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 lubricated closer to home. Here are a few of our faves:
The Jazz Cellar
If you haven’t ventured down this mysterious Mt Hawthorn red phone box, now is the time! For a hidden secret, the Jazz Cellar has been hard to get into for years thanks to being one of Perth’s funnest nights out. Offering three hours of traditional live jazz every Friday, swing the night away with friends old and new – just make sure you book first!
139 Buxton Street, Mount Hawthorn
La Madonna Nera
In case you missed the memo, Mt Hawthorn’s small bar scene is popping! And La Madonna Nera is the newest addition the family. Just across the road from another gem, Spritz Spizzecheria, you can expect impeccable Italian combined with a top shelf vino selection.
1/155 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn
The Cabin Small Bar
One of Mt Hawthorn’s best kept secrets, The Cabin Small Bar is a cosy upstairs wine bar along Scarborough Beach Road. Nailing some incredible share plates with a diverse wine list, you gotta stop by in winter and cosy up next to the fire amidst the warm, wooden décor.
174 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn
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 cheeky bar snacks like American Cheeseburgers ($10 on Thursdays!) and spiced halloumi chips will have you feeling very neighbourly in no time.
178 Railway Parade, enter via rear of Hylin, West Leederville
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 Maylands-based masters of pino and pizza, King Somm is a neighbourhood bar in its purest form. Their bottleshop is stacked with handpicked delights, and while they’re still only rocking takeaways, we imagine it won’t be long before you can curl up in a corner inside and enjoy a night the right way.
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. With six craft beers on tap, a robust menu and $10 cocktail specials everyday, it’s the perfect pop-in place.
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
Wines Of While
You don’t need to be in the heart of Northbridge to get amongst the action, as Wines Of While has proved up the top of William Street. An alfresco area to envy to go with cosy indoor space, it’s all about the extensive natural wine offering and a sure-fire charcuterie selection that keeps this spot busy from open to close. Which incidentally, is from 12pm Friday-Sunday, and 4pm Tuesday-Thursday.
458 William Street, Perth
Mummucc
Though it started out as an overflow for perfect pizza purveyors Monsterella, Mummucc in Wembley has become its own monster… of fine wines, charcuterie and cosy small bar aesthetic. The casual, stripped back atmosphere of the joint will help you lose hours in there, and don’t worry – if you’re still craving a pie you can get Monsterella dropped off.
46/56 Grantham Street, Wembley
Percy Flint
It’s hard to go past the Percy Flint beer garden on a sunny South Freo afternoon, 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 and the just-opened O Brother next door, 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, just do it).
598 Stirling Highway, Mosman Park
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 doggo 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
BARK
Settling in for a drink at BARK feels like sitting around your friend’s living room – it’s casual, it’s cosy, you’re right at home. Wet your whistle with their lineup of expertly-mixed cocktails or a WA-made craft beer – but make sure to get your hands on some of their snacks, too. Lunchtime sees a selection of sandwiches perfect for a quick jaunt out of the office, while their share menu goes rather nicely with a beer and a game or two of uno.
502 Hay Street, 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 Wong 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 new bar from the team behind North Freo’s Mrs Brown and Propeller, (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.
Image via Finespun
257 Scarborough Beach Road, Doubleview
Corner Dairy
There’s obviously something in the water in Doubleview, and with the opening 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 September, Parley has become a fast 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