10 Things to Do in Perth at Night

As night falls, the city of Perth lights up and the nightly shows under the stars begin. Here is a list of the best plans!

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Perth at Night

Perth | Bryce Walker

One of the best things to do in Perth is to enjoy a night tour. The city offers a different perspective after dark, offering many of the best bars and nightclubs in Northern Australia.

If you are looking for quiet plans you can dine on a dinner cruise, take a tour of the Central Business District or visit the Gravity Discovery Centre. On the other hand, if you prefer to party until dawn, I suggest you take advantage of jazz shows and themed events at nightclubs.

1. Enjoy a dinner cruise on Perth's Swan River

Night Cruises| ©maq
Night Cruises| ©maq

Among the best cruises in Perth, an evening cruise on the Swan River is an ideal plan to relax or enjoy a romantic getaway. On board the boat you can taste the culinary offerings of the buffet, which are varied and are accompanied by wine or Australian beer.

It is an activity that usually includes live music, so you will spend a pleasant evening, while enjoying the night lighting of Perth. Some of the sites you will see illuminated are the Central Park Building, St Georges Terrace and Kings Park.

Details of interest: You can find this experience from 100 € per person. In the surrounding area there are many iconic attractions, so I recommend you to be alert so you don't miss any detail.

Book a cruise on the Swan River

2. Discover the best bars in Perth

Bar in Perth| ©Ewan Munro
Bar in Perth| ©Ewan Munro

Perth is known for its lively nightlife, which offers a variety of bars, clubs, pubs and distilleries. If you are a night owl and are looking for plans during your stay, I suggest taking a guided tour of the best local bars. It is one of the best tours in Perth, you can't miss it.

It's the perfect opportunity to see modern pubs, historic pubs that have been refurbished, and some other local favorites. It is definitely a very complete adventure, which will allow you to interact with people of other nationalities and taste the drinks produced in the region.

If you opt for a tour you will be accompanied by a local guide. The tour usually includes up to two drinks per person. The cost starts at 43 € per person. If you prefer to go out on your own, here are the best bars in town!

Must Winebar

Must Winebar is a very popular bar and wine bar in Perth, its atmosphere is elegant, with a cozy touch. It is characterized because the menu offers food from the province, as well as a special selection of the best wines.

It is located on Beaufort Street, specifically in the Royal building, which was built in the twenties and was restored respecting its essence. It is a very busy place, where special activities are held at Christmas time.

Details of interest: it is an ideal place to share with the family and relax, but you should keep in mind that it closes early, even on weekends. If you are looking for an atmosphere to dance and stay until the wee hours of the morning, I recommend you to look for other options.

Perth Aviary

The Perth Aviary is a space located on William Street, ideal for the best views of the Central Business District.

The venue offers live entertainment, an outdoor rooftop bar and photo-worthy areas decorated with colorful furniture. Weekend hours are extended, so it's ideal for dining out with friends. Note that the dress code is smart casual.

Monday through Thursday you can book online for dinner under the stars. On Fridays and Saturdays you can come and experience the nightlife without a reservation.

Traveller Tip

If you are driving and looking for parking in the surrounding area, you can check out the City of Perth Parking website. Here you can find free parking for up to three hours, as well as affordable or free options after 6:00 p.m.

Connections

Connections is a gay bar that brings together the best in nightlife entertainment. It has been in business since 1972 and is located on James Street. I recommend you to go there as they offer live music, DJs, a lively dance floor and rooftop shows.

Details of interest: The entrance fee is around 24 €. Additionally, it is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 8:00 p.m. until dawn.

Geisha Bar

If you are looking for the best late night parties in Perth, you have to stop by Geisha Bar, located in the heart of Northbridge. It's a venue famous for its Halloween parties during the month of October.

Its small spaces create a bouncy sound effect. It is inspired by the old clubs, which were small and private.

Details of interest: on weekends it is open until dawn, so it is the perfect choice for partying in Perth.

Book a pub crawl in Perth

3. Visit the Gravity Observatory and Discovery Centre

Perth Observatory| ©Rob Coates
Perth Observatory| ©Rob Coates

If you want to learn about astronomy, you have to make a stop to see the most important science education center in Perth. It is also a place where Aboriginal culture is studied, so it has a very interesting historical heritage.

During the night tour of the Gravity Discovery Center located in the Gravity Precinct, you can sign up for several activities:

  • Guided night tour: to explore the secrets of the cosmos, guided by astronomers. The tour lasts approximately two hours.
  • Night astronomy: you will be able to observe stars, while receiving comments from an expert astronomer of the region. Ideal if you are planning things to do in Perth with children.
  • The life cycle of the stars: you can find out all about the evolution of stars, from birth to death.

At Gravity Precincts you can also visit the GDC Gingin Observatory, where you can experience a night under the stars. It is ideal for observing planets, galaxies and nebulae, while learning their history narrated by astronomers. This observatory is equipped with a retractable roof, high-end telescopes and a souvenir store. Night tours are available Friday through Sunday until 8:00 p.m.

Details of interest: you can access the discovery center and the observatory without queuing, starting at 16 € per person.

Buy tickets for Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory in Perth

4. Tour Northbridge, Perth's liveliest neighborhood

Northbridge| ©Alex Pecoraro
Northbridge| ©Alex Pecoraro

Northbridge is Perth's liveliest neighborhood, located north of the Central Business District. It has a wide range of cultural activities, for example in the evenings you can visit the vintage stores on William Street. It is an essential stop among the best tours of Perth.

The nightlife is pleasant and it is easy to get around, as traffic is moderate. Until midnight different transport lines operate, which facilitate mobility in the area.

It has gastronomic areas, museums, theaters, cocktail lounges and exclusive nightclubs. In addition, in the streets there are artistic shows, which are usually free.

One of the most popular places to visit is the State Theater Center, a very important theater complex in the city. Here you can visit the Heath Ledger Hall, honoring the memory of the Perth-born actor.

Details of interest: it is centrally located, so it is one of the best areas to stay in Perth.

Book a tour of Perth

5. Explore the Scarborough Beach Night Market

Scarborough Beach at night| ©Corey Hamilton
Scarborough Beach at night| ©Corey Hamilton

Every Thursday from November to April you can enjoy a gastronomic experience at the Scarborough Night Market. There is a variety of food stalls, which offer proposals from different countries.

If you travel from May to October, you can take advantage of the gastronomic exhibitions on Saturdays. It takes place in the evening, it is ideal to approach after a tour of Scarborough Beach.

Details of interest: it runs until 9:00 p.m. and access is completely free.

6. Dinner on the Hillarys Boat Harbour sightseeing promenade

Hillarys Boat Harbour| ©Rckr88
Hillarys Boat Harbour| ©Rckr88

Hillarys Boat Harbour is a marina, whose evening activities are very interesting.

Some of the best cruises in Perth leave from here, for example between May and November you can go whale watching.

During your vacations in North Australia, I suggest you to sign up for a dinner at this touristic promenade. It is an ideal plan if you are looking for activities to do with children in Perth. The most popular places to dine are:

  • The Breakwater: it is an ideal place to have a drink, enjoy the local cuisine or socialize until midnight. From here you can enjoy the best views of the beach.
  • Dôme Café: it is a great option if you want to return to Perth early, since it works until approximately 9:00 p.m. It offers a variety of food and drinks at a good price.

Details of interest: It is located twenty minutes from Perth, the fastest way to get there is by car. You can also get there using the 423 and 388 bus lines, for about 3 €.

Join a Whale Watching Cruise

7. Stargaze in the open air courtyard at Clarences

Evening in Perth| ©VladPix
Evening in Perth| ©VladPix

Clarences is a bar and restaurant located on Beaufort Street, which has a picturesque patio where you can dine under the stars. Its décor is inspired by European clubs, has cubicles with leather seating and dim lighting ideal for a romantic getaway.

On Wednesday nights they offer a vegan dinner for around 35 €, which includes appetizers, dessert and main course for two people. While enjoying dinner, you can enjoy live music shows.

Details of interest: the cheapest dishes are around 8 €.

8. Don't miss the live shows at the Astor Theater.

Theater Show| ©Monica Silvestre
Theater Show| ©Monica Silvestre

The Astor Theater is an entertainment space where movies are shown, as well as art and music presentations, so it will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of shows or entertainment activities in the city.

It is located at 659 Beaufort Street and its spaces are photographable, as they are inspired by the art deco style. This building was built by Simon B. Alexander and David McClure in 1914.

Details of interest: nearby there are places to eat or have a drink, but they work until early, especially on weekdays.

9. Stroll through Perth's Central Business District

Perth by night| ©Pedro Szekely
Perth by night| ©Pedro Szekely

The heart of Perth is the Central Business District, also known as the CBD. It is one of the most popular areas to stay, but also one of the most expensive and most in-demand tourist areas.

The nightlife proposals are varied, due to the fact that it is the financial and commercial area of the province. As an additional fact, I can mention that Perth is known as the city of lights. This name is due to the number of skyscrapers illuminated, especially in the CBD area.

Taking advantage of the night walk, you can get a privileged glimpse of the Bell Tower. Although, if you want to go up I recommend going in the afternoon, as it accepts visitors until 3:45 pm. You can enter the bell tower without queuing, from 13 €, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Swan River.

Details of interest: in this area public buses are free until a certain time.

10. Take advantage of the evening entertainment in Perth

Perth Pub| ©sobolevnrm
Perth Pub| ©sobolevnrm

The list of evening entertainment options in Perth still goes on. It is an ideal city to go on vacation as it offers fun activities for all ages.

Some places you should visit are:

  • Perth Comedy Club: open until midnight on weekends, you can access Comedy Fridays for around 34 €. It is located at 413 Murray Street and every month there are different comedy shows.
  • Wolf Lane: is a speakeasy, with a particular aesthetic. Its decoration concept is inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland.
  • The Ellington Jazz Club: if you want to enjoy Australian talent, I recommend you to visit this jazz club. They have theme parties inspired by the twenties and fifties, as well as nightly performances every day.

Tips for visiting Perth at night

City lights| ©Jay N
City lights| ©Jay N
  • Keep in mind that the minimum age to enter bars and consume alcohol is eighteen years old.
  • Perth is a safe city, but remember that you are going as a tourist, so it is not advisable to walk alone in uncrowded or poorly lit areas.
  • Some nightspots have a dress code and require a reservation in advance.

Transportation in Perth

Car Rental| ©Brock Wegner
Car Rental| ©Brock Wegner

Perth' s public transport system is quite comprehensive, offering benefits for both locals and tourists.

Perth Daytime Transportation

By day you can enjoy the Perth sightseeing bus. You will also find buses and trains that make it easy to get around the city. The fare for bus and train travel starts at 3 € per person, you can buy tickets in authorized stores and machines in the streets.

Night transport in Perth

Buses usually run until midnight, however they are less frequent during this time. To get around you can buy unlimited tickets or buy the SmartRider card, which costs approximately 6 €, depending on the duration.

You can enjoy free rides in the free transit zones, identified at each stop. For more information, I suggest you check the map on the transportation website. You will be able to travel through Elizabeth Quay, City West, Kings Park, Claisebrook, among others.

Rent a car in Perth

If you want to know Perth at night in a comfortable transport, I recommend you to rent a car from 17 € per day, some of the best companies are:

  • Europcar: offers family cars or more luxurious options for romantic getaways. You must be over eighteen years old to drive.
  • Avis: in addition to renting a car, you can book fuel service in advance, so you can drive around with peace of mind. It is a great option, as some gas stations in Perth work around the clock, but most of them work until 7:00 p.m.
  • Thrifty: you can rent single cars, family coaches, and rustic vehicles. For an extra cost you can add child seats, prepaid fuel and toll charges (if you plan to visit nearby cities).

You can also order a cab from 5 €, the price per kilometer is about 2 €. In addition, you can ask to be waited on for around 53 € per hour. These are expensive options, but safer.

Book the Perth tourist bus