Clarences - Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley

A great neighbourhood bar in bustling Mount Lawley, a great place for a drink or something to eat. It also has one of the best cider selections we have seen anywhere in Perth.

On entry you think you have walked into a restaurant but venture further in and you will find a well designed and appointed bar. The staff are friendly, polite, attentive and eager to engage in conversation even when busy. 

A solid tap and bottled beer selection and a notable cider selection that is amongst the best in Perth. The wine cellar provides something for most people, though a bit light on white wine selection and the cocktail menu seems like a bit of an after thought. But overall there is something for everyone and if you like cider then this is definitely the place for you.

This bar is slightly understated but gives off a confidence of knowing its place amongst the better bars in the small bar scene. Thursday night special offers are a nice touch. As a venue it has great features and a well thought out design and decor. The outside area gives an added dimension to an already very good bar. This really is the perfect place for the warm up beers for a night out.

Tony says "This place is the perfect fit for Mount Lawley and a good place to kick off your evening with a couple of good drinks with friends"

Peter says "A well set out bar, that gives you bang for your buck, good design and nice staff make this a great place for a couple of drinks in Mount Lawley"

Jill says "Just my kind of bar - dark and mysterious with a cozy outdoor area, I loved the service from the friendly bar staff and I would most definitely come back to catch up and relax with friends"

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

The Dominion League - Beaufort Street, Perth

This bar would be at home sitting in a trendy part of Manhattan, Brooklyn or Chicago, it truly is a stunning venue where design and decor is key. Good service and great ambience takes this place towards the zenith of small bars in or around Perth.

This bar is in two parts the ground floor is your well laid out small bar oozing class. The exposed brickwork, wooden floors and well styled furniture add to the idea that you have walked into a high end venue on another continent.  You almost expect the bartender to have an American accent and to be given your change in dollar notes.

Downstairs into the basement you enter the cocktail bar, a bar which specializes in good whiskey and expertly made cocktails. A different vibe and a change in ambience leads you to believe that you aren't just downstairs but in a totally different bar. The attention to detail in making the cocktails was beyond professional and made both drinks well worth the wait. We went for a Banananananana Daiquiri and a Partisan Tart; both were excellent.

The beer and wine list is good but not stand out but that doesn't really matter as you will find a drink you like and the main reason to be here is to have a good time with your friends. The perfect setting for after work drinks, to bring a date or have a mini session, this small bar has something for everyone.

The staff are friendly and polite and provide good attentive service which got better as the evening went on. This together with a well thought out design makes this the kind of place you want to go back to time and time again.

Peter says "Blown away by this place, this small bar is on bar with the very best bars in and around Perth, can't really fault my experience there in any way and would recommend it to anyone that will listen"

Tony says "Pleasantly surprised upon arrival. A smartly designed bar that kept on giving. Great decor, ambience and a solid cocktail selection. Definitely a place to spend the whole evening"

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

El Publico - Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley

A nice bar with a slight Mexican theme, this place is somewhere to go for a couple of drinks and maybe some dinner with friends.

El Publico is very vanilla, you may like it and go back to it time and time again but mainly because it is a safe option. Ultimately it is no thrills and doesn't offer up anything special and is pretty standard. Clean, tidy and pretty busy this is a popular venue in the heart of Mount Lawley. It seems to lack a vibe or soul, but does have good music playing in the background, however, rather than getting livelier as the venue packed out it just got noisier and increasingly difficult to hear.

Other than offering up a few trinkets and curios it doesn't give off the sense that you are in a bar trying to establish a Mexican theme. It is definitely more than a glorified Nandos but not quite as good as some of the other Mexican bars in Perth. Overall the staff were pleasant and attentive though the service was a bit slow at times. The sarcastic comments from some of the staff weren't warranted and did little to improve our experience.

A limited Australian craft beers selection and a distinct lack of Mexican or Central American beers was slightly disappointing. However, they did have Padst Blue Ribbon available which was a nice touch and an excellent cocktail and tequila selection. They also have a very active and popular kitchen that serves up good meals from a decent menu.

Tony says "In a great location in the thriving bar scene of Mt Lawley, this bar however does not add up for me, it's just a little underwhelming. Not a bad bar but left with a sense of wanting something a little more"

Peter says "Maybe the design or layout pulls out the warmth of this place, best described as inoffensive, it is a nice bar that could be so much better"

Jill says "I didn't even know this place existed even though I have walked past it countless times, I was pleasantly surprised by a nice bar in a good location"

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

Strange Company - Nairn Street, Fremantle

A good new bar that is finding its feet in Fremantle. This small bar will appeal to most people rather than just a select few.

Stunning design that is modern, clean and trendy makes this place feel very welcoming. The ambience of this bar is like going to a nice house party, the constant chatter of people enjoying themselves, a nice level of background music and impressive design allows you to sit back and relax and enjoy your afternoon or evening, in the knowledge that you are in one of the best new bars in the Perth / Fremantle area.

Good boutique and craft beers on tap are well complemented by an excellent bottled beer selection, you will be spoiled for choice. There is also a good wine and spirit collection for those not so interested in the beer. The service was a little hit and miss though overall most of the staff were extremely helpful, polite and eager to please. The Schooners were disappointing as you can't beat holding a Pint of your favourite brew.

The outside area is nice and will come into its own during the summer, and overall you can't help to be impressed by the great design and layout.

Peter says "This small bar will be an instant hit, it will very quickly become my go to bar in Fremantle and the sooner they get some 'Pint Glasses' in the better. Modern and attractive design, attentive and helpful staff and a great range of drinks makes this place for me"

Tony says "A modern and architectural designed bar, could be mistaken for a house of 'Grand Designs'. With the feel of a house party for the well-to-do this place is still very inclusive to everyone. A nice place to drink, I will be sure to check back when it has found its feet"

Check out and like their Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/strangecompanyfremantle?fref=ts

The Classroom - Charles Street, North Perth

The attention to detail and service is outstanding, this place sets the bar so high that almost any other bar in Perth will try and fail to reach it. 

It really is one of the best bars we have been to. Design is everything in this place, the time and effort taken to make the classroom perfect is astonishing, this place is an Instagram paradise.

A colourful and playful venue where the staff are attentive and helpful, they provide an excellent level of service even when this place is busy. A good wine cellar and endless cocktails, all broken down by your favourite subjects. A solid beer menu is supported by good ciders and ginger beers.

This is the perfect place to venture to with your friends, the perfect place to start or spend the whole evening. It really does takes you back to your childhood, set up in a way that makes this place perfect for an adventure into your memories.

We think this place is well thought through and takes the item of a theme bar to another level. The decor is perfect and the ambience is electric even on a quiet night. The place brings out the best in everyone drinking there.

Tony says "Great to see something a little, maybe more than different when it comes to the theme and interior of this place. Vast range of drinks options and some fun cocktails to boot. In a class of its own. A+"

Peter says "Blown away by this place, heard so many good things and all of them are true, great design and staff make this place for me, no causes for concern here, top of the class!"

Check out their website - http://theclassroom.com.au/canteen-food-drinks/

Amani Bar & Kitchen - Oxford Street, Leederville

In a world where first impressions not only count but have to last this place just doesn't live up to the x-factor on entry. A modern wine bar in Leederville, that just doesn't hit the mark and will leave you slightly disappointed.

This small bar gives you the aesthetic of something or somewhere classier but ultimately can be scene for what it is and that can be described as an entry level wine bar, somewhere to experience a wine bar for the first time without feeling out of place. The quality of the design and decor is cheap and cheerful with elegant and clean touches, though it is a bit tatty round the edges and in some places looks worn out and tired.

A solid wine list and a steady bottled beer selection is above average and well priced, however the lack of attention to detail left us with a 'Endless' Pinot Grigio rather than the 'Babich' Pinot Gris ordered. We highly recommend the 'Valdemoreda' Tempranillo. 

The loud music seemed out of place in a bar that should be a good place to chat with friends. This place isn't bad or the worst bar we have ever been to, but when you compare it to elsewhere it just doesn't live up to the local standard, which is such a shame for a bar in a nice location.

 

Tony says "If you're not really on the lookout for this bar it's pretty easy to miss. Though pleasantly surprised by the charming exterior, upon entering and sitting down soon became distinctively underwhelmed. It's not terrible but there is certainly much much better out there"

Peter says "Like the Australian version of Netflix this place is lacking where it counts, not really impressed by any aspect of this bar other than the wine list. The loud music is a real turn off"

Mechanics' Institute - William Street, Northbridge

Nestled amongst the rooftops of William Street, it is set in a great location. This place is at the cutting-edge of small bars in Perth.

An excellent bar, that delivers in all areas. Great decor and design, set amongst the rooftops of Northbridge, this place is stunning all year round, protection from the sun and rain is provided by plenty of umbrellas and parasols. Wherever you choose to sit, you won't be disappointed. A fantastic little spot that just excels in Summer, the perfect place to take your friends.

This small bar has a solid bottled beer collection, an extensive wine list, a great cocktail menu and an Flipside Burgers serving up tasty food. There is always the gentle purr of happiness and people having a good time in this place. Setting up camp for the afternoon or evening is always an option with such a good atmosphere and vibe.  

Peter says "This is my go to bar in Northbridge, I have drunk here countless times and have never been disappointed, good service and nice beers make this the place to be"

Tony says "Really fond of this small bar. Tucked away down a service road running parallel with William Street, once you have discovered the Mechanics' Institute it's a destination worth visiting time and time again"

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