 | |
 | |
| 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/ | |
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]
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.