NOW EXPERIENCING:Bar Love
Monday: Closed
Phone
No phone
Website
barlove.com.au
Instagram
@barlovebar

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 20 Jan 2025

By
Max Veenhuyzen


Patrons enjoying Bar Love in Perth

Maximalist ’70s design plus playful cocktails mixed by career bartenders add up to a high-energy local watering hole any neighbourhood would love to call its own.

The entrance to Bar Love, Perth
Why you goIn the immortal (paraphrased) words of Eurodance poet laureate Haddaway, “What is Bar Love?” Short answer: Bar Love is a neighbourhood bar at the quieter, non-nightclub end of Northbridge co-owned by career bartenders Pippa Canavan and Murray Walsh. In a previous life, the pair were joint bar managers of influential Perth cocktail landmark Mechanics Institute, so it should come as little surprise that mixed drinks are the bar’s strength. But while staff are all-in when it comes to cocktail culture, Bar Love is no self-conscious, reverential museum of mixology. Instead, its default settings are “jovial” and “lively”– just like the bubbly, maximalist room awash with bold colours, upcycled furnishings and trinkets from yesteryear.
Why you stayWhile tables and chairs scattered along the footpath are great for people-watching and soaking up some late-afternoon sun, the best seats are inside. Here you’ll find walls brightened with pastel-pink paint, a playlist overflowing with uptempo ’70s and ’80s tunes, and mini disco balls hanging in the bathroom. You’ll also spy couples and small groups having a blast, whether they’ve found a nook to make their own – that ledge against the wall, say, or the coffee table ringed by green poufs – or pulled up a stool at the hand-built jarrah bar. It’s an atmosphere best described as ‘house party’, albeit a house party thrown by chatty hosts who understand the ins and outs of hospitality and serving good drinks.
The bar and fun colour scheme at Bar Love, Perth
Wide range of cocktails served at Bar Love, Perth
What drink to orderRemember, it’s not the size of the cocktail menu that matters, but what you do with it. In Bar Love’s case, this means using sure-footed techniques and playful thinking to dream up footloose house creations. Sometimes the change-up is as simple as adding passionfruit to a Cosmo: say hi to the Silly Goose, named for the Grey Goose vodka powering this modern classic popularised by Sex and the City. The Peaches & Cream Negroni, meanwhile, is sweetened with peach syrup and rendered crystal-clear via milk-punch clarification. A concise wine list includes both classic and new-wave styles, while two of the four beer taps are set aside for brews from beloved Busselton-based Shelter Brewing Co.
What to eatPart of being a good neighbourhood bar involves making friends with the people around you. So, when you open next to modern African restaurant Peasants Paradice, it makes sense to let your neighbour look after the cooking. Especially when said neighbour’s repertoire includes turmeric-powered fish rillettes, taro and leek pies with a coconut curry sauce, and other big-hitting small plates that showcase the diversity – not to mention vegetarian-friendliness – of African food. Toasties are on hand for late-night revellers and served right until closing time.
Who to takeConsidering its name, Bar Love’s fate as a date-night spot was pretty much preordained before its (hand-painted) doors opened. Thankfully, its service, decor and drinks offering are all conducive to quality couple time. Of course, the bar also works for non-romantic catch-ups. Maybe you and your pal want an aperitif or after-dinner drink. Maybe your crew is enjoying a civilised roving evening taking in the sights of William Street’s top end (Wines of WhileMargot’s and Vincent are all nearby). Or maybe you’re a hospitality worker chasing somewhere to have a knock-off drink in the safe company of other chefs, bartenders and waiters. Step this way. Bar Love makes many worlds go round.
Some of the dishes to be enjoyed at Bar Love in Perth
image credits: Ryan Ng, Danica Zucks