The Brass Monkey Hotel is a bar located at the corner of James and William Streets in Northbridge, a suburb of Perth in Western Australia.[1][2][3]

Brass Monkey Hotel
The Brass Monkey
Photograph of Hotel on James, William St corner
Map
AddressWilliam St &, James St, Northbridge 6003
Perth
Australia
TypeBar, music venue
Website
https://www.thebrassmonkey.com.au/

Description

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The venue consists of three-storeys and a part basement. It is a brick and iron building, rapped around the north-west corner of Williams and James St. It has verandahs on all floors, with decorative metal filigree. Much of its original features from its 1896 construction have been retained; including its stained glass windows, timber staircases and joinery.[4]

The venue contains a function space, an upstairs bar, and a balcony. The neighbouring 'Patriots Sports Bar' is connected to the venue.[4] The original accommodation spaces are still on the second floor, and are used as administrative and staff spaces.[4]

In its early 20th century period, the bar contained 'a large billiard room, a magnificent saloon, and front bar, the fittings of which are equal to anything in the city, where patrons are served with courtesy and despatch.'[5]

History and operations

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The Great Western Hotel (1900)
 
Saloon bar, 1906

The hotel was built on a plot of valuable, strategically located land owned by a widow, Mrs. Davies. She commissioned Michael Cavanagh to design a three-story hotel for the site. Its design is now regarded as an example of the 'Federation Filigree' style.[6] It was one of the more lavish hotels constructed in Perth during the Gold Boom period.[6]

The venue was constructed in 1896 and initially named the Great Western Hotel. Its first publican was Myer Rosenweig.[6] By 1899 the licensee was with Mr. George West, an altercation that year made local headlines after he was charged with obstructing police from arresting patrons.[7][8] In 1906 it was in the hands of Mr. Chas Brewer,[5][9] and in 1907 in the hands of Mr. Bert Porter.[10]

In 1913 the venue was acquired by George H Kentish, a well-known publican of the Goldfields who had previously managed the Tivoli, Oriental, and Shamrock Hotels in Kalgoorlie.[11][12][13] In its early days the venue was renowned as a 'free house', not tied by contract to selling any particular brand of liquor.[5]

The venue appears multiple times in newspaper records from the early 20th century; in matters including lawsuits over staff pay disputes,[14] violent disturbances,[15] foul language,[16] brawls with police officers,[17] pickpocketing,[18] and robberies.[19]

Modern period

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The venue was significantly refurbished in 1988–89, and was renamed the 'Brass Monkey'.[20]

In 2007 the venue was purchased by ALE Property Group.[2]

The venue announced a change in style in 2022, stating that it would be attempting to operate as an ordinary worker's pub; rather than as a nightclub.[4]

In modern times the venue has continued to be a source of local headlines for disturbances.[21][22][23]

Reception

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In recent years, decisions of the hotel's management have resulted in public criticism and attention in local headlines. A decision to host an Anzac Day event in 2017 was described as 'disgusting' and 'tasteless'.[24] The previous year, the venue was criticised for displaying sexist banners in promotion of a fraternity themed party being hosted.[25] Venue management later apologised after reporting in the SMH, and news.com.au.[26]

The venue has been referenced in Perth popular culture.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge is ornate and distinctive". www.realperthwa.com. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  2. ^ a b "ALE Group buys Brass Monkey hotels". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  3. ^ Offen, Richard (2018). Lost Perth. ISBN 9781911595601.
  4. ^ a b c d Staff, Perth Is OK (2022-03-01). "Monkey See, Monkey New: The Brass Monkey Is Returning To Its Original Corner Pub Vibes". Perth is OK!. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  5. ^ a b c "A FREE HOUSE". Sunday Times. 1906-11-04. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. ^ a b c "History". Brass Monkey Hotel, Northbridge, WA. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  7. ^ "Great Western Hotel". Inquirer and Commercial News. 1899-03-10. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  8. ^ "The Great Western Hotel Affair". West Australian. 1899-01-19. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  9. ^ "Great Western Hotel. CHAS. BREWER, Proprietor". Sunday Times. 1906-12-23. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  10. ^ "Great Western Hotel". Sunday Times. 1907-12-22. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  11. ^ "Great Western Hotel". Truth. 1913-06-21. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  12. ^ "Great Western Hotel". Truth. 1913-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  13. ^ "Great Western Hotel". Truth. 1913-12-20. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  14. ^ "CHAMPAGNE AND SOVEREIGNS". Daily News. 1920-05-28. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  15. ^ "Disturbance Created". Evening Mail. 1907-05-14. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  16. ^ "BAD LANGUAGE". Daily News. 1897-02-16. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  17. ^ "In the Great Western Hotel". The West Australian. 23 March 1907. p. 3. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  18. ^ "AN ALLEGED PICKPOCKET". Daily News. 1903-05-14. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  19. ^ "Robbery at the Great Western Hotel". Norseman Times. 1920-03-02. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  20. ^ "Heritage Council of WA - Places Database". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  21. ^ "Man jailed over Perth pub glassing". PerthNow. 2020-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  22. ^ "'So much blood' in Northbridge glassing". PerthNow. 2020-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  23. ^ "Man and boy, 14 charged over violent Northbridge attack". The West Australian. 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  24. ^ "Hotel attacked for Anzac Day eve event". PerthNow. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  25. ^ McNeill, Heather (2016-12-29). "Brass Monkey Hotel forced to apologise for sexist 'frat party' banners". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  26. ^ Staff writers (30 December 2016). "Perth pub under fire for hanging offensive 'frat party' banners from balcony". News.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Perth men fall in love after brawl | Perth Underground". www.perthunderground.com.au. Retrieved 2023-06-12.

31°56′56″S 115°51′33″E / 31.9488°S 115.8593°E / -31.9488; 115.8593