Best Bars

Spirits aficionados and cocktail connoisseurs will be as happy as pigs in the proverbial at Bar Lafayette. This closely confined little spot, with its small rooms and nooks and crannies, has a prohibition-era feel with grand chesterfields and cosy spaces making it perfect for a night in.

As you'd expect from Andy Freeman's oeuvre, Hadiqa is cool as. And built on brilliant booze - with an Arabic twist. Last year's highest-profile bar opening has overcome early wobbles via a tighter menu and settled service.

Northbridge’s Henry Summer is part of the Lavish Habits group alongside Alabama Song, Joe’s Juice Joint, La Cholita and Sneaky Tony’s. Described as an “urban cocktail and wine garden”, it’s a more relaxed affair than its bustling and energetic siblings, and one of a few city bars open seven days for lunch and dinner.

You wouldn’t imagine that one of the state’s most celebrated bars in is WA’s deep south.

The arrival of Madalena’s in June this year was emblematic of what’s hot and what’s not in the rapidly changing and volatile WA hospitality scene. Make no bones about it, Madalena’s is hot – it has created a buzz which it has lived up to.

Crafted ice reaches other heights at Morries; not only does it come in spheres, but chunky cubes score bevelled edges. It says a lot about the attention to detail exhibited in this candle lit, Margaret River bar.

Part of a trio of venues in the State Buildings, Petition Wine Bar and Merchant is nirvana for everyday wine lovers and serious oenophiles.

The name suggests it’s a bait shop and the entry looks nicely dodgy, but once inside Rodney's Bait ‘n’ Tackle it’s clear this clever nautical themed boozer is serious about its business. The aaargh-me-hearties theme certainly wasn't just a way of skimping on the decor. How on earth did they get that boat indoors?

Top chef turned bar entrepreneuer Clint Nolan knows customers. We can say this with some certainty because most of his bar and pub venues are highly successful.

Small in stature but big in character, Swallow Bar has been a quiet achiever in Maylands before Perth even knew what a small bar was. Art deco style oozes from every corner with old train seats for booths, golden oldies flowing from the speakers and a bar keep that knows a damn good martini.

Take a ride to the 18th floor of the QT hotel and when the lift doors open, you’ll be hit in the face with a potent cocktail of sophistication, ambience and high octane cool.

Restaurant. Enoteca. Stylish West End watering hole. Tiny's is many things to a loving crowd, and one of the best casual venues in the CBD.

Those that believe wine bars should be romantic and candle-lit might struggle with the cool approach taken by Wines of While. A pared-back Northbridge bottle shop with tables and a short daily-changing blackboard of Mediterranean-inspired snacks and dishes.