Brass Monkey Hotel
The Brass Monkey | |
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 Front of building from across intersection | |
 Interactive map of Brass Monkey Hotel | |
| Address | Intersection of William and James streets, NorthbridgePerthAustralia |
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| Coordinates | 31°56′56″S115°51′33″E / 31.948812°S 115.859237°E / -31.948812; 115.859237 |
| Type | Bar, music venue |
| Website | |
www | |
The Brass Monkey Hotel is a pub located at the intersection of James and William streets in Northbridge, a suburb of Perth in Western Australia.[1][2][3]
Description
The venue consists of three storeys and a part basement. It is a brick and iron building, at the north-west corner of the intersection of William and James streets. 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 hotel was built on a plot of valuable, strategically located land owned by Mrs Davies, a widow. 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" (that is, not tied by contract to selling any particular brand of liquor).[5]
The venue appears multiple times in newspaper records in matters including lawsuits over staff pay disputes,[14] violent disturbances,[15] foul language,[16] brawls,[17][18] pickpocketing,[19] and robberies.[20]
Modern period
The venue was significantly refurbished in 1988–1989, and was renamed the Brass Monkey.[21] In 2007 the venue was purchased by Ale Property Group.[2]
The venue has continued to be a source of local headlines for disturbances,[22][23][24] and 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]
Reception
Decisions of the hotel's management have resulted in public criticism and attention in local headlines: an Anzac Day event in 2017 was described as "disgusting" and "tasteless",[25] and in 2016 the venue was criticised for displaying sexist banners in promotion of a fraternity themed party being hosted,[26] for which it subsequently apologised.[27]
See also
References
- ^"The Brass Monkey Hotel in Northbridge is ornate and distinctive". www.realperthwa.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ ab"ALE Group buys Brass Monkey hotels". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^Offen, Richard (2018). Lost Perth. Pavilion Books. ISBN 9781911595601.
- ^ abcdStaff, Perth Is OK (1 March 2022). "Monkey See, Monkey New: The Brass Monkey Is Returning To Its Original Corner Pub Vibes". Perth is OK!. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ abc"A Free House". Sunday Times. 4 November 1906. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ abc"History". Brass Monkey Hotel, Northbridge, WA. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel". Inquirer and Commercial News. 10 March 1899. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"The Great Western Hotel Affair". West Australian. 19 January 1899. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel. CHAS. BREWER, Proprietor". Sunday Times. 23 December 1906. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel". Sunday Times. 22 December 1907. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel". Truth. 21 June 1913. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel". Truth. 14 June 1913. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Great Western Hotel". Truth. 20 December 1913. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"CHAMPAGNE AND SOVEREIGNS". Daily News. 28 May 1920. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Disturbance Created". Evening Mail. 14 May 1907. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"BAD LANGUAGE". Daily News. 16 February 1897. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"In the Great Western Hotel". The West Australian. 23 March 1907. p. 3. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Perth men fall in love after brawl | Perth Underground". www.perthunderground.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"AN ALLEGED PICKPOCKET". Daily News. 14 May 1903. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Robbery at the Great Western Hotel". Norseman Times. 2 March 1920. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Heritage Council of WA - Places Database". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Man jailed over Perth pub glassing". PerthNow. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"'So much blood' in Northbridge glassing". PerthNow. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^"Man and boy, 14 charged over violent Northbridge attack". The West Australian. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^Lette, Erienne (24 April 2017). "Hotel attacked for Anzac Day eve event". PerthNow. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^McNeill, Heather (29 December 2016). "Brass Monkey Hotel forced to apologise for sexist 'frat party' banners". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^Staff writers (30 December 2016). "Perth pub under fire for hanging offensive 'frat party' banners from balcony". news.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
