Society/Culture Northbridge

[WCEforeverman]

Northbridge has been a bad scene for a few years not. Drunken yobs trying to bash each others brains out, keep people like myself away.

Which is a pity because there are some good restaurants in Northbridge. You just don't want to hang around after 11pm.

The state government has proposed 'lock-outs' where you can't enter a club after 3am, however if you are still in the club you can continue drinking.

Is there any measures like this in other states?

The one thing that I think could help, would be to decrease the cost of liquor licenses. At the moment Perth really only has 3 night club districts (Northbridge, Subiaco and Freo) with Northbridge having the majority of the clubs due to the cost and restrictions in obtaining a liquor license.

This encourages all of the d*ck heads in Perth to gather in the same spot, and then try to club each other to death.

If smaller bars where able to set up in the CBD and surrounding areas, and pubs where able to be open later, Maybe this would stop them all gathering together. A bit like Melbourne's pub and club scene?

Yay or nay?

 

[Empire_Persian]

One hot Saturday night, after 12am, they should drop a bomb on the place....

Then in the bloody aftermath, re-develop the area (like Subiaco)

 

[Rob]

It has been highly comical to see the usual band of clowns that think they know what's good for everyone else just attempt to solve problems by making easy decisions - i.e banning things.

Recently we've had a function centre and a little creatures-style microbrewery denied liquor licences. Both are hardly the sort of places that attract the ********s that cause problems, and at worst the ********s might spread out a bit more. But it seems to be on the basis that people will drink more - can someone explain how people will drink at 2 places at once?

The best way to fix the problems of Northbridge is to get more people in there - but that would require decisions that need a bit of thought. Much easier to just put a blanket ban on everything.

 

[tandino]

The state government has proposed 'lock-outs' where you can't enter a club after 3am, however if you are still in the club you can continue drinking.

Is there any measures like this in other states?

Yeah, we tried that in Melbourne, it didn't last long.

I think they should go the other way, right through to the morning on Friday and Saturday night. If you have an arbitrary closing time, then you get all the pissed guys being released into the streets at the same time. Allow them to leave at their leisure, and they will stagger their leaving times, which should mean less troublemakers on the streets at any given time.

That's the theory, anyway.

 

[bit_pattern]

Where's Northbridge?

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Where's Northbridge?

Suburb immediately north of the Perth CBD.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

I'm amazed at the logic behind lockouts and early closing times;

"I know! We'll solve the problem of drunk people wandering around the streets looking for a fight by forcing more drunk people out on the streets so they can look for a fight!"

There's five things the governent can do that'll go a long way to fixing Northbridge, none of which they'll even consider;

- More Ultra-Peak period taxis. (Too gutless to take on Swan for their shitful service.)

-Forcing taxis to pick up passengers (on the proviso that they aren't overly drunk or violent - there's nothing more aggravating than waving down a taxi only to have the dullard driving go "Oh sorry, I only go south!". But again, the government is too gutless to take on Swan for their shitful service)

-More Police in the area from midnight to three. This is when the Shed, Deen, Mustang Bar and most of the other beer barns shut, and therefore when most of the trouble occurs. Anyone still there at four or five in the morning is likely to be more concerned with running around hugging people than looking for a fight. But more police where they might actually do what they're paid for might mean a couple of speed cameras coming off the road, so there's no chance of that happening either.

-Run trains on the hour until 4-5am. Takes the pressure off the taxi ranks and gets people out of there quicker. But this contravenes Cottesloe Col's budget cuts, so there's no chance of it happening.

-Approve smaller licenses, and allow them to trade for the same hours as nightclubs. They attract a better crowd, split the overall crowd into more manageable groups (100 being rather more manageable than 1000). There's a reason you don't see as many aggressive bogans in the CBD, subi and mount hawthorn - they dont get in.

-Remove the ridiculous provision in the licensing process that allows established owners to veto new venues.

It's a shockingly scummy area, but the current approach certainly won't make it less scummy.

 

[WA ROO]

I'm amazed at the logic behind lockouts and early closing times;

"I know! We'll solve the problem of drunk people wandering around the streets looking for a fight by forcing more drunk people out on the streets so they can look for a fight!"

There's five things the governent can do that'll go a long way to fixing Northbridge, none of which they'll even consider;

- More Ultra-Peak period taxis. (Too gutless to take on Swan for their shitful service.)

-Forcing taxis to pick up passengers (on the proviso that they aren't overly drunk or violent - there's nothing more aggravating than waving down a taxi only to have the dullard driving go "Oh sorry, I only go south!". But again, the government is too gutless to take on Swan for their shitful service)

-More Police in the area from midnight to three. This is when the Shed, Deen, Mustang Bar and most of the other beer barns shut, and therefore when most of the trouble occurs. Anyone still there at four or five in the morning is likely to be more concerned with running around hugging people than looking for a fight. But more police where they might actually do what they're paid for might mean a couple of speed cameras coming off the road, so there's no chance of that happening either.

-Run trains on the hour until 4-5am. Takes the pressure off the taxi ranks and gets people out of there quicker. But this contravenes Cottesloe Col's budget cuts, so there's no chance of it happening.

-Approve smaller licenses, and allow them to trade for the same hours as nightclubs. They attract a better crowd, split the overall crowd into more manageable groups (100 being rather more manageable than 1000). There's a reason you don't see as many aggressive bogans in the CBD, subi and mount hawthorn - they dont get in.

-Remove the ridiculous provision in the licensing process that allows established owners to veto new venues.

It's a shockingly scummy area, but the current approach certainly won't make it less scummy.

Excellent ideas mostly
The only one I have a problem with is about the trains,have you ever been to Perth central train station at night.I am not a little bloke and used to go to Northbridge all the time years ago.But I wouldn't go into the train station after 9.00pm unless I had the SAS with me

If trains are going to run late,some major security would need to be there.Or else people will prefer to walk home

 

[Docker Clint]

One hot Saturday night, after 12am, they should drop a bomb on the place....

Then in the bloody aftermath, re-develop the area (like Subiaco)

A nice neutron bomb. Get rid of the life forms that dwell within.

I used to go to Northbridge a few years ago and it was no worse than Kings Cross for nastiness, just not as entertaining.

Went for New Years a couple of years ago and after leaving a club, walking up James St the sense of evil was palpable. I thought the place was going to explode at any minute in violence.

Northbridge isn't just the centre of it though. Went to Metros in Freo for the last time 18 months ago and I saw 5 punch ups. When I first started clubbing as an 18 year old, you wouldn't even see a pushing and shoving with drunks and bouncers for weeks.

There's more idiots on ice and crap like that. There's more than just booze fueled violence going.

 

[Docker Clint]

Excellent ideas mostly
The only one I have a problem with is about the trains,have you ever been to Perth central train station at night.I am not a little bloke and used to go to Northbridge all the time years ago.But I wouldn't go into the train station after 9.00pm unless I had the SAS with me

If trains are going to run late,some major security would need to be there.Or else people will prefer to walk home

I haven't got a problem jumping on a train at 2am on a Friday or Saturday. No fear at all.

It's getting off at the end and the walk home that gets the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

 

[sabre_ac]

I am not particularly a massive fan of Northbridge, mainly for the following reasons:

1. Its a massive dude ranch
2. Pain in the ass to get a taxi
3. Only places open after 3am are completely dodgey
4. The bouncers you have to deal with

I will say this however, I am honestly a firm believer that normally the only people that find themselves in violent situations are those that go looking for it or have aggressive nature.

I can honestly say that guys I know who are out for a good time (Usually chasing chicks) and have no interest in fighting or confronting idiots never feel unsafe in NB.
As the saying goes..Live by the sword, die by the sword.

It also doesn't help if you can be big enough to walk away from a situation or ignore it.

 

[stormee]

Not that bad. Only really go to Dorcia at Bar Open though and thats on the edge of NB however. Aberdeen St etc I would NEVER go there but that's just because it's seriously not my crowd and I probably would get bashed for laughing at someone for being an idiot. So maybe it is that bad actually.

 

[Underdog]

Recently we've had a function centre and a little creatures-style microbrewery denied liquor licences. Both are hardly the sort of places that attract the ********s that cause problems, and at worst the ********s might spread out a bit more. But it seems to be on the basis that people will drink more - can someone explain how people will drink at 2 places at once?

The micro brewery was knocked back because it didn't fulfill the requirements of it's proposal. Apparently, some areas were severely lacking and as such, had to be denied. Whether that be on the actual or merely documented side is unknown.

So I'm not sure how you came to those other conclusions...

Should they resubmit with a better proposal, who knows!?

You can't really blame the authorities if they have a set of standards and a proposal didn't meet them.

I think it would be great to have though.

 

[Play by Numbers]

You would think lockouts would cause an increase in violence??

The city link is what was needed.

Open the area up. Partial re-development.

More people, more families, more variety.

 

[JimDocker]

My wife and I took our little boy (2yo) to Northbridge on Sunday afternoon to check out the new piazza. A band was playing and there was a really nice atmosphere which I don't normally associate with Northbridge.

The piazza though, was just a bit embarrasing. It is like an afterthought to just put a stage in the corner and have some plastic seats around, albit, artisticly designed plastic seats. I had heard it compared to Federation Square ???????

We just think too small in WA in general. The roads need to be closed for that piazza to work, or build it by the river where the entertainment precinct should be anyway.

I bought half a duck from the Good Fortune Roast Duck House on William St before we left though and that was fantastic. The chef chopped it up on the spot with a big cleaver.mmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Ted38]

A shithole an out of control shithole that attracts shitheads many of whom should not be allowed in general society let alone drink alcohol.
Doesn't matter what this government nor any other does it will always be a shithole as long as criminals are allowed to run venues where booze and drugs can be dispensed without any apparent problem.

 

[Play by Numbers]

It is called gentrification my friend.

When they open the area up, redevelopment and a change/increase in customers and foot traffic will bring with it greater investment (demand for purchase of these dodgy venues) and they will be forced to put more police on the streets.

Change in appearance, access and the predominant market of Northbridge will change the suburb.

It has been a long time coming and I also think it will be good not just for Northbridge, but Highgate, Mt Lawley and Inglewood.

 

[Stronzo]

I thought gentrification was when arty areas with a working class ethos are invaded by yuppies wanting to be near the culture, then buying up the property and raising the housing prices and forcing the poorer people who made the area, out?? e.g. Like what has been happening to freo recently.

Anyway, on topic - Freo big fella made some good suggestions, but what i'd add is a stricter dress code at all the different venues.

 

[Daytripper]

Is it the aboriginal youth gang culture that causes most of the problems or are the troublemakers spread across all groups ?

 

[JimDocker]

I thought gentrification was when arty areas with a working class ethos are invaded by yuppies wanting to be near the culture, then buying up the property and raising the housing prices and forcing the poorer people who made the area, out?? e.g. Like what has been happening to freo recently.

Anyway, on topic - Freo big fella made some good suggestions, but what i'd add is a stricter dress code at all the different venues.

Fremantle still has Clancy's though

 

[Ted38]

Is it the aboriginal youth gang culture that causes most of the problems or are the troublemakers spread across all groups ?

Geez dont even go there mate or the wimpy bleeding heart social engineers will be calling you a racist!

 

[Ted38]

It is called gentrification my friend.

When they open the area up, redevelopment and a change/increase in customers and foot traffic will bring with it greater investment (demand for purchase of these dodgy venues) and they will be forced to put more police on the streets.

Change in appearance, access and the predominant market of Northbridge will change the suburb.

It has been a long time coming and I also think it will be good not just for Northbridge, but Highgate, Mt Lawley and Inglewood.

Gentrification my arse! Dont hold your breath waiting for it to happen.

 

[Wally Carter]

I thought Northbridge was tame. I spent new years eve there a couple of years back and never had a problem.

I think it has a lot to do with how you carry yourself.

 

[Stronzo]

Fremantle still has Clancy's though

True that.

I thought Northbridge was tame. I spent new years eve there a couple of years back and never had a problem.

I think it has a lot to do with how you carry yourself.

It is a bit blown out of proportion, but the place does need some reinvigoration.

 

[Daytripper]

Geez dont even go there mate or the wimpy bleeding heart social engineers will be calling you a racist!

Its a genuine question.

I've got no idea about Perth nightlife.