Ellington Jazz Club

The Ellington Jazz Club opened in 2009 on Beaufort Street, just north of Newcastle Street, a short distance from the city centre. It was founded by Graham Wood and Bernard Kong, and in 2023 it was bought by Travis Simmons and Zoe Jay, who now run it. Over the years it has become one of the best-loved jazz venues in Australia, and it has been a venue for both the Perth International Jazz Festival and Fringe World.

The club presents live music every night of the week. The programme changes often and ranges across jazz, blues, soul, funk and contemporary music influenced by jazz, so some nights are laid-back and others lively. Local musicians make up much of the line-up, including students from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and the venue has had its share of surprises: in 2014 Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones sat in for an unannounced performance. The room is described by the club as a space designed for listening, with the focus on the stage.

The bar covers classic cocktails, house and top-shelf spirits, rotating beers on tap and in bottles, ciders, local and international wines and French champagne. For food, the kitchen serves hand-stretched 12-inch pizzas and bar snacks, with vegan and gluten-free options, so you can make a full evening of it without going elsewhere for dinner.

Tickets are sold for individual shows through the club's website, and popular nights do sell out, so book ahead if there is an act you particularly want to see. Regulars can join one of the membership programmes, which offer benefits such as discounted entry and preferred seating, and gift vouchers are available. The club also hosts private functions by enquiry.

The Ellington suits couples on a date night, music lovers and anyone looking for an alternative to a noisy bar. It is open seven nights a week, and the address is 193 Beaufort Street. Beaufort Street continues north into Highgate, where cafes such as the original Mary Street Bakery are worth a visit by day, and the bars of Northbridge, including The Rechabite on William Street, offer options for a drink before the show.