A little older, a little wiser, a little more worldly, Lil’s Rooftop Bar has landed on the west end of Murray Street.
Gone are the neon lanterns and sticky dance floors that once defined Tiger Lil’s, replaced with pastel awnings, scallop trimmed umbrellas and terracotta tones. Like an older sister back from a Euro summer, Lil’s returns with a little more nuance, sophistication and flair, but no less of an appetite for fun.
“It was an iconic location, and I think we've taken that solid base and then improved on it,” says venue manager Joel Woolfrey.
Image credit: Lil's Rooftop Bar | Shot by Thom
This newly minted Lil’s is a Mediterranean-inspired space for all. There’s the street facing main bar up front, a relaxed space for long lunches over shared dishes, complete with patio seating for people watching, the moodier dining room-cum-dance floor out back perfect for dimly lit dinners and late night Italo-inclined bites, and the brand new rooftop alfresco bar for rounds of spritzes with friends. Each part of the multi-space venue feels considered but versatile. And it’s all incredibly tactile, from boucle lounge chairs and fringe covered cushions, to marble armoires and terrazzo topped bars.
“We wanted to make a space for all people,” says Joel. “It’s sundown drinks into a late night dance party for those that want to kick on, long lunches on Saturday that can carry on right into the evening and until our license finishes at 2am.”
Equal to the space, the menu is similarly versatile and approachable to allow for a range of experiences. The menu leans into share plates like crispy halloumi with sweety drop peppers, honey and grapes, grilled chicken skewers with an Argentinian criolla salsa, or a confit garlic and white bean dip served alongside charred focaccia, inviting an almost aperitivo style of eating.
Image credit: Lil's Rooftop Bar | Shot by Thom
“The food is designed to be shared, to order a few plates for the table and have a taste of everything,” says Joel. “I love the crudo, that dish just pops, it’s a lot of colour and a lot of fun.”
The pizza menu, a mix of classic and contemporary variations like a spicy pepperoni with potato, nduja and stracciatella, similarly invites sharing.
Then there’s the drinks list, a collection curated by Joel and the Lil’s team.
“It’s a mixture of cocktail classics and nice, summery spritzes and sours. Our signature drink is going to be our limoncello spritz.”
Image credit: Lil's Rooftop Bar | Shot by Thom
That’s made with Zonzo Estate limoncello, and finished with prosecco and soda, but there’s also a hibiscus spritz, with peach and wild berry, and a vodka-based summer spritz, with elderflower and apple. For sours, there’s a vanilla vodka, passionfruit and lemon sun sparkle sour, and a classic amaretto sour with whisky, lemon and bitters. All invite leisurely afternoons on the rooftop bar, cocktail in hand. Plus, there’s a dozen beers on tap and a respectable wine list.
Come evening, the venue readies itself for late night kicks ons, with the dining room transforming into a dance floor and a DJ stepping into the booth situated next to the bar. Saturdays are designated for late night discoing, with live music in the main bar. And Lil’s is in great company for weekend nightlife, with neighbours like the Pirate Life precinct, The Stables and Durty Nellie’s all in close proximity.
Image credit: Lil's Rooftop Bar | Shot by Thom
“I think that's really on trend with everyone at the moment,” says Joel. “That fun, upbeat, have a dance, have a sing-along vibe. That's exactly what we’re going for.”
THE DETAILS
What: Lil's Rooftop Bar
Where: 437 Murray Street, Perth
When: Open seven days, 11.30am - late.
For more information and to book, click here.
Main image credit: Lil's Rooftop Bar | Shot by Thom