Best Bars In Perth: Three Newbies You’ve Gotta Try

When it comes to the best bars in Perth, there are enough to make your mouth water and liver cringe. The sun is a big proponent of enjoying a drink, warmly suggesting a tipple every time it shows its golden face. So in a city soaked in sunlight, it’s no surprise that the quality of watering holes is of the highest calibre.

We look at three new bars in Perth that you simply have got to go to.

Caballitos

You haven’t had this much Mexican fun since dancing on the tables at Seminyak’s Mexicola. This South of the border bar is from the crew behind The Flour Factory, Varnish on King, and the new Middle Eastern-inspired rooftop bar and supper club, Hadiqa. So it’s clearly of good stock.

This Mexican bar, otherwise known as the Chapel of Sin, is currently up there with heavyweight contenders for cocktail champion. The mixology here is next level. The drinks list was written for partying and with a don’t-care-if-you-don’t-like-me attitude. But the thing is – you’ll love it. They also have happy hours and specials on nearly every day that include what has become expected at a Mexican joint – Margarita Monday and Taco Tuesday.

What to drink: The Lagarita – a frozen Margarita served with a Coronitas (Corona throw-down) shoved in it. Salty, tart, strong and lager-y.

Where: 26 Queen Street

New Normal

Is this one of the best bars in Perth? Yes. Are these guys “finding tomorrow’s baseline”? According to them, also yes.

New Normal is a community-focused wine bar and kitchen that does epic rooftop snacks and seasonal cocktails with a conscience. They’re dedicated to using local produce (from the South West of Oz) and eliminating waste. For example, they get their mandarins from Vic Park and their Lilly pillys from Gracetown. Running the joint in this manner means their air-dried beef with pickled eggplant, chilli and nasturtium, as well as their Just Desserts cocktail (spiced rum, house-made peach jam, bitters and dark chocolate) are bursting with the freshest of aromas and flavours.

What to drink: Something sparkling, red, white or orange red from the very enviable wine list. Otherwise, try the micro-batch gin infused with strawberry and pepper from High Spirits Distillery.

Where: 2/23 Railway Rd, Subiaco

Henry Summer

Henry Summer is a sunny urban cocktail and jungle wine garden in the middle of Northbridge. And there are dogs, greenery, and cheese boards.

The newest venture from the guy that brought us La Cholita, Pleased To Meet You, Sneaky Tony’s, Joe’s Juice Joint and Alabama Song; Henry Summer has a lot going for it. The cheese boards are backed up by crispy dumplings, roasted pumpkin and labne, and fresh seafood.

The drinks list is light and fresh, boasting kombucha cocktails, boozy sodas on tap and natural wines, and it very much matches the bright and stylish/casual vibe.

What to drink: Spritz. Lots of Spritz.

Where: 69 Aberdeen St, Northbridge

The next haunt to be added to the list of best bars in Perth is the Rooftop at QT. It hasn’t opened yet, but when it does, it’ll be amaizing.

words by niall roeder