Bars are popular gathering places for many people. It's a great place to unwind with friends over a few drinks and good conversation. What, though, if you happen to live in Perth, where all the good bars are miles away? All of you fit the bill for today's blog post. Whether you're interested in happy hour specials or artisanal cocktails, we've compiled a list of the top Perth bars that you shouldn't miss. Get dressed up and get ready to check out Perth's hottest clubs and bars!
With a population of over 2 million, Perth is the largest city in the world that is located the farthest from any national capital. However, the city's isolation is actually contributing to the development of a distinct drinking culture.
Perth hasn't always had a buzzing reputation; in fact, it was once called ‘Dullsville’, and large portions of the city are still dominated by the corner pub, which has been renovated to within an inch of its life and has lost all of its character.
Smaller, independently owned bars have been on the rise in Perth over the past five years. Most of these businesses are run by bartenders or were founded by them. Those in charge of the bars have seen their efforts pay off on a national level, with several awards being bestowed upon them in Australia.
Drinkers in Perth have joined the fray, calling for improved libations, service, and hospitality. Perth, Australia, is located on the western side of the Australian continent, and its bartenders have succeeded not only in spite of, but also thanks to, their relative isolation.
Bartenders in Sydney and Melbourne have seen it all, but their Western Australian counterparts in Perth seize any new opportunity that comes their way. They visit other cities, drinking in the pubs of Sydney and Melbourne, and bring back innovative methods to help advance their own.
Perth's drink menus feature an abundance of regional libations rather than the imported varieties seen in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. This is to be expected, as the city has access to top-notch agricultural resources, such as the wines of Margaret River and the thriving craft spirits industry in Western Australia, spearheaded by the popular The West Winds Gin.
Bars in Perth are competitive with those in eastern cities, but they have their own unique brand of hospitality.
Put simply, it's enjoyable. Basically, they eliminated all the frizz. That's because the typical Perth patron won't stick around for very long if they aren't having a good time. When a new nightlife venue opens in Sydney, people will wait in line for it, only to quickly move on to the next thing. Meanwhile, Melburnians are difficult to impress because they have had access to excellent bars and restaurants for an eternity. However, Perth is ready to party. The hospitality industry in Perth is thriving thanks to the current crop of bartenders.
Bathers Beach House
Over the years, Bathers Beach has become a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike. Located in Fremantle, close to Fishing Boat Harbour, Bathers Beach House is quickly becoming famous for its wine, beer, and cocktails as well as its relaxed atmosphere, which includes al fresco dining and sundowners.
An increasingly popular option for summer nights is the licenced beach area and restaurant, both of which are located just feet from the sand and offer stunning views of the ocean. Perth residents flock there to take pictures of the city's famous sunsets over the water and feel the sand between their toes as night falls.
The Cuddles on the Beach mocktail is delicious, and there's a wide selection of other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks to choose from if you're looking to unwind with a cocktail as the sun goes down. The Christmassy Big Pav, made with, strawberry liqueur, pavlova vodka, meringue, strawberries, kiwis, cream, and passionfruit, is a fan favourite, along with the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita and the Bathers Red Sangria.
Mechanics Institute Bar
The award-winning Mechanics Institute rooftop bar is discreetly hidden along a laneway of street art on the busy Northbridge corner of William Street and James Street.
Though it honours its past as a place of learning for working men, the building is firmly rooted in the present, drawing a lively young crowd in search of a varied cocktail menu.
Enjoy Hillbilly Bob's signature drink, Ruckus juice, at this hipPerth bar. It's made with Spiced Rum, Captain Morgan, Orgeat syrup, ginger beer, lime, and lager. To complement your meal, order an espresso martini.
Take note of the skilled staff who know their stuff and contribute to the chill vibe on Bartender Appreciation Day. You can enjoy a great burger while sitting directly above Flipside. The young staff will gladly bring it upstairs.
The Mechanics Institute served as a stepping stone from the lower classes into the middle and upper classes of American society in the late 1800s. Consequently, today there are mock-ups of various pieces of machinery affixed to the wall in recognition of the event.
Personality-wise, it's on par with that of Siobhan Blumann and Hamish Fleming's other establishments, the Dominion League and Mrs Brown.
Sadly, the only mechanics we have left are those who tend bars. Spirits and cocktail mixing are no problem for them, and they don't take life too seriously. That's why there's a giant inflatable Malibu above the bar.
The rye whisky is a favourite among the students at Mechanics Institute. There is only one constant on the short cocktail list, which rotates every few days. House speciality drink. Lager, fresh lime juice, orgeat, spiced rum, and ginger beer come together in Hillbilly Bob's Ruckus Juice. The most popular of its kind. The arsenal is rounded out by wine, cider, and craft beer.
Down in the Flipside Burger joint, occasionally you can get a whiff of freshly baked bread wafting up. Burgers made with beef, chicken, and vegetables can be ordered from the sister restaurant at any time.
Long Chim
Now back in his home country, Australian chef David Thompson has travelled to the United Kingdom and Bangkok to share his authentic take on traditional Thai cuisine. But the Long Chim bar is where you want to be; James Connolly, the bar's manager, has a real gift for flavour and making serious drinks that pass for fun.
Australian celebrity chef and cookbook author David Thompson moved back to Australia from Thailand after 14 years abroad, bringing with him his famed take on Thai street food.
Long Chim Perth, with its sister restaurant in Singapore, brings Bangkok's buzz, grit, and soul to the heart of the CBD by occupying a former bank vault beneath the respectfully restored State Treasury building.
The Thai graffiti artists' works and the floating metal fence work decorate the vaulted cellar. The authenticity of the experience is paramount; in fact, Thompson imports his pastes and potions from his kitchen in Bangkok because he cannot find Australian produce with the same flavour profiles.
Thompson spent a good portion of his life in the Thai capital, and many of the dishes he discovered there have been recreated in the semi-open scullery. Popular dishes like pad thai with house-dried prawns and red curry of duck with freshly made coconut cream are available, as are a variety of other dishes that put a unique spin on traditional preparations.
On the other hand, the charred noodles in pork and yellow bean gravy are likely to be less well known. Banana roti is the natural conclusion to any meal. Ice cream made with durian is an acquired taste. No effort was made to "Westernize" the local cuisine. We're talking about a lot of heat here.
To cool your mouth off from the heat, choose from the short wine list, which even includes a Thai wine for variety's sake. Thai-inspired cocktails and bar snacks are available in a separate bar and courtyard until late. Come to the quad at night to see the urban murals come to life.
Wines of While
Our top pick for excellent natural wines is Wines of While, located at the far north end of William St. Pair a bottle of the perfect pet nat with a dish from the rustic French-Italian menu.
We highly recommend these premises as an entry point into the world of minimal intervention wines, which we adore. Relax in the perfect, laid-back setting and stock up on drinks to last all day. We are thrilled to announce the opening of Wines of While, Perth's 1st natural wine shop and bar on William Street.
This is one wine bar where you can enjoy first-class wine without the pretension; the fit-out is casual, the staff is welcoming, and the vibe is distinctly communal; Wines of While is nestled in a quiet spot at the top end of the strip, offering takeaway and dine-in prices on an impressive selection of natural wines from all over the world.
If you're wondering what to eat, just picture hearty, homey, and inexpensive dishes that draw inspiration from classic Italian and French cooking styles but use simple, high-quality ingredients.
In Perth, there is now a natural wine bar, which the police initially tried to prevent. This week, 29-year-old Perth doctor Sam Winfield, finally opened his Wines of While bar on William Street after a long journey fraught with bureaucratic red tape.
There has never been a store or bar in Perth that specialises in natural wines before. Seven months ago, it seemed like Dr. Winfield's dream would never come true.
WA Police advised against approving his liquor licence application without imposing over a dozen restrictions after he submitted it. There were rules about having two security guards at the door on the weekend, not selling liquor to go, and having click counters available so that staff could keep track of the number of people entering and leaving the establishment.
Pep’s Wine Bar
The exposed brick and timber furnishings at Pep’s Wine Bar create a casually elegant setting in which to peruse the bar's extensive contemporary wine list of 230+ selections. The list is a mixed bag of minimal intervention wines that make it difficult to narrow down your options. In that case, we recommend going to the bar and asking for assistance there.
Night to night, Pep's has a different crowd. In particular, the after-work crowd tends to congregate on Fridays. On Saturdays, people of all ages can be found at Pep's Bar, where they drink beer, spirits, and wine.
On Sundays, you can expect to see a similar mix of people, though there may be a few more locals. Arriving early is recommended because the bar, which can hold up to 100 people, usually begins to fill up around midday on both Saturday and Sunday.
It is owned by Charlie Galbally and his wife Natasha. They used to own and operate Swanbourne coffee shops The Daily Grind and The Other Side together before they decided to switch to wine.
And the wine list is as quirky as it is unusual. Classic Margaret Rive chardys sit alongside Greek chardonnays and new-wave, unconventional West Australian chardonnays on the wine list, which features around 160 bottles. Sunday customers are particularly fond of the bar's selection of pét-nats and imported wine. Each week brings in new natural wine options.
All of the cheese, salumi, and olives for the antipasti boards are provided by Paul Salmeri of Sal's Pasta Deli in Cottesloe, who also designed the menu for the restaurant's more limited Italian fare.
In addition to serving food and drink, the bar is open seven days a week, which is a must for any establishment that wants to be taken seriously as a member of the local community.
Varnish on King
If you're into whisky, you should make your way to Varnish on King by way of the alleys. The focus is on American whisky (while avoiding Americana kitsch), good beer, and a food offering that will make you question why on earth you'd need to go to a restaurant, and the bar has been a mainstay on best bar lists and in the running for awards ever since it opened.
The Varnish on King is a distinctive venue perfect for your upcoming event, located in the basement of a 1921 heritage building in the centre of Perth's CBD.
For their customers, Varnish on King doesn't follow the norms and provides them with unique services like the "Bacon & Whiskey flight," in which four types of Whiskey are paired with four types of bacon.
Whiskey and wine lovers alike will be satisfied by the restaurant's extensive menu and drinks list. The finishing touch on King's mantra is child's play. In order to foster a friendly environment, we strive to provide only the finest cuisine, wine, and spirits to our guests.
The decor of Varnish is an homage to trendy American dive bars, with vintage photographs of the surrounding area in sepia tones serving as a subtle nod to Perth's past. Behind the bar, you'll find a collection of Kentucky bourbons and American whiskies that is unmatched in Perth.
The bar and restaurant Varnish on King doesn't follow the status quo by any means, and as a result, they provide their patrons with unique perks like the "Bacon & Whiskey flight," in which four different types of Whiskey are paired with four different types of bacon. There is a charming wine list as well, one that is largely based on the proprietor's whims and preferences and thus is frequently updated.
The restaurant's menu is both creative and unique, fusing American standards with an Australian spin.
FAQS About Perth's Nightlife and Bar Scene
Perth has a vibrant nightlife scene with many bars, clubs, and pubs offering a wide range of entertainment options for locals and tourists. The city has a reputation for being more laidback than other Australian cities, with many venues offering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Perth has several rooftop bars that offer stunning views of the city skyline, including the Aviary, The Reveley, and Sweetwater Rooftop Bar.
Perth's nightclubs play a variety of music genres, including electronic dance music, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and indie music. Many clubs have themed nights or dedicated nights for specific music genres.
Northbridge is the main hub for nightlife in Perth, with many bars, clubs, and pubs located in the area. Other popular areas include Perth CBD, Leederville, Subiaco, and Fremantle.
Yes, there are a few 24-hour bars in Perth, including the Mustang Bar in Northbridge and the Crown Perth complex, which has several bars and restaurants that operate around the clock.
Conclusion
Perth, Australia is the largest city in the world that is located the farthest from any national capital, and its isolation is contributing to the development of a distinct drinking culture. Smaller, independently owned bars have been on the rise in Perth over the past five years, and bartenders in Sydney and Melbourne have seen their efforts pay off on a national level. Perth's drink menus feature regional libations rather than imported varieties, and its unique brand of hospitality is enjoyable. The hospitality industry in Perth is thriving thanks to the current crop of bartenders. Bathers Beach House is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering wine, beer, and cocktails as well as al fresco dining and sundowners.
The Mechanics Institute Bar is a hip Perth bar with a varied cocktail menu and Hillbilly Bob's signature drink, Ruckus juice, is made with Spiced Rum, Captain Morgan, Orgeat syrup, ginger beer, lime, and lager. The Cuddles on the Beach mocktail is delicious and there is a wide selection of other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks to choose from. The Mechanics Institute served as a stepping stone from the lower classes into the middle and upper classes of American society in the late 1800s. Today, it is on par with Siobhan Blumann and Hamish Fleming's other establishments, with mock-ups of various pieces of machinery affixed to the wall. The rye whisky is a favourite among the students, and Hillbilly Bob's Ruckus Juice is the house speciality drink.
Long Chim Perth, with its sister restaurant in Singapore, brings Bangkok's buzz, grit, and soul to the heart of the CBD, with Thai graffiti artists' works and floating metal fence work decorating the vaulted cellar. James Connolly, the bar's manager, has a real gift for flavour and making serious drinks that pass for fun.
Wines of While is Perth's first natural wine shop and bar, located at the far north end of William Street. It offers takeaway and dine-in prices on an impressive selection of natural wines from all over the world, as well as a rustic French-Italian menu. The wine list includes a Thai wine for variety's sake, and Thai-inspired cocktails and bar snacks are available in a separate bar and courtyard until late. There has never been a store or bar in Perth that specialises in natural wines before, but 29-year-old Perth doctor Sam Winfield has finally opened his Wines of While bar after a long journey fraught with bureaucratic red tape. Pep's Wine Bar and Varnish on King are two pubs in Swanbourne that offer an extensive contemporary wine list of 230+ selections.
Pep's is owned by Charlie Galbally and Natasha Galbally, who used to own and operate Swanbourne coffee shops before switching to wine. It is open seven days a week and has two security guards at the door, not selling liquor to go, and click counters available to keep track of the number of people entering and leaving the establishment. The wine list is quirky, with classic Margaret Rive chardys and new-wave, unconventional West Australian chardonnays on the wine list. Sunday customers are particularly fond of the bar's selection of pét-nats and imported wine. All of the cheese, salumi, and olives for the antipasti boards are provided by Paul Salmeri of Sal's Pasta Deli in Cottesloe.
The Varnish on King is a distinctive venue located in the basement of a 1921 heritage building in the centre of Perth's CBD. It focuses on American whisky, good beer, and a food offering that will make you question why on earth you'd need to go to a restaurant. It also offers unique services like the "Bacon & Whiskey flight," which pairs four types of Whiskey with four types of bacon. The decor of Varnish is an homage to trendy American dive bars, with vintage photographs of the surrounding area in sepia tones and a collection of Kentucky bourbons and American whiskies. The restaurant's menu is creative and unique, fusing American standards with an Australian spin.
Content Summary
- Bars are popular gathering places for many people.
- Whether you're interested in happy hour specials or artisanal cocktails, we've compiled a list of the top Perth bars that you shouldn't miss.
- Get dressed up and get ready to check out Perth's hottest clubs and bars!
- With a population of over 2 million, Perth is the largest city in the world that is located the farthest from any national capital.
- However, the city's isolation is actually contributing to the development of a distinct drinking culture.
- Smaller, independently owned bars have been on the rise in Perth over the past five years.
- Perth, Australia, is located on the western side of the Australian continent, and its bartenders have succeeded not only in spite of, but also thanks to, their relative isolation.
- Perth's drink menus feature an abundance of regional libations rather than the imported varieties seen in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
- When a new nightlife venue opens in Sydney, people will wait in line for it, only to quickly move on to the next thing.
- Meanwhile, Melburnians are difficult to impress because they have had access to excellent bars and restaurants for an eternity.
- However, Perth is ready to party.
- The hospitality industry in Perth is thriving thanks to the current crop of bartenders.
- Over the years, Bathers Beach has become a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.
- Located in Fremantle, close to Fishing Boat Harbour, Bathers Beach House is quickly becoming famous for its wine, beer, and cocktails as well as its relaxed atmosphere, which includes al fresco dining and sundowners.
- An increasingly popular option for summer nights is the licenced beach area and restaurant, both of which are located just feet from the sand and offer stunning views of the ocean.
- The award-winning Mechanics Institute rooftop bar is discreetly hidden along a laneway of street art on the busy Northbridge corner of William Street and James Street.
- Enjoy Hillbilly Bob's signature drink, Ruckus juice, at this hipPerth bar.
- The Mechanics Institute served as a stepping stone from the lower classes into the middle and upper classes of American society in the late 1800s.
- The rye whisky is a favourite among the students at Mechanics Institute.
- Now back in his home country, Australian chef David Thompson has travelled to the United Kingdom and Bangkok to share his authentic take on traditional Thai cuisine.
- But the Long Chim bar is where you want to be; James Connolly, the bar's manager, has a real gift for flavour and making serious drinks that pass for fun.
- Australian celebrity chef and cookbook author David Thompson moved back to Australia from Thailand after 14 years abroad, bringing with him his famed take on Thai street food.
- Long Chim Perth, with its sister restaurant in Singapore, brings Bangkok's buzz, grit, and soul to the heart of the CBD by occupying a former bank vault beneath the respectfully restored State Treasury building.
- Popular dishes like pad thai with house-dried prawns and red curry of duck with freshly made coconut cream are available, as are a variety of other dishes that put a unique spin on traditional preparations.
- Thai-inspired cocktails and bar snacks are available in a separate bar and courtyard until late.
- Our top pick for excellent natural wines is Wines of While, located at the far north end of William St. Pair, a bottle of the perfect pet nat with a dish from the rustic French-Italian menu.
- We are thrilled to announce the opening of Wines of While, Perth's 1st natural wine shop and bar on William Street.
- This is one wine bar where you can enjoy first-class wine without the pretension; the fit-out is casual, the staff is welcoming, and the vibe is distinctly communal; Wines of While is nestled in a quiet spot at the top end of the strip, offering takeaway and dine-in prices on an impressive selection of natural wines from all over the world.
- If you're wondering what to eat, just picture hearty, homey, and inexpensive dishes that draw inspiration from classic Italian and French cooking styles but use simple, high-quality ingredients.
- In Perth, there is now a natural wine bar, which the police initially tried to prevent.
- This week, 29-year-old Perth doctor Sam Winfield, finally opened his Wines of While bar on William Street after a long journey fraught with bureaucratic red tape.
- WA Police advised against approving his liquor licence application without imposing over a dozen restrictions after he submitted it.
- There were rules about having two security guards at the door on the weekend, not selling liquor to go, and having click counters available so that staff could keep track of the number of people entering and leaving the establishment.
- The exposed brick and timber furnishings at Pep's Wine Bar create a casually elegant setting in which to peruse the bar's extensive contemporary wine list of 230+ selections.
- The list is a mixed bag of minimal intervention wines that make it difficult to narrow down your options.
- In that case, we recommend going to the bar and asking for assistance there.
- Night to night, Pep's has a different crowd.
- On Saturdays, people of all ages can be found at Pep's Bar, where they drink beer, spirits, and wine.
- Arriving early is recommended because the bar, which can hold up to 100 people, usually begins to fill up around midday on both Saturday and Sunday.
- It is owned by Charlie Galbally and his wife Natasha.
- And the wine list is as quirky as it is unusual.
- Classic Margaret Rive chardys sit alongside Greek chardonnays and new-wave, unconventional West Australian chardonnays on the wine list, which features around 160 bottles.
- Sunday customers are particularly fond of the bar's selection of pét-nats and imported wine.
- Each week brings in new natural wine options.
- In addition to serving food and drink, the bar is open seven days a week, which is a must for any establishment that wants to be taken seriously as a member of the local community.
- The focus is on American whisky (while avoiding Americana kitsch), good beer, and a food offering that will make you question why on earth you'd need to go to a restaurant, and the bar has been a mainstay on best bar lists and in the running for awards ever since it opened.
- The Varnish on King is a distinctive venue perfect for your upcoming event, located in the basement of a 1921 heritage building in the centre of Perth's CBD.
- For their customers, Varnish on King doesn't follow the norms and provides them with unique services like the "Bacon & Whiskey flight," in which four types of Whiskey are paired with four types of bacon.
- Whiskey and wine lovers alike will be satisfied by the restaurant's extensive menu and drinks list.
- The finishing touch on King's mantra is child's play.
- The decor of Varnish is an homage to trendy American dive bars, with vintage photographs of the surrounding area in sepia tones serving as a subtle nod to Perth's past.
- Behind the bar, you'll find a collection of Kentucky bourbons and American whiskies that is unmatched in Perth.
- The bar and restaurant Varnish on King doesn't follow the status quo by any means, and as a result, they provide their patrons with unique perks like the "Bacon & Whiskey flight," in which four different types of Whiskey are paired with four different types of bacon.
- There is a charming wine list as well, one that is largely based on the proprietor's whims and preferences and thus is frequently updated.
- The restaurant's menu is both creative and unique, fusing American standards with an Australian spin.