Western Australia has some of the strictest rules for strip clubs in Australia. Most liquor licences in the state ban striptease outright; a venue can only offer adult entertainment if the regulator has removed that ban from its licence, and even then full nudity stays off limits. Our directory lists three clubs in the state, all in the Perth area, two of them in Northbridge, the inner-city district where most of Perth’s nightlife is.
How Western Australia regulates adult entertainment
Licensed premises fall under the Liquor Control Act 1988, which the Director of Liquor Licensing administers through the state’s Racing, Gaming and Liquor division. The Director can add conditions to a licence in the public interest, and the main one here is the standard entertainment condition, placed on most licence types except nightclub, wholesaler and liquor store licences.
- The condition bans anyone on the premises from being indecently dressed or acting in a lewd or indecent manner. The regulator’s own example of a banned activity is a stripper performing a striptease.
- It covers every public part of the premises and everyone in it, including patrons, the licensee and staff.
- A licensee who wants to offer adult entertainment must apply to the Director to have the condition left off the licence.
- If the Director approves, full nudity is still not permitted and a G-string must be worn as a minimum. The entertainment must take place in a specific, clearly signposted area where juveniles are not allowed.
Northbridge, just north of the Perth CBD, is the city’s main entertainment district, and the state government has made it Western Australia’s first Special Entertainment Precinct, with planning and noise rules designed to support late-night venues.
Perth
- Voodoo Lounge — 174 James Street, Northbridge, Perth WA 6003
- Penthouse Club — 230 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
- Doll House Gentlemen’s Club — 329 Charles St, North Perth WA 6006
The Doll House is in North Perth, a separate suburb north of Northbridge. For how WA compares with the other states, see our Australia guide.
What to check before you go
- Set your expectations by the WA rules. Even at a licensed adult venue, performers must wear at least a G-string; what is allowed elsewhere in Australia does not carry over to Perth.
- Confirm the venue is still trading. Directory listings can go out of date. Call ahead or check the venue’s own channels.
- Expect house rules. Adult entertainment must stay in a signposted area, and each venue adds its own rules on contact, phones and dress code.