The 13 Best Bars in Perth For Every Occasion

We’ve put together a list of the best bars in Perth, the crème de la crème of drinking establishments throughout the city.

After sipping our way through the best cocktail bars in Sydney followed by top rooftop drinking spots in Melbourne, we thought it was only time to showcase all the goodness pouring out of Perth.

Whether it’s a high-rise in the CBD or your neighbourhood local, Perth is rife with top bars that cater to any occasion. Our list celebrates that diversity. We feature rooftop bars, craft breweries and speakeasies, as well as bars that specialise in certain drinks like natural wine, gin or whiskey.

Have a look through the list and get planning your next night out. The best bars in Perth are patiently waiting to quench your thirst.

The 13 Best Bars in Perth

Mechanics Institute

The small bar

Perth is rich with small bars peppered throughout the city, but none are as charming as Mechanics Institute. Located atop a heritage building in Northbridge, they house a stellar rooftop area and cosy interior bar with knowledgeable bartenders.

The service is genuine, the drinks are top-quality and food is available from the neighbouring Flipside Burgers. In our eyes, such good vibes can’t go wrong. It’s simple and approachable, making Mechanics one of the best bars in Perth. FYI, the entrance is located at the rear of the building.

What to drink: Rye whiskey or the house cocktail, Hillbilly Bob’s Ruckus Juice

Open Monday to Saturday, 12pm – late; Sunday, 12 – 10pm. Located at 222 William Street, Northbridge, Perth 6000.

Hunter & Barrel

The wild bar

Inspired by the hunter-gatherer philosophy, this Raine Square bar in Perth combines primitive cooking philosophies with modern and innovative techniques. This makes for a rustic food menu where beautiful produce from the farm, sea and garden is transformed over an open coal grill. You can expect the exceptional drinks to have that same raw and untamed approach. Following traditions laid down by OG bartenders of the old world, Hunter & Barrel offers their guests barrel-aged spirits and cocktails (the cocktail concoctions are matured in oak barrels for an incredible flavour profile), as well as local beers on tap, whisky flights and a top notch wine list curated by expert sommeliers.

What to drink: The Aged Piña, a sweet and fruity cocktail made with a barrel-aged blend of Appleton Rum and Baron Samedi Spiced Rum, Coco Lopez and pineapple juice

Open Sunday to Thursday, 12pm – 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 12pm – 10.30pm. Located at Raine Square Shopping Centre, 119 William Street.

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Bar Lafayette

The cocktail bar

In the heart of the city centre, you’ll find the most artisanal cocktail bar in Perth. Bar Lafayette is an Old World themed watering hole that’s dedicated to the craft of cocktails. They have over 40 available and the skillful mixologists behind the bar show an impeccable attention to detail.

Whether it’s dark and decadent, barrel-aged and cold-dripped or light and fruity, chances are your chosen cocktails will be guzzled down in short succession. If you’re after something stronger, their spirits list is equally enormous. One scroll of their Instagram will give you an idea of Bar Lafayette’s diverse drink selection.

What to drink: Kyoto Crush or Cold Drip Boulevardier

Open Monday to Saturday, 4pm – late (Fridays from 2pm). Located at Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace, CBD, Perth 6000.

Sneaky Tony’s

The speakeasy bar

This secret bar in Chinatown oozes intimacy and ambience which is quite fitting for a Prohibition-style speakeasy. With mood lighting and classic 1920s decor, the atmosphere is definitely memorable. Unsurprisingly that’s just one reason why Sneaky Tony’s is on our list.

The main reason it earns our acclaim is because of their rum-based cocktails. Rum is the drink of choice at Sneaky Tony’s and their creativity with the spirit is endless. Team it with a dinner on James Street and you’ve got yourself a damn fine evening out. Take note though, this place is popular and a password is required for entry Friday and Saturday. Do some digging on Facebook to find the secret word.

What to drink: Ask the bartender for a special rum number

Open Monday to Sunday, 4pm – late. Located at Nicks Lane, Northbridge, Perth 6003.

The Federal Hotel

The classy sports bar

The Federal Hotel understands that watching your favourite game need not be an affair of sticky tables, mediocre beers and average service. No siree! Located within a beautiful heritage site on William Street, this sleek Fremantle establishment knows how to turn on the charm – especially when the clock strikes 5pm. There are plenty of different nooks for you and your mates to hang out, whether you want to pair your drinks with a glorious Australian pub feast, sip on cocktails or watch the big game on the huge outdoor screen. Time your visit right and you could also find yourself enjoying cool live music, a quiz night with your friends or a boutique tasting event hosted by a local winery or brewery. It’s safe to say, the fun is never-ending.

What to drink: $10 espresso martinis on Saturdays from 4pm (whoop!)

Open Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday, 12pm – 10pm; Friday, 12pm – 12am; Saturday, 12pm – 1am. Located at 23 William Street, Fremantle, Perth 6160.

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Bob’s Bar

The rooftop bar

Feel-good vibes are at an all-time high at Bob’s Bar, thanks to their rooftop terrace and cityscape views. The atmosphere is always casual and inviting, which is an irresistible combination for locals looking to unwind with mates in the heart of Perth City.

Craft beer and cider is the name of the game at Bob’s Bar, with a rotating tap list and large bottled selection. Team it with their legendary burgers or bar snacks and you’ve got yourself a great night out to kick back and relax. But sorry folks, no thongs are permitted after 6pm.

What to drink: A Sierra Nevada beer or something from the rotating taps

Open Monday to Saturday, 12pm – late. Located at 125 St Georges Terrace, CBD, Perth 6000.

Rooftop at QT

The sophisticated bar

Another rooftbar bar in Perth to make the list, the Rooftop at QT is a classy affair. Located on top of the QT Perth hotel, this bar differs from its peers in that the atmosphere is stylish and luxurious. While perhaps slightly too swanky for some, others will be excited by the sophistication.

To complement the classy ambience, the bar has stunning views across Perth’s skyline – a fitting location to match a special night out. It’s the type of place to savour a classic cocktail, enjoy fine wine or sip on aged Scotch whisky. A sharp dress code is always enforced, so dress to impress.

What to drink: An Italian aperitif like Negroni Bianco, Tuscan Sour or the Americano

Open Monday to Wednesday, 3 – 10pm; Thursday to Sunday, 12pm – late. Located at Level 18, 133 Murray Street, CBD, Perth 6000.

Refuge Small Bar

The local bar

Keep it fresh, keep it local and keep it evolving. That’s the motto of this Subiaco bar where independent growers, brewers and artisans are championed throughout the seasons. The drinks are predominantly focused on craft beers, with 12 rotating brews on tap as well as local and international boutique bottles and cans. The team at Refuge Small Bar carefully selects the beer on show, leaning towards those which have been bottle fermented or brewed using wild yeasts (so embrace that cloudy quality for a totally unique and delicious drinking experience). The cocktails served are also notable, crafted in house with a good mix of classics and signature inventions. For wine lovers, check out the blackboard behind the bar for an ever-changing list of interesting drops. Once you’ve selected your tipple of choice, it’s highly recommended you top it off with a charcuterie and cheese platter to share.

What to drink: Explore the beers on tap or go for the Naked and Famous cocktail made with mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and fresh lime juice

Monday, 12pm – 10pm; Tuesday, 12pm – 10.30pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm – 11.30pm. Located at Shop 5/50 Subiaco Square.

Helvetica Bar

The whisk(e)y bar

Hidden away in the CBD, the Helvetica Bar team are absolute experts when it comes to various whisky and whiskey selections from throughout the world. At times they will stock up to 500 different bottles, predominantly from Scotland and the USA. Yet you’ll also find a lengthy list of Australian, Irish and Japanese varieties, with plenty more besides.

The bartenders are always there to help and share some wisdom, so we recommend making use of their expertise. Beyond the whisk(e)ys there is a handful of beer, cocktails and wines available. With a cosy and appealing atmosphere, Helvetica Bar really is a top-quality gem.

What to drink: Ask the experts for a recommendation, or opt for the Howard Sour – Helvetica’s take on the classic whisky sour

Open Monday to Saturday, 3pm – late (Fridays from 12pm). Located at 101 St Georges Terrace, CBD, Perth 6000.

The Flour Factory

The gin bar

Housed within a historic flour mill, The Flour Factory is a city public house with many facets worth celebrating. Spread over three floors, it features a modern restaurant that serves refined Australian cuisine and The Sherry, a hidden rooftop bar. But we’re really here to shout about their gin selection.

Their back bar stocks over 100 different gins and has talented staff to skillfully utilise them all. The mixologists can whip up a host of delicious cocktails, from a classic gin and tonic or Negroni to more creative numbers. If you’re overwhelmed with which kind to pick, you can always “Spin For Gin” at $12 a pop and let luck determine your fate.

What to drink: A seasonal cocktail special or Monkey 47 gin-based drink

Open Monday to Friday, 12pm – late; Saturday, 4pm – late. Located at 16 Queen Street, CBD, Perth 6000.

Wines of While

The natural wine bar

This minimalist and tasteful wine bar on William Street has quickly garnered attention since opening in August, 2018. One visit to Wines of While and you’ll see why, as their curated selection the perfect way to explore the surging natural wine movement.

Natural wine is both organic and biodynamic, requiring no additives in the fermentation process but instead relying on naturally occurring microbiology. It makes for a living wine that also reflects the land it was grown from.

Wines of While offers a flavoursome array both by the glass and the bottle (you can also buy bottles to take home). But why not channel your inner sommelier and combine the wine with their delicious Mediterranean food? This place is an artisanal charmer and we think one of the best bars in Perth.

What to drink: An orange wine (a white wine made like a red wine, allowing grape skin contact)

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm – late; Sunday, 12 – 10pm. Located at 458 William Street, CBD, Perth 6000.

FUNK Cider

The craft cider garden

If you’re after even more natural beverages, a visit to FUNK Cider is a must. The brothers behind FUNK – Dustin and Martin Michael – are passionate about “making cider great again” and opened doors to their Caversham cider house in 2016. Since then, Perth locals have been happily guzzling down the refreshing selection. All cider is unpasteurised, with no preservatives or sulfites, and only local Western Australian produce is used.

The outdoor setting is sublime and customers can enjoy their chosen food and drink underneath grand gum trees. Alongside the cider you’ll also find craft beers, house wines, fermented beverages and cold-pressed juices – all great options to wash down their range of burgers and pizzas.

What to drink: Order a cider paddle and sample several varieties

Open Monday to Friday, 11am – 5:30pm; Saturday, 10am – 6:30pm; Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm. Located at 55 Benara Road, Caversham, Perth 6055.

Little Creatures

The craft beer brewery

We love Little Creatures and Little Creatures loves Perth, inviting locals into their Fremantle brewery and serving up a culinary storm. Grab some mates or the family and pop over to The Great Hall, a massive industrial space that features an open kitchen and beer tanks. What’s even better is that it’s right on the water’s edge.

Order a freshly poured (and freshly brewed) ale and enjoy their wood-fired pizzas and sharing platters. It’s the perfect waterfront bar to kick back during an afternoon session or evening out. We recommend combining your visit with a brewhouse tour, allowing you to see all the magic behind Little Creatures brews.

What to drink: Pale Ale or Session Ale

Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 11pm; Weekends, 9am – late. Located at 40 Mews Road, Fremantle, Perth 6160.