11 quirky bars around Perth for a fun night out
First up, let us apologise for using the word “quirky”. While it is the worst, there truly is no other word that describes something being quirky other than the word itself!
“Unconventional”?
“Bizarre”?
“Freakish”?
None of ’em quite work how they should, so forgive us for rolling with quirky. We trust you – beloved Perth Is OK! readers – to get what we mean, and below you’ll find a bunch of bars we love simply because they’re a little bit…different.
Honky Tonk
Freo’s newest bar Honky Tonk will have you saying “Yee-haw!” in no time! With some good old-fashioned southern hospitality (including southern-style comfort food), live country music and vibes bigger than the Texas sky, you’re set for a rootin’-tootin’, boot-stompin’ hoedown!
81 High Street, Fremantle
Rodney’s Bait & Tackle
We couldn’t NOT kick off this list with a bar that features an old old wooden ship as its main attraction. Combined with incredible maritime décor that adorns the walls (think stuffed animals, all navy art, diving helmets, crab nets) and a delicious lineup of food and drink offerings, and it’s not hard to see why Rodney’s Bait & Tackle has become a hit in Mosman Park.
598 Stirling Hwy, Mosman Park
Toots
Not only is Toots a secret bar, it’s a secret bar found WITHIN a secret bar. From the Lavish Habits team (who have a couple of joints that feature in this list), Toots can be found somewhere within Chinatown and will transport you into a ’70s-era discotheque, with a drinks menu flush with old school throwbacks and vintage cocktail shots like a Buttery Nipple. There’s a retro Italian food menu to snack on before the tables and chairs are cleared and the disco-fuelled dancefloor opens up.
Not tellin’!
Caballitos
While Perth is not short on fantastic Mexican joints, Caballitos probably leans into its Mexican heritage the most theming-wise. It definitely feels like a little cantina you could stumble into in a tequila-haze off the street, and their 200-strong collection of tequilas and mezcals won’t help you once you do! Also it’s underground, and for reasons only known to the owners, a pole in the middle of the dancefloor – the rest is up to you!
Basement Level, 26 Queen St
Darling Darling
If you want to feel like you’re sharing a cocktail with a bunch of pirates and sailors from back in the 1800s then head due south for Darling Darling. You might not get in on account of it being a proper small bar, but if you do you’ll enjoy some excellent cocktails and free peanuts to keep the scurvy away.
36 Henry St, Fremantle
Hula Bula Bar
Arguably one of Perth’s OG quirky small bars, Hula Bula Bar is still going strong on Victoria Ave in the CBD with their rum-based tiki mug cocktails. Helping city workers forget the stress of daily life for years now, Hula Bula is as alluring as it is dangerous (when it comes to the potential of you being hungover the next day).
12 Victoria Avenue, Perth
Alabama Song
When it comes to full blown Americana vibes, it’s hard to go past the rootin’ tootin’ rockin’ and rollin’ vibes of Alabama Song. It’s loud and full of delicious American Diner-style fried snacks, and plenty of whiskey and rye to keep you singing and dancing until the wee hours.
Rear Level 1, 232 William St, Northbridge
Foxtrot Unicorn
Okay so we promise a little bit of taxidermy isn’t all it takes to impress us, but between Rodney’s and this underground CBD speakeasy we wouldn’t blame you for thinking as much! Foxtrot Unicorn is very much the sum of its parts though, and the warm, welcoming jarrah-lined walls, recycled furniture and charismatic barkeeps make this one former old bank vault you have to visit.
Basement Level, 101 St. George’s Tce, Perth
Ronnie Nights
There’s nothing specific to Ronnie Nights on Freo’s main drag that necessary qualifies its place on this list other than, “it’s the vibe of the thing”. Delicious cocktails and great little snacks can be found within Ronnie’s cozy, colourful walls, with DJs and live music bringing a bit of groove on most nights of the week. Plus it’s got some of the best people watching in town out front.
75/77 Market St, Fremantle
Alfred’s Pizzeria
Outside of taxidermy, next in line in terms of things we can’t resist about fun bars is them being underground, and Alfred’s Pizzeria is certainly that. It’s also a damn fine pizza joint, but works equally as fun as a place to pull up for a drinks. Indeed their pizza selection is fantastic (and tasty as heck), but their booze selection is where the place equally shines, and the whole fit-out of the place just makes you want to stay and hang.
37 Barrack St, Perth
Sneaky Tony’s
For people who love to drink, we sure do love it when venues try and make it a little bit harder for us to do so. Sneaky Tony’s is down an alleyway off a backstreet somewhere Northbridge’s Chinatown precinct, but once you find it you’ll enjoy a selection of over 300 rums and feel very naughty doing so in this prohibition era-themed bar.
Chinatown, Northbridge
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Header Image: Hula Bula Bar