The Top Bars In Highgate Mount Lawley Perth

Inner northern suburbs Highgate and Mount Lawley lie side by side, just past Perth’s Northbridge, both offering an array of bars catering to all needs. From a refreshing watermelon crush cocktail in the summer to a warming mulled wine in the winter, you can enjoy a drink that tickles your fancy at both Spanish and Mexican influenced and local neighbourhood bars. Here is our guide to the best.

Clarences

Bar, Australian

Minha querida - Brazilian cachaça, strawberry, lime and sugar

Clarences, a small neighbourhood bar set in the heart of Mount Lawley, offers an intimate venue to enjoy in a leather booth under the vintage lights, or under the stars in the leafy courtyard. With happy hour on weekdays for you to enjoy a taste of their extensive drinks list after a hard day’s work, be sure to try one of their many global dishes on offer. Come winter, their spiced cider will warm you up in no time.

Defectors

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub, Pub Grub, Australian, Cocktails

Located above the Flying Scotsman Pub, Defectors is a neighbourhood bar featuring Victorian sofas and leather chairs. Not only do they offer wines, beers and crafty cocktails like no other, but their pizza and pint special is also one to enjoy on their balcony. So, head down to Defectors and enjoy good drinks in a laid-back venue, just don’t swing on their chandeliers.

Five Bar

Bar, Cocktails, Pub Grub, Australian

Mount Lawley’s sweet little Five Bar boasts wall art, wood benches and vintage furniture for you to enjoy a drink and a bite or two. Serving up prawn crackers, popcorn chicken and spicy fried chicken burgers, ensure you order one of their cocktails while there, from a watermelon crush cocktail and Pimm’s hurricane in the summer to mulled wine in the winter.

Enrique's School For Bullfighting

Bar, Restaurant, Australian, Spanish

No, you will not be fighting bulls; rather, you will be indulging in the Spanish-influenced cocktails and gin-based drinks at Enrique’s School for Bullfighting. This quirky bar allows you to sip on a drink or two as you nibble on one of their meals, like Hiramasa kingfish ceviche or the jamon and manchego croquetas with manchego aioli. This pop-up-turned-permanent bar is one you must not miss.

el Publico

Bar, Restaurant, Mexican, Tapas

Red Panzie - Ocho 8 blanco santiago, Plum, Watermelon, Shrub Mint, Citrus, Ginger

el Publico is not the typical Mexican bar with sombreros and a live mariachi band, rather, this hip bar holds over 60 bottles of tequila and mezcal in which to indulge. Be sure to excite your day with the house grapefruit soda mixed with Espolon Blanco, which will accompany crisp-fried school prawns and tacos perfectly.

Late Night Valentine

Bar, Diner, Australian, Pub Grub

Late Night Valentine isn’t just a small bar, they offer a courtyard to relax in the summer evenings and an outdoor amphitheatre. Although the lights are low, the moody 60’s vibe will have you relaxed in the cosy velvet chairs in no time. From strong sugar-rimmed Countess (gin, Campari, Cocchi Americano and grapefruit) to a long Trader Vic’s Mai Tai (dark rum, fig, cinnamon and citrus), be sure to grab a snack from their diner-influenced menu to go with your cocktail.

Must Winebar

Bar, Bistro, Wine Bar, Contemporary, Pub Grub

Must Winebar is a French bar that is an absolute must-visit for all vino lovers. Offering food, craft beer and over 500 wines, this bar is the finest in Perth, having won several awards for their food and wine over the years. Not only is the food on offer created by the renowned West Aussie chef Russell Blaikie, but all meals can also easily be accompanied with the perfect drink by the talented Sommelier Stefano Madau.

Queens Tavern

Pub, Beer, Australian, Pub Grub

Queens Tavern is a great pub to enjoy your lunch and dinner, or after work drinks and catch up with friends. This laid-back pub offers craft beer and modern Australian food that are perfect for the venue, both inside and out on the terrace. Even if a pub meal isn’t what you are looking for, this is the perfect pub to chill in during a ‘Sunday sesh’. After all, it’s bound to be fit for a Queen, right?

About the author

Ellie Griffiths

Growing up in the most isolated city in the world, Ellie moved to London embarking on a new journey and embracing her love for all things culture-based. Despite making her way across the world taking photographs of everything and eating her way through anything sweet and sugary, Ellie continues to celebrate all things Australian.