triangular St Kilda Market Reserve which comprises the Town Hall (1890), Holy Trinity Anglican Church and its hall (now a very hip bar and food venue named Trinity), the Uniting (former Wesleyan) Church (1877) as well as the school buildings and playground.
GETTING THERE
Space2b 144 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Space2b is 6.9km from Station Pier, Port Melbourne
GETTING THERE:
Walk to Beacon Cove tram stop and catch Tram 109 to Melbourne Casino (6 stops/ 8 minutes)
Catch Tram 96 towards St. Kilda (13 stops/18 minutes)
Get out at Luna Park and catch Tram 16 to Kew (5 stops/5 minutes)
Space2b, only a 3-minute walk along Chapel Street or only 7.5km by car
OR
Walk to South Melbourne Light Rail Station (30mins)
Walk to South Melbourne Melbourne Market (35mins)
Melbourne Market – Acland St Light rail – St Kilda (17mins)
Acland St – space2b (walk 19 mins)
TOUR
South Melbourne Market
Luna Park
St Kilda Botanical Gardens
Space2b Social Design
OPENING HOURS
Space2b Opening Hours
Shop & Gallery: Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm
Flavours of Syria Laneway Café: Tuesday – Thursday 10am-2pm and Friday & Saturday 10am – 3pm