Northbridge
Northbridge is a small area in Perth. It's a place to go for the independent end of shopping, art and eating.
Understand
Northbridge is close to the centre of Perth, the other side of the Perth railway station from the city shopping malls. It is being made even closer by a government project to sink the railway line and make it possible to walk between the city and Northbridge through a large development above the former railway yards.
After dark emerge a wide choice of restaurants and nightlife.
Though Northbridge is a small suburb its sphere of cultural influence blurs into neighbouring North Perth, Highgate and Mount Lawley.
- The William Street Collective, ☏ +61 8 6468 3879, hello@OnWilliam.com.au. An association of people involved in Northbridge's cultural and creative industries. The website has current news and events: there's always something happening!
Get in
Map of Perth/Northbridge
- The easiest access is to walk from the railway or bus stations. If you drive in, it is always best to use the high rise car parks, rather than street parking.
See
Northbridge is an ethnically diverse and culturally rich neighbourhood.
- Perth Cultural Centre. The place to find Perth's major galleries and museum. In addition, the amphitheatre (under the video screen screening ongoing visual confectionery) is an excellent vantage point for watching people flow between Perth's railway station and places of work and play around Northbridge. See the page on Perth for more information on the major attractions.
- 1 Chinatown, 66 Roe St. Perth's little Chinatown, with its own Chinese gate, is a good spot for picking up Asian groceries and also the best place for late night dining in Perth. Most venues are BYO. Chinese businesses in Northbridge are not confined to Chinatown but can be found throughout Northbridge, and most visibly along William St.
Do
- Daytime: visit the Cultural Centre. The library, the museum, and art gallery are adjacent to each other, and easy to access.
- Nighttime: visit the restaurants in the early evening, and much later on watch the clubbers lining up to go to the late night clubs.
Buy
Northbridge is fast becoming the place to go for more alternative shopping. If you are bored of the same big clothing labels, you can find some really different, locally designed fashion, and some excellent vintage pieces. William Street has a variety of independently owned businesses where you can find punk, goth, rockabilly fashion, anime/manga collectables and other unique stores.
- Kakulas Bros, 183 William St. A wide range of international spices, flours, peas, dried fruits straight from big cloth bags.
- Outré Gallery, 260 William St, ☏ +61 8 92270666. Original alternative gallery dealing in contemporary Australian and international pop, lowbrow, pop surrealism, street, tiki, modern folk, retro with a twist, and underground art. If you dig art that crosses over with design, pop and counter culture, you must check out this unique gallery. Prints, original works, ceramics, books and more, all carefully curated by passionate specialists.
Eat
There is an extensive array of restaurants in Northbridge. You will find a great selection of authentic cuisine that ranges from Southern European (Greek, Italian, etc.) to Asian (Hong Kong, Indonesian, Vietnamese, etc.)
Some options include:
Budget
- Da Wan Mian (Big bowl noodle), 408 William St. Lives up to its name with Noodle and Wonton dishes from their bilingual menu piled high in hefty bowls. Gets busy at lunch time but has a quick turnover and has plenty of seats. $9-15.
- Tea Cafe (茶餐厅), 108B James St, ☏ +61 8 93283386. A Hong Kong-style restaurant that serves a wide variety of authentic Hong Kong/Western style cuisine ranging from claypot rice (煲仔飯), stir fry beef hor fun (乾炒牛河, baked rice (焗飯), wonton noodles (雲吞麵) and various other rice and noodle dishes. Authentic Hong Kong-style beverages such as the Hong Kong-style milk tea (奶茶) and red bean ice (紅荳冰) are also hot favourites among migrants and students who live in Perth.
- Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant, James St. Serves a wide variety of tasty Vietnamese cuisine ranging from Phở to various other authentic rice and noodle dishes. Coffee fanatics should also try their iced white coffee.
Drink
Bars
- The William Street Bird (The Bird), 181 William St, ☏ +08 5177 3377, info@williamstreetbird.com. 4PM-midnight. A major Perth venue for local and international acts of impeccable quality. Very reasonable drink prices on non-peak nights and intimate outdoor area with city views.
- The Brass Monkey Hotel (The Brass), 209 William St (Cnr William and James St), ☏ +61 8 9227 9596, Brass.Monkey.Hotel@alhgroup.com.au. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-11PM. A large venue with great comedy club on site and a good selection of beers and wines. Free.
- Picabar, 51 James Street (exit Perth train station through the escalators and head north. Picabar is to the left of the big screen), ☏ +61 8 9228 8769. Daily 11AM-midnight. Attached to the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, this venue has dibs on an extremely central and pleasant location in Perth's cultural centre. In summertime you can sit outside and watch the big screen. Free.
Nightclubs
- Connections, 81 James St, ☏ +61 8 9328 1870. W 8PM-4AM, Th 8PM-3AM, F 8PM-5AM, Sa 8PM-5AM, Su-Tu closed. Claims to be the oldest gay night club in Australia and possibly the world.
- Geisha Bar, 139 James St. Funky house and breaks fans will dig this one.
- Metro City, 146 Roe St. It hosts a weekly R&B/hip hop night but this enormous venue also hosts concerts and large dance music events. When heading into Perth by train from the west, Metro's is clearly visible from the window as its unique, palace-like exterior stands out amongst the multi-level carparks and other bland buildings which can be seen along Roe St.
- Magnet House (Maggie's), 393 Murray Street (head south from Perth train station and then west along Murray Street). Probably the most popular nightclub in Perth. Magnet House is full every weekend - usually plays quite mainstream music. $20 entry fee.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Billabong Backpackers (Nomads Backpackers Hostel), 381 Beaufort St. Billabong Backpackers is relaxed and friendly, based in the heart of the Beaufort Street café district, a short walking distance from central Perth and the Northbridge nightlife. Beds from $28.
- 2 The Emperor's Crown Backpackers, 85 Stirling St, ☏ +61 8 9227 1400. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. 5 minutes walk from the Perth city centre and the night life of Northbridge. From $32.
- 3 The Witch's Hat Backpackers, 148 Palmerston St, ☏ +61 8 9228 4228, manager@witchs-hat.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel is a beautifully restored 4-star, backpacker accommodation and travellers' hostel close to Perth's shopping, dining and entertainment areas. from $75.
Connect