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Perth Town Hall FAQ
Where is the Perth Town Hall?
The Perth Town Hall is the building with the clock tower located at the corner of Hay and Barrack Streets in Perth.
What kinds of events is the Hall suitable for?
The Perth Town Hall is suitable for concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, cocktail parties, presentations, banquets and wedding ceremonies and receptions. It is appropriate for some types of dances.
What upcoming Events are at the Town Hall?
For information on upcoming events that are open to the public, click HERE and locate 'Perth Town Hall' in the 'Venue' column.
Alternatively, ring (08) 9229 2965 for details.
A regular event is:
- The Tuesday Morning Show
Tuesdays at 11:00 am, mid-February through early December
The Tuesday Morning Show is a free, weekly community event. Shows consist of both informative and musical components,
with a different program each week..
The event is generally aimed at seniors but all are welcome.
How can I see the Perth Town Hall?
- To tour the Hall with a view to hiring the venue, make an appointment with the Facilities Coordinator - ring 08 9229 2965 or email townhall@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
- Historic tours of the Perth Town Hall are conducted Thursdays at 2:00 pm. Tours last 45 minutes-1 hour and depart from the City of Perth kiosk in Forrest Place. Tours are free of charge but booking is advisable -- ring (08) 9461 3444 Groups please book in advance.
- The Lower and Upper Foyers are generally open to the public 11:00 am-1:00 pm weekdays. The Hall is sometimes closed due to bookings, however, so please check in advance by ringing (08) 9229-2965 if you plan to visit on a particular day.
- Another good way to see the Town Hall is to attend the Tuesday Morning Show.
- Take a virtual tour of the Town Hall.
What is the Town Hall’s capacity?
Rooms are not individually hired, except for exhibitions in the Lower Foyer not requiring access to the kitchen and toilets.
| Room | Size | Maximum number of persons |
|---|---|---|
| Total venue | 400 | |
| Main Hall | 21m x 12.8m | 400 standing 240 banquet style 360 concert style (260 chairs available) |
| Supper room | 20m x 4.5m | 82 |
| Lower foyer | 15m x 12m | 128 standing |
Is the Perth Town Hall heated and air conditioned?
Yes.
How can I hire Perth Town Hall?
Have a look at the Venue Hire information page and download the Hirer’s Guide for complete information.
How much does it cost to hire Perth Town Hall?
- The charge for functions is hourly. Set-up and clean-up times are chargeable.
Fees information is available on the Venue Hire information page. - Approved not-for-profit community organisations are eligible for a 25% discount.
- A special daily exhibition rate applies to exhibitions held in the Lower Foyer where no access to the kitchen or upstairs toilets is required.
- A bond is also payable, refunded if the Hall is left in good condition and on time. The bond also serves as your deposit when confirming a booking.
- Rates for are subject to change each financial year.
Can I have a wedding at the Perth Town Hall?
Yes. The venue is suitable for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
What facilities and equipment are available?
260 chairs, a new kitchen, a stage equipped with modern sound and lighting systems, 24 banquet tables seating 8-10 and 48 linear metres of exhibition panelling are available. For complete information please download the Hirer’s Guide on the Venue Hire information page.
Is dancing allowed at the Hall?
Since its construction the Perth Town Hall’s jarrah floorboards have delighted generations of dancers. However, the building was not designed for modern conditions. Experts have advised that 'modern concentrations of dancers' - vigorous rhythmic dancing by closely spaced groups of people--may cause damage to the structure.
Events for which the venue IS generally suitable:
- Most structured dances and contests including swing, tango, jive.
- Most wedding receptions.
Events for which the venue is generally NOT suitable:
- Dances featuring music that is rock, club or loud pop style
- Most 18th and 21st birthdays
- Concerts where a 'mosh pit' will develop
- Events with a band or DJ likely to encourage vigorous rhythmic dancing by large numbers
How much clean up is required?
- All rubbish removed to rubbish bins
- Tables cleared, hired tables folded and stacked to one side or in the Supper Room.
- Floors quickly swept to remove debris
- Spills wiped up and breakages cleared (preferably when they occur)
- Kitchen, if used, left quite clean
- No areas left unusually dirty
- Caterers will generally do this level of clean-up if asked
A Duty Manager/ Caretaker is on hand to provide cleaning equipment and supplies. If the Hall is left in a dirty or damaged condition, or if the event goes more than ten minutes over the specified time of hire, part of or the entire bond may be withheld to cover the costs of cleaning, repairs and/or hire fees.
Which caterers can I use?
Perth Town Hall is one of the rare grand venues in Perth where hirers are free to choose any appropriate caterer, or to self-cater. Self caterers may be asked to complete a brief food safety questionnaire.
What about security, insurance, liquor licenses, and APRA licenses?
- Security: All events after 6:00 PM require a security guard. Events involving more than 150 people, and certain other events, require two or more guards. The cost of security will be included in your quotation.
- Insurance: A certificate of public liability insurance is asked from businesses and organisations hiring the Hall. Private parties do not require public liability insurance.
- Liquor: Weddings and private parties where alcohol is supplied free of charge do not require a license. Most other events - where alcohol is sold or supplied as part of a ticket price, or which include hospitality provided to sponsors or clients, or where it has been paid for out of members’ fees - do require a license.
Many caterers hold a liquor license. The caterer’s license will cover your event so long as the caterers are serving the alcohol.
Otherwise, applications for occasional liquor licenses can be obtained at by ringing the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor on (08) 9425 1888, or accessing the website on www.orgl.wa.gov.au or. Click on Liquor, Application Kits and Occasional License. You must apply for a license at least two weeks before the event. For events involving 250-300 people, the applicant must complete a short version of the Responsible Service of Alcohol course. For events over 300 people, the licensee, event mgr and all servers must have completed the full Responsible Service of Alcohol course.
- APRA: The Hall holds an APRA Hall license. Many ticketed events involving music, and non-ticketed events where entertainment costs more than $2000, may require an additional APRA license.
What about parking and transport?
The City of Perth makes available two parking places during the period of hire for loading and unloading. These are 'drop off - pick up' bays located on the east side of Barrack St, just south of Hay St. The signs will be hooded with 'NO STOPPING' signs.
- Nearest City of Perth public parking (CPP):
- Pier Street, between Murray and Wellington Streets, and
- Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace - Red and blue CAT bus stops and a taxi rank are next to the venue
- A Disability parking space is 20 metres from venue
- Perth City train station and the Perth Bus Station are 3 blocks from the Town Hall
- Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Perth Busport are 5 blocks from the Town Hall
- Close to several City hotels
See http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/ for availability of public transport from other areas.
Are there any special restrictions?
Perth Town Hall is a heritage venue and needs special care.
- To protect the Perth Town Hall’s heritage jarrah flooring, the management respectfully requests that metal-heeled shoes not be worn .
- Affixing posters or decorations to the walls or hanging banners from the outside of the building are not allowed due to heritage considerations. Posters may be fixed to the Lower Foyer’s glass walls. There are opportunities for displaying free-standing A-frame signs and banners.
- Candles and open flames are prohibited inside the building
- One or more security guards are required for events after 6pm.
- Children are welcome but must be supervised at all times due to the presence of open stairwells, art and memorabilia.
- All bookings must be appropriate for a civic heritage venue and are approved at the discretion of the City of Perth.