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The best pubs in Perth, according to a local

Gather your mates at these top spots.

There’s something quietly brilliant about Perth’s pub scene. From riverside beer gardens and sun-drenched decks to reimagined heritage pubs with sommelier-level wine lists, the city has mastered the art of the modern public house.

Whether you’re after steak and trivia in Mount Lawley, oysters in West Perth, or a casual pint by the water, these are the venues that define pub culture in Perth.

In short

If you only visit one pub in Perth, make it The Camfield. It’s not just Australia’s largest pub – it’s a sprawling, sun-drenched destination next to Optus Stadium with multiple bars, a microbrewery and a sharp menu of crowd-pleasers like house-made pizzas and Wagyu beef burgers, plus a killer selection of local beers on tap.

1. Steve’s

people enjoying drinks al fresco at Steve’s, Perth
Laze away the afternoon with alfresco drinks by the Swan River. (Image: Steve’s)

A long-standing Nedlands institution reimagined for the discerning drinker, Steve’s offers the best of both cellar and kitchen. Wine lovers will be drawn to the boutique bottle shop, but linger for the menu of modern pub classics. Alfresco seating by the Swan River seals the deal. Head there on a Monday for steak night.

Address: 30 The Avenue, Nedlands

2. The Camfield

people enjoying beer at The Camfield pub in Perth
Immerse yourself in Perth’s elevated pub culture at The Camfield.

A giant with soul, The Camfield’s six bars, on-site microbrewery and prime riverside real estate make it a destination in its own right. The kitchen keeps things elevated yet accessible with pulled beef sliders, chicken parmis and steak sandwiches. It’s Perth pub culture at its most polished and most fun.

Address: 1 Roger Mackay Dr, Burswood

3. The Royal

the Billiard room at The Royal Perth
Dial up the good vibes at The Royal Perth.

A bright, breezy pub perched on the banks of Claisebrook Cove, The Royal mixes deco heritage with contemporary flair. The menu leans fresh and local, featuring pub classics as well as mod Aus dishes. Best enjoyed soaking up the sun on the waterfront terrace, with a WA sauv blanc in hand.

Address: 60 Royal St, East Perth

4. Subiaco Hotel

After a loving restoration, the Subi is back to its full swagger. It’s part heritage hotel, part sleek gastropub and all atmosphere. The menu is confident and crowd-pleasing, with a rotating specials menu for almost every day of the week. Wednesday is Parmi Day, with six different chicken parmigiana options to choose from.

Address: 465 Hay St, Subiaco

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5. The Elford

a glass of cocktail at The Elford pub, Perth
The Elford crafts cocktails with a twist.

Mount Lawley’s newest old pub, The Elford has been artfully reimagined with leafy interiors, a rooftop deck and a firm commitment to craft beer. Visit on a Wednesday night for Perth’s best pub trivia night, with $20 chicken parmi specials and $9 pints of their rotating beer of the month.

Address: 639 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley

6. The Inglewood Hotel

This unpretentious local delivers on all fronts – heritage charm, a sprawling beer garden and a menu that swings from comfort food to contemporary fare. It also has arguably one of the best wine lists in Perth, featuring the who’s who of WA winemakers, with a peppering of other Australian labels.

Address: Cnr Fifth Avenue and Beaufort St, Mt Lawley

7. Mayfair Lane

a look inside the Mayfair Lane gastropub in Perth
Mayfair Lane is one of the best gastropubs in Perth. (Image: DZuks)

A Brit-accented gastropub with serious wine cred, Mayfair Lane is where you go for perfectly cooked steak frites, triple-cooked chips and oysters shucked to order. Their 250+ wine list is curated with sommelier precision, and the Thursday night steak special is worth planning your week around.

Address: 72 Outram St, West Perth

8. The Queens Tavern

This grand old dame of Highgate combines Federation-era charm with modern finesse. Built in the 1880s, it’s one of Perth’s oldest pubs, blending good food, great service and top service. On the plate, expect pub classics, fresh seafood and succulent steaks. The covered veranda is a prime perch come sundown.

Address: 520 Beaufort St, Highgate

9. The Belgian Beer Cafe

people enjoying drinks al fresco at The Belgian Beer Cafe, Perth
The Belgian Beer Cafe is a great spot to gather mates. (Image: The Belgian Beer Cafe)

Charming and a little cheeky, this Euro-style haunt offers more than just an encyclopaedic beer list. The alfresco tables under the shade of umbrellas are a great spot to pull up, cold one in hand, and watch the bustle of the CBD go by.

Address: Cnr Hay & King Streets, Perth

10. The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar

The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar, Perth
Secure a prime waterfront table for sunset drinks. (Image: Supplied)

One of Perth’s most laidback waterfront venues, The Lucky Shag is ideal for a casual session with mates. Expect jugs of beer, live music and an easygoing menu of burgers, seafood and pizzas. No frills, just good vibes by the water.

Address: Barrack Square, Perth (located in Old Perth Port)

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11. Market Grounds

clinking wine glasses over dinner at Market Grounds, Perth
Settle in for a share-style plates complemented by wine. (Image: Market Grounds)

Once a fresh produce market, now a bustling bar and eatery, Market Grounds bridges the old and new with flair. Its food game is strong – freshly shucked oysters, beef skewers and ricotta gnocchi are favourites – while DJs and cocktail pitchers keep the party going.

Address: 10 Telethon Ave, Perth

12. Edward & Ida’s

pub grub at Edward & Ida’s, Perth
The extensive menu at Edward & Ida’s features much-loved pub grub.

A charming throwback with a modern twist, Edward & Ida’s is a charming small pub in the heart of Northbridge. In the tradition of great classic pubs, you’ll find a simple yet slick wine list, a good pint of beer on tap and nostalgic counter meals from the mind of esteemed chef Blaze Young.

Address: 269 William St, Northbridge

13. The Stables Bar

Hidden behind a laneway facade, The Stables Bar is a CBD favourite for date nights and after-work hangs alike. The menu is contemporary Australian – think pan-roasted barramundi,  crispy pork shoulder and scotch fillet – and the leafy courtyard is hard to beat on a balmy evening.

Address: 888 Hay St, Perth

14. The Shoe Bar

Set in the heart of Yagan Square, The Shoe is a versatile two-level venue that swings from breakfast to late-night. Expect pub staples like pizzas, burgers and chicken wings, plus a smart selection of local brews and a stellar all-star cast of WA wines.

Address: Yagan Square, 376-420 Wellington St, Perth

15. The Generous Squire

clinking glasses over dinner at The Generous Squire pub, Perth
The Generous Squire pairs hearty fare with house-made beer.

This James Squire flagship celebrates the brewer’s legacy with house-made beer, hearty fare and a warm, communal atmosphere. They pride themselves on their epic burger menu, which has an impressive 14 different pub-style burgers. The Sailor, featuring beer battered fish, pickles, lettuce, ranch dressing and burger sauce is a stand-out. Wash it down with a pint brewed metres away.

Address: 397 Murray St, Perth

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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Theatre, art and music: Our top picks from this year’s Perth Festival lineup

Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy

    Lynn Gail Lynn Gail
    Blend the addictive energy of dance, creative cinematic movies, captivating theatre, and energising music during Perth Festival.

    Perth Festival has extraordinary roots. Born as a summer community experiment back in 1953, the brainchild of Professor Fred Alexander, it’s now Australia’s longest-running international art-based festival. From its first event at University of Western Australia, it now spans across Noongar Boodjar country (Perth City) bringing worldclass performances into the hearts of ardent festivalgoers. Hundreds of curtain calls, including numerous free events, are set to linger and leave a lasting impression on those who seek thrills that fill life’s in-between spaces. Featuring unmissable highlights from 6th February to 1st March, we’ve done the legwork for you – here’s what’s on, and where:

    1. East Perth Power Station

    East Perth Power Station during Perth Festival
    See East Perth Power Station come alive. (Image: Jessica Wyld Photography)

    Abandoned, run-down and shutdown in 1981, East Perth Power Station , located on the banks of the stunning Swan River, was reinvented in 2025 as an entertainment venue for the Perth Festival. Pack a picnic, bring the family and kick back under paperbark trees at Casa Musica – a free event featuring a melting pot of world-class musicians from Australian shores and around the globe. The diversity will have you bopping until the final encore.

    A decade after David Bowie’s passing, his powerful music lives on in the electrifying show, Rebel Rebel . Powerhouse vocalists join Perth Symphony Orchestra for one incredible night showcasing the singer-songwriter’s iconic hits. Illuminate your world through the eyes of First Nation Noongar artist, Lance Chadd Tjyllyungoo in a free event. His distinctive paintings and Dreamtime stories decorate the Power Station’s walls depicting spiritual beliefs. Or settle in to watch British indie pop singer-songwriter, Nilüfer Yanya .

    2. St Mary’s Cathedral

    Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth
    Take in Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth. (Image: Anja Schutz)

    Step into the lofty ceilings of Perth’s grandest cathedral, St Mary’s, and soak up choral harmonies. Dating back to 1865, the stained-glass reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper are a talking point, add talented maestros, and the stage is set to enthral.

    The international line-up is impressive. Master Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes takes to the stage with exquisite lyrical compositions from his native land. Åkervinda , an award winning Swedish quartet, weave stories of love, loss, and resilience into harmonious Nordic folk songs. The USA Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth , break all the rules. Hear their voices echo through the arched vaulted ceilings.

    3. Lotterywest Films

    guests at Lotterywest Films as part of Perth Festival
    Discover the Lotterywest Films program. (Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy)

    One of the festivals longest-running favourites, Lotterywest Films run a rich tapestry of cinematic features showing until 29th of March. Pack a picnic, cushions, popcorn and pop a cork under a Somerville Pine Tree as the sun sets and screenings begin. Cinema lovers, choose your poison from thrillers, deep-dive documentaries, tearjerkers, raunchy rom-coms and side-splitting comedies. The program is fantastically full, the filmmakers the best in the business, and the outdoor setting, unequalled.

    4. The Embassy

    guests at The EMbassy as part of Perth Festival
    Step into the old world glitz of The Embassy. (Image: Franz Bato)

    Modelled on Perth’s historic Embassy Ballroom, a devilish dance venue that operated in the 1900s, The Embassy in Perth Town Hall , serves sophistication in its A-list shows. Set your sequins a’sparkle at the, What’s TINA Got to Do With It extravaganza where guest artists play tribute as they belt out the glitzy star’s hits. The returning act, Ali Bodycoat & The Embassy Big Band, will have you jiving as you take to the dance floor reimagining a bygone era. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Black-bearded drag sensation, La Gateau Chocolat puts the raw in cacao. World-renowned for his feisty range of storied songs, he reveals the inner-man come artist through his deliciously sweet and intimate act.

    5. Unusual locations

    still from The Trial theatre
    Watch a star-studded cast in The Trial. (Image: Cole Baxter)

    We’ve all heard of the hit show, The Office, but a spinetingling operatic thriller acted out in disused office space? Philip Glass’ nail-biter, The Trial , has a star-studded line-up. Together they deliver a dramatic ordeal showcasing Oscar-winner Christopher Hampton’s libretto; the suspense lingers after the final bow.

    Sit back under starry skies and soak up dynamic dance at Ballet at the Quarry: Incandescence .  Four exclusive classical and contemporary acts illuminate the amphitheatre’s stage as Perth City twinkles at nightfall. Mystery excites the mind. West Australian Opera returns again with another ‘secret opera’. Be led from an undisclosed meeting point and let the music lead to the secret.

    6. A View From A Bridge

    A View From A Bridge special event at Perth Festival
    Share your innermost thoughts at A View From A Bridge.

    Free, connecting strangers, and inclusive to everyone, artist, Joe Bloom’s collaborative project, A View From A Bridge has one prop – an old red telephone. Talk into the receiver , share thoughts, innermost feelings, memories, hopes and dreams as Bloom captures you from afar. The freedom to speak through the telephone movement has a worldwide following. A range of clips will be shown online.

    What else to do in Perth

    Shadow Wine Bar in perth
    Taste the best of Perth at eateries like Shadow Wine Bar.

    Endless blue skies crown Perth during February, making it the perfect time to explore Australia’s most western capital city. The city might be compact, but it packs a punch when it comes to what’s on. Perth Cultural Centre houses the city’s art-scene venues: Western Australian Art Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).

    After exploring the city’s alleyways, hidden corners, and main hub, savour worldclass food in Perth’s vibrant eateries. Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes can be found throughout; the leisurely eat-and-drink scene is literally mouthwatering, so book extra nights.

    Start planing your 2026 trip to Perth Festival at perthfestival.com.au .