Bright Tank Brewing Co in East Perth
The paucity of good venues in East Perth actually led me to google ‘pubs in East Perth’, and Bright Tank popped up. It’s a relatively new venue, and quite close to the ground, so I checked it out.
Walking time to stadium: 16 minutes (to Gate C) 14/20
Bright Tank is a leisurely 15 minute walk to the ground; albeit through the soulless, apartment-lined streets of East Perth and crossing the Windan Bridge. I sit in the NW corner of the ground (closest to Gate C), so that actually works out quite well, but if you sat on the other side you’re probably going to need to add 5-10 minutes to your walk.
There are probably more picturesque walks, if that appeals to you, but this was fine.
Ease to get there: 7/10
I had no trouble getting to Bright Tank on a bus, and there was some parking around East Perth that doesn’t seem to be ticketed on Sunday; but Bright Tank is in a bit of a weird spot. In fact, if you didn’t know it was there you’d probably walk right by it.
Availability of seating: 5/10
The place was pretty busy when I got there about 1. Although it is described as a brew pub, it really only caters for seating, mostly along two long tables. I was unsure how many of my crew would make it, so I didn’t book a spot. As it turned out I was able to get a spot for my smaller-than-usual crew of three people, but had any more turned up we probably wouldn’t have got a spot at a table, and would have been forced to choose between standing awkwardly in a corner and going to another venue.
On the long-tables thing, I actually think there is something admirable about putting groups of people who don’t know each other together on long tables. At its best, it means you get some interesting interactions with strangers – something that doesn’t happen enough. That said, it’s not really for me. I think most people would describe me (and my scaly mates) on game day as reasonably chatty and funny, but perhaps tending towards obnoxious. So I generally prefer not to bother strangers by sitting right on top of them. You don’t have much choice about that here.
Beer selection: 9/10
You would hope that a brew pub would get this right, and I’m pleased to report that it does. I had a couple of different (and very pleasing) IPAs, but the generously poured tasting paddles would be the way to go if you had a little more time.
Beer Price: 7/10
Now, I’m not so sure about this. I thought a pint of really quality craft beer for $12 was pretty good, but on arrival the glasses looked suspiciously like schooners to me. The glasses were a bit fancy so I can’t be sure. Bright Tank lose some points here for, at the very least, ambiguity.
Quality / value of food: 6/10
If this wasn’t a pre-footy pub review, this would score a lot higher. The menu had some interesting things on it, and from what we saw the quality was great – but it didn’t really fit with a pre-footy vibe (as we understood it). I’m all for an adventurous menu paired with good beer, except for about 50 minutes before bounce and an afternoon of more beer to follow. The primitive part of my brain and stomach demand a comforting pub stable at such times.
Wait time for beer and food: 8/10
The kitchen seemed to get things our pretty quickly, and there was not too long a way at the bar.
Good for kids: 5/10
It’s probably not a place I’d bring little tackers to. There’s nothing really for them to do there, and there is even section of seating (near the tanks) where kids aren’t allowed. If there is a kids menu I didn’t see it.
General Vibe: 5/10
Again, I’m scoring this as a pre-footy pub, and this would score a little higher on non-game days. That said, this place wasn’t really for me. It’s another industrial reclamation venue, with all the concrete and metal tanks and unfinished roofing that you find in so many new venues these days. It was also a bit dark, so I wouldn’t go there on a nice day – you’d feel like you were missing out.
One of the problems with industrial spaces is that if the venue is close to full, the din reflecting off the hard surfaces makes conversation almost impossible. Add a banal light-house soundtrack (you know, the type of music where if someone told you one track had been playing for 45 minutes you wouldn’t notice) and some graffiti-style painting, and I just felt that the whole aesthetic was a bit played out.
On the bright side (pardon the pun), the staff were friendly and seemed to know their stuff.
Overall: 66/100
If I lived around Bright Tank I would certainly pop in from time to time for some really good beer and interesting food – and I would encourage others to do so - but I can’t see myself making too many trips there before the footy.
