Deadbeat Brings Grunge and a Top Sydney Bartender to Perth’s CBD

Ever wish you could time travel back to the early ’90s? This new CBD spot, from the team behind Varnish on King takes you back to a time when headbanging and skate culture were all the rage.

Deadbeat, which opened in February, pays homage to the unapologetic defiance of ’80s and ’90s subcultures. Tucked down a CBD laneway, the fit-out is gritty: walls are covered in posters, alongside neon accents, dimly lit booths, and a frankly enormous Harley Davidson mural.

For operations manager Adrian “Adi” Ruiz, the space is a “blank canvas”. “We want people to leave their mark and become a part of the story of Deadbeat,” he tells Broadsheet. “Whether that’s by leaving a fun quote with a paint pen or bringing in some wildly random trinket from home.”

Ruiz is a huge get for the bar. With almost three decades of experience under his belt, he’s worked at lauded venues including Hobart’s Agrarian Kitchen, and Sydney venues Eau de Vie and Bulletin Place where he was a director. Bulletin Place was hailed as “one of Sydney’s greatest bars” and earned spots on the prestigious Worlds 50 Best Bars list.

He’s joined at Deadbeat by venue manager Benjamin Thomas (ex- The Old Synagogue).

Ruiz says their combined experience “dictates what gets included and what gets excluded, which I think is an overlooked point. It’s an antidote to the self-indulgent ‘look at me’ culture which some good bars fall into.”
The drinks list will regularly change. “The mandate is that they’re entertaining, unexpected and wildly delicious,” says Ruiz.

Right now, you can expect relics from the past, like snake venom (lemon vodka, melon, sour apple and acid) and electric juice (a house juice blend with a choice of spirit) as well as a range of boilermakers. Snacks are simple and easy (such as popcorn, jalapeno-loaded tater tots, and French onion toasties served with crisps and a pickle).

Deadbeat
440 Murray Street, Perth
1800 763 253

Hours:
Wed to Sat 4pm–midnight
Sun to Tues closed

www.deadbeatbar.com.au
@deadbeat_bar