From bustling rooftop bars to underground speakeasies, take a sip through this list of the top cocktail bars in Perth!
Beyond stunning landscapes and delicious cafes, Perth also boasts a thriving cocktail bar scene that is as diverse as it is delightful. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or a curious newcomer looking to explore new flavours, the city’s top cocktail bars offer a myriad of experiences.
From chic rooftop venues with panoramic views to cozy, intimate lounges with inventive mixology, Perth’s cocktail bars cater to every taste and occasion. So, join us as we take a tour of the top 10 best cocktail bars in Perth, where exceptional drinks and unforgettable atmospheres await.
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Alabama Song
Welcome to Alabama Song in Northbridge! This whiskey and bourbon bar in Perth is, weirdly enough, possibly the closest thing you can get to an authentic American bar. Think neon signs, burgers, southern fried chicken, live music and a bullhead overlooking the bar, this establishment is our go-to come the weekend. Alabama Song takes that spirit experience to serve up delicious cocktails: Alabama Tea Jar, Bonfire Coffee, and Redneck Lemonade Jug are a few of their must-try cocktails. One of the best cocktail bars in Perth!
Photographed by Ash Edmonds. Image via Unsplash.
Bar Lafayette
For those looking for something a little finer, hidden oasis Bar Lafayette is a swanky cocktail bar that blends vintage charm with a modern menu. This dimly lit, cocktail and whisky bar located in the heritage-listed 1910 Perth Technical School is a cosy spot to gather with friends over a classic cocktail or three. This award-winning bar specialises in imaginative, handcrafted cocktails, from the Campari-infused Breakfast in Milan to the fruity Watermelon Millionaire. With a passion for showcasing the very best in local and international spirits, Bar Lafayette has earned its reputation as one of the best cocktail bars in Perth.
Image via Tourism Western Australia.
Bobeche
Meet Bobeche, a dimly lit old-fashioned cocktail bar in Perth’s CBD that offers the perfect mix of classy and cool. Subtly located in a basement on the otherwise heaving St Georges Terrace offering a chilled-out refuge, there is a speakeasy feel to Bobeche – being there feels like you’ve stumbled back in time to the prohibition era. Live jazz adds to the old-school vibe with seasonal cocktails served in vintage teapots and complimentary buttery popcorn to snack on during your visit. So stir and shake at Bobeche, one of the most exciting cocktail and best Perth gin bars of 2024!
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Ezra Pound
One of Perth’s first small bars, Ezra Pound is the epitome of alleyway drinking – given away by the large groups drinking bottles of beer out of paper bags. The cocktail list is limited but each drop is carefully selected, as each offering a unique flavour profile that changes seasonally. If you’re looking to try out a new hidden cocktail bar in Northbridge, Ezra Pound is it.
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Frisk. Small Bar
Nominated as Perth’s Best Gin Bar 8 years in a row, Frisk. Small Bar is an approachable, unpretentious joint with concrete flooring and street art covering the walls, offering a plethora of gin-based beverages. With over 240 varieties of gin, there is sure to be something that matches your palette, including boutique and creative cocktails such as the Brekkie at Midnight that show just how great gin can be. Feel a little intimidated? Then let the impeccable staff and bartenders recommend a drink satisfy your preferences. An ideal spot for after-work drinks with awesome staff, drinks and bar snacks, get a little frisky at Frisk. Small Bar in 2024!
Located in the bustling suburb of Northbridge, Johnny Fox’s is your local Irish bar. Beyond their mouthwatering Sunday roasts, Johnny also features plenty of unique Irish-themed cocktails. Irish coffee, Whiskey & apple, as well as Caskmates Old Fashioned are just a few of the exquisite cocktails on offer that are sure to bring a skip in your step. There is also a selection of classic cocktails available on request, so head on down to Johnny Fox’s for a lucky evening in Perth! 
Inside of Irish pub. Photography by Irina Wilhauk. Image via ShutterstockJohnny Fox’s
Photographed by J Wyld. Image supplied.
Mechanics Institute
Found just a short walk from the Perth train station is Mechanics Institute, a rooftop cocktail bar in Northbridge that could otherwise blend into the many heritage buildings of the area. The cosy and industrial-esque cocktail bar is home to alfresco seating overlooking out on to Northbridge below, and a bar serving up many beverages on tap or from the spirit collection. In 2015 they were voted as the Australian Small Bar of the Year and today, eighty years on, they remain a popular watering hole in Perth’s Northbridge bar precinct.
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Sneaky Tony’s
If you’re looking for a secret bar in Northbridge, pull-up a stool and let pour a drink at this 1920s prohibition-era sneaky little rum bar. Hidden in the dark alleyways of Perth’s Chinatown, once you step inside the dark and dimly lit walls, you’ll be greeted by hunting prizes on the walls and over 300 types of rums shipped from across the world. A password is required to enter, so be sure to check out Sneaky Tony’s Instagram before heading out to one of the best hidden cocktail bars in Perth.
Image via City of Perth.
The Aviary Perth
Right in the CBD of Perth and conveniently next to the train station lies The Aviary, a cocktail rooftop bar that is a hotspot for those who love a boogie thanks to some of the best DJs around. From the bar you can look up to see skyscrapers towering above you, or you can peek over the edge of the balcony to see the busy Murray Street Mall. During the cooler winter months, The Aviary usually set up rooftop igloos, where you and your friends can cosy up in clear domes fit with fluffy rugs and, of course, endless drinks and bar snacks. As for summer, you can sit under the umbrellas on the deck, or dance the night away beneath the palm trees and fairy lights.
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Varnish on King
Tucked behind an unassuming doorway, blink and you’ll miss the entrance that will lead you down to a basement of this Perth dive bar. whisky and American-style comfort food. Featuring an extensive and impressive wine, whiskey and bourbon list, the bartenders at Varnish on King handcraft unique cocktails including the scotch-drenched Flannel Shirt, as well as their Corpse Revive No. 2 that blends Larios gin, Lillet blanc and absinthe for a zesty concoction. A must visit in 2024, be sure to take a peek at Varnish on King for one of the best speakeasies in Perth
Spoil your special someone this weekend with a trip to these 10 Fun and Romantic Date Night Ideas in Perth 2024. And spend some time soaking in the views at the 8 Best Rooftop Bars in Perth.
