The best pubs around Perth
With all the shiny new small bars opening around Perth (which we love), or the old bars getting renovated to keep up with the times, sometimes you crave an authentic experience of yesteryear…
Like a pint that’s less than $10. Or a bar mat perennially soaked in beer. Perhaps a carpet that still hasn’t quite shaken that smell of cigarette smoke even after all these years… Perth’s old school pub scene is still going strong, and if you’re in the mood for an honest pint and schnitty here’s a few options to whet your whistle and maybe hear a couple of yarns or two from the regulars while you’re at it.
Oh and if your whistle ain’t whet enough, here are our fave Irish pubs around Perth.
The Civic Hotel
This Inglewood mainstay legitimately has something for everyone on any given night of the week – from wrestling and heavy metal to sports, tribute bands and a crackling fireplace for the colder months. Some cracking meal deals and friendly bar staff make it the ideal location to catch the game or cop a feed any night of the week.
981 Beaufort St, Inglewood
43 Below
43 Below is an inner city sanctum for many, offering a respite from the busy city streets with a warm, cosy feeling room that’s actually a refurbishment of Perth’s oldest bar – The Alhambra from the 1920s. Featuring a heap of tap beer options and a nice hearty menu, try your best not to get stuck there for the arvo after a sneaky lunch beer.
43 Barrack St, Perth
The OBH
For those who might prefer to skip the fancy folks down at the Cottesloe Beach Hotel, The Ocean Beach Hotel keeps it casual with stunning beach views in the front bar, and a warm and friendly sports bar out the back. Shoot some pool, bask in the beer garden (especially on a Sunday arvo if you’re feeling frisky), or grab a stool out front and watch the Indian Ocean do its thing.
140 Marine Parade, Cottesloe
Mt Henry Tavern
The Mt Henry Tav is your go-to for sport-on-TV action on the weekends, with plenty of big screens to catch all kinds of sports (although focused on footy of course). Kids eat for free on Sundays, or you can stop in during the week for the Wednesday quiz night, or one of their great value meal deals every night.
27 Manning Rd, Como
The Charles Hotel
The Charles Hotel regularly plays host to some of Australia’s favourite pub rock acts, and is also home to the long-running Perth Blues Club every Tuesday night. The North Perth haunt has also been a champion for local and national comedy for years with their Comedy Lounge on Thursday nights.
509 Charles St, North Perth
Gosnells Hotel
Any pub with a tram car in the middle of it goes straight onto this list, and the Gosnells Hotel backs up that little quirky bit of decor with being exactly the kind of wholesome pub you’re after. Hearty meals, well-priced pints, big TVs for the sports ball and plenty of space for big groups. As honest as they come.
2149 Albany Hwy, Gosnells
Albion Hotel
The Albion Hotel has been in existence since 1890, and you can feel the history the second you walk in with much of its origins kept in tact like beautiful ceiling fans from New Orleans, Tiffany chandeliers and luxury preserved boardrooms with original furnishings, along with the old documents and photos adorning the walls. The Sports Bar is great for watching the game, and while their menu may be a little more fancy than your average watering hole, it’s worth every penny. +1 for Perth pubs with trams in them too!
535 Stirling Hwy, Cottesloe
Brass Monkey Hotel
They say a leopard can’t change its spots but they never said anything about monkeys! Over the past year or so the Brass Monkey Hotel has been giving itself a soft makeover, returning to its original form as an honest-to-god p-u-b. Removing all the nightclubby aspects they had been running for a few years, the Monkey has once again become a place that provides epic people watching along its balconies, good beers (and better happy hours) and thorough pub fare one big plates.
William St &, James St, Northbridge
Gramercy
Lovingly coined “the airport bar” by the Perth Is OK! office (it is our local), Gramercy is a no muss, no fuss CBD pub that’s safe as houses. The whole operation is as professional as they come, being family owned and operated and one of the few remaining pubs in Perth actually owned by Perth folk. No matter how busy it gets (and it pulls in a serious after work crowd), you can always really on fast service getting that icy cold point in your hand quick-smart.
Central Park, 10/777 Hay St, Perth
Inglewood Hotel
The Inglewood has been kicking around since 1936, and if you love watching your sport it’s one of the best pubs in Perth to do so. You won’t need to go to the game if you’re chasing friendly crowd vibes, but it’s also an excellent spot for proper pub lunches with the fam. It’s also got a drive through bottleshop open ’til late every night of the week – handy.
803 Beaufort St, Inglewood
Leopold Hotel
This south of the river icon keeps the working crowd content during the week with plenty of great meal deals going down every day of the week. On weekends things go up a notch with some live music on Saturdays, which is generally of the cover band variety so you can the old pipes and dancing shoes a bit of a work out. There’s plenty of TVs showing sport, pool tables to test your skills on and a TAB for a punt as well.
326-334 Canning Hwy, Bicton
The Royal
This iconic Perth hotel has been on the corner of William and Wellington Streets since 1882. Don’t worry, it’s had a major renovation since then and draws a crowd on Friday night. You can sit downstairs, but most people head on upstairs for the view over Yagan Square. This is the type of bar where you can stay all night, be loud with your work colleagues and grab a bite to eat. They have classic pours, over 14 beer taps, plus a delicious cocktail list.
531 Wellington St, Perth
8 Knots
A relatively new edition to the list, 8 Knots resides right on the Swan River and offers relaxed riverside dining the whole family can enjoy. Their menu is a little more modern-leaning than some of the other pubs on this list, but you won’t be complaining after you’ve inhaled some Japanese Popcorn Chicken, Pork Croquettes or a big ole chicken parmi ($18 at Thursday lunch).
110 Riverside Rd, East Fremantle
The Federal Hotel
When it comes to big, bold, old pubs, you’re spoilt for choice down in Fremantle way, and The Fed might be the pick of the bunch. The huge screen in the beer garden is great for big games on (as long as you go for boys in purple), but it’s also just a massive venue with plenty of places to pull and enjoy a few cold ones with friends and/or family.
23 William St, Fremantle
The Parkerville Tavern
Look, you could probably shake a tree in the hills and a ripping heritage pub will fall out, but the Parkerville is up there with the best of ’em. The two-storey federation-style pub is right in the thick of the action in the hills, and as such you’ll find it buzzing on the weekends with visitors and locals alike. There’s a huge beer garden with playground for the kids, so it’s pretty popular with the daytrippers during the day before getting a bit rowdier later with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
6 Owen Rd, Parkerville
Jarrahdale Tavern
Like we said, the Hills are alive with the sound of great pubs, and while we don’t want to make it too easy for you to find them all, we’ll throw one more on the list – the Jarrahdale. Friendly staff, cold beers, hearty feeds… A pub lunch goes down extra sweet after a morning spent exploring the Perth hills walking trails.
640 Jarrahdale Rd, Jarrahdale
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The Local Hotel
If the Federal Hotel is a bit too maximalist for your Fremantle fancies, The Local down the road in South Freo is where it’s at. It’s got a few different areas to enjoy, including great people watching on South Tce out the front, a cheeky whiskey bar inside and the spacious Local Garage out back. Food-wise we’re talking Aussie pub fare with a modern/Fremantle twist and people-wise we’re talking laid-back legends – just make sure you’re a Freo fan when the Dockers are on!
282 South Terrace, South Fremantle
South Beach Hotel
If the Local’s a little busy just keep rolling down South Terrace until you’re at South Beach Hotel! From the same team as the Fed and 8 Knots, they keep it simple with a little bit of added salty seabreeze from South Beach just around the corner. Live music, quizzes, ace chasing and great meal deals are all on the ‘What’s On’ menu at South Beach – enjoy.
396 South Terrace, South Fremantle
Header Image: South Beach Hotel