The Court | |
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 The Court in 2019 | |
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| Address | 50 Beaufort Street Perth Australia |
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| Type | Music venue, bar |
Court Hotel, colloquially known as the Court, is a music venue and bar in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
It is an historic hotel, located at the corner of Beaufort Street and James Street. Built in 1888, it has been used as a hotel since then continually. [6] [7]
The venue is located on the corner of James Street and Beaufort Street, on the east side of the James Street Mall through the Perth Cultural Centre. It neighbours Curtin House, the former headquarters of the detective unit of the Western Australian Police. [9]
The venue features a large astroturf outdoor courtyard, with a stage area. [10] The outside of the venue is painted in a colourful street-art style. [11]
It is marketed as a LGBTQ+ friendly venue. The venue is known for hosting drag shows. [12]
The Court Hotel was constructed in 1888 in the Victorian Regency architectural style, and later renovated to include Federation Free Classical style and, mostly internally, the Inter-War Art Deco style. [13] The name of the venue comes from its position across the road from a building in the Perth cultural precinct that used to operate as a Magistrates court.[ citation needed ]
From 1903 it was operated by Con O'Brien, the first Labor Member of the Legislative Council. [5]
Extensive renovations were undertaken in 1938, 2007, 2012 and 2017. [14] [15]
As of 2016, the venue is solely owned by Bree Maddox, a Perth socialite and former Penthouse model. The venue was formerly owned jointly by Maddox and her partner, Malcolm Day; prior to their separation. [16]
In 2019 and 2021, the venue has faced criticism from members of Perth's LGBTQ+ community. [17] This criticism followed the resurfacing of historic images of a drag queen Scarlet Adams performing in blackface at the venue; as well as claims from some patrons that antisocial and anti-queer behaviour had been experienced by patrons. [18] This included the use of anti-gay slurs by other patrons, and making queer patrons feel unsafe. In response to these criticisms, the venue adorned its entrance with rainbow colours while its owners publicly stated their support for the LGBTQ+ community; and hired additional security, but declined a requested ban on non-queer patrons. [19] [20] In response to the blackface allegations, the venue issued an apology. [21]
In 2022, a mural was painted onto the side of the building by Fremantle-based artist Jackson Harvey. [11]
In September 2023, Australian Venue Co. entered an agreement to purchase The Court from Maddox. [22]
