Perth Nightlife

From Thursday to Saturday, there is no shortage of nightspots to visit in Perth - although occasionally it can seem as if there are more venues than punters. The most popular dance clubs are concentrated in Northbridge, Subiaco and Fremantle.

Perth is home to a healthy indie rock scene and the 'craic' is good at several Irish pubs and non-Irish establishments city-wide. Some venues ask for a cover charge and a smart standard of dress, which means no thongs (flip flops), vest-tops or shorts - the Aussie male uniform.

Free entertainment weekly Xpress (www.xpressmag.com.au) is the best resource when planning a night out. Cultural listings can also be found in the West Australian newspaper (www.thewest.com.au). Perth also has a lively, if low-key arts and cultural scene.

Tickets to most shows are available from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au) or Ticketek (www.ticketek.com.au).

 

Bars in Perth

Clarences

Clarences doesn’t feel like your typical Aussie watering hole. More European in its décor, this welcoming Mount Lawley saloon is about cosy leather booths, bare-brick walls and dim lighting. Weekly specials add variety to the small, but impressive, menu of tapas-style bites and share plates, which come complemented by handpicked beverages of intoxicating goodness. If the weather is agreeable nab a table under the stars in its leafy little courtyard.

Address:
566 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley, Perth, 6050, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9228 9474.
Must Winebar

Just a stone’s throw from the Central Business District, this multi-award winning spot has a chic atmosphere, comprehensive wine list, great cocktails and smooth grooves. A little slice of France in the heart of Perth, Must’s Bistro serves Provincial-style food along with an impressive selection of local and international wines by the glass or bottle.

Address:
519 Beaufort Street, Highgate, Perth, 6003, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9328 8255.
Website:
The Aviary Perth

The Aviary is Perth’s largest rooftop bar and restaurant space. Decked out in brightly coloured furniture, the large outdoor terrace has views of the city’s Central Business District skyline and hosts a range of live music. Good-looking locals dine in style here, but make sure you adhere to The Aviary’s strict dress code: no thongs(flip flops) and neat, smart casual dress at all times.

Address:
Level 1, 140 William Street, Perth City, Perth, 6000, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9226 0259.

Clubs in Perth

Connections

Open since 1972, Connections is the perennial gay favourite that still offers the best music and light shows in town. This is the spot that everyone (no matter what orientation) seems to end up at. With a late license and no dress code policy, cocktails are usually the order of the evening, as drag queens, DJs and lesbian mud wrestling ensure this isn’t quite like any other late night joint in Perth.

Address:
81 James Street,, Northbridge, Perth, 6003, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9328 5166.
Metropolis Fremantle

Metro Freo, as the locals know it, plays host to excellent local and international touring bands. When not blasting out live music, Metro is a multi-level dance club. On Friday and Saturday nights, the large dancefloor (aptly named ‘Fire’) lights up with a mix of R&B, 1980s and 90s tunes and the latest electronic tracks. Once you’ve danced up a sweat, grab some fresh air and frolic under the stars in the outdoor bar.

Address:
58 South Terrace, Fremantle, Perth, 6160, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9336 1880.
Villa Nightclub

According to its own mission statement, Villa is “not a nightclub. It’s whatever you want it to be.” The multi-storey venue hosts touring DJs and live music with a 700 capacity.

Address:
187 Stirling Street, Perth, 6000, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9325 6677.

Live Music in Perth

Belvoir Amphitheatre

Arguably the most famous outdoor venue in Australia, the Belvoir Amphitheatre hosts 4,500 and provides an intimate concert experience even when the biggest names in music come to town. The stepped amphitheatre is also the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic on a summer's evening.

Address:
1177 Great Northern Highway, Upper Swan, Perth, 6069, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9296 3033.
Perth Arena

Opened in late 2012, the Perth Arena has since been nicknamed “Optimus Prime”, “the crushed beer can” and “the spaceship” for its distinctive exterior. Beyond the abstract architecture, the venue has become a local favourite and hosts many touring musicians and comedians. Recent guests to the 15,000 capacity seating arena have included Bruce Springsteen, KISS, and Katy Perry.

Address:
700 Wellington Street, West Perth, Perth, 6872, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 6365 0700.
Subiaco Arts Centre

Home to Barking Gecko Theatre Company, the Subiaco Arts Centre is a multipurpose venue for plays, concerts and other performing arts events. As the leading theatre company for young people in Western Australia, there are also workshops and classes taking place here. The centre itself is surrounded by magnificent gardens where visitors can enjoy fairs and picnics, while its spectacular outdoor amphitheatre is used for twilight concerts.

Address:
180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco, Perth, 6008, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9380 3000.

Music and Dance in Perth

Yirra Yaakin Theatre

Yirra Yaakin Theatre is Australia’s largest Aboriginal-led theatre company whose performances combine traditional dance with contemporary drama. Designed to be both educational and entertaining, their award-winning productions provide a unique window into the culture and customs of Australia’s indigenous population.

Address:
65 Murray Street, Perth City, Perth, 6000, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 9202 1966.
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