Must-see nightlife in Perth

  • The Standard interior, Northbridge.

    The Standard

    Perth

    Effortlessly straddling the divide between bar and restaurant, the Standard carries Northbridge's arty vibe into its colourful interior. Head through to…

  • Mechanics Institute

    Perth

    Negotiate the laneway entrance via the James St cul-de-sac – behind Alex Hotel – to discover one of Perth's most easy-going rooftop bars. Share one of the…

  • Swallow

    Perth

    Channeling an art deco ambience with funky lampshades and vintage French advertising, tiny Swallow is the kind of place you'd love as your local. Wine and…

  • Sneaky Tony's

    Perth

    On Friday and Saturday you'll need the password to enter this speakeasy amid street art and Chinese restaurants – don't worry, it's revealed weekly on…

  • Five Bar back of room chill zone, Mt Lawley.

    Five Bar

    Perth

    International and Australian craft beers – including seasonal and one-off brews from WA's best – as well as comfy lounges and funky decor make Mount…

  • Petition Beer Corner

    Perth

    Distressed walls provide the backdrop for craft brews at this spacious bar. There's a rotating selection of 18 independent beers on tap – check out Now…

  • Halford

    Perth

    Channelling a golden, 1950s vibe, basement bar Halford is where to come to sip Rat Pack–worthy cocktails, including expertly prepared martinis and other…

  • Lot Twenty, Northbridge.

    LOT 20

    Perth

    LOT 20 is evidence of the transformation of rough-and-ready Northbridge into the home of more intimate and sophisticated small bars. The brick-lined…

  • The Bird, Northbridge.

    Bird

    Perth

    A cool indie bar lined with wood and birdcages, leading to a stage regularly ruled by local bands, performers and DJs. One of Perth's few live-music…

  • Juanita's

    Perth

    Welcome to Perth's most neighbourly small bar. Tapas, shared platters (terrines, pâtés and fries – the co-owner chef often works the floor) and a concise…

  • Cheeky Sparrow

    Perth

    Cheeky Sparrow's multilevel floor of leather banquettes and bentwood chairs is great for everything from coffee to pizza, cheese and charcuterie plates…

  • Dutch Trading Co

    Perth

    Located in an up-and-coming eating-and-drinking strip, the Dutch Trading Co combines rustic bar leaners and repurposed sofas with tattooed and bearded…

  • Alabama Song

    Perth

    Featuring over 130 rye whiskies and bourbons, Alabama Song is a fun, late-night dive bar down a back lane in Northbridge. Chicken wings and cheeseburgers…

  • Varnish on King

    Perth

    With edgy shopping, cafes and bars, lower King St shouldn't be overlooked. Amid the hipster barber shops and single-origin coffee is this brick-lined…

  • Tiny’s

    Perth

    It's hard to decide if this is a bar with excellent food, or a restaurant with a strong booze focus. Tiny's blurs the lines beautifully, starting with a…

  • Northbridge Brewing Company

    Perth

    The beers brewed here are decent enough, but the real attractions are the occasional on-tap guest beers from around Australia. The outdoor bar adjoining…

  • Alfred's Pizzeria

    Perth

    Pizza by the slice at all hours, a dive-bar vibe (with a touch of The Godfather), and craft beer and Aussie wines all combine in this improbably compact…

  • Must Winebar

    Perth

    With cool French house music pulsing through the air and the perfect glass of wine in your hand (40 offerings by the glass, and more than 500 on the list)…

  • Helvetica

    Perth

    Clever arty types tap their toes to delicious alternative pop in this bar named after a typeface and specialising in whisky and cocktails. The concealed…

  • Ezra Pound

    Perth

    Down a much-graffitied laneway leading off William St, Ezra Pound is favoured by Northbridge's tattooed, arty, bohemian set. It's the kind of place where…

  • Hula Bula Bar

    Perth

    You'll feel like you're on Gilligan's Island in this tiny Polynesian-themed bar, decked out in bamboo, palm leaves and tikis. A cool but relaxed crowd…

  • Flying Scotsman

    Perth

    Old-style pub that attracts the Beaufort St indie crowd. A good spot for a drink before a comedy show or music gig up the road at the Astor theatre.

  • Connections

    Perth

    DJs, drag shows and the occasional bit of lesbian mud wrestling. The rooftop bar space is great if you need to come up for (fresh) air.

  • Black Plastic frontage in Leederville, Perth

    Leederville Hotel

    Perth

    Cool decor and good food ensure nights are huge at the Garden, the Leederville's stab at a 21st-century gastropub. It's the summery, open-air section to…

  • Wolf Lane, entry to bar

    Wolf Lane

    Perth

    Exposed bricks, classic retro furniture and high ceilings create a pretty decent WA approximation of a New York loft. A serious approach to cocktails and…

  • The Spaniard

    Spaniard

    Perth

    Concealed in the funky alley that is Wolf Lane, the Spaniard channels an Iberian vibe with sangria, tapas and pinxtos (savoury bar snacks), and a decent…

  • Clarences

    Perth

    Clarences' combination of small-bar buzz, inventive cocktails and intimate bistro dining makes it a dependable spot for good times along Mount Lawley's…

  • The Court

    Perth

    A large, rambling complex consisting of an old corner pub and a big, partly covered courtyard with a clubby atmosphere, jamming in six bars and three…

  • 399

    Perth

    This friendly neighbourhood bar has booths along one side and a long bar down the other, making it easy to interact with the engaging bar staff. Cocktails…

  • Velvet Lounge

    Perth

    Out the back of the Flying Scotsman is this small, red-velvet-clad lounge with ska, punk and indie beats. Infinite Jest comedy nights take place on the…

  • Grosvenor

    Perth

    This classic corner pub – complete with wrought-iron balconies and one of Perth's best garden bars – draws a crowd of loyal locals, nearby desk jockeys…

  • Twenty9

    Perth

    In the swanky retail street of Cottesloe, away from the chilled-out beach strip, Twenty9 is a casual, family-friendly joint playing Foxtel sport and…

  • Geisha

    Perth

    A small and pumping, DJ-driven, gay-friendly club.

  • Air

    Perth

    Nonstop house, techno and trance.

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