Nightlife · Perth · Australia
Perth nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Perth, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Northbridge is Perth's main nightlife district, while Leederville, Mount Lawley and Fremantle offer pubs, small bars and live music in more relaxed settings. The main areas are Northbridge, Fremantle, Leederville and Mount Lawley and CBD laneways.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Northbridge
- Local drink
- Margaret River and Swan Valley wine
Where to go out
Northbridge
Clubs, bars and late-night eateries around William Street, James Street and the Perth Cultural Centre.
Fremantle
Historic pubs, breweries and live-music venues around South Terrace and the harbour.
Leederville and Mount Lawley
Small bars, pubs and live-music venues along Oxford Street and Beaufort Street.
CBD laneways
Hidden cocktail bars in laneways around King Street and Wolf Lane.
Nightlife tips
- Carry photo ID; late-night venues check it carefully.
- Check the last train times on weekend nights, and use ride-hail ranks in Northbridge late at night.
Evening sights
Waterfront · Perth CBD
Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower
Climb the Bell Tower for river views, then catch the ferry across to South Perth for the skyline from the other side.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Views
- Kids
Architecture · East Perth
Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium
Walk across at sunset, or catch an AFL match at the stadium between March and September.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Views
What to drink
- Margaret River and Swan Valley wine — Margaret River is known for cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, while the warmer Swan Valley, closer to Perth, produces fortified wines, chenin blanc and verdelho.
- Fremantle craft beer — Fremantle helped launch Australia's craft-beer scene, and its brewpubs pour pale ales and lagers beside the harbour.
- Flat white — Perth's cafés pour espresso as carefully as any Australian city; the flat white is the standard order.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. February has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 19:26 | 18°C (64°F) | 1 |
| April | About 17:56 | 14°C (57°F) | 5 |
| July | About 17:30 | 8°C (46°F) | 14 |
| October | About 18:28 | 11°C (52°F) | 7 |
Getting home late
- Bus — Travel within the CBD's Free Transit Zone is free on buses and between central train stations.
- Ferry — Transperth ferries cross the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street in South Perth in about ten minutes; separate private ferries run to Rottnest Island.
Late-night bites
- Fish and chips at Fremantle — Fish-and-chip shops on the Fishing Boat Harbour boardwalk in Fremantle.
Staying safe at night
Perth is generally safe for visitors. The main hazards are extreme summer heat, strong UV, rips at surf beaches and sharks; swim at patrolled beaches and check SharkSmart alerts. Northbridge can be rowdy late on weekend nights.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire and ambulance); 112 from mobiles
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Northbridge
Across the railway from the CBD, Northbridge holds the Perth Cultural Centre — WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the State Library — alongside the city's densest concentration of bars, clubs and inexpensive Asian restaurants around William and James streets. It has hostels and mid-range hotels.
- Good
- Liveliest nightlife and cheap eats; Museums on the doorstep; Short walk to the CBD
- Watch out
- Noisy and rowdy late on weekend nights; Some streets feel gritty
- Nearby
- WA Museum Boola Bardip, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth station
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Perth?
Northbridge, Fremantle and Leederville and Mount Lawley. Clubs, bars and late-night eateries around William Street, James Street and the Perth Cultural Centre.
+Which area of Perth is best for nightlife?
Northbridge: Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway.