Planning a night out or a meal in Northbridge? The Brass Monkey Hotel, a heritage-listed pub on the corner of James and William Streets, has been a Perth fixture since 1896, but recent reviews tell a mixed story. This article pulls together ratings from review platforms, the official website, and local reporting to answer your practical questions about the food, the history, and the current vibe — including the cockney slang behind that unusual name.
Last checked: 2026-08-22
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Name: Brass Monkey Hotel · Location: Corner of James and Williams Streets, Northbridge, Perth, WA · Tripadvisor rating: 3.3 / 5 · Type: Pub with food and drinks; also houses Crouching Monkey Asian restaurant upstairs
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-22.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Tripadvisor listing, Trip.com listing, Wikipedia entry, Heritage Council of Western Australia assessment documents, local venue directory PerthSpots, and Australian Atlas narrative.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify pricing. All ratings and claims are drawn from the cited public sources.
Brass Monkey Hotel at a glance
- Built in 1896 as the Great Western Hotel; renamed the Brass Monkey in 1989 after an AUD 1.5 million refurbishment. Designed by architect Michael Cavanagh in the Federation Filigree style. (Brass Monkey history page)
- 3.3 out of 5 on Tripadvisor (as of the data reviewed). PerthSpots lists a higher 4.0 rating based on over 3,700 reviews. (Tripadvisor; PerthSpots)
- Serves classic pub fare (fish & chips, 250g porterhouse steak) plus a new modern Asian restaurant upstairs called Crouching Monkey. (Brass Monkey all-day menu)
- In 2022, management announced a shift away from a nightclub model toward operating as an ordinary workers’ pub. The venue has also faced past controversies over event programming. (Wikipedia)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Brass Monkey Hotel |
| Location | Corner of James and Williams Streets, Northbridge, Perth, WA 6003 |
| Original name | Great Western Hotel (1896) |
| Architectural style | Federation Filigree, three storeys of brick and stucco with iron roof |
| First publican (1896) | Myer Rosenweig |
| Current owner (since 2007) | Ale Property Group |
| Type of venue | Pub with food and drinks; houses Patriots Sports Bar and Crouching Monkey restaurant upstairs |
| Tripadvisor rating | 3.3 / 5 |
| Trip.com rating | 3.5 / 5 (11 reviews) |
Who owns the Brass Monkey Perth?
The current owner of the Brass Monkey Hotel is the Ale Property Group, which purchased the property in 2007. The official website does not list ownership details publicly. Prior to 2007, the hotel passed through a series of individual publicans and operators stretching back to its 1896 opening. The first publican was Myer Rosenweig, who ran the venue when it was still known as the Great Western Hotel. Later licensees included George West (by 1899), Chas Brewer (1906), and Bert Porter (1907). In 1913, well-known Goldfields publican George H. Kentish took over.
The bottom line: Corporate ownership by Ale Property Group has been in place since 2007, but the venue’s operational history reaches back more than 125 years through a chain of individual publicans.
Does Brass Monkey Perth offer food?
Yes. The Brass Monkey Hotel serves food, with a menu focused on classic Australian pub fare. The all-day menu includes items like fish & chips and a 250g porterhouse steak. User reviews mention a “great wine selection” and note that the “food was really good and big portions.”
The venue also houses a separate dining concept upstairs: Crouching Monkey, a modern Asian restaurant. A review from Australian Atlas references this addition, suggesting the pub has expanded beyond traditional bar snacks into a fuller dining experience.
The implication: Whether you want a counter meal or a sit-down Asian dinner, the building offers both — but the pub menu remains squarely in the steak-and-chips category typical of Australian hotels.
Is there a cover charge at Brass Monkey Perth?
None of the sources reviewed mention a cover charge for general entry. In Australia, pubs typically do not charge a cover fee unless a special event or live music is scheduled. Given the venue’s 2022 repositioning away from nightclub operations toward a workers’ pub model, a regular cover charge appears unlikely, but no direct confirmation is available in the research materials.
What to watch: If you’re attending a ticketed event or a live music night, check with the venue directly — cover charges for special programming are not ruled out.
What is the story behind Brass Monkey?
The building that houses the Brass Monkey Hotel opened in 1896 as the Great Western Hotel. It was commissioned by Mrs Davies (sometimes recorded as Mrs Davis), a widow who owned Perth Town Lot Y37, and designed by architect Michael Cavanagh in the Federation Filigree style — a three-storey brick and stucco structure with an iron roof. The Heritage Council of Western Australia notes that it was “one of the most lavish hotels constructed in Perth during the gold boom era.”
After nearly a century of continuous operation, the hotel underwent a major restoration in 1988–1989 costing AUD 1.5 million. The renovation was led by architect Michael Patroni, and the rebranded venue — now called the Brass Monkey — officially opened at the “Great Brass Monkey’s Ball” on 16 March 1989. The heritage inventory notes that some original Great Western Hotel signage was retained after the rename.
The pattern: The venue’s identity is layered — a gold-boom building, a renamed 1980s brasserie, and a 2020s workers’ pub — each chapter visible in its architecture and current operations.
What does ‘brass monkey’ mean in slang?
The phrase “brass monkey” in cockney rhyming slang refers to cold weather. It derives from the well-known expression “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.” In broader slang, the term can also refer to a type of drink (a Brass Monkey cocktail, typically rum and orange juice) or to a particular position or posture. Related cockney slang includes “brass” for money and “Doris” for a door. The name itself, therefore, carries a playful, weather-related origin that has little to do with the hotel’s own history — but it certainly makes for a memorable brand.
Why this matters: The name gives the venue a distinct identity in Perth’s hospitality scene, and the cockney connection adds a layer of conversational appeal for curious patrons.
Pros and cons from recent reviews
Drawing from multiple user reviews, several themes emerge. On the positive side, reviewers praise the “great wine selection” and note that the “food was excellent” with generous portions. The heritage atmosphere and central location also get consistent mentions.
On the negative side, some reviewers describe the venue as a “letdown” and advise choosing elsewhere. One critical review posted in 2023 calls for a “redo” of the place, citing issues with atmosphere or service. Reviews are mixed on service quality and value for money, though the data does not provide a large enough sample to quantify exact complaint categories.
Alternatives in the area
If you’re weighing options in Northbridge and Perth’s CBD, several comparable venues offer similar pub-and-dining models. The Alex Hotel Perth is a boutique option in the same Northbridge neighbourhood, appealing more to those seeking accommodation with a bar. The Herdsman Tavern in Wembley offers a similar menu-and-reviews format for those willing to travel slightly outside the city centre. Within Northbridge itself, other heritage pubs include the Aberdeen Hotel and the Brisbane Hotel, both of which have their own loyal followings.
Our pick
For first-time visitors and nightlife seekers, the Brass Monkey Hotel is worth a stop for its heritage architecture and central location. If you’re focused on food quality, the Crouching Monkey restaurant upstairs may offer a more refined experience than the main bar menu. However, if consistent service ratings are your priority, the mixed Tripadvisor score suggests you may want to check recent reviews before committing. The venue is best suited for those who value atmosphere and history over polished service.
tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com, wanderboat.ai
Frequently asked questions
What do balls on a brass monkey mean?
This refers to the cockney slang phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” which describes extremely cold weather. The “brass monkey” in the original expression was a brass tray used to hold cannonballs; in cold temperatures, the brass would contract and the balls would fall off.
What is brass in cockney slang?
In cockney rhyming slang, “brass” is short for “brass tacks,” which rhymes with “facts” — giving the phrase “getting down to brass tacks.” It can also refer to money, as in “brass” meaning cash.
What is a Doris in Cockney slang?
“Doris” is cockney rhyming slang for “door,” from the phrase “Doris Day” rhyming with “way” (as in doorway). It’s a classic example of the rhyming slang tradition.
Why is 25 quid called a pony?
In cockney slang, “pony” means £25. One origin story points to a now-obsolete 19th-century banknote design that featured a pony; another traces it to the Roman numeral XXV (25) being read as “pony.” The term remains in use among slang enthusiasts.
What is Dicky in Cockney?
“Dicky” in cockney slang can mean a few things. It often refers to “dicky dirt,” rhyming with “shirt.” It can also mean a weak or unreliable item (as in “dicky knee”), though this usage is not exclusively cockney. In the context of the Brass Monkey name, it’s another example of the rich slang tradition the pub’s name taps into.
Map location: Brass Monkey Hotel, corner of James and William Streets, Northbridge, Perth, WA 6003. The hotel sits at the northern entrance to Perth’s CBD, near the Perth railway station, making it easily accessible by train or bus.