WA Pop-up Bars Hit Back At Concerned Venues: “There Is Always Space For Pop-ups”

Two prominent pop-up bar operators in WA have responded to venue owners claiming their existence is having an adverse impact on permanent establishments.

Yesterday, a number of brick-and-mortar venues called out the Government’s support of pop-ups, demanding more restrictions for the temporary bars and less red tape for others.

Popular live music venue and pop-up Bar Pop Urban Orchard in Northbridge and promoters JumpClimb Events – responsible for a number of events, including Fringe venue Noodle Palace – have today told The Music that the industry benefits permanent venues.

“There is always space for pop-ups and brick and mortar businesses to co-exist within Perth and elsewhere in the world; working together is key to ensure the success of both industries,” a JumpClimb spokesperson said.

“We also feel hospitality offerings, both in the brick and mortar and ‘pop-up’ space are changing for the better because of this healthy competition.”

Likewise, Bar Pop told The Music pop-up venues are helping the vibrancy of the state, with Live At The Orchard hosting the likes of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Drapht and more in recent months.

“The series has promoted the Northbridge precinct to a wide and diverse audience, not only from WA, but from the entire country with over 2,000 interstate ticket holders coming to WA,” Bar Pop said.

“The event partnered with the nearby Alex Hotel, encouraging patrons to stay directly in the precinct and visit other venues before and after the show.”

However, speaking with ABC yesterday, Northbridge Brewing Company co-owner Mike Keiller said they were seeing little benefit from the pop-ups.

"We don't mind diversity, but now it's become just an alternative space replicating what is already available in precinct and the CBD," Keiller said.

"The public has flocked to Fringe in big way in the last couple of years, but again they come with their own self-contained event spaces set up with a pop-up bar and food trucks supporting them so a lot of traders in Northbridge don't see a spin off from it.”

Australian Hotels Association WA CEO Bradley Woods also told the ABC they would be calling for action from Government this year.

"Extra people are attracted to the area who then visit other venues."

"The State Government is well aware of the industry's concerns, we have made representations in 2016 and we are going to be expecting action in 2017," Woods said.

Despite claims from Northbridge venues that they are seeing no benefit from the pop-ups, it’s clear that temporary ventures are making an effort to work closely with brick and mortar establishments.

JumpClimb’s annual BeauVine Food & Wine Festival in October attracts 12,000 punters, with the promoters working closely with a number of local businesses near the site, and their Fringe venue, Noodle Palace, opens stall applications from business within a 1km radius of the venue.

“Generally, we have found with our events, extra people are attracted to the area who then visit other venues before the event opens or after it closes,” JumpClimb said.

While Bar Pop’s Perth Craft Beer Fest sees them showcase and work alongside Northbridge Brewing Co, Alabama Song, Old Faithful Restaurant, Porkies BBQ, Feral Brewing and Gage Roads.

“Bar Pop is proud to work with local WA establishments and provide them with a platform to market their business through our events,” Bar Pop said.

“We believe there are plenty of opportunities to work alongside existing establishments to integrate them into the temporary offerings that continue to make Perth a vibrant place to live in and to visit."

The Music has reached out the Australian Hotels Association for comment.