Glamorama Bar, Fitzroy

Rough week? Barbara will take care of you. Tucked under the McWhirters building with a slick, mod fitout, she’s offering a carefully-curated offering of craft beer, spirits and wines, with bar staff brewing their own single-origin coffee to use in espresso martinis. Image: facebook

Our favourite thing about Barbara? The “buy your friend a drink” board. A perfect alternative to those awkward “no, it’s my shout” moments, or smart way to catch a certain someone’s attention.

Perth’s latest bar offering throws back to the 1950s. Halford, a moody basement cocktail lounge and bar, is owned by John Parker, who opened Melbourne’s infamous Madame Brussels rooftop bar. The theme here is opulence; with table service and seriously indulgent snacks – think crayfish loaded brioche or oat crisps with blue goats cheese.

Cocktails are the main focus; the house-named Halford spikes a Tanqueray 10 based martini with an apricot brandy rinse. We also love the Coconut Blossom, with sake, elderflower liqueur, coconut water and yuzu joice.

A quick word of warning: Glamorama, in Fitzroy, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re into electronica tunes, high octane cocktails and a side of cheekiness with your food, it’s worth checking out. We like the sound of their Melting Pot; a cold-drip take on the espresso martini, with Ron Zacapa, Aperol and figgy cinnamon bitters.

Botox sausage rolls, anyone? No collagen here, just condiments (in the food at least). Glamorama’s quirky menu also features vegan chicken wings, a tim tam trifle and heartier mains.

Kamusta, Adelaide! We’re a little smitten with Nino’s Lamesita, a little Filipino bar in the city. The cheap and cheerful restaurant serves up traditional dishes such as que kiam (pork and prawns in a bean curd wrapper) and twice-cooked crispy pork hock with pickled green pawpaw.

Happy hour runs from 4-6pm on Friday’s at Niño’s. The go-to drink? San Miguel pilsner.

Sydney’s newest bar may also be one of it’s oldest; Hotel Palisade was established 1915, and has reopened just in time for it’s 100th birthday. The years (and a new facelift) have certainly been kind to Henry Deane, the rooftop bar spanning levels four and five. The interiors are gorgeous, sure, but we’re just smitten with the amazing view – taking in Sydney Harbour and Barangaroo.

If your head starts to spin from the views, pop down to the lower bar in Hotel Palisade for something more substantial. The refined pub menu has cured meats, cheese, potted chicken liver pate and this salmon tartare with citrus creme fraiche.