Perth’s best venues to catch live music
Perth prides itself on a unique, diverse and vibrant music community, one that’s birthed some of the world’s biggest bands, all while being located an expensive flight from, well, anywhere.
And while that isolation has played a role in making our music scene so rich with talent, the live venues in which those bands have cut their teeth has also been a major factor in Perth’s marvellous music menagerie.
Mojos Bar
As far as WA music legacy venues go Mojos would just about be top of the wozza. One of the few WA venues rocking live original music every single night of the week, it’s played host to some of the world’s best bands, some of the most intense games of pool out the back, and some of Fremantle’s most historic hootenannies.
237 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle
The Rechabite
The Rechabite’s status as a top tier live music venue around town only grows with each new year. Over their relatively short journey, they’ve already hosted the likes of Parquet Courts, POND, San Cisco, Spacey Jane and Methyl Ethel to name but a small, growing, few. Production Manager Chris Wright has been a steady head even while performing with some of these acts, and the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system earlier this year has already had a huge impact.
224 William St, Northbridge
Jack Rabbit Slim’s
Regularly bringing touring acts both national and international to the stage, since opening over seven years ago Jack Rabbit Slim’s has become one of Northbridge’s best venues for live original music. Never shy a secret special guest or two, stick around after the bands for a boogie to the wee hours.
133 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
Lynott’s Lounge
While Lynott’s may be one of venue group Lavish Habits’ many watering holes (who own a raft of great small bars), it’s programming has fallen under the watchful eye of some of Perth’s most beloved music scene members, especially within hard rock realms. As such it’s become a haven for Perth’s fairly under-represented heavy music scene, and that alone is worth celebrating. The sausage rolls and late-night toasties don’t hurt either.
100 Melbourne Street, Northbridge
Freo.Social
After moving into the storied halls of the old Fly By Night Club, Freo. Social has become the perfect sized venue in Fremantle for touring acts and local legends alike. The front beer garden is an absolute winner, and the regular program of artists, comedy shows, dance music events and more means there’s always something happening at Freo.Social.
Parry St, Fremantle
The Bird
You’re not a local Perth band until you’ve squeezed a room full of your mates/fans into the cozy Bird band room on a Friday. Much like Mojos, The Bird has something going on every night on the week, traversing any number of genres and styles, with a focus on good vibes and inclusivity.
181 William St, Northbridge
Rosemount Hotel
The Rosemount Hotel is one of, if not Perth’s premiere mid-sized music venue playing hosts to bands from all over the globe over the past few decades. They underwent some serious renovations a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back since, making it an even better place to catch the likes of Meg Mac, Hiatus Kayote and Dinosaur Jr, to name but a few luminaries to have graced the stage.
459 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
El Grotto
While many associate the Scarborough strip with fake tans and souped up commodores, it’s worked hard over the past couple of years to keep it cool, and bars like El Grotto are at the forefront. Committing to local live original music a couple of times during the week, Gumnut on Wednesday’s bloods some exciting acoustic talent, while rocking local live bands bring the house down on the weekends.
Shop 5/148 The Esplanade, Scarborough
Milk Bar
Part of Inglewood icon The Civic Hotel, Milk Bar is the big band room out the back that underwent some serious renovations a couple of years back to make it one of Perth’s premier band rooms. They’ve already hosted a slew of Australia’s finest, including Karnivool, The Kill Devil Hills and more – and they, along with Lynott’s, are another champion of heavier tunes that’s worth celebrating (or moshing out to).
981 Beaufort St, Inglewood
Amplifier Bar
Another WA stalwart, Amplifier (and its sister club Magnet House) have hosted some of the world’s biggest acts over the years. With something for absolutely everyone (even ten pin bowling!), it’s not hard to see why it’s been such a staple of the Perth music scene for so long.
393 Murray St, Perth
Indian Ocean Hotel
El Grotto may have been keeping it cool the past few years, but the Indi Bar has been holding it down in Scarborough for years, packing in live music five nights a week. They’ve had some of Australia’s biggest bands roll through along with always showcasing some of its future stars. Plus their pool parties go alright once that sun comes back out…
23 Hastings St, Scarborough
Convenients
Initially starting out as a bit of a novelty bar (you enter through the fridge in a somewhat-functioning convenience store), Convenients has since continued to be a champion of live and local music thanks to owner Matt “Mad Hatter” Heaton. They also serve some pretty epic food and drink options, but it’s their on-going commitment to supporting local bands that has made Convenients an essential member of the Perth music community in a very short period of time.
35 Lake St, Northbridge
Header Image: Gyroscope at Jack Rabbit Slim’s by Aaron Webber