Tannic Teeth

Here is another small bar that’s proudly Perth. Melbournites, I know you rule the roost for the Small Bar scene, but c’mon you have many more little laneways to play in. We make do with what we have, and if it’s the law chamber of an old Anglo-Dutch building, that suits us just fine.

Andaluz is one of those contemporary tapas bars. Offering a variety of tasty morsels from slow cooked rabbit and chorizo with lentils and pearl barley, to oysters with smoked tomato and Tabasco sorbet. I would still be a purist and order a fino sherry but then again I’d be temped by the international wine list or the menacing shelves of spirits on display.

The bar’s entrance is open and clean. Clever use of mirrors spawn an illusionary space that reflects the plush leather sofas beyond. Dim lighting, shadow streaked corners calling for private chit-chats are the order of the day. Break out your Romance languages and you’ll

feel right at home – though you might want to rely on ‘The Britanica’ on shelf to settle any linguistic disputes. The overall bar is, well, small. Conscientious interior design breaks up what would be a crowded bar into something mediated and tempered.

You would think the basement of a Federation-era building would hardly be the place for a Tapas Bar. But then again, you would be wrong.

Opening Hours

Noon – Midnight Monday to Thursday

Noon – 1am Friday

6pm – 1am Saturday

Basement Level, 21 Howard St, Perth CBD.

Bar hop to Helvetica when your tummy is full.

It’s one of those uber cool city bars where you’re going to have to stroll down a dark and dingy alleyway to find. Don’t ask me what I was doing down a dark and dingy alleyway to stumble across a small bar but it was worth it. OK I confess I was photographing a fellow small bar Andaluz (review coming soon) and the staff kindly showed me how to get there. The place is named after a font. Helvetica.

If first impressions count, then the entrance of Helvetica insists you have done your research. Or least have someone ‘in the know’ drag you along. It’s another city drinking establishment with a Small Bar license which means it caters to less than 100 people, and tea teetotals after twelve (extended permit for Helvetica pending).

This retro-urbaneqsue setup has an interesting beverage listing with a focus on Whisk(e)y. One may be inclined to call it a quasi-whisk(e)y bar. After all, clients may purchase bottles and have them shelved for storage, and staff will serve you from your (own) bottle every week with no extra cost. Cocktails, wine and beer form the usually holy trinity. There is a simple but good snack menu on offer. Anything more of in the way of culinary offerings is a case of watch this space.

So if the thought of queueing up next to bins and graffiti in your Sunday best on a Saturday night doesn’t dissuade you, give this place a go. The experience makes you appreciate the interior and a fine single malt a whole lot more.

Very cool. I like. I like.

Helvetica. 101 St Georges Tce (at rear and kinda off  Howard St) Perth, CBD.

Opening Hours

Sun, Mon, Tue by reservation

Wed/Thursday 3-12

Friday 12-12 (1am trading permit pending)

Saturday 4-12 (1am trading permit pending)

Sniff around Andaluz and you’ll find it.

For all the council development going on along William St, Northbridge, you’d hope some of the businesses would follow suit. This has happened on an interesting strip of shops, number 399 to be precise. It’s a small bar, cafe, diner eatery thingy which is hard to describe exactly. Call it what you will, the bottom line is it works. Utilising a limited menu (a kind of eat it or starve philosophy), you’ll eat the food – trust me. It works because they change the menu daily and the food is by default, always fresh. The wine list is limited but still well selected. Mulled wine on a winters day? I needed no convincing.

The third shop front next to a Vietnamese Noodle house and another cafe. Decked out in a baroque cum-rustic charm with delicious use of South West timber, Marri if I’m not mistaken. There is a charming little back courtyard complete with solid timber benches and plush cushions. Pull up a chair to the bar, or cozy up in a booth big enough for 6. It’s right in the Asian heart of Northbridge, with the good Yum-Cha scenes a stones throw away. Cafe during the day, small bar at night. Not that you’ll be craving Yum-Cha after a bacon and egg roll and Bloody Mary special ($15) on Sunday. Bloody ripper.

Bar 399. 399 William St, Northbridge.

Mon – Fri 8am to midnight Sat 10am to midnight Sun 10am to 10pm

Find the graffiti art mural and you’re there.