Ezra Pound - William Street, Northbridge

A bar that is hidden in sight in the centre of busy and bustling Northbridge. Plain and austere it attracts a regular crowd who enjoy this place for what it is. It is like an after school club for hipsters to hang out, but with booze.

A younger crowd for the most part and outside seating if you can nab a table make this a place to enjoy a good beer especially on a warm evening or a nice summer's afternoon. Though it can at times be a smokers paradise and this can spoil it for a lot of people. The beer menu is nothing exceptional but serves up a couple of classics as well as an ever changing craft option.

This is obviously a pretentious bar and some of the people that drink there are clearly trying to impress their peers. The decor is frugal and minimal, but this isn't a bad thing, it totally suits the surroundings. This place is trying hard to not be like the iconic subculture that frequents the place. Though in saying that, most are made welcome and it is hard to feel totally out of place.

It is a no thrills place, but that is what makes this place a bar that go back to. No thrills service that is polite and prompt, no thrills beer that you would happily stock your fridge with and a no thrills environment that is both welcoming and non-conforming. It takes you back to what a public house should be, sit down, have a chat and drink copious amounts of beer. This is a place to bring your mates and while away a couple of hours in good company.

Tony says"It is reminiscent of a bar I used to frequent in East London, it does exactly what it says on the tin, but what does it say on the tin, all the stuff above"

Peter says "This is one of the first bars I went to when I arrived and have been back numerous times since, it is worth a try to form your own opinion, I think you will either love it or hate it"

Check out their website for what is on - http://www.ezrapound.com.au

Joe's Juice Joint - William Street, Northbridge

Joe's Juice Joint; the paradigm of what a 'Modern Dive Bar' should be. This alternative but retro bar is tucked away behind William Street and is well worth finding.

Rocking alternative tunes - rock 'n' roll, rock and indie are the order of the night in this bar that would be a hit anywhere in the world. A great beer and spirit selection and likeable and pleasant staff really help make this the place to be.

Stunning decor, walls full of posters and soft lighting add to the unique design of this place. You walk in and are immediately struck by a class venue. Somewhere to go with your mates for a great night out. Hit this place up on a Saturday night and you will end up drinking and dancing your night away.

With one of the best bottled beer selections we have seen in Perth this place caters for all tastes, this is complimented by an endless list of spirits and a good wine list. With snack food available and pinball machines to waste your money on this place really has it all. Not a place for everyone, but you know immediately if this is the place for you.

Peter says "Love this place, was a great experience that took me down memory lane, the staff recommended a good beer and the music was rocking, even on a quiet night it had a great atmosphere, highly recommend"

Tony says "A compact rock bar that embodies everything you'd expect in a dive bar, this is the place I have been looking for. Great music and a great place to hang out. A fantastic variation on the small bar for something a little different in Perth"

Check out their Facebook page for more details - https://www.facebook.com/joesjuicejoint

Sneaky Tony's - Somewhere in Northbridge

This place is the ultimate rum bar with a breath taking selection that will blow your mind, neat or in a cocktail let the knowledgeable staff suggest a rum for you.

Hidden away (you will have to find it yourself) and don't forget the password for entry, this place is awesome. A great bar somewhere in Northbridge this place just excels, hard to describe without giving away the ambiguous and even arcane nature of this venue. It is a hidden delight that all fans of the small bar scene in Perth should hunt out, but not all will find.

Those that do find this place will be treated to outstanding bar staff who take this place to another level. Their expertise of rum borders on a dogma level of love for it.

For those of you who don't like or want to try the all-encompassing rum collection, then this place has extensive wine, cocktail and beer list. Our advice - hunt this place down, it is worth finding.

Tony says "Just blown away by the rum selection, I am not a rum fan but I had to give it a go and was not disappointed."

Peter says "The anticipation grows as you walk around Northbridge trying to find this place, the venue is excellent, the decor is stunning and the staff are great - get yourself down there for a good night"

Check out their Facebook page for more info - https://www.facebook.com/sneakytonys

La Cholita - William Street, Northbridge

If you want a warm welcome and exemplary service this place is for you, La Cholita serves up bucket  loads of class and style as well as good drink, good food and excellent service.

Friendly and first-rate service is the best way to describe this place, the interaction between staff and customer makes this place. We had a Negra Modelo an excellent deep bodied Mexican number, so so easy to drink you just ask for another. 

A retro and Perth version of a Mexican Bar, this place is far from a tacky themed bar, this small bar hits the nail on the head. The slightly nautical and shanty town vibe and design theme promotes only a positive experience. As well as the beers we tried the house Sangria at only $6 a glass it is a total bargain!

The atmosphere is enhanced by the good music and lively ambience. The extensive food menu is brilliant, we recommend the Scallop Tacos or anything that involves the slow cooked pork. You will leave this place dreaming of a trip to Mexico.

Peter says "This really is at the epitome of bars in Perth, it is hard for a bar to stand out in Northbridge, but not only does this bar stand out it stands head and shoulders over most other bars. This very much is a bar to kick back and enjoy the whole evening"

Tony says "Reasonably priced beers, nice Sangria and excellent food make this bar. I don't just plan to go back, I plan to take as many of my mates as possible with me"

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

The Flour Factory - Queen Street, Perth

The inviting front window leads you in, but you are immediately hit by the fact you have stumbled into a cliche of what a designer bar should be, it falls short of making a statement of intent. In saying that it is a very pleasant bar.

If expensive, high end cured meat and a menu that would be at home in a Michelin starred restaurant is your thing, then this place is for you. Pitched at money this place caters to those willing to spend hundreds of dollars, but for that you do not receive much in return, unless you want a cheap but quality hot dog or pizza. A poor selection of tap beers is made up for with a fine range of bottled beer from around the world.

While the staff are forthcoming and engaging at times, the lack of attentive service on a night that wasn't particularly busy was disappointing, considering when you do speak with the staff it is a good experience.

If this bar had opened a few years ago the unique location in a former flour mill would have made it the stand out place to be. But with such an influx of good small bars opening in Perth, this is a bar with so much promise that just ends up being pretty ordinary. 

Peter says "Some of the staff were really really good and talkative, go test this place out yourself and come to your own opinion, it just didn't do it for me."

Tony says "The bright lights draw you in only to be slightly dampened upon entering the bar itself. Modern in design to a point but overdone and unoriginal. I had real high hopes for this bar but those expectations were just not met."

Check out their website - http://theflourfactory.com

Bobèche - St Georges Terrace, Perth

The attention to detail and magnificent cocktails makes Bobèche one of the best bars in Perth. You are taken back in time and across the world into a prohibition era speakeasy that really does deliver the goods.

The attention to detail in preparing cocktails is exceptional, while the cocktail selection is limited they are expertly made. The bar also has an extensive wine list, a pretty good range of bottled beer and a couple of standard tap beers. A craft American Pale Ale would be a welcome addition to the beer selection.

The design and decor is brilliant, period fixtures and fittings add to the effect that you have not only stepped back in time, but you are on a different continent. As well as being experts in making and preparing the drinks the staff's knowledge extends to the origins of the cocktails on the menu. Add to that Free popcorn and a nice snack menu and this place is perfect for setting up camp for the evening.

Tony says "It's like being thrown back in time without the tackiness that goes with a theme bar, if you have the cash to splash this place offers nice escapism from the hum-drum of modern life"

Peter says "Love this little bar, nice cocktails and Fat Yak on tap, who could ask for more"

Check out their website - www.bobeche.com.au

Samson's Paddock - Glyde Street, Mosman Park

As you walk through the front door, the first impression is a spartan bar, that doesn't have much to offer and you couldn't be more wrong.

Walking through the bar each member of staff welcomes you and you look around at the decoration and design you realise that you have stumbled into a hidden treasure.

Close to Mosman Park Train station and the 98/00 and 103 bus routes, Samson's Paddock holds the premier position in a row of shops just off the Stirling highway. With an extensive outside area and an excellent kitchen, this place could be straight off 'Grand Designs'. The multi level outside area is heated by log fires and patio heaters in the winter and covered with parasols and awnings in the summer. It really is a all year round drinking nirvana strategically positioned between Perth and Fremantle.

Reasonably priced wine specials are a plus though the overpriced beer does let this place down. Dish, Wine, Whiskey and Beer of the week is a bonus. The menu offers an excellent selection of nibbles, shares and meals which are made with local and seasonal produce.

We went for a pint of Trumers, an Austrian Pilsner, at 4.9% it just slides down and disappears just that bit too quickly, leaving you asking for another and trying to recall how many you have consumed. This place is well worth a trip to Mosman Park and there is plenty of on-street parking on the nearby streets.

Peter says "The kind of place you go back to time and time again, a friendly welcome and good service complements the good drink selection, highly recommend."

Tony says "A lovely little local for anyone living near by, I wish I was that little closer so I could fall into that category."

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