While Northbridge has evolved more than a new Kanye West project in recent years, one thing has been a constant.
The Universal Bar at the bottom of William Street just celebrated its 23rd year in the heart of Perth and the live music venue has not missed a beat, evolving behind the bar but maintaining a healthy, loyal clientele with its focus on music.
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The Universal Bar has been a go to place in Northbridge for over 23 years, Manager Trevor Candido shares some insights into how the place has been around for so long.
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How to stay relevant in Northbridge
The Universal Bar has been a go to place in Northbridge for over 23 years, Manager Trevor Candido shares some insights into how the place has been around for so long.
With Perth's inner-city live music scene now dead in once-thriving venues such as The Grosvenor and Hyde Park Hotel, the Universal Bar is arguably more popular and in-demand than ever - no fancy reno required.
It was pleasing to see the dance floor at the understated but detail-heavy bar is just as small and cramped, and the toilets still carry decades-old graffiti... in fact, while refreshing wouldn't quite describe Universal, it could management's approach to maintaining its modus operandi... and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Operations manager Trevor Candido has been at the Universal for 19 years and said the bustling bar, which just won best live entertainment venue and best late night venue at the 2016 AHA Awards, remained a favourite because it didn't change just for the sake of it.
"You've got to be something, and that's what Universal Bar is; it's the quintessential live music venue.. that's how it was designed, that's how it operates, it looks and smells like a live music venue," he said.
"It adds to the character of the place, it's a jumpy atmosphere.\
"We've built on the success of the live music... we don't downsize what we do as a venue, we always make sure it's consistent, good quality and stuff that people can relate and have fun to."
The Universal has (thankfully) not undergone a major renovation, despite the industrial look its new neighbours employ and the modern makeovers many suburban pubs have done.
It seems management's belief in what they do enables the the bar to still attracts all walks of life as well keeping existing clientele on their feet.
"There's a lot of newcomers in Northbridge, a lot of venues that have opened up in the last three of four years, but to still stand out amongst that crowd after 23 years is really good," he said.
"Northbridge certainly has changed over the years... back when I started it was the place to be, it really was an emerging area but other places like Leederville and Mt Lawley opened.
"But Northbridge is still the hub for entertainment in Perth, especially in the last five years since all the development and new business have developed in the area.
"All of a sudden you're seeing a new Northbrigdge... if you haven't been to here in the last five years you probably wouldn't recognise it today... and I'm one of those people that believe Northbridge's best years are ahead of it."
Candido and Universal's dance floor aren't the only constants in the bustling bar... its cocktail list is still one of the best in Perth, concocted by the same team for the past 15 years.
They now produce their own cocktails, with special elements allowing them to serve them on tap via a keg, meaning those eager to down a drink before a dance won't have to wait long.
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