Why You Should Fly to Perth This Long Weekend

The long weekend is a gift, conferred only when the stars (and festivals) align. What you do with a gift? We say treat yourself - with a party in Perth. We’ve collated a list of the best and the brightest in the cafe, bar, and nightlife scene to get your good vibes going after a long week in the office. Leave your troubles and your work behind, and pack your bags - it’s time to live your best life this long weekend, courtesy of CheapTickets.sg!

Cafes

Whether you’re looking to be a king or a queen for the weekend, royalty needs to eat, and eat well. When we’re talking about brunch fit for kings and queens in Perth, we’ve a few great places in mind.

Petition Kitchen

An oasis in the CBD desert, Petition Kitchen serves breakfast and dinner options out of Cathedral Sqaure. Located in the corner of St. George’s Terrace and Barrack Street, the restaurant sits beside what used to the State Buildings, which were only recently rehashed after decades of disuse. Head chef Sean Bentley is not one to stay within the boundaries of safe cuisine, serving up interesting combinations that surprise the eye, yet excite the palate.

Get Ya Fix

Bikes, bagels, and coffee - a bemusing combination, but one that has worked to a tee for this outfit. Get Ya Fix, a bike shop-cafe, offers a one-stop option for cycle-friendly locals. After gaping at the pristine bikes on display and for sale, sit down to a selection of locally-sourced beans (served in locally-sourced cups) and freshly-made bagels, complete with an endless combination of fillings. Owners Kevin and Aaron, who built the store up from scratch, have made it their priority to bring small businesses in Perth to the forefront.

Billy van Creamy

Well loved in Melbourne, Billy van Creamy has come home to Perth. Started out of a van by Perth natives Alex and Mitch Wells, the ice cream joint makes homemade chilly treats (‘the creamiest and thickest ice-cream going around’) from scratch daily, and comes up with quite the array of flavours. Think Parmesan Cheese, Sicilian granita, and their fan favorite Honeycomb Caramel. Vegan friends don’t have to sit this one out as well - the joint recently released a vegan range of tubs for retail, and keep vegan options in stock daily as well. Inclusivity has never been sweeter.

Bars

What’s a night out without a proper kickback with friends? Perth’s constantly evolving bar scene has built a great environment for new entrants to spring up, while cult staples change things up, mixing tradition and innovation. Here are a few of our favorites.

Laneway Lounge

Finding this watering hole will not be easy - it’s tucked into a dark alleyway off Murray Street opposite Shafto Lane. Succeed, however, and you will be teleported into the set of a Victorian era epic, with a live jazz band rounding off the show with an eclectic (albeit historically mismatched) soundtrack. First and foremost a bar, The Laneway Lounge prides itself on owning one of the most extensive gin and bourbon collections in Australia. If you get snacky, an extensive tapas menu will keep you satiated, and there’s a live dancing room for your happy feet.

Palace Arcade

Palace Arcade is, simply put, an arcade for adult-sized kids. If you grew up with old-school classics like Space Invaders, Time Crisis and Street Fighter 2, this place will keep you glued to the cabinets the same way we all were years ago. If these names mean nothing to you, no matter - Palace Arcade is headed by local bartenders-cum-cult heroes Tom Kearney and Mitch Gurrin, who promise quality cocktails, good whiskey, and a tipsy good evening. Oh, and there’s pizza.

Tiny's

The newest brainchild of Mary Street Bakery founders Paul Aron and Michael Forde, Tiny’s isn’t just a bar - it’s also a restaurant and a liquor store. While the restaurant offers a mouth-watering fusion of southern Europe and Asian favorites, it’s their drinks menu that puts them on this list. Adjusted season on season, the curated selection of wines from various parts of Australia and Europe will satisfy even the most discerning connoisseur. If you’re looking to bring a bottle home, Tiny’s Liquor Emporium is at your service, also offering free corkage if you’re having a meal along with your tipple.

Nightclubs

If you’re looking to run the night or get hooked up to the underground rave scene, Perth doesn’t just have a party industry - it’s flourishing. Australia has produced some incredible mainstream electronic acts like Flume, Dirty South, and Havana Brown, and the scene shows no signs of slowing down. Get in the action while you can - we’ll show you where the party’s at.

Air Nightclub

For the electronic music lovers, Air Nightclub is the place to be. The club, located along James Street, takes its branding very seriously, with a premises designed with the aviatic concept in mind. It even refers to its service crew as ‘flight attendants’. If the ambience isn’t enough to get you sky high, maybe their concoctions will - try Olivia’s cocktail, an exclusive made by the drink’s namesake herself, and Death March, a spicy tabasco liqueur shot. Do note that security can turn partygoers away if they are deemed to be dressed “too casually”, so stray on the safe side of vagueness and dress to impress.

Mint Nightclub

Run by the same people who brought you Air Nightclub, this nightspot only has one thing in mind - to be the most recognized retro party spot in Perth. Friday nights at Mint Nightclub are reserved for the smash hits of yesteryear, with the occasional event to commemorate culture icons who have shaped the essence of music we know and miss today. They aren’t as strict on the dress code, but remember to have covered shoes on - and dust off your 80s best!

Connections Nightclub

Every party scene is not complete without a place for the colorful LGBT community to congregate and make merry, and Connections Nightclub happens to be the most popular one in Perth. The main room will keep the latest electronic beats playing, and there is an outdoor terrace if you’re looking to make conversation beside the glorious Perth nightscape. Featuring the best DJs in town and the loudest drag queens, there is no enforced dress code - just be respectful and treat everyone as you would a friend!

Not all of Australia switches off at night - night lights and good vibes light up the city of Perth if you know where to look. Can’t wait to undiscover more secrets to Australia? Book your next cheap flight with us at CheapTickets.sg and enjoy instant $20 flight discount when you enter the code: VISITWA.

This article is supported by Western Australia. Find out more on the things to do and places to see at Western Australia site.