In terms of dusk-til-dawn shenanigans, the west coast of Australia has a completely different feel to the east coast, which focuses heavily on the boozy backpacker party circuit, with themed nightclubs and barn-sized pubs featuring live entertainment aimed at a very young, predominantly British and Irish crowd. Of course there are plenty of after-dark drinking dens offering cheap deals to budget-conscious backpackers here too – and in the mineral-rich areas of the outback, where miners like to rinse the red dust from their pores with a few beers, it can get pretty raucous. But this definitely isn’t the backbone of the evening scene in the cities.
The west traditionally attracts slightly more mature travellers, many wooed by WA’s wine trails and reputation for boutique breweries, who mingle well with local nighthawks in surprisingly sophisticated bars and clubs in Perth and Fremantle, where there are also many LGBTQ-friendly venues. Northbridge is the epicentre of club culture, and the place where the bold, the beautiful and the best-dressed Perthites go to sip expensive cocktails and wrap their ears around the latest tunes.
There is a very healthy live music scene in Western Australia, which cuts across all genres. Various venues support local, national and international acts. Keep your eye on billboards and the street press, and you may find yourself watching bands with global followings – like Pendulum or Tame Impala – in front of a home crowd, or a group that’s considered ‘big’ in Britain or the US in an intimate pub or club setting in Perth or Fremantle.
For those with higher brows, Perth is the best bet for a decent dose of evening drama. The Cultural Centre, in between the city centre and Northbridge, is the major hub of the city’s theatrical output. The following is just a very small selection of what else is on offer.
Mojos is full of personality
Alamy
Perth
The Bird
181 William Street; www.williamstreetbird.com
With a signature sound that’s a lot more indie, this chilled venue stages performances from alternative local and visiting bands, plus DJs, in its main bar and also under the stars in the outdoor courtyard area.
Connections
81 James Street, Northbridge; www.connectionsnightclub.com
With a wild history going back 45 years, Perth’s premier gay and lesbian nightclub has been a hotspot for the LGBTQ community since 1975, and the party continues apace. A cracking DJ line-up, unpretentious dance floor, drag queen performers and amazing outdoor terrace attracts people of all persuasions.
Geisha Bar
135a James Street, Northbridge; www.geishabar.com.au
An intimate, small venue, which bigs itself up as Perth’s most decadent nightclub, an upmarket sonic temple of underground sounds, designer teez and colourful cocktails, where local fashion arbiters and rising stars rub shoulders with interstate visitors and jet-setting internationals.
Sail and Anchor
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Metro City
146 Roe Street; www.metroconcertclub.com
A mid- to large-sized entertainment hub featuring club nights and hosting international DJs, bands and theatrical performances across an eclectic range of genres.
Mint
139 James Street, Northbridge; www.mintnightclub.com
A retro-themed (and retro dec’d) place playing the best of the 80s, 90s and 00s during Club Retro Friday, and party anthems during Pop Life Saturday. No cover charge to early arrivers (before 9pm). Licensed until 5am.
Rocket Room
174 James Street, Northbridge; www.rocketroom.com.au
A Tardis-like venue that doesn’t promise much from the outside, the Rocket Room Radical Review Bar is one of city’s most rocking live music venues, with bands pumping out the power chords four nights a week (Wednesday to Saturday).
Fremantle
The Metropolis
58 South Terrace, Fremantle; www.metropolisfremantle.com.au
This large, somewhat impersonal performance space has been welcoming international acts and big local bands and DJs for decades. Drinks are pricey, so perhaps explore the excellent Sail and Anchor Hotel next door first.
Mojos
237 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle; www.mojosbar.com.au
With much more personality than the bigger venues, Mojos makes the most of its modest (but very cool) surrounds to showcase original live music, alternative sounds and comedy all week, ‘local and foreign, hard and soft, new and old, obvious and obscure, friendly and furious’.
Bunbury
Vat 2
2 Jetty Road, Bunbury; www.vat2.com.au
Hosting live bands on the beach (including the likes of local high-fliers Birds of Tokyo), this venue is a popular drinking spot and eating joint, aa well as hosting JB’s Beach Club, where drinks are served on the sand.