A black and white photo of Josh Davis – better known as crate-digging beatmaker DJ Shadow – rifling through a pile of seven-inch records greets guests on the way to a downstairs bathroom. Above the landing of the staircase hangs a framed copy of the Sunny Side Up album cover: a compilation of contemporary Melbourne jazz released in 2019 by tastemaker DJ Giles Peterson. Records are tucked into custom-built shelves, the sleeves’ predominantly white spines contrasting beautifully against the chestnut finish of the wood. Make no mistake, new Northbridge bar Astral Weeks is a wonderland for music lovers.

But as neat as all these details are, the bar’s biggest comment to fine sound is unquestionably its Line Magnetic sound system, an impressive bit of kit that – somehow – fills the room with clean, crisp sound that’s punchy and crystal-clear, yet still conducive to conversation between people. Part of it comes down to the quality of the components: hand-built in China and modelled on timeless hi-fi speakers and amplifiers (for the trainspotters: the Altec Iconic 812 speaker system and the Western Electric 212E). Another consideration is the positioning of the speakers and how they work in the room – a former Chinese herbalist’s shop that’s been acoustically treated with carpeting and soundboards to create the perfect sonic environment. And the final factor? Luck.

“We hit a bit of a jackpot with the space,” says Sean O’Neill, one of the partners behind Astral Weeks. “I don’t think we could have found a better spot.”

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Since word got out that Perth was about to get its first hi-fi record listening bar, interest levels in Astral Weeks have been high. As the bar inches closer to its official opening next week, it would seem that O’Neill and the bar’s fellow owners Daniel O’Neill, Thomas Spurling and Daniel De Jong have succeeded on their mission to create a P-Town equivalent to the Gold Lines, Brilliant Corners, JBSes and other vinyl-based listening bars of the world.

Black bentwood chairs and tables dot the ground-floor bar and mezzanine. Strategically positioned downlights draw attention to the bar and DJ booth-slash-record shelving. Despite the low-key, no-signage nature of the bar (it’s in the same laneway as late-night stalwart Billy Lee’s), Astral Weeks doesn’t buy into the dive bar, speakeasy vibe.

Rather, the 60-seater aims to win over guests with thoughtfully chosen drinks (conventional and lo-fi wines, a neat edit of beers, great spirits, plus sake) dispensed by a team of bartenders who were hired based on their musical passion – everyone who works here is either a musician or DJ – as well as bar experience. Bar manager James Enderby (ex-Pica Bar) and bartender Warwick Montgomery, for instance, run their own record label, Ono Records. But while staff are happy to talk about (and play) good music, the focus of Astral Weeks is – as it should be with any bar – making guests feel welcome.

“We want Astral Weeks to be a place for music lovers where everyone can pop in, have a drink and share the experience of the sound system and be able to hear music as it should be and not just be this weird background noise that you can barely tell what it is,” says O’Neill.

“We want to create these lovely personal experiences for people where someone might pop in on their own and feel totally comfortable. Over time I hope people that come here will get to know each other and become a really nice community.”

Astral Weeks
Unit 12, 60 Roe Street, Northbridge)

Hours:
Wed to Sun 4pm till late

astral-weeks.com.au