The bar scene in Perth is getting better and better. From hidden alleyways to rooftops, check out some of the quirkier bars you might not have known about.
FYI: I wrote the below article for Ventura Homes, the premier home builder in Perth. As it’s such a great, resourceful article, I’m re-sharing it below:
Perth’s small bar scene has blossomed since the State Government’s major liquor license reform in 2007. It’s focus on providing more choice for consumers, greater levels of innovation within the liquor and hospitality industries, creating more employment opportunities and assisting in tourism has positively impacted our young city for the better.
Fast forward 7 years and small bars have popped up in Perth alleyways, lane ways and every other hidden space to help support the growing cultural awakening Perth is experiencing. Old heritage buildings, basements and rooftops are being re-purposed to create more unique and intimate spaces for socialising in, while many more small bars await approvals.
Thanks to The New York Times glowing review on Perth earlier this year, describing it as “Hipster Heaven“, as well as placing Perth as number 9 on their “Top 25 places to go List“, the world is no longer perceiving Perth to be an isolated, mining-focused town, but rather; a city that’s continually being expanded, updated and re-developed.
Yet, despite these forward achievements, Perth VS Melbourne debates are still as abundant as ever, and although Perth has struggled to find it’s own identity, we can all agree that our young city is heading in the right direction.
To help support the Perth nightlife evolution, I’ve put together a simple Top 25 Quirky Bars in Perth City list (I do enjoy a good list) to shed some light on the unique nightspots Perth offers us. Regardless of how optimistic or skeptical you are about this list or Perth’s transformation, one thing is for certain: Perth is slowly growing up.
Top 25 Quirky Bars in Perth:
1. THE CLASSROOM
Revisit your school days with their quirky school decor and antiques. Image via Venue
Address: 356 Charles Street, North Perth
Phone: 08 9444 7729
Email: info@theclassroom.com.au
Website: http://theclassroom.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classroombar
2. BOBECHE BAR
A 1920′s speakeasy bar minus the moonshine.
Address: 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Phone: 08 9226 5596
Email: imbibe@bobeche.com.au
Website: http://www.bobeche.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bob%C3%A8che/458247734192555
3. WOLF LANE
Nestled down an alleyway with a quirky fairy-tale theme and a New York loft vibe. Image via Wolf Lane
Address: Rear 321 Murray St, Perth (on Wolf Lane – Laneway access from Murray St or King St)
Phone: 08 9322 4671
Email: info@wolflane.com.au
Website: http://www.wolflane.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolflaneperth
4. THE MECHANIC INSTITUTE
Nestled amongst the heritage rooftops of Northbridge, their industrial-chic rooftop sets them apart. Image via Great About Perth
Address: 222 William St (access via rear laneway) Perth
Phone: 08 9228 4189
Email: info@mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au
Website: http://mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MechanicsInstituteBar
5. BAR 399
A casual cool bar with booths and a quaint Parisian style courtyard. Image via Zombato
Address: 399 William St, Perth
Phone: 0417 388 257 (Peter Palmer)
Email: info@399bar.com
Website: http://399bar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/399barperth
6. HULA BULA BAR
A tropical tiki-style cocktail bar with extravagant Hawaiian decor and vintage tunes. Image via Hula Bula Bar
Address: 12 Victoria Avenue, Perth
Phone: 08 9225 4457
Email: pete@hulabulabar.com
Website: http://www.hulabulabar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hulabulabar
7. EZRA POUND
Inspired by America’s prohibition era, this bar is low key and aims to remain hidden from the populace. Image via Urban Walkabout
Address: 189 William St (Williams Lane), Northbridge
Phone: 0415 757 600
Website: http://www.epbar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezra.pound
8. ANDALUZ BAR
A contemporary style Spanish tapas bar that is intimate in decor and extensive in menu. Image via Drinkspot
Address: Basement Level, 21 Howard St, Perth
Phone: 08 9481 0092
Email: info@andaluzbar.com.au
Website: http://www.andaluzbar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andaluz-Bar/133856273329532
9. HELVETICA BAR
Like it’s namesake font, it’s a simple inner-city whisky bar with clean lines and added rustic appeal. Image via Helvetica Bar
Address: Rear 101 St Georges Tce, Perth (access through Howard Lane off Howard St)
Phone: 08 9321 4422
Email: info@helveticabar.com.au
Website: http://www.helveticabar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helvetica-Bar/155582287797511
10. THE BIRD
A charmingly grungy small bar that hosts a range of live entertainment. Image via oh8
Address: 181 William St, Northbridge, Perth
Phone: 08 6142 3513
Email: info@williamstreetbird.com
Website: http://www.williamstreetbird.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/williamstreetbird
11. BAR LAFAYETTE
A classic, old world cocktail bar with decor that is dark, sexy and elegant. Image via Urban Walkabout
Address: 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 0416 816 355
Email: general@barlafayette.com
Website: http://www.barlafayette.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarLafayette
12. THE STABLES BAR
Two levels of bar and dining in a re-purposed building that was once Perth’s first horse stables. Image via The Stables Bar
Address: 888 Hay St, Perth
Phone: 08 6314 1300
Email: info@thestablesbar.com.au
Website: http://www.thestablesbar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StablesBarAu
13. FRISK SMALL BAR
The ultimate ‘small bar’ for those who especially favor gin. Image via SBAWA
Address: 31/103-105 Francis St, Northbridge, Perth
Email: frisksmallbar@gmail.com
Website: http://www.frisksmallbar.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frisk.smallbar
14.VARNISH ON KING
A basement space speakeasy style bar with a focus on American whiskeys. Image via Australian Bartender
Address: 75 King St, Perth
Email: lachlan@varnishonking.com
Website: http://varnishonking.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VarnishOnKing
15. CHOO CHOO’S
A hip, grungy little bar that provides escapism in the CBD’s corporate central. (Photo credit: Justin Blackford)
Address: 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 0449 699 342
Website: http://choochoosbar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChooChoosBar
16. BAR DE HALCYON
Perth’s first pintxos bar that offers unique Spanish tapa flavours. Image via Baltinas
Address: On Wolf Lane (Laneway access from Murray St or King St), Perth
Phone: 08 6336 9243
Email: info@bardehalcyon.com.au
Website: http://www.bardehalcyon.com.au/
17. 1907
A fine dining underground restaurant & bar that emits old style Hollywood glamour. Image via 1907
Address: Alleyway, 26 Queen St, Perth
Phone: 08 9436 0233
Email: reservations@1907.com.au
Website: http://www.1907.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1907RestaurantandCocktailBar
18. LA CHOLITA BAR
A Mexican tapas bar that has over 100 tequilas behind the bar & sticks to traditional Mexican fare. Image via Brad Johnson
Address: 279 William St, Perth
Email: info@lacholita.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacholitanorthbridge
19. THE LANEWAY LOUNGE
Tucked down an alleyway, they offer Jazz era cocktails, a huge Gin + Bourbon selection & live entertainment. Image via Foodie Cravings
Address: 414A Murray St, Perth (Down the alleyway)
Phone: 08 9321 2508
Email: chillout@thelanewaylounge.com.au
Website: http://www.thelanewaylounge.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelanewaylounge
20. VENN BAR
A bar + cafe that’s situated right in the centre of an architecturally designed contemporary art gallery. Image via We Love Perth
Address: 16 Queen St, Perth
Phone: 08 9321 8366
Email: info@venn.net
Website: http://www.venn.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venn-Shop-Gallery-BarCafe-Events/195990037094779
21. LALLA ROOKH BAR & EATING HOUSE
An underground bar on the city terrace with Italian and Mediterranean flavours. Image via Taste of Perth
Address: Lower Ground, 77 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 08 9325 7077
Email: info@lallarookh.com.au
Website: http://www.lallarookh.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lallarookhbar
22. PRINT HALL
On ground level, Print Hall sits in the old West Australian print factory with contemporary decor. Image via The Food Pornographer
Address: Ground level, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 08 6282 0000
Email: info@printhall.com.au
Website: http://www.printhall.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/printhallperth
23. BOB’S BAR
A rooftop terrace bar on an old print factory that pays homage to Australia’s past Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Image via Print Hall
Address: Rooftop Level, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 08 6282 0000
Website: http://www.printhall.com.au/bobs-bar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bobs-Bar/143735329106141
24. THE CHEEKY SPARROW
Hidden down a laneway with funky decor and a quaint outdoor section. Image via Eat Drink Perth
Address: 317 Murray St (entry through Wolf Lane), Perth
Phone: 0405 550 286
Website: http://www.cheekysparrow.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cheeky-Sparrow/140181282723505
25. THE GREENHOUSE
Built from recycle materials, this green bar provides a serene escape from its corporate surroundings. Image via Greenhouse Perth
Address: 100 St Georges Tce, Perth
Phone: 08 9481 8333
Email: info@greenhouseperth.com
Website: http://greenhouseperth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenhousePerth
Have you got a favourite quirky bar in Perth that I haven’t mentioned here? Share it below and I’ll add it into the next quirky bars list article for 2015.
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This article was originally published on Ventura Homes’ blog site, Live Better by me, Tahnee.
Featured Image Source: The Food Pornographer
2 comments
Thanks for this write up, didn’t realize we had so many great bars in the cbd 😀
Thank you Adrian, no worries! I’m really glad you find it useful 🙂