From rooftops to basement haunts, Perth’s cocktail scene punches well-above its weight. Since the small-bar revolution in the late noughties it’s gone from strength to strength, with bartenders often flying the flag for Western Australian distillers.

Songbird, Perth
Ritz-Carlton Perth’s impressive rooftop bar certainly sings with its views and its signature cocktails, served in glass songbirds, featuring some of Western Australia’s best distillers in the likes of The West Winds and SouWester gin and Illegal Tender rum along with native botanicals. While Hearth, the Ritz-Carlton signature restaurant, has been grabbing headlines, the casual menu at Songbird is perfect for observing end of day apertivo.

Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth
This St Georges Terrace basement bar brings together gun bartenders for one of Perth’s newest cocktail offerings. Owner Dimitri Rtshiladze would be familiar to those who follow the Perth bar scene or just have a good memory for bartenders. A fixture at Mechanics Institute back in the day, along with bar manager Tom Kearney, there’s a definite of the next-gen feel here. While innovation is a given – see Roku gin, smoked beetroot, ginger and hickory – they also do a fine line in toasties.

Mechanics Institute, Northbridge
One of the city’s original small bars, Mechanics Institute has played a part in the progression of many of Perth’s best bartenders. It continues to be a Northbridge favourite with its alfresco rooftop and order-in burgers from the Flipside below on William Street. No longer the new kid on the block, but no less relevant.

Long Chim, State Buildings, Perth
Think of Long Chim and your first thought is probably David Thompson, memories of durian fruit or perhaps that time your group vetoed the Chiang Mai larb (fools!). But Long Chim has built a formidable reputation for great cocktails over the years, perhaps thanks to Thompson’s liking for a good drop. Expect a Thai-inspired offering that’s never obvious.

Halford, State Buildings, Perth
Another State Buildings offering – this time from John Parker of The Royal and The Standard. Parker knows good times and this decadent cellar bar is all about premium booze and well-honed cocktails. While there’s a hefty menu, our go-to is a faithful old fashioned, the whisky selection here being stellar.

Bar Lafayette, Brookfield Place, Perth
A well-stocked back bar is a sure sign you’re in for a good night, or afternoon if the three-martini lunch is still your reality. Bar Lafayette, a fixture at Brookfield Place since 2012, has a bygone-era feel and premium booze list complemented by top notch bartenders, making for good times in spades. A must for your CBD bar radar.

Bobeche, Brookfield Place, Perth
Sibling to The Heritage Wine Bar (just upstairs), Bobeche skirts the line between contemporary cocktail creations and old-school favourites. Opt for a little prohibition-era fun with a teapot punch and be sure to keep 5pm happy hour in mind. The bar menu from the kitchen of The Heritage (delicious. 100 Western Australian Top 10, 2019) is a late-night-session saviour.

L’Chaim, Fremantle
One of Fremantle’s most significant openings of recent years, The Old Synagogue houses a clutch of venues in what was a synagogue until 1910. L’Chaim, named after the Hebrew toast to life, is a basement bar with old-world charm and a serious take on good booze.

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