50 YEARS OF THE UWA TAVERN
For 50 years, the UWA Tavern has been the place for students to gather socially, host club events and to generally let of the steam after a long day of study.
But, of course, it hasn't always been the Tav as we know it today.
ENGINEERING HALL
The Tavern started out as part of the Old Engineering Hall (now Cameron Hall), which was designed by the Public Works Department and completed in 1927 and cost £8,825 to construct. In those days, students attending classes in the Engineering Hall had to walk through two miles of mud from Point Lewis, or half a mile through sand from Broadway to attend lectures.
1927
1943
WORLD WAR II
During the WW2, the Engineering Hall was used to house the US Navy and the soldiers from the Catalina Base. In 1943 the US Navy relocated the Catalina Patrol Wing No.10 to Matilda Bay, bringing with them approximately 60-70 Catalina (flying boats) and 1200 American navy personnel.
The face of the entire UWA campus changes dramatically at that time. A village of prefabricated buildings was set up next to St George's College, University Hall was set up as an officer's quarters, the Boat Shed was acquired as Navy headquarters, Catalina rested in Matilda Bay - when they were not out on missions - and the entire university was closed off to the general public behind barbed wire. A large portion of the Engineering Building was repurposed as a photo lab, where all the photo work from aerial reconnaissance was processed.
CAMERON HALL
After the war, the university returned to business as usual. The Engineering Hall was once again used for engineering lecturers. That was until 1961, at least, when the school of engineering moved into a new building on the opposite side of James Oval. For the next ten years, the Department of Education used the Old Engineering Building, and it was renamed "Cameron Hall".
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In 1971, "a liquor catering service" was incorporated into plans for the New Guild Building to provision alcohol at university functions and events hosted by Guild affiliated clubs and societies.
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1960s
1975
STUDENT SOCIAL CLUB (SSC)
Plans for the Tavern finally became reality on 1st of July 1975, when the building reopened as the Student Social Club (SSC) Hub.
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At first, students complained that the SSC looked too much like a "barn". It only remained that way for a year, architect Bob Argyle soon introduced defining features, including the mezzanine lounge, with pine and jarrah finishes, and a distinctive and welcoming layout.
From day one, the SSC was a hit and within a year already had approximately 700 members attending regular events. Initially, new members paid a $2 membership fee, which gave them access to the SSC and special prices.
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THE TAVERN
THE BENT ELBOW
The 1980s saw the Tavern reached a peak in popularity. By 1981, the SSC was revamped with a new paint job, smoke detectors to take away clouds of cigarette smoke, big screens showing live telecasts of the VFL, dartboards and a video machine, a second set of doors that created additional standing room in the front foyer.
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By far the biggest drawcard, however, was the price of drinks, which could not be matched by any other licensed establishment in Perth at the time. With middies at 65c, jugs for $2.60 and soft drinks for 40c were impossible for students to pass on! Perhaps that is why the students started referring to the SSC as The Bent Elbow or The Tavern.
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1980s
1990s - 2000s
THE TAV PRESENTS!
From the 1980s, it emerged as a key player in Perth's live music scene, with icons such as INXS, Silverchair, Offspring, Jimmy Barnes, Eskimo Joe, John Buttler, Jebediah, Regurgitator, The Living End, Spiderbait, and Magic Dirt, performing to packed crowds.
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The legacy continued into the 2000's and beyond with more performances from Birds of Tokyo, Karnivool, Powderfinger, Spacey Jane, Ministry of Sound and many more.
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THE TAV CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN 2025
Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Tav continues to be a cornerstone of campus life, where generations of students have gathered to relax, connect, and celebrate. What began as a humble student bar has grown into a vibrant, multifunctional venue that still holds the same welcoming spirit at its core.
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Set just meters from Matilda Bay, the Tav features stunning river views, upgraded AV and lighting systems, and a flexible indoor-outdoor layout that hosts up to 500 guests. From casual lunches to unforgettable private events, the Tav is where tradition meets transformation - still the heart of student life, 50 years on.
Cheers to 50 years of the UWA Tavern!