Fremantle Nightlife

Situated on the water, in the previous home of the Crocodile Farm, Little Creatures has quite a cult following. Home to the funky, it has a great menu which includes a variety of off-beat pizzas and has a real industrial feel with good music. It can be hard to get a seat, but it’s a good place to go if you’re willing to get there early and stay on. It does brew it’s own beer, which includes the well known Pale Ale, and Rogers. I prefer the Elsie B’s Red Bubbles myself.

Dress Code: Neat Casual.

The Fly By Nite Musicians Club has been around for 20 years. This quaint former airplane hangar plays host to all manner of musical delights. Some favourites that I’ve caught there over the years include The Tea Party, Nathan Gaunt, Something for Kate and Fourplay (String Quartet). Other regulars include Bob Evans (of Jebediah fame), Eskimo Joe, and the John Butler Trio, but they do hold other events such as family shows, fundraisers and comedy evenings.

You can buy drinks there and you can usually get tickets at the door at an increased price, however if it’s a popular gig I would suggest you get them before hand.

Check out their website for the latest gig updates.

Dress Code: Depends on the gig!

Again, one of Freo’s more upmarket pubs, owned by a local footballer I believe. Good food, but definitely a venue for the beautiful people or if you’re off you’re face and don’t notice everyone sizing you up as you walk in. Whenever I’m there I can’t wait to leave.

Dress Code: Snazzy

The Newport or “the Newie” as the locals call it is home to many a live band. Over the years there have been some fantastic gigs at the Newport. It’s particularly home of the SLAM gig (Support Local Alternative Music, created by Stevie D) which is a gig that consists of six or seven local bands, usually with a theme of some kind – eg Santa Slam, Metal Slam.

Dress Code: Neat Casual, no workboots

Metropolis opened in Fremantle in 1990 and has since opened a larger club in Perth. They have five chambers that represent the elements Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Air, 8 bars and 4DJ’s. They regularly have both local and international touring acts. You will have to present ID upon entry.

Open: Fri 9.00pm – 5.00am, Sat 9.00pm – 6.00am, Sunday 9.00pm – 1.00am

Millenium Cinemas is owned by Hoyts Cinemas and it is just off the Cappuccino strip in Fremantle. Their theatres have all the latest in technology. Free street parking is available on week days after 5.00pm and there is a carpark next door to the cinema also.

The Swan Hotel is just over the Swan River from historic Fremantle. They provide live music on Tues, Thurs-Sun nights. The old hotel has been a landmark on the north bank for many years. The old Cave bar has been refurbished and is now the Swan Basement which plays host to a wide variety of both international and national bands.

There are 2 bars, a restaurant and a bottle shop at Moondyne Joes. The Governors Bar has 18 beers on tap as well as a good assortment of bottled beers and Australian wines. Friday and Saturday night you can enjoy live entertainment. You can also get a meal there. In the Sports Bar there is a big screen TV, pool tables and a TAB for betting, most events are shown live.

The pub is named after the legend of Moondyne Joe (also known as Joseph Bolitho Johns) who was born in 1831 and won fame for his jail-breaking feats at both the Fremantle and Toodyay (Newcastle) jails between 1861 and 1969. He managed to escape every time he was placed behind bars. They finally had to build him a special cell to keep him in. Most of his offences seem to be mainly horse stealing and jail breaking. His name came from the fact that he would roam the Moondyne Hills wearing a kangaroo skin cape and possum skin slippers.