You can’t walk down the block in Northbridge — an inner-city suburb of Perth that’s home to a vibrant food and drink scene — without coming across a quality nightclub. And with everything from massive mega clubs and renowned live music hotspots to intimate themed bars and LGBTQI-friendly venues on offer, there’s a night out for everyone waiting in Northbridge.
After opening its doors in 2015, Jack Rabbit Slim’s hasn’t wasted any time cementing its reputation as one of Perth’s top live music venues. Named after the 1950s-style diner from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, the neon-lit establishment boasts a quality line-up of international and local DJs and music acts, a late-night bar and diner, as well as a retro games room.
Consult Villa’s Facebook page and you’ll learn that it’s “not a nightclub. It’s whatever you want it to be. Villa is a multi-purpose venue in Perth nothing like any other.” It’s hard to disagree — the chic venue featuring two bars and a huge dance floor hosts a jam-packed events program covering everything from electro DJs to fashion shows to product releases.
The mirror balls sparkling on the roof are the first indication that this establishment is a retro-themed nightclub, home to ‘Smash Hits Friday’ and ‘Pop Life Saturday’ every weekend. Dodge the cover charge by rocking up before 9pm and lace up your dancing shoes for a boogie back in time to the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s in a venue where the decor is every bit as vintage as the tunes being pumped out.
Describing itself as “Perth’s most decadent nightclub”, Geisha Bar makes no bones about the fact that it’s more exclusive than its Northbridge neighbours, with a tiny dance floor packed with beautiful patrons. The timber and leather decor, intimate ambience, immaculate service and carefully curated contemporary playlist generates an expensive boutique vibe that upmarket revellers love.
Connections has been Perth’s premier gay and lesbian nightclub since 1975 — but its appeal extends much further than just the LGBTQI community. All sorts of party people flock to Connections‘ killer DJ line-up, carefree dance floor, opulent outdoor terrace and lively, playful, accepting vibe that’s led to countless wild nights over its 42 years.
This joint looks more like a corner store than a nightclub from the outside… but don’t judge a book by its cover. Inside, the Rocket Room Radical Review Bar is one of Perth’s liveliest live music venues, revamping its sound, lighting and stage three years ago to provide a fitting arena for all the top visiting musicians to strut their stuff four nights a week (Wednesday to Saturday).
Just across the road from the Rocket Room is Paramount, a club that’s still sparkly and new following a long-awaited $2 million makeover in 2016. Paramount is now divided into two themed bars: Leopard Lady, made up of faux-fur private booths on the ground floor, and Señor Peppers upstairs, with a colourful, kitschy-chic fit-out in the style of a Mexican cantina.
For gigs big and small, Metro’s three levels and three unique entertainment areas produce an atmosphere for live music that can’t be beat. The multiple levels mean the capacity can be adjusted for smaller events, regular club nights and huge international acts that pack out every square inch of the 2000-person venue.
If you’re looking for a laid-back, underground live music venue in Northbridge, then the Bird is the word. This earthy venue puts Perth’s alternative arts scene in the spotlight seven nights a week, with a performance space in the main bar as well as a chilled outdoor courtyard area and a cosy lounge bar. The Bird is also open for lunch every day as well as low-key drinks until late.
Enjoy the Library while you still can — this iconic Perth nightspot was snapped up by a property developer earlier this year to be redeveloped into a block of flats in the near future. That will pull the curtain on a legendary club that first opened in 1983, dazzling club-goers with its world-class light and sound system, and eclectic three-level fit-out containing more than 10,000 books (hence the name).
