However you spell it, whisk(e)y bars are becoming increasingly popular, with many having opened in Perth’s CBD over the past few years. If you’ve had a long, busy day at work or want to go for a late night drink on the weekend, these five impressive whiskey joints are worth hunting down.
Helvetica Bar
Helvetica offers a first-class selection of up to 500 types of whiskies sourced from around the world. Not all options may be available on their huge menu (there are nine pages on Scottish whiskies) so make sure to ask the bartender what’s hiding behind the bar.
Helvetica also offers a unique Bottlekeep service, where customers can purchase a bottle of choice and staff will store it in a whiskey cabinet for their next visit.
Alabama Song
Swing open the saloon doors and enter Alabama Song for a glimpse into Southern America. Offering a wide selection of bourbon and whiskey as well as original, whiskey-based, cocktails. Try their Whiskey Flights tasting menu which features three selections of favourite American drinks.
Whiskey not enough? Have an American feast with cheeseburgers, loaded fries, and fried chicken while enjoying live music on a Friday and Saturday. And don't miss their 50c wings available on Wednesdays and Sundays!
Varnish on King
Beneath King Street hides Varnish, the home of American and Canadian Whiskey in Perth. Along with great whiskey and numerous small bar and hospitality awards under its belt, Varnish feature an eclectic American-Australian fusion, celebrating classic meals from both. Try their famous Bacon Flight, where you can try four different style of bacon paired with four styles of whiskey.
Old Faithful Bar and BBQ
Old Faithful are experts at American BBQ, cooking their meals for hours and hours with a rich, smoky, spiced flavour. Although people may come for the food, this bar has also an extensive whiskey menu.
Look on the extremely detailed spirits menu for whisk(e)ys from across the world including an entire selection from Japan. If you know absolutely nothing about whiskey they have bartenders that are happy to answer any questions.
The team have recently opened up a second venue in Fremantle, located in the basement of a historic building on Pakenham Street. With a slightly moodier vibe that comes from being in a basement, Old Faithful Fremantle offers up everything we love from the OG Old Faithful on King Street, with lots of awesome bourbons and scotch whiskeys to explore plus 32 beer taps.
Goody Two's
Steering away from the classic American whiskey theme is Goody Two’s. They are Perth’s first Japanese whiskey bar stocking more than 100 Japanese whiskies and serving authentic izakaya Japanese cuisine. Taking inspiration from the Japanese ‘after work culture’, live music is played into the early hours of the morning.