While many people first think of Sydney or Melbourne when considering the best spots for great bars in Australia, Perth definitely has plenty to offer. This laid-back and friendly city on Australia’s west coast is normally known for its beaches and nearby wine regions, but a transformation in recent years has seen it become a very culturally-diverse destination.
Perth may not have the entrenched cultural cache of its eastern cousins, but it still has a particularly thriving bar scene that is on the up and up. Many funky drinking holes have opened in the last couple of years that are drawing in both locals and tourists alike. This is especially true since the local council relaxed its licensing laws and made it easier for business owners and investors to add liquor to their menus.
Whether you’re looking for a boutique wine bar with an extensive drinks list, a luxurious spot to sip a cocktail, or a quirky bar that specialises in one particular type of drink, you’ll be able to find a place to suit your tastes in Perth. Read on for five of the coolest drinking establishments in the city which deserve a visit on your next trip to this part of Australia.
1. Mrs Brown
If you’re a fan of quirky, playful venues with a top notch wine list, head to Mrs Brown. This bar is situated in North Fremantle and got its name from the moniker given to England’s Queen Victoria after she supposedly began a relationship with a Scottish servant named John Brown when her husband died. This bar has a relaxed, vintage vibe, demonstrated through the use of recycled children’s picture books as the cover for the establishment’s menus.
While the street frontage is quite plain, the inside of the small venue has an eclectic fit out that’s conducive to fun nights out. Mrs Brown serves up a range of quality beers and ciders, and has a selection of over 30 wines available by the glass and/or bottle.
Copyright © Mrs Brown Bar
2. Greenhouse
If you’re planning a vacation to Perth then don’t miss the chance to visit one of the city’s most renowned eco destinations, Greenhouse. This sustainably designed and operated bar and restaurant is located in the CBD and beautifully combines “going green” with style. While the contemporary venue is well-known for its fresh, seasonal, locally-grown food and Asian flavors, the bar within Greenhouse is also a great place to kick back. The manager of the restaurant, Paul Aron, also happens to be a cocktail professional and previously worked as head bartender at a number of notable venues around the country.
Patrons can enjoy sipping on cocktails as they take in the views of the restaurant’s rooftop garden that supplies the kitchen with fresh produce. The eco-friendly nature of the building’s design and the establishment’s fit out can also be admired. The bar top is made from recycled plywood timber that was repurposed from a previous pop-up restaurant in Melbourne. In addition, the ice buckets used at the Greenhouse bar were created from old gas cylinders, and the venue’s light shades from recycled fencing wire.
Copyright © Greenhouse Perth
3. Wee Bar
Francophiles should add the intimate, Mount Hawthorn-based Wee Bar to their itinerary. Run by a well-regarded Perth foodie, Iain Lawless, the French-themed venue is the perfect spot to go for a pre-dinner aperitif with friends or a late-night drink to wind up a night out with a partner. Wee Bar’s menu includes a number of high-end brandy and cognac choices, a couple of Scottish beers, plus a carefully-selected range of top-notch French and Australian wines.
Image by WЕЕ Bar via Facebook
4. Frisk Small Bar
Anyone that really loves a good gin and tonic should pay a visit to Frisk Small Bar, tucked away in Northbridge, not far from Russell Square. The hip, little bar specializes in gin cocktails, and boasts a menu with close to 40 different types of the spirit. For any patrons that prefer a different type of drink, Frisk also serves craft beers and ciders, many Australian and international wines, other spirits, plus non-alcoholic beverage options as well. The decor in the bar is cool and the vibe laid-back, with funky tunes generally always providing a background ambience.
Copyright © Frisk Small Bar
5. Choo Choo’s
Choo Choo’s is an unpretentious bar located in Perth’s city center. As such, it is popular with locals looking to wind down after a long day at work, plus tourists that are looking to spend time in a relaxed, cozy bar with good drinks. The extensive menu is updated on a regular basis, and many cocktails are even created on the spot each night, based on the owner’s extensive industry experience.
Image via The Style Trust
