Bar Lafayette, Perth

With what seems like a new bar or restaurant popping up Perth on a weekly basis, Perth’s dining and drinking scene has gotten a lot more interesting of late. But newbies like the Mechanics Institute, Print Hall and Lalla Rookh are offering more than just novelty – we reckon that the increased competition in the market has had another welcome result: better service. Hey, finally!

Bar Lafayette in Brookfield Place is the newest of the newcomers and sure knows how to make a good first impression. Upon walking through the door, customers are offered a tour of the rabbit warren-like interior comprising a series of sunken rooms, long corridors and dimly lit corners. Staff members are eager to point out the original staircase, one of the few remnants – internally, anyways – of the historical Perth Technical School Building which was renovated for the bar’s use.

Choosing a seat at Bar Lafayette is hard. Should you sink into the vintage velvet settee by the window, perch on a leather stool to watch the action at the bar or nab that plush-looking armchair with its table made of upcycled wooden wine crates? The server patiently awaits your choice before explaining what the bar is all about: a relaxed place serving great cocktails and local wine, alongside a range of finger food.

Ok, so there’s still a bit to do before Bar Lafayette reaches its stride: bare walls to decorate, a kitchen to (finally) open and a music system to iron the glitches out of. But hey, it’s still early days. In the meantime, we tip our hats to Bar Lafayette for nailing what is so challenging for other Perth bars – attentive, bend-backwards service. That alone has won us over!

Great: Fantastic location, wine served out of glass beakers
Not so Great: More of the same upcycled, shabby chic decor we see all over Perth

(Also published in AgendaCity)