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Ezra Pound is my new favourite small bar in Perth. It's small, simple and not too slick. It specialises in classic cocktails (like the Tom Collins in a jar shown above in a shitty iPhone photo), but you can also get a longneck of Coopers in a paper bag or with glasses for $10. My kind of place.I like a good cocktail, but I'm not really into the posturing that sometimes goes with it. Elsewhere it seems to take about 20 minutes to make a drink, with each Negroni accompanied by redundant Tom Cruise-style gyrations. Here the approach is more laid back, but the drinks are still of a high quality.
The bar looks great, with a vintage cash register in pride of place behind the bar, next to a (functional) record player playing an assortment of Motown hits. I like the amount of effort that has gone into Ezra Pound: it doesn't feel slapdash or thoughtless, but it's not overwrought and slick either.
The only potential drawback is that the bar is in an alley way off William St between James St and Roe St, meaning it's pretty much at ground zero as far as horrible weekend Northbridge stuff goes. 399 is far enough away from James St and Aberdeen St that it feels separate from Northbridge proper, but Ezra Pound is right in the middle of it.
Talmage, the co-owner and bartender (previously of the West End Deli) tells me that they plan to close the gates to William St on weekends to try and minimise the number of people who mistakenly stumble in on their way to the Paramount. I hope it works, this place is great.
UPDATE 16/11/09: Ezra Pound finally has its laneway license, just in time for summer! Awesome.
Jar drinks = the way of the future!
ReplyDeleteI predict this becoming a Weagles hotspot in 2010.
A+++++++
ReplyDeleteHey Matt, all sounds very promising. Although I dropped by at around 11pm last night (after a fairly late dinner) and they were shut. Which hopefully isn't a regular thing.
ReplyDeleteWill head back soon for a proper look.
Ah Ha! I'll have to sniff this one out...looks great.
ReplyDeleteNice review Matt!
Oh my god, I can't wait to try out that cocktail! This place sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeletepotential drawback FYI: went there friday last week at about 10 and they were too full and not letting anyone in. fair enough and understandable, but frustrating at the time.
ReplyDeletehmm that's not too good, but I heard they got fined the week before last for going over their licensed capacity, so I suppose it's fair enough that they're vigilant about it.
ReplyDeleteI was there last Saturday night and a guy stumbled in, asked for a Jager bomb, was told they don't do them, asked for a shot and then got kicked out. It was great.
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ReplyDeleteWell, that might be your experience but I have to say that I've never had a complaint about the guys behind the bar at Ezra, and I've definitely never been "ridiculed" for my choice of drink.
ReplyDeleteFound this when googling for the address was going to head down tonight. But just sounds like another wanky hang out where pissed off faces are a prerequisite and ordering a beer and not a cocktail that takes half an hour to make isn't "cool".
ReplyDeleteBlake,
ReplyDeleteIt's not like that!
I am a devout beer drinker, and I like Ezra a lot. They've got longnecks of Coopers Green, cans of Tui and stubbies of Melbourne Bitter. I don't feel at all out of place drinking beer instead of a cocktail.
Try it out!
i have no tolerance for half hour cocktails either blake, the folks at ezra got the job done quickly in all the times i've been.
ReplyDeleteI will have to give it a try at least, that info is good to know, all despite vouching never to venture into the badlands of Northbridge again!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your other comment Matt, I think most customers "complain" with their feet and wallets, probably why managers and owners never hear of any "complaints" and wind broke or are left with a certain type of patron.
Blake,
ReplyDeleteWhen I said that I'd never had a complaint, I meant that I personally as a customer of Ezra Pound have never had reason to complain about the service. I do not work at Ezra. I have no association with the bar other than being a happy regular customer.
I went on the weekend and wasnt impressed although didnt have a bad time it didnt float my boat. I got the 'I'm saving up to move to Melbourne' vibe from a lot of people, seemed less than friendly... Maybe I wasnt wearing enough vintage or black?
ReplyDeleteSeem to be a few annoyed customers over at TannicTeeth though!...
Hmm I just went and read the Tannic Teeth comments. Sounds like people have a few issues with that one bartender in particular.
ReplyDeleteI was there briefly on Saturday night and was served by the guy with long hair (who I assume is Mark) and he was friendly and polite, and I only ordered a long neck of Coopers.
Sorry to hear other people have had a bad time, but I haven't.
As to the "I'm saving up to move to Melbourne" vibe... What is that supposed to mean?
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: There have been a few nasty anonymous comments here about one of the bartenders at Ezra Pound. I've deleted one anonymous comment that used a bartender's full name and had quite personal criticism.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to comment here with your views of Ezra Pound, good or bad, I'm happy for you to do so. However, if you want to criticise the staff by name then please have the guts to use your full name too, and keep your comments relevant rather than personal. If you don't then I'll delete your comment.
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ReplyDeleteIf people don't like a place, or the staff or whatever, then go somewhere else! There are more than enough beer-barns in Perth where you can get your jaeger-bombs or tequila shots. This is a niche-bar for people who like things simple and old-school. Respect to the venue for sticking to their own style.
ReplyDeleteWe took some pics when we visited there: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vjzoo/sets/72157622542863224/
ReplyDeleteVJZoo: Exactly!
ReplyDeleteI love this place. If anyone else doesn't they don't have to drink there. Simple!
defiantly one of the better places around Perth.
ReplyDeletefriendly staff (hot too), funky drinks and atmosphere.
prefect for a quick drink before a big night, or a place to meet and hang out for chit chat with friends.
good work Talmage!!
Great bar, exactly what Perth needs.. Bartender with the long hair is really good.. other guy in there was a bit rude and put me off a little.. Drinks and Vibe are both great! Pool table down the back is a great conversation point!
ReplyDeleteHey guys just wondering if u could help me I plan on going to ezra pound this wknd, I'll be celebrating by Bday so quite a few ppl will be coming will 8pm be A good time to get there? I contacted the email provided but no luck! Thank you
ReplyDeleteNo idea, sorry! According to their Facebook page you can reach the bar on 0415453789.
ReplyDeleteWe have no actual connection to the bar other than the fact that we like it!
Love the place... Hate the bouncer outside. A mate was wearing thongs and so all 12 of us wernt allowed in. As we're walking away the main man (bouncer) made a few comments. I asked to take a photo of his badge number... My phone was thrown on the floor. I picked it up and observed the damage. I then again tried to take a photo (baring in mind this was a public space and I had not laid a finger on the guy). Phone was thrown on the floor again! He then started to push me, clearly looking for a fight... I declined, picked up my phone and left. Can't wait until his badge is revoked. Nice place. Must agree with Matt C. Just a pity "others" (no fingers... Follow my eyes... The bouncer is a TWAT!)
ReplyDeleteRocked up at about 10:30 on a Friday night, had to queue up but it was worth it. The two bouncers outside made the wait seem insignificant! Good conversation. They let me and my group of 4 girls in as soon as the right amount had left. Though the only drawback of the whole night was one bouncer or something who yelled at us for standing in the outside seating area. I was inside ordering for my friends, when the guy yells at them for standing outside when they didn't have drinks, saying he had already told them that they weren't allowed (mind you this was our first time here, and he was yelling at us as if he had told us earlier that night, which he hadn't). They were shocked, and apologized and stood inside with me. We did stand around for quite a while because the place was packed! They had good drinks (our group had a mixture of beer and cocktail drinkers, and I found that they stocked one of my favorite beers too so i was a plus, Can't beat Monteiths)We eventually found a spot, and settled in there for the rest of the night, all in all a good night. Not much a NB goer myself, but I'd venture there for this place. Going back very soon definitely!
ReplyDeletetried this place the other friday...what a dump. the range of beers is disgusting, god forbid you walk in amongst the student types straight from work in a suit. It was made very clear we weren't welcome. the few beers they have are a joke, "fat yak lager" and "melbourne green" god forbid. one of the girls with us had a cosmopolitan, it looked like a cosmo but it was very strange. the "art" under the pool table (a tampon, some porn and a chinese take away menu) might be "art" at tafe, but was really offensive. we left after two drinks before the wanna be "bohemians" had a heart attack from thinking all guys in suits are police......if you want a decent cocktail in northbridge go to universal or bar 399, not this dingy hole
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you had a bad time, but I suspect Ezra was never intended to cater for people who enjoy Universal. That's not to say that it's terrible that you enjoy Universal, just that Ezra is trying to do something a bit different. Perth needs more diversity; slick bars that are suit-friendly are not exactly in short supply in and around the CBD.
Also Fat Yak isn't a lager, it's a pale ale, and it's pretty good. http://www.matildabay.com.au/our-beer/fat-yak
Dont bother with this place, Unless you are firmly seated outside dont even look at your drink as you will ejected for street drinking! very odd since it didnt look like a street. The bar staff were very arrogant, dont make an effort to tell you prices or even friendly conversation. I Think the worst part about the place is it does have so much going for it like decor, style and drink offerings however staff are all appauling with the exception of the bouncer! Never going back whil under this management!
ReplyDeleteI went here with a mate to catch up and have a beer, at the end of summer this year, and I thought it was pretty good. I was there late Thursday arvo I think, around 5pm. There were a few people there but we found a table without any hassles. Was a good experience and I am looking forward to going again.
ReplyDeleteGreat and that i have a nifty supply: Where Do You Get The Money To Renovate A House split level house remodel
ReplyDelete