THE Court Wine Bar’s refurbishment is one of the ventures seeking a $20,000 grant from Perth city council to liven up the city.
A big part of Perth’s drinking history ended when the notorious ALP hangout the Court Wine Bar closed. It’s since been rebranded “The Dominion League” after a 1930s-era secessionist movement.
The Court Wine Bar—not to be confused with the Court Hotel down the road—started life as a Macedonian cafe 60-odd years ago, later becoming the favoured watering hole for union heavies, Labor hacks and scurrilous journos (ALP HQ is next door).
Following a change of owners the little Court frontage has been closed for months with the windows blacked over, but a small sign has appeared in the window heralding the coming of the Dominion League.
The original league formed at a 1930s public meeting at his Majesty’s Theatre to push for separation of WA from the rest of the country and the British empire. It claimed 10,000 members at its height.
Other businesses in line for funding a new tattoo studio on King Street (sure to raise a few eyebrows amongst toffs shopping for $6000 handbags).
The final decision on the spend rests with the next full Perth council meeting.
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 
Leave a comment