Three years ago, Craig Wright swapped a mining career for bartending in Perth's eastern suburbs.

It turned out to be a good move.

His American lounge bar, Decanter, on Victoria Park's restaurant strip, is one of a number of businesses that have benefitted from AFL's move from Subiaco Oval to the new Perth Stadium.

"On the days that [AFL] games are on, you'd see at least a 30 to 40 per cent increase in customers," Mr Wright said.

"We have a lot of customers that come in that are members and, you know, used to go to their places in Subiaco and now they're finding their places in Vic Park.

"You get to know their faces and it becomes a regular thing, they'll say 'yep, same table next week'."

Brianna Dugan, manager at Dark Horse Espresso, says the cafe has become popular with footy fans on the way to the stadium. ( ABC News: Emily Piesse )

On the other side of Albany Highway, Dark Horse Espresso has also seen a pick-up in trade through the football season.

"The bus stops right across the road from us, so they all come in before [the game]," cafe manager Brianna Dugan said.

"Most of the time they dine in and they get takeaway after that, because stadium food is … expensive."

The two businesses credit some of the rise in foot traffic to a promotional campaign run by the Town of Victoria Park, called Eat Ride 'n' Enjoy.

The campaign, which ran for the first six months of 2018, included discounts for stadium ticketholders at local hospitality venues.

A spokeswoman for the council said it would now consider expanding the campaign or making a destination brand from it.

East Perth cafes brimming with patrons

Across the river, in East Perth's Claisebrook Cove, hospitality workers said weekends have been busier than ever.

Luke Brandis, manager of The Partisan in East Perth, says the stadium has brought many more people to Claisebrook Cove. ( ABC News: Eliza Laschon )

Luke Brandis, manager of The Partisan, said the novelty of the stadium has been a drawcard for business.

"More and more people are saying, 'we didn't even know this [Claisebrook Cove] … was here'," he said.

"Foot traffic, even during the week, since that new bridge has gone in has been noticeably busy as well."

The restaurant has invested in new equipment, including fridges and tables, and hired more staff to meet demand.

"We are full. We can't do anymore. Next door is the same and the pub has a line out the door," Mr Brandis said.

The Partisan at Claisebrook Cove has hired more staff to cope with the growing trade. ( ABC News: Eliza Laschon )

Pubs call for free parking to boost trade

While the stadium has delivered a boost for many, some business owners say the benefits could be greater.

Nick Duncan, who runs the Broken Hill Hotel in Victoria Park, said revenue had increased by $3,000-4,000 on Sundays.

But he said the AFL schedule had not been ideal for traders, given few games were held on a Saturday in 2018.

"People come back [on] Saturday, they have a few more drinks and you know, enjoy their night out, whereas Sunday we've all got work the next day."

Mr Duncan wants the council to provide more free parking, to encourage greater foot traffic.

"If we had [free parking] … people would drive, park there, probably come [to the pub] … and then catch the bus," he said.

"I see where the council's at, they've got to, you know, make their money and pay parking and that, but it really would help."

Broken Hill Hotel owner Nick Duncan wants more free parking in Victoria Park to support local businesses. ( ABC News: Emily Piesse )

However, Victoria Park deputy mayor Vicki Potter said there was enough free parking at Curtin University on event days, with a bus service to the stadium running along Albany Highway.

"You don't want somebody parking outside a cafe all day because they're going out to the stadium, so yeah, I think it's about a balance," she said.

Ms Potter said while the stadium had energised the local economy, it was not the "biggest thing" for the area.

"I think Vic Park was already a really vibrant community. We weren't struggling by any stretch of the imagination before the stadium opened."

Others, including bar owner Mr Wright, said the stadium arrived at just the right time.

"You know, Vic Park, it's sort of one of the places in Perth that's never really had its time and I saw the potential in it and the stadium's definitely helped that."