Dozens of people packed into the laneway on the south-western side of Liebig Street to enjoy music, food and drinks and celebrate the end of the streetworks that revamped the southern end of Liebig Street earlier this year.

Garages were converted to bars and a forecourt into a music space for the festival that will continue on Fridays on December 21 and January 4, 11 and 18. 

Fishtales Cafe owner Tamara Mahoney said the idea of the laneway festival had grown from the upgrade by cafes and restaurants of their rear entrances to give public access while the streetworks outside their front entrances were underway. She said the festival Fridays might continue until late January.

The festival had live music followed by DJs until about 11.30pm.

“It’s not a swill, it’s for people to have a really nice time, to bring the kids,” Ms Mahoney said.