Black Cat Cafe Collection

This is a collection of over 270 objects, photographs and documents related to the Black Cat Cafe, which operated in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy from 1982 until 2001. The owners wanted to create a retro style café similar to those they had frequented in Europe, with music and vintage furniture and conversations a central focus. The decorative objects and CD sample of frequently played music in the collection show how the owners created this relaxed yet sophisticated retro style. The community notice board, along with all of the last notices placed on it, is evidence of the success of the strong community engagement which occurred within the cafe, which the owners worked hard to create. The menus in the collection illustrate the simple inexpensive food, served in the Cafe and the absence of prices, which were not included until the introduction of GST. In February 2001, the café was closed and then converted it into a European style cabaret; all the objects inside the café were sold off at auction or donated to Museum Victoria.