Can you believe we're about to close the book on 2022? This year has been an absolute whirlwind, with a cracking number of new bar openings helping pull us out of our post-pandemic funk... despite the lingering staff shortages and knock-on inflation.
Light-filled heritage wine bars, European-inspired aperitivo haunts that slap just as hard in the snack department as they do in the drinks, and straight-up cocktail mastery—2022 saw us lean unapologetically into international inspo and joyful indulgence. We saw a continued celebration of neighbourhood brilliance, with bustling hubs like Mount Hawthorn, Subiaco, Swanbourne, South Fremantle, Leederville and more all earning beautiful new additions that would make any local proud. And with the return of office life, a renewed energy has started to emerge in the CBD and Northbridge—something you'll see spill over into 2023.
To make things easier, we're here to recap the best of the best from the last twelve months. Join us in a hazy trip down memory lane, reflecting on Perth's best new bars for 2022.
Vinotto
Swanbourne
Located in Swanbourne, in a very convenient little possie right across from the train station, Vinotto is a European-inspired wine bar with a vibe that's casual yet classy (much like its clientele). Just picture a terracotta-hued terrazzo bar and exposed brick with light timber furnishings and devils ivy, accompanied by a tight selection of drinks and nibbles. It's wine-focused, so you'll find loads of top drops curated by manager slash somm Caitlin Johnston (formerly at The Humble Onion) alongside cocktails and digestifs that really suit the relaxed coastal mood they're going for.
Wild In The Street
South Fremantle
With 2022 WA Good Food Guide's Bartender Of The Year behind the drinks, Wild In The Street definitely deserves a place on this list. Tucked behind an unassuming shop-front, the colourful South Freo tapas and cocktail house has a laidback beach club vibe that makes it near impossible to say no to one more round. Once you’ve taken a seat and snapped a pic of the killer interiors, go ahead and order a round of cocktails to the table—the Apple Up is a definite crowd pleaser but we'd happily smash back anything here. Pair it with a few heapings of focaccia with romesco while you decide what else is needed. Hint: Mamasita’s slow-cooked chicken empanadas are always needed.
Testun Bar
Inglewood
I've thought long and hard about whether Testun should sit in our best bar or restaurant list, and I've decided it's both. Yes, the food is incredible but you know what, the non-pretentious wine list and banging aperitivo range holds its own too. Unapologetically loud, full of life, with an eclectic look that combines nonna's drapes with bright pops of green and funky art, the vibe at Testun is playful and a little offbeat—the kind of place you can easily pull in for a few drinks before realising you should have just booked for dinner in the first place.
Phat Lon
Leederville
Banh mi addicts should already be familiar with Jenny Lam (of Masterchef fame) and her close-knit family’s handy work. Their little Vietnamese lunch bar, Bunn Mee, is so good, it’s ALWAYS busy. So we were extremely excited to see this passionate team birth their second baby, Phat Lon—located literally next door in the old Ria Malay site in Leederville. Dubbed ‘Perth’s first Vietnamese tapas bar’, the colourful venue is a full-on family affair inspired by the unique flavours and laidback vibe they’ve been missing from back home.
Madalena's Upstairs
South Fremantle
A bar on the coast sounds pretty good to us. Add in some share plates full of local seafood and a bit of live music and you’ve got us sold. No wonder Madelana’s Bar made such an impression on South Terrace when it opened in 2018, so much so they decided to expand this year—opening a brand new upstairs bar with views out to the ocean. Head on up, grab a seat by the window and split a bottle of orange or chilled red—they'll even drop a free bowl of chips at your table to keep you going.
Sonny's
Mount Hawthorn
Mount Hawthorn has scored yet another fabulous little neighbourhood bar in the form of Sonny's. There's no shortage of exceptional wine options here, but for us, the cocktail list is where it's at. Start with their exceptionally refreshing yuzu spin on the tommy's margarita, throw on a few gorgeous little nibbles and keep the drinks coming.
Astral Weeks
Northbridge
Opening in an unassuming little spot in Chinatown, Astral Weeks is Perth's first and only vinyl listening bar—single-handedly repping WA amidst the growing number emerging outta Melbourne right now. It's the perfect place for music lovers to share a yarn while getting stuck into whatever's spinning and pouring on the day, with a beautiful vintage hi-fi system inspired by listening bars across Japan and the world. Trust us, the sound quality is unlike anything else in Perth. At the bar, you'll find natty wines, spirits and beers, plus, some awesome sake options too. They often have special guest selectors on the decks and visiting chefs in the kitchen too.
Naber and ||||
Leederville
Naber and |||| (pronounced neighbour and four) is a cool little Leederville laneway joint that snuck in right before Christmas 2021—so it missed out on last year's round-up, despite being 100% deserving. The space is split into two unique venues to suit your vibe. Naber is the more intimate and refined of the two, with a rotating chef's menu showcasing some incredible produce from their neighbours and a seriously epic booze offering that'll leave any cocktail fiend wanting more. Meanwhile, ||||, the breezy back-alley courtyard bar, is slinging fun and affordable cocktails, punchy snacks and untapped disco vibes that will keep you there all day and night.
Tom's Providore & Wine Bar
Highgate
Filled with gourmet goods, top wine and cheese galore, Tom's is basically grazing heaven. The light and airy character-filled space itself also happens to be pretty darn heavenly. Owners Tom and Lara have gone above and beyond to lovingly restore the building's old-world charm while infusing it with plenty of quality materials and tasteful finishes. The result? A chic bistro aesthetic that feels casual and sophisticated all at the same time. Take a seat by the window, order a bottle of wine and nibble through one of their lavish grazing boards—big call, but it might just be the best we've tried in Perth.
Terrarium Bar
Perth CBD
Terrarium Bar has quickly become one of Perth's go-to cocktail joints. No surprise considering award-winning bartender Xander Stucken is behind the leafy new multi-level opening. Cosy up in a window-side booth inside or grab a table beneath the festoon lights on the plant-filled rooftop, order a few tasty nibbles and work your way through the entire cocktail menu.
Bar Rogue
Mount Lawley
Another one that opened softly right at the tail end of 2021 amongst COVID restrictions and missed all our end of year wrap ups was Bar Rogue—a moody little Mount Lawley haunt full of top notch snacks and cracking drinks. With the talented husband and wife team of Le Rebelle behind this one, we're not too surprised it has quickly become one of our faves.
Volare
Maylands
We quickly wiped away our tears after hearing about Swallow Bar's closure when we heard the same team behind Northbridge's Miami-inspired drink house, Neon Palms, had got their hands on the much-loved Maylands space. Inspired by coastal cities of Europe like Marseille, Amalfi, Valencia and Sardinia, Volare is basically a love letter to modern spritzy delights. And when you get peckish, Head Chef Luca Minetti will take you to the European Riviera in the spirit of Venetian Cicchetti—which basically means small made-to-order plates plump full of seasonal produce. Think: chicken liver pâté cannoli, negroni glazed octopus with caponata and nduja chilli mussel toast.
The Beaufort
Mount Lawley
The new multi-level venue from the team behind The Old Synagogue in Freo, The Beaufort, has been solidly busy since it opened. If you've ever wondered through the layers of lush terraces, you'll see why—the precinct is stunning. Head upstairs to try snag a seat on one of the rooftop terraces for a sundowner cocktail overlooking Beaufort St before hunting down the hidden speakeasy, Cypher, for some more late-night tipples. Just like the Gog, you can always count on a killer dancefloor too.
Ruin Bar
Northbridge
Ruin Bar is the new craft beer haven from Miles Hull (Jetty Bar, Quarter Acre and Alex Hotel, to name a few). Taking over three heritage retail spaces on the corner of Beaufort and Newcastle St in Northbridge, Ruinbar serves up a gritty Berlin-inspired beer bar aesthetic across three beer rooms, with a scaffolding-clad outdoor beer yard sprawling out into Leadlight Laneway providing a breezy outpost for a balmy evening brew or two. We're also big fans of the woodfired pizzas you can get delivered from the shop next door.
Lum's Wine Bar
Subiaco
Lum's comes to us from the same stellar team behind beloved Subi small bar, Bark. You'll notice they haven't tried to reinvent the wheel here—it's a classic neighbourhood bar slinging great wines, yummy nibbles and friendly vibes—but that's kinda what makes this spot so great. With beautiful heritage interiors, a cute streetfront parklet and a cosy rear courtyard, it's an awesome place to pull in for afterwork drinks or a low-key date night.
Keep drinking through more of Perth's all-time best bars or go for a feed at Perth's best restaurants.
Image credit: Elle Borgward, Vinotto, Elle Borgward, Testun, Phat Lon, Sonny’s, Astral Weeks, Tristan McKenzie, Elle Borgward, Bar Rogue, Volare, The Beaufort, Ruin Bar, Lum’s