The William Street Bird, known locally as The Bird, is a live music bar[1] located in the Northbridge suburb of Perth, Western Australia.[2][1] It opened in 2010.[3]
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| Full name | William Street Bird |
|---|---|
| Address | 181 William St, Northbridge Perth Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°56′59″S 115°51′32″E / 31.9496°S 115.8588°E |
| Type | Music venue |
| Capacity | ~150 |
| Opened | 2010 |
| Website | |
| https://www.williamstreetbird.com/ | |
Description edit
The Bird plays host to local musicians, with some known performers having gone on to successful international careers.[5] Notable artists to have performed at the venue include Flume, Stella Donnelly,[6] Spacey Jane, Tame Impala,[a] Gum, and Methyl Ethel.[8]
The inside of the venue resembles a large jam room for a resident band. The interior design is simple, with large amounts of exposed brick. The back of the venue is an open-air courtyard.[3]
History and operations edit
The live music bar was opened by mechanical engineer and entrepreneur[9] Mike O'Hanlon in 2010.[10][11] During the same year, the venue was involved in a campaign against a decision by the Liquor Commission to put its late-night trading application up for review. This decision was publicly opposed at the time by Perth's lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi, and the West Australian Music Association.[1] The restriction would have imposed a 10pm closing time upon the bar, which O'Hanlon criticised as unworkable.[1] The decision to put the license up for review was made despite approval by the Perth city council for a midnight license earlier that month.[1][b]
In 2016 the venue was purchased by O'Hanlon's friend Kabir Ramasary, a former financial planner who also owns multiple nearby venues.[13][14]
The venue has periodically hosted fundraising events for RTRFM, a community radio station based in the city.[15][16]
Reception edit
In her 2016 live music review for the Perth outlet Isolated Nation, contributor and local musician Tanaya Harper praised the "Wednesday nights at the Bird" weekly local music event, saying: "... this has to be one of the best live music congregations in Perth. Weekly line-ups consistently showcase the best of what Perth has to offer, ..."[17] According to the University of Western Australia's student magazine Pelican, the venue is known locally for its "artsy, chilled out atmosphere".[18]
The venue has been compared by PerthNow to the Ellington Jazz Club "for people who are too young to know who Quincy Jones is".[3]
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ In 2013, the members of Tame Impala performed a 'secret gig' at the venue spread through word of mouth. The purpose of the gig was to fundraise for a friend that had a car stolen. The name of the band for the night was advertised publicly as 'Kevin Spacey'.[7]
- ^ Political reasons for imposing an earlier closing time related to a crack-down announced in 2009 in response to Northbridge-related violence.[12]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Pepper, Daile (2010-02-23). "The Bird fights early closing time". WAtoday. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
The owners of a new live music bar set to open in Northbridge have launched an online campaign to show the Liquor Commission that a 10pm closing time is unreasonable.
- ^ Dolphin, Alice (22 August 2022). "12 Of The Best Bars In Northbridge To Hit Up This Weekend". Urban List. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "The Bird". PerthNow. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ "Radiothon Party 2021". Archived from the original on 28 January 2023.
- ^ McCarthy, Kirstie (26 September 2018). "The Bird". Concrete Playground. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Live Review: Stella Donnelly's Intimate Gig at The Bird". Isolated Nation. 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ Newstead, Al (24 July 2013). "Tame Impala Members Form New Band For Fundraising Gig". Tone Deaf. Brag Media. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
- ^ "William Street Bird". William Street Bird. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Baker, Emily (2015-04-13). "Pitch for Mayor's role". PerthNow. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ "About Us". William Street Bird. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "The Bird". PerthNow. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ Thomson, Chris (2009-11-19). "Police alcohol blitz launched in Perth". WAtoday. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ "Northbirdge lands in Northbridge". Business News. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ "Northbridge and Subiaco welcome new wine bars". The West Australian. 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ Fisher, Miriam. "Radiothon 2019 a lifeline to keep community radio station RTRFM on airwaves". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019.
- ^ Hall, Sally (2022-08-03). "Set The Alarm: RTRFM's Radiothon Kicks Off Friday Morning With Mimosas At The Bird!". Perth is OK!. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
- ^ "BIRD WEDNESDAYS: Emlyn Johnson, Doctopus, Rag n' Bone, Last Quokka shine". Isolated Nation. 2016-07-30. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ "Thursday Night at The Bird". Pelican (magazine). 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2023-06-04.