This piece was written for StylehunterMAN.com.au.

Small bars come naturally to our eastern states friends but in the past Perth was a little behind the eight ball. There is no need to fear though as things are changing and have been for some time now. New bars and eateries have been popping up in and around the Perth CBD offering some quality food and drink which makes it difficult to make a decision on your after-hours watering hole. Right now it is less of “where do we go?” and more of “where doesn’t have a line?”

Over the horseshoe bridge we find ourselves in the heart of Northbridge, and the crew from Flipside burger bars have made a solid effort at creating a bar that will make you want to gather your group of friends and drink beers until the sun goes down. I am not sure if they meant it, but when you walk onto the rooftop bar it does feel very “Melbourne” – exposed brick, wooden floors, metal tubing and a moose head on the wall kind of transports you to the east coast. In saying this though, you quickly realise you’re in Perth once you place your order as the bar staff are as friendly as they come. Tiger Larger and Monteith’s Cider are on tap and the cocktails get changed up every night. You can order yourself a “Reach Around”, a “Hillbilly Bobs’ Ruckus Juice” or if you are in the mood for a “Hand Shandy” you can order one of those too.

As you look around it seems as if a lot of thought went into making this small bar as good as it could be. The staff are a well-travelled lot and all of them have a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry. So no matter who makes your drink of choice, you know it is going to be a good one. Team this up with the fact that you can order a Flipside burger and chips directly from the bar and it looks as though this place could easily become your regular.

Open: Tuesday-Sunday from Midday

Where: Rear, 222 William St, Northbridge (entry from rear alley)

http://www.mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au/

(images: by Dion Robeson)