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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.

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 feature musical entertainment and sometimes informative speakers. with a different program each week,
    The event is generally aimed at seniors but all are welcome.


Is the Town Hall accessible?

  • There is a lift to the Main Hall for disabled access.
  • There is a separate disabled toilet with wheelchair access..
  • The entry to the main door is by ramped if approached via Hay St. There are steps on the Barrack St. approach.
  • The nearest disabled drop-off bay is 150 M away, south side of Murray St. near the corner of Barrack St.
  • The Red and Blue CAT buses stop outside the Town Hall, in Hay Street (Red CAT) and Barrack Stret (Blue CAT).
  • The nearest taxi rank is across the street on Hay St.
  • There is an infrared hearing system (a technical alternative to a hearing loop). If you planning to attend a Town Hall event and would like to use this system, it is advisable to ring in advance on 9461 3555.

How can I see the Perth Town Hall?

  • To tour the Hall with a view to hiring the venue, please make an appointment. Ring the Bookings Officer on 9461 3555 or email townhall@cityofperth.wa.gov.au. Appointments can be made between 9.30-5.30 Monday to Friday.
  • Historic tours of the Perth Town Hall are conducted Thursdays at 2:00 pm. Tours last about 45 minutes- depart from the City of Perth kiosk in the Murray Street Mall. 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 10:00 am-4:00 pm Monday to Saturday. The Hall is sometimes closed for private functions, so please check in advance by ringing (08) 9461 3555 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
340 concert style
(250 chairs available) 
Supper room 20m x 4.5m 82 standing
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.
    Please download the fees schedule in PDF format on the Venue Hire information page, and contact the Bookings Officer on 9461 3555 for a quotation.
  • 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?
The Town Hall has 250 chairs, a new kitchen, a stage equipped with modern sound and lighting systems, 24 round banquet tables seating 8-10 persons. There are 40 linear metres of exhibition panelling 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 clear up to this standard so long as it is clear to them when the contract is made.
  • It is possible to pay an additional fee for contract cleaning if you wish.
  • 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 required to complete a food safety questionnaire. If you would like a list of caterers who have worked recently and with distinction at the Hall, please contact the Bookings Officer on townhall@cityofperth.wa.gov.au 


What about security, insurance, liquor licenses, and APRA licenses?

  • Security: All events after 6:00 PM require a Council-supplied 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 required from businesses and organisations hiring the Hall. Private individuals hiring the hall, for instance weddings, do not require public liability insurance.
  • Liquor: Many caterers hold a liquor license. A licensed caterer’s licence will cover your event if the caterers are serving the alcohol.  

    Weddings and private parties where alcohol is supplied free of charge and BYO events 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. There are specific exemptions for small events, up to 75 -100 persons depending on circumstances.

    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 licence at least two weeks before the event. Specific information for your event must be obtained from the Department. Generally, licenses for 249 persons or under are straightforward. For events involving 250-300 people, the licensee must complete a short version of the Responsible Service of Alcohol course. For events over 300 people, the licensee, the event manager and all servers must have completed the full Responsible Service of Alcohol course. 

  • Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA): The Hall holds an APRA Hall license for background music. Many ticketed events involving music, and non-ticketed events where entertainment costs more than $2000, will require an additional APRA license. 


What about parking and transport?

  • Nearest City of Perth public parking (CPP):
    - Pier Street, between Murray and Wellington Streets,
    - Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, and
    - Perth Concert Hall, Terrace Road.
  • Red and blue CAT bus stops and a taxi rank are adjacent to the venue
  • Perth City train station and the Perth Wellington Street Bus Station are 3 blocks from the Town Hall
  • Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Perth Esplanade Busport are 5 blocks from the Town Hall
  • The Perth Town Hall is 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. 

  • Candles and open flames are prohibited inside the building
  • Smoke or haze machines are not permitted.
  • Affixing posters or decorations to the interior or exterior walls is not permitted. There are opportunities for displaying posters up to A2 size in the windows of the Lower Foyer.
  • Because it is a heritage building, hanging banners from the outside of the building requires special permission from the City of Perth. Please allow at least 6 weeks for consideration of your application. .
  • One or more security guards are required for events after 6pm.
  • Children must be strictly supervised by a responsible adult 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.
  • To protect the Perth Town Hall’s jarrah flooring, the management respectfully requests that metal-heeled shoes not be worn.

For the convenience of hirers, the City of Perth reserves the 'drop off - pick up' zone on the east side of Barrack St. next to the Town.Hall. This zone holds up to 3 ordinary sized vehicles. For one-day events the bays are reserved for the duration of the event; for multi-day events they are reserved for agreed loading and unloading periods. The regular signs will be hooded with 'NO STOPPING' signs.

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