Northbridge Suburb Profile

Situated just north of Perth’s CBD, you can practically dine around the world in Northbridge, catch a live performance or hang out at bespoke bars hidden down laneways only the locals know how to find. Living in Northbridge means being at the centre of it all, with the area’s multi-cultural heritage standing proud, built on the backbone of Western Australia’s European and Asian immigrant population. Connected to the city by the Yagan Square tourist precinct, Northbridge is laid out in a grid, with Roe Street bordering the rail line and offering easy transport links for the residents, workers, and visitors of Northbridge and the Perth CBD. 

It’s notorious for its thriving nightlife offered by its clubs, live music venues, pubs, and unique bars. But when the day breaks, Northbridge resumes an air of respectability with its boutiques, cafes, and shops. Many are drawn for the wide range of cuisines and fresh food outlets, including several excellent European and Asian supermarkets. Living in Northbridge also means enjoying easy access to the Perth Cultural Centre’s theatres, outdoor venues, bars, eateries, museums, and galleries. This tourist precinct also hosts many year-round festivals and cultural events including the Perth International Arts Festival, Fringe World Festival, food festivals, markets, rooftop movies, pop-up venues, exhibitions, and art installations. 

Best known for apartment living, many are delighted to discover its heritage district tucked away on the outskirts teeming with stately character homes once housing Perth’s affluent society. Many of these homes have been restored to their former glory, bestowing an unexpected elegance to this tourist hotspot. 

Area Features

Diverse Cuisine

You can practically eat your way around the world in Northbridge. Choose from Italian, Indian, Vietnamese, Greek, Japanese, Mexican, Mediterranean, Korean, Thai, Cambodian, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Indonesian, Australian cuisine and a few fusions in between. Perth’s official Chinatown is hidden down a maze of laneways; just look for the red pagoda on Roe Street, although it’s not uncommon to see lines forming along William Street and many of the side streets for yum cha. 

Bars

Name your poison and there’s probably a bar for that in Northbridge. Tiki, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey and bourbon are just a few of the speciality bars located in basements, concealed courtyards and on rooftops. Some require a password to enter – assuming you can identify their hidden entrances down back alleys and in secret passages accessed from other venues. But don’t despair; all is revealed in their socials.

Perth Cultural Centre

Known as the cultural hub of Perth, this enclave houses the State Theatre Centre, Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA), Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), Blue Room Theatre, State Library, WA Museum Boola Bardip, eateries and bars. Keep an eye out for public artworks and year-round outdoor events, especially in the Wetland and Urban Orchard in front of the AGWA. 

Street Art

Melbourne might be the street art capital of Australia, but Perth is still in the race, often in the most unexpected of suburban settings. There’s rarely an empty wall in Northbridge – you could spend hours trying to find them all, but here are a few hints – Chinatown, the carpark behind Arcade 189 (off William Street), on the TAFE building, along the Hook and Lock Lanes running parallel to William Street and in many bars, to name a few. 

Northbridge Piazza

This open green space is the place to relax with a picnic on the lawn and a cultural hub for live performances, exhibitions, festivals, events and free movies on the giant LED screen. Open 24 hours a day, this lively spot lies in the heart of Northbridge and is a central meeting spot, just like they do in European cities.

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