12 Best Bars In Fremantle | Australian Traveller

If you’ve got a West Coast holiday on your bucket list, be sure to carve out time for a Fremantle bar crawl (or two).

This historic port town dances to its own free-spirited rhythm, with a diverse, captivating and creative community. So it’s little surprise that it’s home to a treasure trove of interesting bars. From intimate gin lounges creating custom G&T’s for each customer, to Chilean-inspired cocktail bars tucked down alleyways, Fremantle has something for every taste. Here are 12 of our favourite bars in Fremantle.

1. Gimlet

Best for: An intimate date.

Situated within the historical Warders Hotel , Gimlet’s square meterage is tiny (about 10 people max) but its gin selection certainly is not.

There’s no menu, simply tell the friendly mixologist behind the bar what sort of botanicals and flavours you like in your gin, sample a few on the nose, and they’ll expertly craft you your own custom G&T.

Address: 19 Henderson Street, Fremantle

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 7am – 10pm; Fri & Sat 7am – 11pm

2. H&C Urban Winery

Best for: Drinks and snacks with friends.

The only fully operational winery in the metro area, H&C has partnered with top WA winemakers to create an impressive wine list that it serves in its verdant and lively venue. And in true winery style, you can perch yourself at the bar and try a few before you make your choice.

the bar interior of H&C Urban Winery filled with plants — Settle into the lush and relaxed atmosphere at H&C Urban Winery.

Wine novice? Never fear. The menu has categories to help you decipher what you might enjoy e.g. ‘Bright & Clean’, ‘Juicy & Pulpy’, or ‘Bold & Wild’.

the crowded bar of H&C Urban Winery in Fremantle — H&C Urban Winery is a go-to spot for wine lovers.

Address: 181 High St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm – 10pm; Fri & Sat 12pm – 12am

3. Wild in the Street

Best for: Cocktails and snacks with friends.

This almost-hidden, blink-and-you-might-miss-it cocktail bar is tucked between a pizzeria and a hotdog shop. Accessed through an alleyway, it opens out into a groovy Chilean-Mediterranean-inspired space serving share plates from the woodfire and seasonal cocktails inspired by the produce in Fremantle.

bottles of spirits on display at Wild in the Street bar in Fremantle — Pick your poison.

Order the Pepperberry Pisco, a local take on the traditional pisco sour with native WA pepperberries.

the bar interior of Wild in the Street — Hit pause on everyday hustle and order a drink or two at Wild in the Street.

Address: 2/388 South Terrace, Fremantle

Opening hours: Wed & Thurs 5pm – 11pm; Fri-Sun 4pm – 11pm

4. Mr Chapple

Best for: Intimate wine dates.

This crafty little bar has a rustic and warm inside bar featuring exposed brick and rich wooden decor as well as a rooftop terrace overlooking the cappuccino strip.

people lining up at the well-lit bar counter of Mr Chapple, Fremantle — Make a beeline for the rustic and warm inside bar at Mr Chapple.

Our favourite part is the rotating wine list, curated monthly by the experts at nearby Old Bridge Cellars – one of Perth’s most-esteemed wine stores.

brunch favourites and coffee on the table at Mr Chapple, Fremantle — Take a bite out of this crafty little bar.

Each month, the Old Bridge aficionados pick a dozen of their top drops to be served at Mr Chapple for the month ahead.

the rustic and wooden dining interior of Mr Chapple — Head to Mr Chapple for brunch and pull up one of the wooden chairs.

Address: 92 South Terrace, Fremantle

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8am – 11pm; Fri-Sun 8am – 1am

5. The Flaming Galah

Best for: Quirky cocktails in an inclusive setting.

Fremantle’s first queer bar brings welcoming vibes and a lot of sparkle to Freo.

people dining outside Flaming Galah bar in Fremantle — Pop by The Flaming Galah for a sundowner.

With bright green and white tiling, pink walls adorned with photos of same-sex couples and a bar made entirely out of glitter, it’s worth a trip purely for the decor itself.

a look inside The Flaming Galah bar in Fremantle full of people — Fremantle’s first queer bar is often full house.

But the cocktails happen to be outstanding (and fun) as well. We recommend the Splice Splice Baby, which is coconut rum, spiced rum, watermelon, and pineapple juice.

a glass of cocktail at The Flaming Galah — The Flaming Galah is the perfect spot for the right drink.

Address: 19B Essex Street, Walyalup / Fremantle

Opening hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs 4pm – 11pm; Fri 2pm – 12am; Sat 12pm – 12am; Sun 12pm – 10pm

6. Whisper Wine Bar

Best for: Oenophiles and Francophiles

Perhaps the best-kept secret in Fremantle. Whisper Wine Bar was started by a former Parisian who wanted to bring a little taste of France to Freo. The bar is decidedly French, from the rose-cladded balconies on the bar’s second story, to the food menu that consists of baguette, soft cheese and cured meats.

Cheese board at Whisper Wine Bar in Fremantle, WA — Go for the drinks, stay for the charcuterie.

Address: 1/15 Essex St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Thurs 3.30 – 10pm; Fri & Sat 12 – 10pm; Sun 12 – 9.30pm

7. Jetty Bar & Eats

Best for: A sunny afternoon aperitivo (with your dog)

This riverside venue might look like just a shed from the outside, but inside you’ll find a sharply-designed Mediterranean-inspired space with a uniquely European-flavoured wine list.

the riverside Jetty Bar & Eats perched on the water in Fremantle — Dine by the serene river at Jetty Bar & Eats.

Order the Jetty Aperol Spritz and enjoy the view of the Swan River.

the entrance of Jetty Bar & Eats in Fremantle — Wine in the sun on the charming riverside dining of Jetty Bar & Eats.

Address: 136 Beach Street, Fremantle

Opening hours: Wed, Thurs, Sun 11.30am – 9pm; Fri & Sat 11.20am – 11pm

8. Republic of Fremantle

Best for: Gin lovers.

Republic of Fremantle is an urban distillery in the heart of Fremantle’s west end. Not only do they craft their aromatic gin onsite, they also serve it at their distillery bar and kitchen. Take a seat in the cosy ambience of the Distillery Bar or take in the sunshine Parklet.

Address: 3 Pakenham St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Mon & Tues 11am – 6pm; Wed-Sun 11am – 12am

9. Strange Company

Best for: Wine lovers and small-bar enthusiasts.

One of the best small bars in Perth, Strange Company is a sharp and sophisticated spot for an evening drink – if the mood lighting doesn’t lure you in, the remarkably extensive wine list certainly will.

Address: 5 Nairn St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm – 12am; Fri-Sun 12pm – 12am

10. Ronnie Nights

Best for: A late-night drink and dance.

This small bar has nailed effortless cool with its retro decor (including vintage TV sets), dim mood lighting and a revolving door of live music acts. The cocktail specials are music-themed, too – try the Sgt. Pepper, ginger-infused vodka with agave and grapefruit.

people sitting inside a dimly bar at Ronnie Nights — Sit inside the dimly lit bar with a cold pint in hand.

Address: 75/77 Market St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 4pm – 12am

11. Honky Tonk Blues

Best for: Country vibes and live music.

Honky Tonk serves up good old-fashioned Southern hospitality in its American-themed bar.

a girl wearing a Mexican hat at the bar counter of Honky Tonk — Honky Tonk is a funky and quirky saloon-style bar in Fremantle.

Sip on whiskey, order 50-cent wings and boot-scoot with friends to the sounds of their house band, The Honky Tonk Heroes.

a hand holding a green drink against a Texas sign at Honky Tonk — Kick it off with a drink of your choice.

Address: 81 High St, Fremantle

Opening hours: Sun & Mon 6pm – 12am; Wed-Sat 6pm – 1am

12. Mrs Brown Bar

Best for: Wine and cheese with a date.

This North Freo institution is an ode to Queen Victoria, and feels very regal indeed with its vintage bell lampshades, retro floral wallpaper and comfy Sheffield couches. In winter you cosy up by the fire with a wine and cheese platter, and in summer head out the back to the leafy courtyard.

Address: 241 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 4.30pm – 10pm; Fri & Sat 12pm – 12am; Sun 12pm – 10pm

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out our guide to the best Fremantle airbnbs.

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

12 of the best bars in Fremantle you need to visit