Western Australia Nightlife

Perth’s laid-back attitude keeps the pubs, clubs, and cafes hopping. Northbridge starts partying around 10pm and rages late into weekend nights. Mt. Lawley and Subiaco have more upscale, subdued nightlife. Pick up the free weekly XPress or Drum Media to find out what’s going on. Cover charges are infrequent, but queues are not, particularly on weekends. Formal dress codes are rare, but jeans may get the occasional scowl and most places require closed-toed shoes. Most places require ID to enter, and some will not accept foreign drivers’ licenses, so be sure to bring along a passport. Tuesdays are generally dead, so take advantage of cheap eats and take a night off.

Perth is gay- and lesbian-friendly. The Cinema Paradiso, 164 James St. (☎08 9227 1771; open daily 10:30am-11pm.), posts a variety of local events, and is a good place to pick up Out, a monthly gay-lesbian publication, and the Q Pages, a directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly and -run establishments and events (both free). The website www.gayinWA.com.au is also a great resource.

• The Brass Monkey, 209 William St., Northbridge (☎08 9227 9596; www.thebrassmonkey.com.au). Fantastic ex-hotel serves local microbrews. Billiards, an indoor courtyard, leather sofas, and an airy veranda. Connects to swanky Grapeskins, a suave wine bar and brasserie. Open M-Tu 11am-midnight, W-Th 11am-1am, F-Sa 11am-2am, Su noon-10pm.
• The Belgian Beer Cafe, 347 Murray St. (☎08 9321 4094). A bar for any who feel that Australian beers leave them deprived of good head. Sip Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and other Belgian brews through creamy foam out of goblets and chalices. Open M-F 11am-midnight, Sa 11am-1am, Su 11am-10pm.
• The Shed, 69-71 Aberdeen St. (☎08 9228 2200; www.the-shed.com.au). Big open-air venue with live music and DJs every night, beer-of-the-month specials, and plenty of $10 meals for starving backpackers. Th and Su pints $4, jugs $8. Be prepared to queue after about 10pm on a Friday or Saturday. No cover except for infrequent ticketed concert events. Open Th-Su noon-midnight.
• Universal Bar, 221 William St., Northbridge (☎08 9227 9596). Frequent live bands and a slightly older, sophisticated crowd. No jeans; closed-toed shoes required. Open W-Th 5pm-1am, F 4pm-2am, Sa 5pm-2am, Su 5pm-midnight.
• Connections Nightclub, 81 James St., Northbridge (☎08 9328 1870; www.connectionsnightclub.com). Popular gay-friendly club with DJ-spun beats. Theme nights like “Lesbian Mud Wrestling.” Open W, F (cover $10), Sa ($12) 10pm-6am.
• Geisha, 135a James St., Central Perth (☎08 9328 9808). Pulsates with various genres of dance music, sometimes from celebrity guest DJs. (Heath Ledger once spun here.) Attracts a more eclectic crowd than other Northbridge clubs. Open F-Sa 11pm-6am.
• The Court Hotel, 50 Beaufort St., Northbridge (☎08 9328 5292), on the corner of James St. The scene at this gay-friendly bar varies from Latino to disco inferno, including amateur drag nights on Wednesdays, to standard dance pub during the rest of the week. Open M-Th and Su noon-midnight, F-Sa noon-2am.
• The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Northbridge (☎08 9228 4433), cnr. Lake and Francis St. Classic English pub with nice British beers on tap and a leafy, shaded veranda full of tables. Good option for those who prefer pubs to clubs. Beer of the month is always on special; $6 pints of Kilkenny and Guinness on backpacker night Thursdays. Open M-Th 11-1am, F-Sa 11-3am, Su noon-midnight.

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