Bojangles owner Simon Mugavin said the city council had acknowledged the back laneway at the restaurant end of Liebig Street looked fantastic, and suggested it be used more.

“We decided to have a laneway festival and showcase what we do in the restaurants and cafes,” he said.

“I got together with Alistair Porter (The Whalers), Tamara Mahony (Fishtales) and Jade Kelson and Cameron O’Flaherty (The Hairy Goat) and we came up with the idea of Little Liebig Laneway Festival.” 

Mr Mugavin said Clayton Harrington from Harrington Constructions and his wife Jacinta, who owns Curves gym, had created fantastic entrance ways and built the bars and pallet seating. 

“A lot of people believe the restaurants down our end have lots of competition, but we believe the more that open, the more of a draw-card it is,” he said.

“We get along very well – we have common interests. We had a trial run a few weeks ago, and Friday will be the grand opening.The Very Liebig Christmas party was huge last week. I think every trader was blown away with its success. It’s what people want. People love the laneway idea.”

Mr Mugavin said with the help of Dan Myers from Wytons, who had supplied paella making pans, there would be chicken and seafood paella on the menu, as well as Spanish croquettes.

“That’s just another example of people working together and not expecting anything for it,” he said.

“We’ll also have two bars, live music and also a DJ later on in the night. We have plenty of tables and chairs for people to sit down and eat. I think people will be quite surprised, what was once a dingy little laneway will be a party laneway.”

The restaurants and cafes will also be open to the public. The event runs from 5pm until 11.30pm.

The Little Liebig Laneway Festival will continue on Fridays on December 21 and January 4, 11 and 18.