Perth’s best neighbourhood bars

Like your wine with a slice of suburbia? Keen to avoid the hustle and bustle of nightlife districts around Perth and enjoy a casual Sunday spritzer down at the local?

Perth has a bubbling small bar scene, one that’s branching out into the ‘burbs and keeping you well lubricated closer to home. Here are just a few of our faves:

Beaconsfield Wine Bar

Beaco locals rejoiced with the opening of the aptly-named Beaconsfield Wine Bar. Bringing snacks and sips to a suburban shopping strip, owner Matt Sharples keeps it simple, pairing his wealth of wine knowledge and his extensive cellar with a newfound home for chef Drew Dawson’s next-level pop-up, Off Licence.

Lefroy Square, corner of Lefroy Road and Gibson Street, Beaconsfield

Mummucc

Though it started out as an overflow for perfect pizza purveyors Monsterella, off-duty chef favourite Mummucc has become its own monster… Of fine wines, refined plates and a rather chic, pared-back fit out to boot.

46/56 Grantham Street, Wembley 

Percy Flint

It’s hard to go past the Percy Flint beer garden on a sunny South Freo afternoon, or likewise, sitting in a chesterfield by the cosy fireplace in winter. Fancy pub grub, an extensive beer, wine and cocktail list and classic laidback vibes are all part of the reason we love to pop in and see Percy whenever we can.

211 South Terrace, South Fremantle

Rodney’s Bait & Tackle

Just quietly, there’s a bit of a small bar revolution going on in Mosman Park, and we reckon the success of the seafaring Rodney has a lot to do with it. Combined with Samsons Paddock, there’s much to love about this area just across the road from the traino. But it’s hard to resist the lure of Rodney’s relaxed vibe, incredible maritime décor and simple snack options (get the fish tacos!).

598 Stirling Highway, Mosman Park

La Lune

East Fremantle gained a slice of Parisian glamour with the arrival of La Lune. One part bright and eclectic, one part sultry and romantic, the all-day bistro is enticing diners with classics like steak frites, salade niçoise, or breakfast-ready tartines. We even dedicated a whole article to their all-time crab vol-au-vents.

71-75 George Street, East Fremantle

Nextdoor

Following a brief closure and reset, South Perth’s Nextdoor has emerged with a renewed vigour. Rising culinary star Elliot Sawiras has taken the helm of the fire-powered kitchen as Head Chef, and has created a playful, snack-able, neighbourhood-friendly menu – from retro-classic burgers to hot honey-drizzled stuffed chicken wings inspired by a KFC x sui mai crossover. As playful as the snacks are, proteins are taken seriously here – the restaurant is a family business sprung from the neighbouring Olsen Butches. One bite of the 9+ Wagyu Denver practically had us weeping with joy.

79 Angelo Street, South Perth

Bertie

It was about time Bassendean got a wine bar, and locals are glad it’s Bertie. Since opening at the start of 2023, Bertie has been praised for its British-leaning comfort food, considered wine list and relaxed vibe – it’s practically got us planning a move into the neighbourhood.

77 Old Perth Road, Bassendean

Pep’s

Located on Stirling Highway, Pep’s promises to be “your home away from home” with its stylish interior and sunny, petite courtyard. Warm and welcoming, unpretentious in spite of its luxe surrounds, yet with a wine list no snob could turn their nose up at. Sounds like a winning combo to us.

494 Stirling Highway, Peppermint Grove

La Bastide

So Frenchy, so chic should be 2022’s motto, with an impressive roster of eateries inspired by La République opening during the course of just 12 months. Only a few weeks after opening, La Bastide had already become the talk of the neighbourhood – not just for their classic bistro plates (steak tartare, frites, oysters, duck), or for the delightful continental breakfast on the leafy terrace (pastries courtesy of Miller + Baker, bien sûr), but for the warmth and passion that owners (and wine obsessives) Michelle and Rob imbue into their dining room.

225 Onslow Road, Shenton Park

Back Bar At Hylin

“A bar behind a café on a road along a train line.” It doesn’t get much more neighbourhood than that, and the leafy, intimate surrounds of Hylin café’s sneaky little Back Bar are a winner. Cocktails, wine, craft beers and some truly tempting nightly bargains will have you feeling very neighbourly in no time.

178 Railway Parade, enter via rear of Hylin, West Leederville 

Cosy Del’s

We’ve long extolled the virtues of Lathlain’s Laika as a go-to coffee and brunch spot – so when word reached us back in 2020 that they were opening a neighbouring bar slash restaurant, we were intrigued, to say the least. Our anticipation was not unwarranted: Cosy Del’s has lived up to it, and then some. We actually haven’t been able to stop thinking about the steak we had the first time we visited, imbued with smokiness from the hibachi grill and slathered in lardo butter, and our dreams are filled with the charred broccolini with ricotta and hazelnuts.

13 Lathlain Place, Lathlain

Besk

Just down the road from Hylin you’ll find Besk, a bar, restaurant and killer bottleshop all in one. Co-owned by one of the blokes behind Mane Liquor, their booze selection is unmatched around Perth, with a rotating seasonal menu and chilled vibes year-round. While their behind-the-bar selections are always on-point, you can always grab something from the bottleshop to drink while you hang there too!

264 Railway Parade, West Leederville

King Somm

The undeniable draw of King Somm might be enough to make us move to Bayswater – that’s what fans we are of this neighbourhood pizzeria. Wine connoisseurs will surely be into their rotating selection of lo-fi drops, while pizza snobs can get into the 72 hour, “pasta riporto” dough and judicious use of toppings. Add in a team stacked with hospo veterans? Now that’s worth moving for.

13 King William Street, Bayswater

Little Way

Little Way has been livening up Broadway on Nedlands for a couple of years now, boasting plenty of charm thanks to its heritage-listed building location, outdoor courtyard and street side vibes. A great spot for coffee and brekky in the morning, its afternoon bites and dinner set are also huge winners.

161 Broadway, Nedlands 

Mrs Brown

North Freo fave Mrs Brown has been doing the neighbourhood bar right for over a decade and it’s no wonder. With a warm, cosy open fire inside and a sun-drenched courtyard, there’s something for every seasons. The friendly – and knowledgeable – staff will guide you through their amazing wine selection, while Flipside next door will guide you through a tasty burger and fries selection.

241 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle

Juanita’s

Juanita’s is a bar with character. Around for yonks, afternoon drinks at the warm and welcoming neighbourhood favourite have become a fixture for locals, rain or shine (although a bit of shine doesn’t hurt). Head there for a top selection of eats that pair perfectly with a few drinks out the front, all while your pooch captures the hearts of anyone walking past.

341 Rokeby Road, Subiaco

The Unicorn Bar

This relaxed yet sophisticated wine bar in Shenton Park is a great place for gathering with pals – their share plates are elegant in their simplicity, suiting the overall un-pretentious vibe. Across the board pricing is also super reasonable, making it a top spot to pull up for a few hours and chat about the world.

210 Nicholson Road, Subiaco 

Vinotto

At first unassuming, a second look makes it clear why this itty-bitty Swanbourne bar has been creating such a buzz. Vinotto’s drinks are curated by Caitlin Johnston, and hit just about every corner of Europe – in vibe, if not strictly in provenance. At the pint-sized pass, chef Justin Scarvaci is serving up snacks that truly deliver – we’re yet to find a miss amongst the heavy hitters.

2/137 Claremont Crescent, Swanbourne

St Brigid

A stylish bar from the team behind North Freo’s Mrs Brown, and Albert’s (below), as well as Northbridge haunt Mechanic’s Institute, St Brigid is already a favourite for locals. It’s got all the winning elements from their previous ventures, including a sunny and chic courtyard designed by Finespun Architects – but most importantly, a warm and welcoming vibe.

257 Scarborough Beach Road, Doubleview

Albert’s Respite and Refreshments

There’s something about the Bread and Circuses gang that just knows how to nail a homey neighbourhood spot. As well as the aforementioned St Brigid, they’ve also taken over what used to be the Stanley, transforming it into Albert’s Respite and Refreshments back in 2021. It’s still got some of that living-room feel, but a little bit sleeker, a little bit more refined – maybe the living room of your bougie friend.  Pop out the back for starlit or sun-drenched sips in their courtyard out the back.

294 Cambridge Street, Wembley

Corner Dairy

There’s obviously something in the water in Doubleview, and with the high concentration of these great small bars… Maybe we should be moving? Another significant enticement to the area is cosy neighbourhood spot, The Corner Dairy. Easy, breezy; a dependable drop-in. That’s the vision for the Corner Dairy – and one we’re pretty keen on, especially when paired with that sunny alfresco and their interesting selection of wines.

260 Woodside Street, Doubleview

Parley

Opening in 2021, Parley became a favourite of Mount Pleasant locals with a boutique wine list and decadent bar snacks – think house made chicken liver parfait served with sourdough and pickles, or Fremantle octopus alongside cannellini bean purée and a spicy nduja oil.

The Precinct, 893 Canning Highway, Mount Pleasant

Header Image: Rodney’s Bait & Tackle by Trasko Industrial Photographics