Brass Monkey Hotel

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

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]

Contents

Description

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

The Great Western Hotel (1900) Website-Image+Placehold-Section+Aside+Image-1080x1080.jpg
The Great Western Hotel (1900)
Saloon bar, 1906 Brass Monkey.png
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

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

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

  1. "The Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge is ornate and distinctive". www.realperthwa.com. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  2. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 "A FREE HOUSE". Sunday Times. 1906-11-04. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. 1 2 3 "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″S115°51′33″E / 31.9488°S 115.8593°E / -31.9488; 115.8593