By early evening the light off the Indian Ocean has gone soft, and the after-work crowd is settling into bars in the CBD and Northbridge while the first diners drift towards the Cafe Strip in Fremantle. Later, the city's dance floors fill and the queues outside the busiest CBD bars begin to form.
Perth's nightlife is spread across a handful of distinct districts rather than concentrated in one strip, so where you go shapes your evening. It suits people who are happy to move between areas, who like live music and small bars as much as large clubs, and who plan ahead on transport. It is not a city where everything happens on one street.
Where to go out in Perth
1. CBD
The central business district holds a large share of the city's bars, and it is where the after-work crowd gathers. On Friday nights the CBD bars get very busy, and popular venues form long entry lines. Small bars and bistro dining have grown in niche pockets of the CBD; they are typically expensive, so it pays to browse for value before settling in.
It suits an early start to the evening, or a Friday night out when you want plenty of choice within walking distance.
2. Northbridge
Northbridge is one of the main bar and club districts, and it also has an independent cinema, Paradiso, plus a rooftop cinema on top of a multi-storey car park. Club nights and international gigs are held across the city centre, Northbridge and the outer suburbs.
It suits a late night with dancing, and anyone who wants a film before or instead of a bar.
3. Fremantle
Fremantle has many pubs and clubs, and its Cafe Strip is the best-known place in the city for a decent espresso. The area is also known for its markets, including Fremantle Markets, which open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and are an easy eight-minute walk from Fremantle train station.
It suits a full evening out rather than a quick drink, and a slower pace than the city centre.
4. Subiaco and Leederville
Both districts have clusters of independent European-style cafes along their main streets, and both appear among the areas where Perth's bars are concentrated. Subiaco also has many pubs and clubs. Leederville is home to the Luna cinema, which shows local, Bollywood, French and Italian productions, international film festivals and documentaries through the year.
They suit a dinner-and-a-drink evening, or a film followed by a bar nearby.
5. Victoria Park and Mount Lawley
These two areas are named among the districts where most of Perth's bars are found, alongside the CBD, Northbridge, Subiaco, Leederville and Fremantle. Expect a local, neighbourhood feel rather than a concentrated nightlife strip.
They suit an evening close to where you are staying, or a quieter night than Northbridge or the CBD.
6. Live music venues
Perth has an established indie music scene, with venues including Amplifier Bar, Rosemount, Fly By Night, The Rocket Room and Mojos. The Ellington Jazz Club is known for major acts and local jazz in an intimate setting, with sets playing almost every day. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra performs mostly every few weeks at the Perth Concert Hall, while WA Opera and WA Ballet stage several productions a year, most of them at His Majesty's Theatre.
It suits anyone who wants a seated show or a gig as the centrepiece of the night rather than a bar crawl.
7. Clubs and dance music
Perth has a small but strong dance music scene that revolves heavily around drum and bass, and the city is known as the drum 'n' bass capital of the southern hemisphere. Club nights and international gigs take place across the city centre, Northbridge and the outer suburbs; local street press such as Xpress carries gig guides. Between October and March, touring DJs and electronic artists pass through, and there is generally a big-name act at least once a week.
It suits a committed late night. Note that ID policies are strict: bring your passport or an Australian-issued driver's licence or proof of age card, as you are unlikely to be admitted without one even if you clearly look over the legal age.
8. Pubs and small bars
Bars are scattered across the city, with most in the CBD, Northbridge, Subiaco, Leederville, Victoria Park, Mount Lawley and Fremantle. They usually become busy after 5PM with the after-work crowd, though most locals go to bars on Friday and Saturday nights. Most bars open from around 11AM and close at midnight, or 10PM on Sundays, with a few holding extended trading hours to 1AM, 2AM or 3AM.
It suits an early or mid-evening drink, and anyone who prefers conversation to a dance floor.
How a night out unfolds
Bars fill first with the after-work crowd from around 5PM, but the main nights out are Friday and Saturday, when CBD venues in particular get very busy and queues form. Most bars close at midnight, or 10PM on Sunday, with a few trading until 1AM, 2AM or 3AM. Most dance music bars and clubs close at 2AM after Friday and Saturday nights and are subject to police-enforced lockdowns and lockouts, so after 3AM you may find yourself stuck in one place and stranded if you are short on money for a cab. If you want food with your evening, the Twilight Hawkers Markets run Friday nights from 4:30PM to 9:30PM between October and April.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- The Big Day Out Festival — held in early February each year.
- Dance music season — top DJs and electronic artists travel to Perth between October and March.
- Open-air cinema season — summer screenings at Kings Park, Movies by Burswood, Luna Leederville and Mundaring.
- Twilight Hawkers Markets — Friday nights, October to April.
Frequently asked questions
What time do bars and clubs close in Perth?
Most bars open from around 11AM and close at midnight, or 10PM on Sundays, though a few have extended trading hours to 1AM, 2AM or 3AM. Most dance music bars and clubs close at 2AM after Friday and Saturday nights.
Do I need ID to get into clubs in Western Australia?
Yes. Clubs in Western Australia have strict ID policies, and you are unlikely to be admitted without your passport or an ID issued in Australia by a government agency, such as an Australian driver's licence or proof of age card, even if you clearly look over the legal age.
Which nights are busiest?
Friday and Saturday nights. Bars become busy after 5PM with the after-work crowd, but most locals go to bars on Friday and Saturday, and CBD bars in particular get very busy on Friday nights.
Where can I hear live music?
Perth's indie scene plays at established venues such as Amplifier Bar, Rosemount, Fly By Night, The Rocket Room and Mojos. For jazz, the Ellington Jazz Club hosts major acts and local performers in an intimate setting, with sets almost every day.
Decide which district suits the night you want, check how you will get home afterwards, and plan your evening around it.