Buffaloes, welcome to July.
As Perth’s winter rains soak the soil and the trees let out a long, leafy sigh, the hearth of our beloved Club continues to crackle and glow—offering warmth, weirdness and good cheer just as it has for the past 87 years.
While the rest of Freo is pulling up the doona and muting group chats, we’ve kept the lights on, the amps warm, and the energy up. Whether it’s a piping hot mulled wine on the balcony, a wall-rattling gig in the lower bar, or a Tuesday spent fine-tuning a snooker shot while someone’s cooking soup in the kitchen—there’s been no shortage of mid-winter magic inside these walls.
June was anything but sleepy. We kicked off with the thundering one-two punch of Didion’s Bible’s album launch and Clubb Medd, a double-header that shook the foundations upstairs and out the door. Sub-bass and syncopation met jangle-pop joy, proving once again that no building in Freo grooves like the Buff.
Next up: Moyamoya and Post Nut Clarity, who brought cutting art-punk and staccato spoken word to the stage—all in the name of raising funds to commit their sonic mischief to vinyl. Support your local troublemakers, folks.
And to close it all out, a visit from international punk freaks Autobahns—straight from Leipzig to the Ladies Lounge with a suitcase full of lo-fi eggpunk and not a single care in the world. Special shout-out to Jan, our very own bartender turned touring drummer. You’ve done the Buff proud, mate.
What’s next? Check the calendar. Brave the cold. Follow the music. We’ll see you at the bar.
The year was 1822, and in a smoky little London pub across from Drury Lane, a crew of theatre oddballs — artists, comedians, stagehands — gathered to form a fraternal society that would become the Buffaloes. Named after a popular drinking song of the time (“We’ll chase the Buffalo!”), the group embraced camaraderie, mischief, and mutual support.
Back then, even sharing a pint with too much purpose could be seen as suspicious — fraternal orders like the Buffs and Freemasons often had to prove they weren’t planning uprisings. To calm the authorities, they styled themselves the “Loyal Order of Buffaloes”… though over time, that got a little scrambled into “Royal,” and the name stuck.
Two centuries later, the Buff spirit is still alive and stomping — and the next Lodge meeting is happening upstairs at the Club on Sunday 6th July, midday. Come along to keep the tradition alive — strange songs, good company, and all.
Curious? Call the mysterious Lodge Master, Graeme, on 9495 1472 to find out more.
Thanks Legends — And a Little Help Needed
The Buffalo Club is kept alive by the generosity, effort, and wizardry of our members — and this month, we’ve got a few very worthy shout-outs:
- Brod, our sound sorcerer, continues to elevate the sonic possibilities of our stage spaces. Without Brod, the Buff wouldn’t sound half as good as it does.
- Adam Thew and Anne Taylor donated the upstairs green room gates and the Ladies Lounge staging — two contributions that have helped sharpen the functionality and charm of the club.
- Robert Nathan gave us a generous monetary donation that’s gone straight toward the infrastructure that keeps this place humming.
- Deb and Aaron Boddington gave new life to an old classic — donating a beautiful Elka keyboard now in regular rotation on our stage.
Thank you, all.
We’re always looking for new energy and ideas—so if you’re feeling the Buff buzz and want to contribute, here are a couple of ways you can jump in:
- Got a band connection? Want to help shape the sonic life of the club? Get involved with bookings! Drop a line to gigs@freobuffclub.org and help bring great acts to our stage.
- Curtain Call (for help): Sophie and Aesha are wrangling the mighty red curtain project, and they need a few extra hands. Tasks include hemming, adding loops, and prepping the curtain panels for hanging. If you’ve got sewing skills—or the will to learn—we’d love your help.
- And finally — we need you! Got a knack for tools, painting, patching, building or fixing? The Maintenance Subcommittee is crying out for more volunteers. If you’ve got a bit of time and a lot of heart, we’d love your help keeping this weird and wonderful building standing strong. Join the Whatsapp and introduce yourself.
Every stitch, every gig, every donation and idea helps make this Club better. So get amongst it, Buffs — the herd needs you.
Winter Warmers Have Landed
Buffs, the chill has set in—but fear not, for the bar is brimming with warmth and wonder to carry you through the cold:
Buffalo Mulled Wine – Brewed to a closely guarded recipe said to originate from the Ancient Lodge that still meets in the upper hall. First concocted to survive a winter so bitter it froze the taps and cracked the jarrah beams. Today, it’s still made in-house by trusted hands, poured steaming hot and soul-soothing.
South Fremantle Brewing Co. Imperial Stout 2021 – At a whopping 8.8% ABV, this potent brew is the ultimate Winter weapon. Dark chocolate and roasted coffee hit you hard, making it the perfect firestarter for cold nights. And the kicker? Our members get middies for just $5—insane value for a beer that’s as warming as it is powerful.
Penfolds Club Tawny Port – A true winter classic. Smooth, sticky, and just sweet enough to make you wax nostalgic about the '87 darts grand final.
Available now at the bar.
Look, Mum! We're in the Paper! - Read our article in Freo-OH! Autumn 2025.
POSTDILUVIAN: FLOODPROOFING FUNDRAISER
The Buffalo Club stands—rebuilt, revived, but not yet weatherproof. As the winter wind snakes through the floorboards and the basement threatens once again to become an indoor pool, we turn to our greatest asset: you.
On Saturday, 12th July, join us for POSTDILUVIAN: FLOODPROOFING, a massive multi-stage fundraiser to help seal the gaps, dry the damp, and keep the spirit of the Buff roaring through rain, storm and sideways wind.
Three stages. Twelve acts. A lineup of soundwaves to push back the tides:
RAT & MOUSE / JUAN MORA / SIBLING / ZOE BARRON / LANA ROTHNIE / EMU GLITTER / DIDION'S BIBLE (DUO) / SYMMETRICAL DOGS / BONG WRAITH / HAPPY DREGS / STIKZ
Your ticket is a nail in the ark, a patch on the roof, a promise that this place stays dry, loud, and full of life.
Tickets: $10 members / $15 non-members
Come raise the roof—and the funds. Long live the Buff.
Buff Goes to Hollywood
On Monday 30th of June, the Buffalo Club put down the pool cues and turned up the drama—because a full film crew rolled through to shoot scenes for a new SBS/NITV television series called Reckless.
That’s right. Our strange and storied club is about to hit the small screen.
We don’t know all the details—something about a hit and run, a sibling rivalry, and plenty of intense staring over king browns—but it involved the Ladies Lounge, some serious lighting rigs, and an impressive number of clipboards.
We’ve always said the Buff has cinematic energy—the mismatched chairs, the century-old snooker table, the worn wooden floors—it was only a matter of time. What’s next? Margot Robbie sinking a pint under the red lights? Russell Crowe hitting a bullseye and yelling "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?"
Keep your eyes peeled when Reckless drops later this year on SBS, and don’t be surprised if your favourite corner of the Buff becomes the new must-visit Freo filming location.
Be in a Music Video (At the Buff!)
Ever dreamed of starring in a music video and scoring a free feed and bar tab while you're at it? Local legend and proud Buff member Anwen is filming an independent music video at the Club on Saturday 16th August, and she’s looking for people of all ages and abilities to join the cast.
Filming will run from 11am–5pm, and all participants will be treated to a catered lunch and a generous bar tab — that’s right, free drinks for your star turn on screen.
No acting chops required — just bring your good vibes and that Buffalo spirit. If you're keen (or know someone who is), text Anwen on 0421 775 411 to get involved.
Buffalo Traditions: Your Weekly & Monthly Chances to Win
Hey Buffs, don’t forget the classic Club staples that keep the good times rolling and the prizes flowing! If you love a bit of friendly competition (and who doesn’t?), here’s the lowdown:
Meat Raffle – Fri, Sat & Sun
Grab a ticket for $2 each. We sell 30 tickets per tray ($30 per tray). Get in early for your chance to snag some tasty cuts!
Member Number Raffle – Weekly, Sundays
Drawn Sunday arvo—members must be present to claim their prize. If no show, the jackpot rolls over and grows by $10 each week!
Envelope Raffle – Weekly, Sundays
Pick your luck with yellow envelopes numbered 1–28. $2 for five numbers. Drawn Sundays too, so bring your luck and your mates.
Stubby Club – Monthly, 1st Saturday
Free with the price of entry to Stubby Club, snag a number from 1 to 32 (or a second for $10). Prizes include:
- 1st: $150
- 2nd: $50
- 3rd to 6th: $25 drink vouchers
Stubby Club Raffle – Monthly, 1st Saturday
$1 per ticket, with prize money based on ticket sales—so the more sold, the bigger the prizes!
Swing by, have a laugh, and maybe go home a winner. See you at the next draw!
Tales from the Toolshed: Tributaries, Treasures and Toasty Tunes
This winter, the Buff basement is flowing with something other than stout — subterranean creeks. Tiny tributaries are now trickling in from beneath the streets of Freo, slipping in at floor level and making their gentle pilgrimage to the pump grate. But fear not — our flood defence system continues to work like a dream. No rising tides here, just the soothing burble of water being ushered swiftly out the door. And best of all, the increased airflow is drying things out so well that even the ancient limestone is breathing easier.
In more practical news, a beautiful new workbench now lives in the basement — and its back riser? None other than a century-old keg chute. Once used to roll barrels with buff force, it now props up tools and tells tales of beer-soaked years past.
Above ground, our lower bandroom just got a serious sonic glow-up. Thanks to funds from our last fundraiser (cheers, Ray!), we’ve installed some seriously good new tops. The result? The best foldback sound we’ve ever had. For those not fluent in sound nerd, that means bands can now actually hear themselves — a revolutionary concept, we know.
We’ve also begun hanging speakers in their rightful homes, and while we’re still tweaking shackles and angles, the lower room is now sounding crisp and clear. So if you thought the sound was tight before… just wait.
Ventilation has seen an unexpected win too. We’ve rediscovered a fleet of ceiling fans that date back to the golden era when durries ruled the bar and the concept of a non-smoking area was laughable. Surprisingly, some of these old workhorses still run like a charm — pulling stale air out and drawing fresh air in through the front door, making life easier for everyone breathing the same dancefloor air. One fan, however, has seen better days — humming gently in protest, its bearings long lost to time. We’ve got our eye on it.
The ice machine has also had a full winter tune-up. Because even in July, a cold drink still hits the spot — and we’re making sure you’ve got ice for it.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, we’ve been busy with the kind of quiet work that keeps everything ticking. Drills have been donated. Shelves have gone up. And the building’s growing stronger each week — but we need more hands. The maintenance subcommittee meets monthly, and there’s always room for more Buffs ready to help carry the load, fix a door, or pass down club lore over a spanner and a pint.
Join the herd. Bring your elbow grease. Help us keep the Buff in working order — storm-tested and dancefloor-ready.
🌿 BUFFALO MEMBER DISCOUNTS 🌿
This winter’s soundtrack is loud, local, and absolutely stacked. From dance-floor chaos to poetic punk, the Buff’s got you covered. Membership means mates rates, and good times are guaranteed — so check the listings, grab your mates, and don't forget that mint-green membership card.
Free Reign x Buff Club
Friday 4th July – Free for all members and guests
Our favourite lads return to the booth with a crate full of dance-floor detonators. Expect funk, UKG, house, electro and techno — heaters all night, no filler.
Postdiluvian FloodProofing
Saturday 12th July – Members $10 / Non-members $15
A raucous fundraiser stacked with punk poets, pop prophets, and rock ‘n’ roll misfits. Help us weatherproof the Club — musically, spiritually, structurally. Your coins are our caulk.
Bufflings #1
Friday 18th July – Members FREE / Non-members $15
The very first of our brand new showcase series: Bufflings. Expect a mixed bag of local stars and emerging legends, topped off with dancefloor chaos. Members waltz in free — the rest can queue.
Stood on Gold
Saturday 19th July – Members $10 / Non-members $15
A stacked lineup of sonic gold: The Off Set, The Quixotics, Lake Mammoth and Hardway Jones. Original artists doing their thing their way — loud, proud, and well worth your ears.
Modulations #5
Thursday 24th July – Free for all members and guests
Techno lovers assemble. Live hardware, dusty vinyl, and machines that go bleep in the night. This one’s for the heads. Members and their mates get in for free — let’s wig out.
See you at the Club, Buffaloes. Pulling together to caulk the cracks.