A gun bartender and an accomplished chef opened a neighbourhood wine bar with a British spin in Bassendean, and locals lived – and drank and ate – happily ever after.
With Bertie’s 15 or so by-the-glass pours, wine drinkers have plenty of territory to explore. Maybe open proceedings with refreshing Italian prosecco before moving on to some aged riesling from Victoria’s High Country or chilled sangiovese. Or perhaps ask to see the (well-priced) bottle list and do your own thing.
Like we were saying, James knows his way around a cocktail shaker and it shows, not least in the classics given smart, subtle tweaks. Curry leaves give the Bombay Tommy’s Margarita a fragrant lift, while the pineapple-infused Negroni introduces some tropical richness to the classic apéritif.
The beer range stars both well-known names and emerging brands. Nail Brewing, an early WA craft-beer pioneer that also calls Bassendean home, is a permanent fixture on the menu.
Bertie is an all-rounder capable of handling any social situation, from after-work drinks to dinner on the weekend with buddies. Heck, you don’t even need to like wine to have a good time here. While everyone is welcome, most of the room is configured for couples and groups of four, so it’s a good idea to book ahead for a large group. But even if you’re visiting solo, you’ll still have a beaut time. Park up at the bar and enjoy a close-up view of a modern-day local doing things right.
