The Local Shack - Murray Street, Perth

What do you get when you mix great design and fun games together in one small venue? That's right, you get The Local Shack, a great small bar on Murray Street. Connect Four, Jenga or Guess Who, name your childhood poison and this place caters to it. 

This small bar is visually interesting, with lots of different elements and areas to focus on, each component comes together to make one coherent idea and that is the real charm of this place. You can easily sit here drinking your beer and forget you are in the city centre. The lighting really does add to the beach shanty town vibe and the corrugated iron ceiling is a real nice touch.

The food menu is extensive and very tasty and this small bar also have a very good drink selection. $7 tap beer is a nice touch as is the $10 cocktails on 'Ladies Night'. This really is a fun place to hang out with your friends and is well worth a trip into the city centre.

The pleasant staff are quick to serve and eager to please. They have a good knowledge of and know both the food and drink menu inside out. When you put everything together this really is a very good bar, where you just can't help yourself, the games well get played and the beers well get drunk. 

Peter says "I have walked past this place a few times and now regret not venturing in on an earlier occasion, this bar does stand out in very good small bar scene in Perth, I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something that little bit different"

Tony says "Impressive little venue I had stumbled across on my many walks around the city. This was a good find. Well thought out decor and friendly staff couple with a selection of popular board games makes for a fun night ahead"

Check out their website - http://thelocalshack.com.au  

Frisk Small Bar - Francis Street, Northbridge

Some bars are good, some are better than good, and then some like Frisk, are what every small bar is aiming to be and that is excellent. This small bar just oozes class and style and set back away from the main drag in Northbridge is the perfect place to be,

Someone has taken a huge amount of time and effort thinking through every aspect of this bar. The decor and design is subtle and well thought out, the character comes from the eclectic artwork, posters, random design features and curios. This small bar is not only comfortable and welcoming, it is the kind of place where you just want to sit back and chill out.

Not many small bars give you a warm feeling inside as you walk in, the glow from the buzz of this bar envelops you, it warms you up and even those in a foul mood will quickly turn that frown upside down. The staff are great, friendly, chatty and helpful, they know the menu and they are quick to make suggestions and assist in a great drink selection.

GTIS is the name of the game here, Gin being the spirit of choice and there truly is an exceptional selection that is head and shoulders above the rest of Northbridge and Perth. The Gin is well complemented by good bottled beers, an ever changing tap beer selection and a solid wine list. This bar really does cater to all tastes.

Another good feature of this bar is the music, modern classics mixed with the best from the 60s, 70s and 80s. In the short time were in there drinking it flicked seamlessly and perfectly through too many genres to count, ska, rock, indie, punk, new romantic etc... when you add in Gin by the almost limitless bottle, great ambience and decor and friendly staff who could ask for more.

Peter says "The outside seating area makes this the perfect place to set up camp on a nice day and drink your worries away. Head down with some friends and enjoy some well priced drinks and some good company, such a good little spot"

Tony says "Happy to have found this place, if you love gin the menu is extensive, but what will keep you coming back is the friendly staff, great music and general good vibe. Definitely a place to hang out and enjoy with a group of friends. All-in-all a very cool little bar"

Check out their website - http://www.frisksmallbar.com.au or their Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frisk.smallbar

Andaluz Bar & Tapas - Howard Street, Perth

A classy little number right in the centre of the CBD, a good location that serves up a copious selection of alcoholic beverages with a Spanish twist.

In full view on Howard Street, the alleyway entrance takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city into a good small bar, table services is the way here and it is friendly, fast and efficient. The staff are attentive to your needs and have a good knowledge of both the drink and food menus. The extended opening hours of the kitchen is a real bonus and makes this venue perfect for a late night snack.

Andaluz serves up an extensive drinks menu, it is broad and well thought out. A Spanish flavour runs through the menu, though it has to be said that only having the solitary Spanish beer on offer is a slight let down. However, if you can't find what you like on their menu, then maybe it is the end of your night as this place really does have something for everyone.

The best way to describe the design and decor is eclectic, this small bar has a range of furniture and features that doesn't immediately shout tapas or Spain but this doesn't detract from a venue that is bubbly, warm and welcoming. The afterwork crowd gives this place a great ambience and in these surroundings you likely to have a good time and leave with a smile on your face.

Peter says "When you find a bar like Andaluz it goes down on the keeper list, somewhere you are happy to go back to and suggest to friends"

Tony says "Nice little bar with some interesting traits. Good atmosphere and a comfortable venue. Though not completely to my taste I can definitely see the appeal. Service was very good and attentive"

Get out their website - http://www.andaluzbar.com.au

Whisper Wine Bar - Essex Street, Fremantle

This place isn't just a small bar it is tiny, but as they say 'diamonds always come in small packages' and this small bar really is a gem. We highly recommend you pay this great small bar a visit if you are in Fremantle.

It is easy use the word exceptional when describing something, it can so easily be overused. But this tiny gem of a bar is exceptional, it really is a stand out venue in the packed small bar scene. Almost Lilliputian in size this place would struggle to handle the 120 people allowed on a small bar license. It is a classy modern design that has many rustic features, your mind can easily take you far away and make you think you have been transplanted into the south of France, sipping wine in some rural village just off the Mediterranean or Atlantic coast.

Many of the wines on the menu are only available at Whisper Wine Bar, it isn't the most extensive list but it has everything you could need and they have clearly gone for quality over quantity. Like some other bars around they have taken a lot of time and effort to source some really good menu options. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and seem to make it their aim to serve you the most suitable wine even if this means giving you multiple samples. The wine list is well complemented by a couple of local beers and your usual spirit and soft drink selection.

A place to go with your mates, the balcony is perfect for spring and autumn evenings enjoying the fresh sea breeze and what is left of the sun. The staff are talkative and engaging even when busy and this tiny bar always has the buzz that it is the place to be.

Tony says "Terrific small bar delivering quality and consistently good service. This bar is welcoming, warm and the great staff really do navigate you through what is a well rounded wine menu"

Peter says "If all wine bars were like this I would happily take up wine drinking for a living, perfect little spot to head to with your mates for a few glasses of fine wine and a good time"

Check out their website - http://www.whisperwinebar.com.au and their Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Whisper-Wine-Bar-167138123301271/timeline/ for what is going on.

Helvetica - off Howard Lane, Perth

A really pleasant bar the is so pleasing to the eye and on further inspection you see the attention to detail in design adds to the already buzzing ambience.

A small bar the specialises in Whiskey, bringing some of the best and rarest options available in Perth. A choice that is truly exceptional, this is complemented by a good beer & cider selection and an extensive cocktail menu.

This bar is hidden away and really is a little gem for those who manage to find it, the anticipation grows as you head towards it, the babble and buzz of people blowing off steam after a long day at work is really nice. This is a small bar for people to relax in and enjoy each others company. The background music is set to the perfect level playing some really good tunes.

The design mixes elegant and rustic features in equal measure. This place comes across as a classy establishment without being snobby. The staff are really friendly, there is a great work ethic here that is totally customer focused, they work hard to make sure that you have a good experience, which is remarkable in such a busy bar.

Tony says "If you are looking for a little hideaway in the CBD, Helvetica might just be for you. I'm not a whiskey drinker by any means but Helvetica still has something for everyone. Great ambience, good music, comfortable decor and a solid drinks menu has the draw keep me there all night"

Peter says "I love it when I find a place that I would happily recommend to my friends and this place is it. Vibrant and welcoming this small bar ticks all the boxes for a good night out. Get yourself down there and enjoy a decent whiskey in great environment.

Check out their website - http://www.helveticabar.com.au or their Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Helvetica-Bar-977629172260897/timeline/

The Nic - Nicholson Road, Shenton Park

A friendly small bar in the heart of Shenton Park. This is the perfect place to go with a group of friends for a drink or two and before you know you will have talked and drank away the whole evening.

This place sets out to be the heart of the local community, a neighbourhood bar without the pretension of some other places, it is spartan, but comfortable with touches of chintz. Leather armchairs and sofas are set out in a way to break down barriers, they are appealing and a great place to kick back and relax with a good beer or glass of wine.

The drink selection is pretty concise and to the point, however the drinks on offer tend to be boutique or craft and are high quality. A bonus is the Wehenstephan Pilsner and Hefe Wheat Beer reasonably priced at $10 a pint. A nice snack/bar menu is served up in wholesome portions that provide good value for money.

This small bar has friendly staff that are pretty welcoming and engaging, they have a good knowledge of the drinks on offer. The staff add to the positive experience of going into this nice bar. This bar definitely doesn't set out to be the best best or classiest bar in Perth, but it does end up being somewhere that you would want to go to for a drink and a good time.

Peter says "I like the feel of this place, it is like walking into a living room where you can just relax. The good beer is a bonus and if I lived closer I would be visiting on a regular basis"

Tony says "This is a good little bar - worth a visit if you are in the area. A place to spend the evening, it has comfortable decor the Nic really does excel when visiting with a group of friends"

Check out their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/thenicneighbourhoodbar

Who's Your Mumma - South Terrace, Fremantle

A nice small bar that is worth the walk from the centre of Fremantle. Monday and Friday food specials and an ever changing beer menu with good cocktails make this place inviting and appealing.

This place has been around for a while and is still holding its head up high in the crowded small bar scene. It is clearly the benchmark that many bar aim for, it is also a muse for other bars that have come along recently. Nice pleasant design lead you into a place that by nature has a good atmosphere and a friendly ambience.

The mix of decor is appealing, well put together in a way that is bright and cheerful, however this small bar is a little tired around the edges and no longer a stand out venue, in saying that it has clearly earned its place as one of the better small bars in Fremantle. For those looking for a bargain, Monday serves up $10 Chicken Schnitzel and Friday for Ribs $10 if you get in early enough.

What makes this small bar is the awesome choice of drinks, the good kitchen and friendly staff. The tap beers are changed up on a regular basis, these are supported by a good bottled beer selection. Top quality spirits lead you into the excellent cocktail menu, with an extensive list of Whiskeys, Rums, Vodkas and Tequilas, that can only be described as impressive. This bar just keeps on giving, the wine list is exceptional, a well thought out selection that caters for all tastes, we went for Bass Phillip Premium 09 Pinot an excellent long multi-flavoured number.

Tony says "Overall a pleasant place though I wasn't completely sold. A commonly seen interior that isn't very original but still very comfortable. It's the great selection and quality of drinks that will keep me coming back"

Peter says "I like this place, the staff are friendly and the drink menu is exceptional. The walk from the centre of Freo only takes a few minutes and for those willing to take it is well worth it"

Check out their website - http://www.whosyourmumma.com.au and Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whosyourmummabar?fref=ts for the latest news of what is going on.

Alabama Song - William Street, Northbridge

This impressively designed bar has found its feet and is immediately making an impact in Northbridge. Taking a theme to another level, this small bar has great staff who serve up a warm welcome coupled with great southern hospitality.

This small bar transports you straight into the deep south, it manages to hit the nail on the head without over doing it or becoming cheesy, this place is authentic. It really is a pleasure to drink in a bar where the owners and staff take such pride in making it feel as real as possible. It can be hard to take a conceptual idea and turn it into a reality but this place not only does that, it accomplishes it with style and is just another example of the recent huge improvements in the small bar scene in Perth.

The theme and decor is perfectly complemented by over 120 Bourbons, Whiskies and Ryes, it is phenomenal - the attention to detail that has gone into selecting, collecting and sourcing a choice of drinks that is among the best in Perth. This small bar has a good selection of beers and some fine cocktails, another bar that serves up Pabst Blue Ribbon by the can and to top it off an endless supply of peanuts.

The bar staff are exceptional, polite, engaging and knowledgeable. They provide a level of service that is on par with the best that Perth has to offer. Live music is a regular feature here and the background music is selected to fit in with the theme. This small bar really does tick all the boxes of what makes a place not just good, but special.

A bar that is only just finding its feet is already mingling amongst the best bars that Perth and Northbridge has to offer.  We say this a lot because there are a lot of good bars out there, but this excellent theme bar is well worth a visit. It has the potential to make a good night out great for those willing to try it.

Peter says "Really impressed by the attention to detail, this place reminds me of some good bars I have visited in the South of the USA. The staff just hit the mark when if comes to service and beyond that the drink selection is noteworthy in the packed small bar scene in Perth"

Tony says "A great little venue with a relaxed vibe. Come here for the booze, a dauntingly wide selection at that, the bartenders will navigate you through what is on offer and will not let you down. Chill out, listen to some great tunes and knock back a whiskey or rye"

Check out their Facebook page for what is going on - https://www.facebook.com/alabamasongbar

Lot Twenty - William Street, Northbridge

Billed as the friendliest bar in Perth, this excellent little venue is tucked away behind William Street and is in a great position that anyone may come to stumble across and discover. The helpful and friendly staff make this place that bit better.

A busy small bar that ticks the Instagram box. Fun, vibrant and agreeable design, add to the allure of this place, with an outside area that is perfect nearly all nights of the year in Perth. Your eyes keep moving around trying to take in the varied design and features, whether it is the graffiti outside or the murals or artwork inside.

A good beer selection both by the glass or bottle is complemented by a solid but concise wine list and their specialty house-made sodas are a hit all year round. We went for a 'Colonial Small Ale' at only 3.5% it is an easy drinking ale that comes out of Margaret River. In addition Lot Twenty also serves a delightfully tasty food menu prepared by their talented and hardworking kitchen staff.

A great outside area complete with water feature is a paradise in the middle of Northbridge. The large outside seating area with BBQ is good all year round, but with Spring now upon us, this place is coming into its own. Whether inside or out this place has a real buzz, a good ambience and is a draw for most.

The kind of place for a first date or just to hang out with your mates. This small bar is honestly best described as a good small bar, whose presence makes Northbridge the place to be. The door is always open at this venue for a great night for whoever is prepared to venture in there.

Tony says "Conveniently located and near the heart of the cultural centre, this small bar is very welcoming with a great atmosphere. However what makes this place stand out even beyond the good food and drinks is the outdoor area, perfect for those warm summer evenings"

Peter says "What a cracking small bar, hidden in plain site and well worth a visit. Great services and interesting decor make this a superb place to hang out with your mates"

Check out their website - http://www.lot20.co