Need to know where to wet your whistle in Perth – a blue-skied city made for laidback libations? Thanks to a number of awarded, experienced operators, passionate sole traders and family business outfits wanting to do things differently, Perth’s drinking scene has exploded over the last decade.
Where there were once mostly large pubs and clubs, there’s now a diverse array of small bars and entertainment venues with real hospitality finesse. From new-wave wine bars and rooftop hangouts to old-school pubs and urban craft breweries, these spots will not only satisfy your thirst, they’ll take you right across the city – to its famous beaches, charming suburbs and vibrant inner city.
Wine bars galore in Perth
Good news for wine drinkers: Perth has an undeniable love of grape juice. In 2018 when it opened, Wines of While was the first of its kind in the state – a 50-seater serving up all-natural wines bar, with a beautifully organised wine store. A casual setting, gluggable wines and simple Mediterranean food make for a sunny alfresco afternoon well spent.
The cellar door holds more than 900 wines produced from organic and biodynamic vineyards, as well as a hand-sourced range of artisanal beers, ciders, liquors and non-alcoholic choices. It also has an exciting roster of chefs in residence, kitchen takeovers and dining events, which you’ll hear all about on its social media.
Madalena’s Bar, South Fremantle’s resident low-intervention wine and seafood boteco, is another crowd-pleaser. This upper-floor bar promises panoramic ocean views and hand-crafted cocktails, while the intimate dining area is ideal for romantic date nights and dinner with friends. The venue won three stars from Good Food Guide three years running, in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The kitchen works closely with Fins Seafood to source sustainably caught seafood each day, and fosters close relationships with local farmers as well as growing many of the ingredients in its kitchen garden. While you’ll mostly find seafood and vegetarian platters designed to be shared, it’s worth checking the rotating menu for more details.
Taking inspiration from the old-world bistros of New York and Paris, Le Rebelle is a trendy neighbourhood bistro and bar combining refined European food with a carefully curated wine list. A five-minute drive from Perth’s CBD, it’s spread across three tiers with a bistro, wine bar and intimate dining space. Come for a glass, stay for dinner.
Fancy some drink with dance tunes?
If the dance floor is calling, head to Highgate’s Si Paradiso – an Italo-Australian all-day drinking, dining and dancing venue with a large open-air auditorium that hosts regular DJs and live music shows.
Enjoy dinner and fine wines in the moody dining room, pizzas and Aperol Spritz in the breezy courtyard, and then head underground to the club space for a dance party with international DJs, live performances from local talent, and immersive art experiences.
If you’re visiting on Thursdays, you can enjoy a three-course set menu for $40, with 40 per cent off the cellar list (how good?) and there’s regular comedy nights.
From one of the same owners comes El Grotto in Scarborough – a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar and taqueria where the music is loud and live. Tuck into some of the best Mexican food in the city, sip on a spicy margarita, and wash it down with tequila straight from Jalisco. You can tuck into $5 tacos on Tuesdays (from 4pm) and play free trivia on Wednesdays, but if you want somewhere that’s completely buzzing, the weekend is when the restaurant comes alive with live music and Latin parties.
Meanwhile, North Fremantle institution Mojos Bar has been supplying the south with libations and live music for 30-plus years. On Friday and Saturday nights, the band room delivers live music into the early hours of the morning. But even if you miss out on a ticketed show, you can still chill in the back bar to enjoy Greek food and your favourite beer. Icons such as The Triffids, Tame Impala and Abbe May have all performed here, so you never know which rising star you might discover.
Then there’s the entertainment roster at Freo.Social, a 900-person live-music venue housed in the port city’s heritage artillery drill hall. Arrive before the show for dinner and drinks in the light-filled beer garden, sample a rotating list of craft beers from Otherside Brewing Co in the Side Bar, and enjoy music from iconic local and international artists in the Entertainment Hall.
Old pubs, new ones and everything in between
Whether you prefer a no-frills watering hole or the manicured grandeur of refurbished new-wave pubs, Perth won’t disappoint. One of the oldest remaining pubs in Perth, The Globe Hotel first opened its doors in the 1880s and has since been updated to blend colonial charm with modern design.
Think a vertical garden near the main bar, a heritage brick wall, and original stained glass windows that look out into the beer garden. Local graffiti artist Jerome Davenport has created large murals that honour the building’s history, which continues to welcome visitors with its modern Australian menu and extensive beer list, weekly specials, and weekend live music.
Join in on a wildly popular Sunday session at Ocean Beach Hotel – affectionately termed ‘the Obi’ – for no-fuss beers and sunset views over North Cottesloe Beach from the Saloon Bar. The Beer Garden is perfect for watching your favourite teams battle it out, and Top Bar serves delicious cocktails and uninterrupted ocean views. Make sure to check out the weekly specials, such as $25 fish and chips on Wednesdays and $25 parmis on Thursdays.
For a contemporary take on the corner pub, beer nerds can’t miss Beer Corner in the CBD. Step inside and discover 18 taps with an ever-changing list of international beers, and fridges full of some of the world’s rarest bottled beers. Opt for a flight of whisky from The Macallan (a world-renowned distiller of single-malt whisky in Scotland), or sample drops from the monthly ‘Brewer in Focus’ to discover a new local favourite. There’s also a generous selection from share plates to keep the good vibes going.
Urban breweries in Freo and Perth
No visit to Fremantle is complete without hitting Little Creatures, WA’s pioneer of craft-beer brewing. Its family friendly brewery located at Fremantle Port is the perfect location to drink a pale ale or three. It’s also the location of the iconic Brewhouse, which is a Visitors Hub where you can learn about WA’s beer history, take a brewery tour and taste the entire range of Little Creature’s Brews.
Beyond that, Perth is full of urban brewpubs. East Perth’s Bright Tank Brewing Co, West Leederville’s Nowhereman Brewing Co (known for its famous 48 hour fermented sourdough pizza) and Myaree’s Otherside Brewing Co are just a few places to taste handcrafted brews, mostly poured by those brewing them.
In Burswood, check out the country’s largest brewpub, The Camfield. Able to hold 2500 people and directly adjacent to Optus Stadium (hint: time your arrival on footy nights carefully), things are based around its very own microbrewery and an enormous bar boasting some 175 taps. Take a seat in one of the five on-site bars, or soak up the sun in the huge beer garden with its container bar.
The share menu is available throughout the venue and celebrates the freshest local produce, with favourites such as wood fired pizzas, flame-grilled steaks and skewers. Make sure to swing by on the weekend for live tunes from local artists, or keep an eye out for the bimonthly, themed bottomless events which include a three-course meal, two hours of free-flowing bubbles and cocktails, funky DJ beats and kick ons in the Main bar.
Still hungry? To read about the best places to dine, drink and discover in Fremantle, click here.
Rex flies to Perth. Click here to book your flights and check out the route map below for more details.
