Perth : Small Bars Approved in 2011 = GTFO

"There hasn't been a single small bar license approved for the Perth CBD or Northbridge area in 2011."

When the Western Australian liquor laws were modified in 2007, to enable budding entrepreneurs an easier path to opening a "small bar", I didn't expect the reality of the 2011 outcome. What was promised was the potential for a landscape of smaller premises, with lower capacities, sharing the growing number of patrons that were beginning to choke the often problematic large capacity beer-barns that Perth has known for decades. There was even an advertising campaign. I'm pretty sure it mentioned Melbourne. The gist was that lane-ways would be "activated", and a number of "funky" small bars would be allowed to open, finally giving Perth residents a genuine choice of where to meet for a "sophisticated" experience with quality wines, spirits, beers, and food options. Did you fall for it? Call me an optimist, a glass half full kind of guy, but I fell for the promises hook, line, and sinker.

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Perth - More Laneways, and "Craning" its the Latest Craze for Perth's Impetuous Youth.

Take a look at the next two photos. What do they have in common? When I received this in my email, my first reaction was "are you shitting me?". The top photo was taken by a regular visitor to this site, I'm sure he will comment below. Whatup, V!

Totally inspiring. The cranes below are known amongst craners as the "Four Kings". Similar to the drive of a mountain climber, Perth's "craners" just want to bag another summit. V has done them all. Whilst I can't condone this behaviour, I can't also not not condone this behaviour. That should get me off the legal hook. One more thing, before we move on, I would not not like to see any copy-cat photos emailed to me. I mean, I really, really, would not not hate to see people doing this sort of stuff on a regular basis. Just don't not do it!

For those that need clarification, yes, the first photo was taken from one of the cranes in the second photo. The photo matter *is* one of the cranes in the second photo.

Back to Perth's lane-ways. I prefer to call them alley-ways, it sounds dirtier. Another great CBD location. The following four photos are all from the same alley, it is seriously in the absolute middle of the CBD. The potential of all of these locations is astounding. M-ust---re-sist--com-par--is---on--to-MEL---BOURNE!!!

Also, I recommend not not sitting down in the peace and quiet of that space, and not not enjoying a nice alcoholic beverage.

One more from Condor Car Park, word is that some residents have actually moved in.

Harry Seidler's QV1 doesn't really fit in to this post. But, fuck it, its the best tower in Perth, and looks at its best at night, in winter. The sun has gone down, the office lights are on, and the busy little workers are still pumping out memos, papers, and tps reports, instead of, well, something better.

For the outsiders (people from overseas or interstate, and people north of Walcott St), the last photo shows an insight into the business premises slightly north of the CBD. Not much to be said, it just looks great at night. The trading hours of this den of iniquity are an example to service providers everywhere. For the locals, keep Pier St in mind next time you are looking for a late-night ATM - trust me, its the only one in this neighbourhood.

Perth CBD Alleyways - Part One - Baby I Like It Raw

Perth has an abundance of ready-to-use alleyways throughout the CBD. These laneways are the lifeblood of the city. Attracting skateboarders, drug users, fashion models, and Asian photographers, they already have the exact clientele any world class CBD yearns for. The gentrified laneways, such as Wolf, Munster, and Shafto lanes, were a good start. However, it's the location, rawness, and aesthetics of the central CBD laneways which will ultimately feed Perth's embryonic claim to realness.

All of the photos were taken in the Perth CBD, today.

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