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The Rechabite

Bar · Multi-level bar and live performance venue$$Northbridge, Perth

A restored 1920 temperance hall on William Street in Northbridge, now four floors of bars, food, a rooftop and one of Perth's live performance spaces.

At a glance

Type
Multi-level bar and live performance venue
Area
Northbridge, Perth, Australia
Price
$$ · Mid-range
Official site
therechabite.com.au

Good to know

  • Rooftop bar
  • Live performance hall
  • Multiple bars
  • Food

Why we recommend it

The Rechabite takes its name from the Independent Order of Rechabites, a temperance movement opposed to alcohol, whose Perth branch was based in this building on William Street for decades. The hall was designed by architect Edwin Summerhayes and built in 1920, and the irony of its current life as a home for bars is part of the fun. After the Rechabites left, the building passed through many uses, including a Commonwealth Bank branch, artist studios, a photographer's shop, a bike shop, a barber, a gallery and an independent theatre, and in the 1990s it was a squat associated with a local grunge band.

The building was restored in 2019 and reopened as a multi-level venue across four floors of food, drink and live entertainment. At its centre is the Rechabite Hall, one of Perth's live performance spaces. Around it are several bars and dining spaces: the Goodwill Club in the basement, Double Rainbow Eating House on a middle level, and Hello Rooftop Bar at the top of the building. Visit Perth describes the hall as a live performance space where anything can happen and probably will.

The variety is what makes the Rechabite worth seeking out. You can start the evening with a drink on the rooftop, eat downstairs, and finish with a show in the hall without leaving the building. It suits groups of friends, couples on a night out and anyone who enjoys live performance. Visit Perth lists the venue as open from 5pm until late from Monday to Thursday and from midday until late from Friday to Sunday, and notes wheelchair access. Check the venue's website for the current programme of shows and for the opening times of each space before you go.

The Rechabite is at 224 William Street in Northbridge. The free CAT bus runs between Barrack Street Jetty and Northbridge, and the Perth Cultural Centre, with the WA Museum Boola Bardip and the Art Gallery of Western Australia, is also in Northbridge, so it is easy to combine an afternoon of sightseeing with an evening here. If you want somewhere to stay nearby, Alex Hotel on James Street is also in Northbridge.

The Rechabite FAQs

Where is The Rechabite?

At 224 William Street, Northbridge.

What is The Rechabite?

A restored 1920 hall with four floors of food, drink and live entertainment, including a performance hall and a rooftop bar.

Why is it called The Rechabite?

The building was the Perth base of the Independent Order of Rechabites, a temperance movement.

Is there a rooftop bar?

Yes. Hello Rooftop Bar is at the top of the building.

When is The Rechabite open?

Visit Perth lists 5pm until late Monday to Thursday and 12pm until late Friday to Sunday.

Are there live shows?

Yes. The Rechabite Hall is a live performance space.

When was the building restored?

It was restored in 2019.

Who designed the building?

Architect Edwin Summerhayes designed it, and it was built in 1920.

How do I get there?

The free CAT bus runs between Barrack Street Jetty and Northbridge.

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