We've got it pretty good when it comes to places to wet your whistle in Perth/Boorloo’s CBD. Laneway bars, rooftop bars, underground basement bars, late-night venues and watering holes hidden in plain sight… we’ve sipped at all of the spots to create this curated guide to the city’s best boozers.
Bookmark this page for the next time you're in need of a knock-off pint, pre-dinner cocktail or night cap, and be sure to check out our line-up of Northbridge bars too if you're keen to explore a little further.
Here are the best bars in Perth's CBD, freshly tried and tested by yours truly.
Foxtrot Unicorn
Basement 101 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Foxtrot Unicorn | Instagram
Once a bank vault, this subterrarium cocktail bar is ‘an ode to good booze and even better times’. Descend the stairs and you’ll find jarrah-clad walls adorned with taxidermy and vintage knick-knacks, mismatched furniture and a trove of booze-related paraphernalia. From behind the bar, expect creative cocktails, fine spirits, fancy jaffles and great banter.
Petition Wine Merchant
State Buildings, Corner Barrack St & St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Smack bang in the middle of the State Buildings, Petition Wine Merchant is the go-to for classy after-work drinks. With an extensive wines-by-the-glass menu, even more available by the bottle and highly knowledgeable staff, it’s not hard to find the perfect drop for any occasion. Add in some small share plates and charcuterie from the kitchen for the ultimate Petition experience.
Terrarium
99 St Georges Terrace, Howard St, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Terrarium | Elle Borgward
Even if you haven’t yet been to Terrarium, there’s a strong chance you’ve had a cocktail by award-winning bartender and Terrarium co-owner Xander Stucken. After working across some of Perth’s very best bars for over a decade, Stucken opened Terrarium in mid-2023. As the name suggests, the multi-level cocktail bar (including an expansive rooftop terrace) is overflowing with greenery, with floor-to-ceiling windows bringing the outside in. But the cocktails are the real hero here, with Stucken’s always-balance concoctions well worth climbing the stairs.
Songbird
The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Songbird | Instagram
Songbird is the CBD’s sky-high cocktail bar where the drinks are as beautiful as the dining room. Up five floors at the Ritz Carlton, Songbird serves elevated snacks, fine wine and cocktails inspired by WA's beautiful birdlife, including the signature Songbird—a vodka-based cocktail elevated served in a hand-blow glass coupe in the shape of a swan. Take a seat on the terrace at dusk to watch the sunset with jaw-dropping views of the Swan River.
Alred’s Pizzeria. Small Bar
37 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000
The crew at Alred’s Pizzeria know that it doesn’t get much better than pizza, booze and rock ‘n’ roll. Follow the whiff of pizzas—made fresh to order with the highest quality ingredients—to find the cracking combination of those three vices in Barrack Street’s underground den. From behind the bar, there’s fun cocktails, whiskies from all corners of the globe and craft beer a plenty.
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The Heritage
131 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: The Heritage | Sarah Hewer via Instagram
Best known for its indulgent Euro-inspired dinners, The Heritage has become a CBD go-to for nightly tipples too. Its chic heritage interiors serve as the perfect backdrop for a round of stiff martinis after a rough day, although with an attached wine boutique there's also plenty to tempt you on the wine list. Start with a cocktail then order a few snacks and split a bottle before accidentally falling downstairs to Bobèche.
Caballitos
26 Queen St, Perth WA 6000
Mariachi bands, flash tatts by a resident tattoo artist, loaded nachos, over 200 tequilas and mezcals, piñata parties and a stripper pole… Caballitos is OTT in the best way possible. Fun is the name of the game at this late-night underground tequila bar, and everyone is invited to join the fiery fiesta. It can be a little hard to find, but when you see the neon winking horse you’ll know you’re in the right place.
Bobèche
Basement 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Bobèche | Instagram
The first thing you’ll know when you venture down into this dimly-lit prohibition-style basement bar is the smell. The familiar, comforting aroma of freshly popped popcorn—free of charge with every drink—lures you in from the St George’s Terrace, but then the world-class cocktails by some of Perth’s very best bartenders keep you there. Small in size but oozing charm, Bobèche is a must-visit for anyone wanting a top-notch drink.
Willi’s And The Royal
531 Wellington St, Perth WA 6000
On the corner of William and Wellington Street you’ll find Willi’s, hidden in plain sight within The Royal Hotel. Willi’s has that distinct European charm with an ever-changing wine list, elevated bar snacks and marble features. Can’t get a table? Head on upstairs at The Royal and park up with a pint on the balcony, it’s in prime position for people watching.
Goody Two’s
Basement 40 Irwin St, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Goody Two's | Instagram
Irwin Street’s Japanese whisky bar boasts Japanese-inspired street-food snacks, signature cocktails and a beckoning dance floor with DJs pumping tunes until 2 am every weekend. Then, of course, there’s the whiskies. The five-page whiskey menu features over 100 bottles from all over Japan. Whether you prefer your nips neat, on the rocks or in a highball, there’s a whisky with your name on it at Goody Two’s.
BAHA
Level 1/900 Hay St, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Baha | Instagram
Caribbean vibes meet urban sophistication at Baha, the poolside bar and kitchen on the first level of The Adnate on Hay Street. Dip your toes in the pool with a cocktail in hand before heading inside to the art deco dining for a taste of the curated Caribbean-inspired tapas menu.
Varnish On King
75 King St, Perth WA 6000
King Street’s underground whiskey bar brings the charm and character of America’s dive bars to the CBD. Head down the stairs for Southern American leaning fare, Kentucky bourbons, American whiskeys, taxidermied animals and smiling staff. Varnish on King is also home to their iconic whiskey bacon flight, featuring four whiskeys paired with four styles of pork. The bacon is cooked behind the bar, meaning the entire space smells good enough to eat 24/7.
Bar Lafayette
Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace Lower Georges Lane, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Bar Lafayette | Instagram
Brookfield Place has had many bars and restaurants come and go over the years, but, Bar Lafayette, now in its twelfth year of service, is in it for the long run. Located within the heritage-listed 1910 Perth Technical School, this cosy, dark cocktail and whisky bar is a favourite for 9-5ers, theatre-goers and those on the way to dinner, and for good reason. The vintage decor oozes Old World charm, and the imaginative cocktail list is second to none.
The Stables
888 Hay St, Perth WA 6000
Wander down the cobblestone path, pass through the iron gates and enjoy a tipple or two in one of the original horse stables from 1894. Today, aptly named The Stables, Hay Street’s multi-level bar and restaurant is a sleek space where you can spend hours across the downstairs bar, upstairs dining room, outdoor area and upper deck. The all-day grazing menu will have you eating like a horse with a great deal of seasonal share plates heroing local produce, with carefully-made cocktails and sophisticated wines on offer to quench your thirst.
Tiny's
QV1 Plaza, Milligan St, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Tiny's | Website
Despite what its name suggests, there’s nothing small about this multifunctional venue. Tiny’s is a restaurant, liquor emporium and function space, but the bar is where you’ll find us on a Friday night. There are eight beers on tap, ciders, an extensive wine list with over 300 drops, and seasonal cocktails for year-round fun.
Beer Corner
Corner Barrack Street and, St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Another gem within the State Buildings, there’s no better beer venue in the city than Beer Corner. With a whopping 20 rotating beer taps pouring both classic brews and limited releases, you’ll always find something you like to wet your whistle. Can’t decide? Chat to the knowledgeable team, the bar staff know their beers and are always willing to share their recommendations.
Copia
190 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Image credit: Copia | Instagram
Cafe by day, wine bar by night, Copia is the city’s sleek venue and our new go-to for knock-offs bevs. Not only do they do a great cup of Joe, their coffee-based cocktails make the ideal after-work pick-me-up. There's a bunch of small plates for when you're feeling peckish, too, including some seriously delicious charcuterie.
Bob's Bar in Print Hall
125 St George's Terrace, 11/125 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Up the newspaper-lined staircase of Print Hall you’ll find Bob’s Bar. Named after Australia’s late and great prime minister Bob Hawke, this rooftop terrace serves up elite cocktails, spitzes, pitches, a huge range of tap beers and phenomenal views of the city below. For the ideal end to the day, head on up after work and catch the sunset with a tipple or two at Bob’s Bar.
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Image credit: Willi's | Instagram