The Republic

When it first started, The Republic was a fun place to hang out — it had an interesting location and funky décor. The launch, for instance, was a riot with a bunch of wild people partying to the early hours. The Republic was touted as an alternative late-​night hangout for indie kids — an edgier alternative to places like Amps.
Nowadays, The Republic is a trashier version of Amps. Whatever street cred it had in the beginning has now dissipated, and The Republic resembles a hang-​out for those barely legal. The drinks are cheap and anyone in their mid-​20s is seen as geriatric.
The Republic is now a very strange place, and worlds away from its original intention.

I hate feeling old and unfortunately I felt so old that I am not quite sure how I got here. in this case am I not allowed like Republic? Am I not allowed revel in the cheap cans of Emu Export and loud music, stick to the curiosuly slude on the floor and dance to my hearts content? Am I passed it?
I hope not but if I am having an old or moody day then maybe I should pass on The Republic.

Young hipster crowd here — so young that a 25-​year-​old felt like a geriatric. And they were playing bitchin’ 90s tunes like Shaggy and Ace of Base. The vibe is dark and warehouse-​y, and it’s just down the road from Amplifier Bar so Indi peeps can double their club action and make a real night of it. The crowd is a bit more creative with their style here which I like, and the dancing is thoughtful rather than slutty (hooray). It’s decent.

After going here a couple of times on a friday night after a few too many after work drinks, I’ve formed an opinion.
While there is a lot going for this place, the crowd is a real let down.
For me, being a primary school and early high school child in the 90’s, the music they play here is a nice refreshing change to the normal commercial stuff that is in almost every other venue in perth. If the crowd was decent i would probably frequent the place, however…
For some reason, despite the older crowd music, I have always noticed a majority of 18 and 19 year old in this place trying waaaay to hard (makes for some entertainment at least). However, going with this crowd and the comparatively cheap drinks, comes the fights. Every time i have been, there has been big fights, the most recent time basically half the club was punching on, picking up chairs, knocking over tables,… not pleasant for a night out!
Others i know who have been have noticed the same thing, there always seems to be fools who want to fight.
Also, for those who may want to sneak out for cheeky cigarette, the door staff are less than obliging and try to make you go to the back of the ridiculously long line to come back in, which far from impressed me.
Other than that, for a night out, few drinks and a bit of a laugh, it’s not bad…

The Republic, is a relatively new club, if new is 2 or so years ago. It is one of those places that was really great when nobody knew about it, now it is quite popular and with that comes a different and not so nice crowd. Although some of the originals still remain, the new crowd has influenced a slight change in music and a different feel to the place. Although still one of my favourite Perth clubs, it doesn’t hold the freshness that it once did. The music tends to be indie pop although after 12 there has been known to be some 90’s classics and even the odd disney remix, which i love!
They have different events on different nights, and sometimes local bands play, which is good to see. Its a really good venue for live music.
Drink prices are fairly standard, nothing too pricey and a nice cheap house wine (an easy choice for me). It is a good night out, has never let me down. If you have been to Amplifier and liked that, chances are you will like this too. If you haven’t been to either, I’d give it a go. Its one of the less sleazy perth night clubs! Not many short black dresses or blonde hair extensions!