The 17 best bars in Perth

Both out of sight and out of the ordinary, Ezra Pound is a watering hole well worth seeking. The semi-clandestine speakeasy is sure to impress with its eight seasonally changing cocktails, plus local beers and wine. While the bar sits literally and laterally at Ezra Pound’s heart, the rest of the joint isn’t without its – admittedly grungy – charm. Well-weathered furniture, brick walls, candle-lit tables and fairy lights outside create a cosy atmosphere. With well-mixed drinks in hand, spaghetti to be scoffed and fresh tunes on constant rotation, life seems very Treasure Island down this graf-covered Northbridge laneway.

If you fancy a good rum, Sneaky Tony's has your name written all over it. A hop, skip or stumble down an alleyway in Chinatown and you’ll find yourself at the alluring door of Sneaky Tony’s – Perth’s top secret premium rum bar. If you wish to enter, you’ll have to proclaim the daily password, which may or may not be found on Facebook. With shelves boasting an impressive collection of over 300 rums from all four corners of the globe, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Or go hard on the cocktails. For those after hard liquor, the expert mixologists will pinpoint the perfect drink for you.

One of Subiaco’s best-kept secrets is Bar Amelie, a self-described Australian-style tapas bar with a great list of elegantly creative cocktails and mocktails, alongside beer and wine, all in a setting that is both contemporary and art deco reminiscent. Bar Amelie’s bartenders have curated a list of signature cocktails with which to temp visitors, many of them putting a new spin on a classic drink. Take, for instance, a Negroni that pairs bourbon and vermouth with Creme de Cacao Campari, or a Margarita where tequila mingles with toasted coconut and fresh lemon.

For the best cocktails in Perth, look no further than Foxtrot Unicorn. Descending the steps into the bar is like descending into another time period, one where decadence abounds and libations are liberal. Despite the old-timey feel of the fitout, the cocktail list is surprisingly contemporary, finding creative uses for native flavours. As tempting as the drinks list is the menu of cheesy jaffles you’ll find on offer, an incongruous pairing that somehow just makes sense.

Hook, line and sinker, Madalena’s is easily one of the best bars in Western Australia right now. The sun-filled boteco sources the freshest sustainably caught seafood from local suppliers at Fins Seafood and pairs it with seasonal goodness from their thriving kitchen garden. Wind down on the weekend with a chardonnay off Madalena’s white marble bar or settle in post-swim for dinner and drinks upstairs.

Since opening in mid-2023, Bertie Wine Bar has made a big splash on Perth’s bar scene. While the artfully curated wine list is reason enough to visit, the bar has quickly gained notoriety for its eccentric, Brit-centric food. Taking cues from London eateries, this comfort food has been given an upscale reimagining, with dishes like anchovy toast, steak and shoestring fries, and a moreish Scotch egg served alongside house-made brown sauce. The wine list is heavy on Australian wines and a cocktail list of serious, spirits-heavy tipples is also worth perusing.

Petition Wine Merchant takes a similar approach to wine as its sibling Petition Beer Corner does to brews. Located in the heart of the historic State Buildings, this hybrid bar and wine library makes it easy to enjoy an after-work tipple before grabbing a quality take-home. The focus here is on boutique labels from winemakers with an eye on hand-crafted techniques and organic methods that avoid chemical intervention. Petition offers a menu of small plates perfect for exploring their wine list, including freshly shucked oysters, ham hock croquettes and baked brie with honey and sourdough.

Offering a wine bar experience without any of the pretence and pretension, Vincent Wine is simultaneously upscale and rustic. Space is limited, and the venue doesn’t take bookings, but a small wait is worth your while. Vincent’s bread and butter is charcuterie and by-the-glass wine, a list of which you’ll find handwritten on white subway tiles behind the bar. The drinks menu features European wines and the staff are more than willing to walk you through the various merits of a Mosel riesling compared to a Sicilian bianco, but there’s also a selection of Australian vino and cocktails on offer. 

Neighbourhood aperitivo bar Volare brings a touch of European wining and dining to Maylands. Local wine enthusiasts gather here midweek to make the most of the venue’s aperitivo offerings. House wine is up for grabs, as well as a list of signature spritzes which include the obligatory Aperol but also Limoncello Spritz, or a namesake spritz boasting Davidson plum bitters and pine verjus. All drinks come with complimentary house Sicilian olives, but it's worth ordering a full spread of snacks. 

Part wine bar, part fromagerie, Powells caters to Perth’s insatiable appetite for a grazing platter and a glass of vino. The wine list here is both meticulously thought out and invitingly playful. The team keep the list fresh, rotating new wines to keep things interesting for regulars. While there are a few comfort options on the menu, like Swan Valley rose and Margaret River tempranillo, Powells isn’t the place to play it safe. Rather, let the venue tempt you to pet net in a can or a glass of Mediterranean-inspired orange wine.

Located on the lower ground floor of the beautifully restored, heritage-listed 1910 Perth Technical School, Bar Lafayette is a moody and intimate bar for cocktail and whisky enthusiasts. The thoughtfully curated drinks list features options to please every taste with cocktail favourites like the white Peach Bellini and herbaceous Alpine Ice Tea, alongside sparkling, beer, white, red and rosé. Enjoy live music in the alfresco area every Thursday to Saturday, or cheese or charcuterie from 4pm.

In the basement of a 1921-built heritage building in the heart of Perth’s CBD is Varnish on King. The interior is a homage to the nouveau dive bars of the USA, while nodding to Perth’s own culture and history with sepia-toned images of the neighbourhood’s yesteryear lining the walls. In true dive bar spirit, Kentucky bourbons and American whiskeys line the shelves behind the bar. It’s a venue that “doesn’t play by the rules” and offers weird and wonderful perks for its customers, such as the ‘Bacon & Whiskey flight’ where four different styles of Whiskey are paired up with four different styles of bacon! Strange, but we like it!