Northbridge only became a proper suburb in 1982. Before that, it was simply thought of as the part of the CBD north of Horseshoe Bridge – hence the name. Until recently, the bridge was the only major link between the city and this northern precinct, which were formerly separated by train lines.

Yagan Square changed all that in 2018. The project sent the trains underground, brought a swathe of new businesses to the area and made moving between the two precincts quicker and easier.

Before the trains, freshwater swamps covered the area. After convicts drained the swamps in the mid-19th century, Northbridge became a viable spot for the construction of hotels, hostels and boarding houses. That period saw the founding of iconic pubs such as the Brass Monkey (originally the Great Western Hotel), which in turn led to Northbridge – and William Street especially –becoming a renowned spot for drinking and revelry.

That image persists today. Northbridge still has the best and most diverse choices for a drink and a party in Perth – along with a number of strip clubs and sex shops, which have given the area a (somewhat deserved) reputation for sleaze.

The suburb is almost as well known for its multicultural dining. Prior to the First World War, a wave of Greek and Macedonian immigrants established a foothold here. After the Second World War, an influx of Italians – and all the cafes and grocers that entailed – joined in.

So regardless of your purpose or the time of day, you’re never too far away from a good coffee, great meal or a stiff drink here.

MWF Digital

VCR Fest

Miiesha’s Debut Album Continues Her Family’s Tradition of Passing on Knowledge

Babyteeth Is a Darkly Comic Teenage Love Story, Told for Adults

Sydney 2000 Olympics Highlights

Melbourne Writers Festival Has Taken Its 2020 Program Online – and Most Events Are “Pay What You Can”

Most Read

Alanis Morissette Adds Perth Show to Her Jagged Little Pill 25th Anniversary Tour

Pizza by the Slice, ’90s Arcade Games and Ace Cocktails: Palace Arcade Opens in East Victoria Park

Fringe Binge: 10 Must-See Shows at Perth’s Fringe World Festival 2020

Entertainment

VCR Fest

Miiesha’s Debut Album Continues Her Family’s Tradition of Passing on Knowledge

Babyteeth Is a Darkly Comic Teenage Love Story, Told for Adults

Sydney 2000 Olympics Highlights

Melbourne Writers Festival Has Taken Its 2020 Program Online – and Most Events Are “Pay What You Can”

Audiocraft Online Podcast Festival

“We’ll Definitely Come Back Stronger”: How Australian Ballet Dancers Are Working From Home

Click Frenzy Julove

Moma Free Online Creative Courses

Double Is a Mind-Bending, Immersive Audio Show That Places an Imposter in Your Home

MIFF Drops Its First-Ever Streamable Program, With an Impressive 113 Films

We Couldn’t Be Any More Excited About This Friends Jigsaw Puzzle – And There Are Tiger King, The Office and Golden Girls Ones, Too

On the Sauce: Shaun Micallef’s New Doco Explores Australia’s Turbulent Relationship With Booze

Decameron 2.0

What to Watch Right Now: Actors, Directors, Comedians and Culture-Makers Share Their Picks

Dream With Me – Harry Styles

Flex Mami Is One of the Most Charismatic Australians on the Internet

The Puppy Games

Double

First He Cast Alec Baldwin and Rose Byrne in Plays, Now Director Andrew Henry Has Tapped A Sydney Actor for a New Australian Performance

Black Lives Matter With IndigenousX

In My Blood It Runs on ABC iView

Concierto Para El Bioceno

Acclaimed Actor Alan Cumming Announced as Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2021

Aussie Cinema Classics on ABC iView

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Richard Tognetti’s 30th Anniversary

ABC Radio National’s Big Weekend of Books

The Wiggles at Sydney Opera House Free Livestream

Follow Us

Our Network