Perth offers an enviable lifestyle with golden beaches on the doorstep of a bustling metropolis, teeming with diverse restaurants, vibrant bars, shopping, and leisure venues. It’s a hub for culture and entertainment, and boasts one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, Kings Park.
If you want to take a break from the bustle of the city, visiting Perth’s stunning nature spots is a must. The idyllic Rottnest Island, for example, is a short ferry ride away and is well known for its idyllic beaches and beautiful scenery.
If you’re willing to travel a little further out, you can even swim with dolphins in the nearby suburb, Rockingham. Perth also has a reputation for its award-winning wines, which you can sample at Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine region.
Perth locals know that the best nightlife in the city is often not found in tourist hotspots and guide books. If you are heading to the city seeking a fabulous night-out, then take the time to research the top pubs and bars.
We’ve rounded up a selection of what we consider to be Perth’s best bars and pubs below, and there’s bound to be a venue to suit everyone.
Liveliness, staff, atmosphere, price, music, and drinks quality; we’ve taken all the main factors that make a quality bar/ pub into consideration when creating this list. Whichever drinking hole you pick, you’re well on the way to a fantastic night out in Perth.
So read on for our take on the best bars in Perth.
We’re starting our list with this mysterious rum bar. Nestled in the back streets of Perth’s Chinatown, Sneaky Tony’s is an exclusive password-entry venue with a quirky interior and a charming vibe.
A tribute to “Tony the hat”, a 1920’s Californian gangster with a penchant for rum-smuggling, this cool prohibition-era bar stocks over 300 varieties of rum for you to try.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to be an all-out rum-lover to experience Sneaky Tony’s. Fortunately, they also provide a wide range of delicious cocktails, beers, and wines.
Expert bartenders, old-style decor, a dark, smoky atmosphere, and 1920’s music give visitors the feeling they’ve stepped back in time. However, you’ll need to check Sneaky Tony’s socials for the password if you wish to enter.
Location: 12 Victoria Ave, Perth, WA 6000 Ph: 0411 568 468
Rum is still very much the favourite liquor of choice at the exotic tiki paradise, Hula Bula Bar. With a funky Hawaiian theme, a huge selection of cocktails served up in tiki-style mugs, and a DJ playing cool vintage music, this little tiki bar is sure to impress.
When you walk through the doors of Hula Bula Bar, you step from the bustling big city and into a tropical oasis. Excellent for having a fun night with friends, this bar is vibrant, eccentric, and filled with novelty island decorations.
Location: REAR, 222 William St, Northbridge, WA 6003 Ph: (08) 9228 4189
For a more classic bar atmosphere, Mechanics Institute Bar dons a chilled and friendly vibe.
Kitted out with an urban basic decor, wooden furniture, and brick walls, this spot offers a varied drinks menu; including top-notch cocktails, artisan wines, and craft beers.
It’s a cool rooftop bar and a homage to the Mechanics Institutes, where working men from the 1800s were able to receive an education. Great for relaxed afternoon meet-ups with friends, or grabbing a beer and a burger.
Location: Basement, 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000 Ph: (08) 9226 5596
Dimmed lights, late-night nibbles, and freshly-poured cocktails. Bobeche is an enticing night venue, boasting exceptional hospitality and a cool basement setting.
Whether it’s a teapot punch among friends, a pineapple martini, or a glass of red, you’re sure to experience first-class drinks in Bobeche. Popcorn is provided, and mouth-watering bar food comes straight from their upstairs sister restaurant, The Heritage Wine Bar.
Location: 25 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160 Ph: 0433 462 525
Excellent Cocktails, live music and seats in the sun on a warm evening. Fremantle bar Ode To Sirens has it all.
Housed in a lovely old building, this drinking den has bagfuls of charm, plus an likeable Greek-leaning menu.
The scent of House-made Pita Bread ($7) wafts alluringly from the kitchen. A plate of these along with either the White Bean Dip, Preserved Lemon & Capers ($9), or the Beetroot & Dill Tzatziki Dip (($9) is a great way to start off.
Drinkwise, we were never going to be able to resist a Sloe Gin, Limoncello , Fizz & Soda named a Ziggy Stardust ($20). Thankfully, it’s a suitably livley match to our next course – the Mushroom Moussaka with Pinenuts ($28).
Yes, Ode To Sirens is another great spot to seek out when next in Fremantle. We’re sure you’ll agree that its one of the best bars in Perth.
Location: 221 William St, Perth, WA 6003 Ph: (08) 9227 6771
Set over two floors, the lively and affordable Universal Bar has something for everyone. An iconic haven for music lovers, this popular cocktail hangout features live music every night, with a special focus on Jazz and Blues.
Great value, high-quality pub food is on offer. What’s more, you’ll always be greeted by a warm and friendly team of staff, waiting to serve up their delectable range of drinks.
Another thing that make this spot one of the best bars in Perth is the Drinks Menu. From the lovingly curated array of Craft Beers to the imaginative Cocktail ‘creations’, you know you’re in good hands.
Located within a heritage-listed building in the Northbridge area, The Palace Arcade brings together top-tier drinks, retro arcade games, New-York style pizza, and great tunes. The result? Possibly the perfect fun-filled night in Perth.
The Palace Arcade offers excellent prices for cocktails and food, and once you’ve finished eating their famous 22-inch pizzas, you can relive the 80s with a game of Space Invaders or Pac-Man on the vintage arcade machines.
Location: Perth Cultural Centre, 51 James St, Northbridge, WA 6003 Ph: (08) 9228 8769
Described by many fans as a ‘Perth institution’, Picabar is the kind of watering hole that any neighbourhood would be glad to have.
Unpretentious, but utterly charming, the Beers are cold, the Espresso Martinis chilled and the service super friendly whenever you happen to drop in. And why wouldn’t you? With the option to sit in the bar, or outside in the courtyard on a sunny arvo, popping by is incredibly appealing.
Our pick of the Cocktails is the Twin Peaks. Combining Coffee-Washed Bourbon, Burnt Orange Bitters, Brown Sugar Syrup & Maraschino, it’s as complex as David Lynch’s TV masterpiece. Add an order of the excellent Grilled Halloumi with Honey & Red Pepper, or the substantial Oklahoma Onion Burger, with its fat Black Onyx Beef Patty, and you’re sorted for dinner.
By mixing all of the best parts of a night out into one place, Jack Rabbit Slim’s has become one of the most popular hangouts in Perth. It’s an all-in-one bar, live music venue, and late-night diner.
Named after the nostalgia-themed restaurant and bar in the legendary dancing scene from Pulp Fiction (Uma Thurman & John Travolta), Jack Rabbit Slim’s offers many of the same treats. If you’re familiar with the movie then you’ll know what we mean.
There are alcoholic milkshakes, a tasty American-style food menu, arcade games, groovy music and a dance-floor. What’s not to love? Knock back some of Jack Rabbit Slim’s trademark tequila shots, then bust some moves until the early hours.
Nab a table up here, and sample some of the best Craft Beers in the city. Alternatively, enjoy a Burger. We’re big fans of The Smash “S” ($29), featuring a Double Smash Beef Patty, Cheddar, Onions and more on a Brioche.
Now if you can’t get into Bob’s Bar, don’t despair. The Print Hall Bar is like a traditional Pub on cool and trendy steroids. This place has a seriously fun vibe, hip staff and lots going on. And if you’re there on a Saturday night, buckle up for ‘Ivory Rivalry’, where duelling pianos battle it out on well-known songs. And apart from atmosphere and a huge, well-stocked bar, it also has the same Food Menu as Bob’s Bar up on the rooftop.
Finally (on the bar front), there’s Small Print. Classy and cosy, this cute little Wine Bar has a more boutique feel. Perfect for a date night or an intimate catch-up with a good friend, the team here do a rather fab ‘Apervino’. What is that? I hear you cry! Well, this is a wondrous array of Cheese and Charcuterie, Dessert and a bottle of Wine. Per Person. And all for a mere $89. Bargain.
Like we said at the start, this venue is a multi-level entertainment palace. And we’re here for it. So pick your destination. We’re sure it’s one of the top bars in Perth.
Location: 75 King St, Perth, WA 6000 Ph: 1800 763 253
Bold food creations meet award-winning drinks in this innovative bar. American whiskeys and Kentucky bourbons, a charming wine list, and an American dive bar theme co-exist to provide a unique visitor experience.
Moreover, this bar exhibits an Australian twist and blends food innovation with top-shelf spirits to create inventions such as the “Bacon & Whisky flight”, a must-try when exploring Perth’s nightlife.
Caballitos is the best bar to visit if you’re looking for a trendy Mexican-themed hangout. You’re guaranteed to have non-stop crazy fun here, with a range of epic cocktails such as frozen margaritas and coco locos on offer.
Great value theme nights include Taco Tuesdays and Whack It Wednesdays, where you can enjoy delicious Mexican specialties, watch a mariachi band, or even bust up a piñata!
Location: Basement, Level 101 St Georges Terrace enter through glass door on the left, 101 St Georges Terraces, Perth, WA 6000 Ph: 0451 098 865
If you look hard enough, you’ll find Foxtrot Unicorn, a smart underground bar hidden in an old bank vault. Foxtrot offers a unique experience for real booze enthusiasts with a love for tasting the best-made drinks in town.
Packed with Westralia-themed vintage decor, Perth’s best-kept secret plays host to some of the most talented bar staff in the region, who will serve up impressive cocktails alongside mouth-watering toasted sandwiches.
Editor’s Update: Pleasingly, the folks at Foxtrot Unicorn made it onto the Boothby Drinks of the Year list with their Strawberry Gum Gimlet. No wonder this is one of the best bars in Perth.
Location: State Buildings, St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth, WA 6000 Ph: (08) 6168 7771
There’s a lot going on in the beautifully renovated State Buildings. And one of the best spots to checkout is Petition.
At Petition Kitchen you can enjoy all day dining which makes the most of the best local ingredients available. But that’s not all. There is also a well-stocked Beer Corner and a rather fabulous Wine Merchant. As ever, Eatability leans towards a cocktail (or 2!) to kick off an evening of good food and great company. And at Petition, the Whiskey Sour ($19) is as good as any we’ve tried.
Come for a drink and stay for dinner. You won’t regret it.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
