Sometimes we don’t want fancy food or fine dining. Sometimes we want a cold pint that doesn’t break the bank, the musty smell of an old beer-soaked carpet, and the historical charm of your good old local Aussie pub.
The old-school pub scene in Perth is pretty expansive if you know where to look, along with a range of more modern style gems if that suits your style. Head on down for a lazy after-work drink or knock back some cold ones with mates at 23 of the best pubs in Perth.
1. Victoria Park Hotel
The iconic Vic Park has had quite the million-dollar glow up, and we’re here for it.
The new leafy beer garden and courtyard give a breezy and modern lift to the space, catering to both social crowds and families alike. Chuck in a newly revitalized menu of flavour-packed bites and a range of beers and wines and you’ve got your perfect weekend hangout.
- Location: 605 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: victoriaparkhotel.com.au
2. The Brisbane Hotel
If the word laid-back were a place, it would be The Brisbane Hotel.
Although it’s had a little bit of a makeover in recent years, the essence of the good old local pub from 1898 still remains. Sitting on the outskirts of the city, it’s a casual stop-in for after-work drinks or lunch break breathers. Here you’ll find cold drinks, a leafy courtyard, and flavourful food.
- Location: 292 Beaufort St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: thebrisbanehotel.com.au
3. Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
A lively brewhouse down Shafto Lane, Durty Nelly’s is often heaving with eager pub-goers.
It embodies the true spirit and feels of a little Irish pub, from its quaint timber decor and Guinness to the Irish-style pub fare menu. Find a cosy corner and settle in for the afternoon, you’ll be feeling right at home.
- Location: 397 Murray St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: durtynellys.com.au
4. The Royal
An iconic Perth pub, you’ll often look up on a Friday arvo and find the balcony area here packed to the brim.
It’s been serving up cold pints and food since 1882 and has since had quite the fit-out and renovation, recently adding Willis Bar to its lower floor level. They have a contemporary menu of eats, all the classics on tap, and plenty of specials running weekly.
- Location: 531 Wellington St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: theroyalhotelperth.com.au
5. The OBH
There is possibly no better spot to catch a famous WA sunset over the ocean.
Ocean Beach Hotel keeps it a lot more casual than its neighbouring Cottesloe Beach Hotel, with stunning beach views at the front and a friendly sports bar out the back. It’s the place for breakfast by the beach, an afternoon drink, or lunch after a coastal stroll.
- Location: 140 Marine Parade, Cottesloe
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: obh.com.au
6. The Generous Squire
The Generous Squire knows how to do two things: banging burgers and a nice cold pint.
It features a fully functioning microbrewery, a signature burger menu with some of the best burgs in Perth, and a perfectly paired beer list of some James Squire classics. They do a happy hour every weeknight from 5-6 pm, and a belly-popping snack pack for just $19 Monday to Thursday.
- Location: 397 Murray St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: jamessquire.com.au
7. W. Churchill
A little less casual and a little more class, W. Churchill has captured the hearts of many city workers since opening in 2019.
Located in the heart of the CBD, the interior is inspired by the Churchill era, with dim lighting, antique touches, and dark wood features. They house over 100 different gins here to suit every taste and a menu of fancier pub grub plates.
- Location: 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: wchurchill.com.au
8. Mount Henry Tavern
Mount Henry Tavern should definitely be on your list of pubs to catch the footy at if you live around Como.
There’s nothing particularly fancy about this joint, just good old pub feed meal deals, beers on tap, and all the sports games on the big screen. What more could a simple pub-goer need?
- Location: 27 Manning Rd, Como
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, drive-through, delivery
- Website: mthenrytavern.com.au
9. Paddington Ale House
The Paddo (first opening as The Mount Hawthorn Hotel) has been serving the locals since 1932.
The much-loved joint features a sports bar, bistro bites and over 150 different beers on the menu to enjoy while tucking into a classic pub fave. It ticks all the required boxes when it comes to iconic old-school pub, so settle in for a few and soak up the atmosphere in all its glory.
- Location: 141 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mount Hawthorn
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: paddo.com.au
10. Brass Monkey Hotel
Ah, Brass Monkey. We’ve all got a memory here.
Widely known as a late-night party spot cemented on the corner in Northbridge, the popular Brass has now gone back to its roots and brought in more of the pub feel and less of the nightclub. Now, it’s drinking on the balcony, cold beers, filling pub fare, and plenty of sports on the TV to catch a game.
- Location: William St &, James St, Northbridge
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: thebrassmonkey.com.au
11. Inglewood Hotel
A popular watering hole among the Inglewood locals, this is yet another great spot if you want to watch your team on the big screen.
Inglewood Hotel does craft beer and upscale eats for a satisfying feed, with a breezy beer garden on site and a bottleshop drive thru if you want to grab something on your way home.
- Location: 803 Beaufort St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: inglewoodhotel.com.au
12. Clancy’s Fish Pub
Clancy’s is a burst of quirky colour that fits right into the artsy Fremantle scene.
It’s a name most would recognise, and they’ve been doing mouthwatering seafood, clever craft beer, wine, and live music to perfection over the years. They’re undoubtedly a family fave, and have a down south sister that’s often a popular stop-off for those heading to Dunsborough.
- Location: 51 Cantonment St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: clancysfishpub.com.au
13. Tavern At The Rocks
Although Tavern At The Rocks boasts stunning marina views and a classic pub-style interior, it’s the parmi here that deserves all the praise.
Making a trip to Two Rocks totally worth it, their very large chicken parmigiana has to be up there with one of the best in Perth. Think you can go bigger? Try tackling their monster parmi that sits in at 1.5kg in just one hour.
- Location: 20 Enterprise Ave, Two Rocks
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: tworockstavern.com.au
14. Sail And Anchor
Dubbed a proper landmark in Fremantle by many, Sail and Anchor is a heritage beauty that’s been serving up pints since the 80s.
Beer’s their thing, and they’ve got 25 to choose from on tap in a charming atmosphere boasting a spiralling staircase, wood-panelled walls, pressed tin ceiling, and beer history memorabilia adorning the walls.
- Location: 64 South Terrace, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: sailandanchor.com.au
15. Balmoral Hotel
Vic Park is often abuzz with friends catching up over a drink, sports fans glued to the TV or worker bees after a long day in the office.
Walk out the back of Balmoral to settle in at a tropical-inspired beer garden, catch the latest match from every angle on the big screen, and enjoy a selection of local and imported ice-cold beer, wine, cider, and spirits alongside a modern menu.
- Location: 901 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: thebalmoral.com.au
16. The Guildford Hotel
We’ve already touched on good parmis, and as the unofficial crème de la crème of a good pub feed we can’t go past giving The Guildford Hotel a big thumbs up for theirs.
A notable mention also goes to their smoked meats and cob loaves. Juicy and straight from an in-house smoker or cheesy-filled bread will always win us over, and they don’t stinge on serving size either. Basically, get your feed here if you’re in the area.
- Location: 159 James St, Guildford
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway, delivery
- Website: theguildfordhotel.com.au
17. The Federal Hotel
Another on the growing list of Freo pub gems, Federal Hotel is always sending out good vibes with live music nights and a huge screen in the beer garden for the footy.
Set in a stunning 19th-century heritage building, you can come in for a traditional Aussie pub feed and stay to the later hours for some cold ones or weekly entertainment like quiz nights, DJs, and wine dinners.
- Location: 23 William St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: federalhotelfreo.com.au
18. 43 Below
Head underground for a warm and intimate pub experience in the heart of the city.
43 Below is a takeover of one of Perth’s oldest bars; The Alhambra, around way back in the 1920s. It’s now a stylish laidback basement hangout with wine, cocktails, and classic pub meals.
- Location: 43 Barrack St, Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, delivery
- Website: 43below.com.au
19. Gosnells Hotel
Originally built in 1907, Gosnells Hotel features all the quirky little things you’d expect to find in an old pub.
Here you’ll find an in-house old tram car with comfy benches, wood railing, two outdoor areas, a sports bar, and a large bistro space perfect for a family pub lunch. The hearty meals will leave you feeling stuffed, and the simple beer on tap options will wash it all down.
- Location: 2149 Albany Hwy, Gosnells
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, drive-through
- Website: gosnellshotel.com.au
20. Albion Hotel
The Albion has earned its place as a Cottesloe legend, given it’s been around since 1890.
Originally a stopover point on the long horse ride from the port city of Fremantle to the business centre of Perth, you can pretty much smell the history radiating off the walls here. They’ve got ceiling fans from New Orleans, Tiffany chandeliers and luxury preserved boardrooms, plus a slightly fancier bistro menu still maintaining the pub feel.
- Location: 535 Stirling Hwy, Cottesloe
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: albioncottesloe.com.au
21. The Parkerville Tavern
We can’t complete our Perth pub list without tipping our hat to this icon out in the hills.
The Parkerville is a family-friendly pub with plenty of old charm, situated in just the right spot to stop in for lunch on a day trip or hang around later on the weekends for some live music. Their casual food menu does the job, and there’s a playground on-site to keep the kids entertained.
- Location: 6 Owen Rd, Parkerville
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: parkervilletavern.com.au
22. Queens Tavern
The Queens has rolled timeless style, good food, old-school service, and great beer all into one.
It’s just outside the CBD in Highgate, and has been doing this pub gig for over a century now- so fair to say, they know what’s up. You’ll find a menu full of local produce, a fully stocked bar, and an open area to look out over the busy street.
- Location: 520 Beaufort St, Highgate
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: thequeens.com.au
23. Rosemount Hotel
Often recognised as Perth’s hub for live music, Rosemount’s reputation for bringing local and international artists to the stage is still going strong.
Bands such as Tame Impala, The Stems, Sarah Blasko, Mudhoney, Meg Mac, Dinosaur Jr, Bernard Fanning and Kitty, and Daisy & Lewis have graced the stage over the years, and you can always find some sort of gig or event for any taste.
- Location: 459 Fitzgerald St, North Perth
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: rosemounthotel.com.au
Feature Image: @theguildfordhotel
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