Mechanics’ Institute

Love mechanic’s, always delivers good cocktails, good music and a sweet view bonus you can order the flipside burgers from downstairs too

How could I not have ever written a review on this place when I am the Duchess? Or I ought to be. I visit often enough.
I don’t think I need to repeat what everyone else said. Every single time I have been to this establishment, whether it’s been busy or not so, I’ve been treated with warmth and, dare I say it — *real* hospitality. I’ve never seen a punch up, anyone frog-​marched outta there, not even the hint of a spat. Everyone seems too busy enjoying the tunes, getting in to the vibe, chugging a beer or a delicious cocktail, scoffing some chips or burgers from downstairs, chatting away merrily, sharing tables, smiling, laughing, living life.
This bar is my number one stop each and every time I host a guest on what I call a «Perthfect Adventure». It is my strong recommendation for a heart starting cocktail and some tunes to warm up your ears before you skip back down the stairs and involve yourself in that wonderful pocket of Northbridge, where opportunities for a fabulous night abound.

This bar is a great find and growingly one of my favourites in Perth. It is down an alley way and has a quirky and relaxed vibe when you walk up the stairs. Inside you are greeted with a narrow outdoor seating area and a little cosy bar filled with knowledgeable bar staff. They really know their drinks and how to make you a specific personalised one. We had great fun Friday with a Scottish barman who helped get us the prefect rum drinks. It has a great interior and funky music. It is becoming increasingly popular and Friday’s are my favourite night to attend, with the atmosphere being so good. Check it out!

Whenever I venture into Perth’s thriving William Street precinct, a trip to the Mechanics’ Institute is a given. It’s such an eclectic, innovative part of the city’s growing small bar scene and it’s arguably set the ‘bar’ (soz, I couldn’t help it) for both quality drinks and service since it first opened in August 2012.
As you may be aware, Mechanics is managed by Brett Robinson, the Perth entrepreneur who also owns and manages Dominion League (at the Northbridge end of Beaufort Street) with his creative team. Since its inauguration four years ago, Mechanics has become a vibrant part of Perth’s small bar scene. So much so that it won Best Small Bar in Perth in 2013 followed by Australia’s Best Small Bar in 2015 (Australian Bartender Magazine Bar Awards). Worthy titles indeed.
Entry to Mechanics is via a stairwell at the back of 222 William Street (in the lane runs between James and Francis Streets). The outside deck is characterised by long share tables, lush green life and shady umbrellas. In the evenings, soft lighting transforms the space into a cosy ambient space full of keen conversations and upbeat tunes. The bar interior echoes this ‘cosy’ vibe, with soft couches and mismatched chairs sitting comfortably beside botanical artwork and shelves of vintage objects.
Mechanics is staffed by some of the most enthusiastic booze geeks I’ve ever met in the Perth small bar scene. Being a whisky geek myself, I’ve spent over ten minutes chatting with the boys at the bar (on quiet nights, obviously) about everything from Scottish peat to the honeyed sweetness of a master blend. Talking about whisky, Mechanics is well stocked with both blends and single malts from the Scottish highlands to the islands of Honshū. If you’re new to the scene, the boys are happy to offer suggestions and, if they’ve got time, they might even teach you a thing or two about distillation. Smart stuff.
Other than whisky, Mechanics offers a solid list of craft beers (Aussie and international), wines and house cocktails including ‘Hillbilly Bob’s Ruckus Juice’ (rum, lime, orgeat syrup, ginger, ruckus) and their famous Bloody Mary (crowned with a hamburger and dill pickles). Talking about hamburgers, they’ve also got an arrangement with the nearby Flipside joint — order a burger at the bar and it’ll be brought to you as you sip your booze, yo.
I srsly love this place. It makes me want to curl up in a corner and sleep there (surely I can live on whisky and Bloody Marys alone? Possibly with a few stray chips). The rooftop views and alleyway art by local wunderkind Kyle Hughes-​Odgers just seals the deal. Can’t wait to go back.

Mechanics is apparently the best small bar in the country. And I agree with the award it was given.
It’s always busy, their drinks are outstanding and the team are so fun.
Burgers from flipside (downstairs) keep you full and their signature cocktails stop you from getting thirsty. If you’re looking for a combination of the two, head down on a Sunday for an epic Bloody Mary.
I could talk for hours about why the bar is one of perth’s best, but you deserve to experience it first hand. (Order a ruckus juice)

Five stars. Yes yes yes I just put down five stars. If you’ve never ready any of my reviews, then you’re like «meh five stars, could be good».
Mate, when I put five stars, I mean business.
The Mechanics Institute is accessed from street level and doesn’t seem like much. But it’s always a good sign when they don’t let everyone in, you know the place won’t be too crowded.
You access the bar area through a outdoor area on split levels, with tables and people sitting and chatting. And the first signs of a good bar are here: the glasses look nice, they are empty for the larger part and what’s left in some of them looks very nice to a thirsty traveller.
You enter the bar and the signs of a great bar are here: rows over rows of liquors and spirits overlooking with critical stares the work of busy yet confident bartenders
Whisky names that will echo through eternity, rums that have trapped many a soul in the arms of one-​night lovers, tequilas that free the body and vodka that open your inner circle of hell: they all wait for you.
Whether you drink it as a cocktail, neat, shot, sculled or in some weird personal tradition, there is something for you in there, in an ambiance of indoors dimmed lighting or outdoor festive woodshack.
You can say it in low hushed conversations with mysterious strangers or act it out to pretty flashy brunettes.
You can drink or you can laugh.
You can only love.

I come here for the Epic Bloody Marys! Awesome vibe, great music selection. Love the inside/​outside flow and the fact that you have to go down an unobtrusive alleyway to get in.

I’d heard lots about this bar and when I was asked to drinks I thought it was about time I went to see what all the hype was about.
Really don’t know why I waited so long to check it out. What a great bar. I went around lunch time, had a couple of drinks and a burger.
Loved the whole set up of the place. Comfy couches on the inside near the bar and tables and chairs on the outside. The tables are set up for people to eat if they want, they have knives, forks and sauce sitting at the end of the tables.
The burger I had was one of the best I’ve had in a long time and I look forward to trying something different next time.
Staff are super friendly and am looking forward to heading back their again soon.

We came across this little bar by accident while wandering through Northbridge and I have to admit I wasn’t overly keen. The bar area inside was crowded and cocktails small (in my opinion) for the price. However we grabbed a seat in the courtyard and decided to stick around. Happily the friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere and stronger than they looked cocktails made it worth our while, perfect for a lazy sunday sesh

I really enjoy this place. It’s a super nice chilled rooftopish bar. It’s really unique.
Down an alley way and up some stairs, you’ll find the entrance to this place. (I have been lost trying to find it once). But conveniently placed. It’s a very nice looking bad layout, cocktail bar with plenty on the menu. Bar looked well equipped, which is generally a good sign.
I recommend this place highly for a few drinks on a night out. You can even order burgers from the joint downstairs and they bring it to you. Great set up.
I will be coming back here for sure. Good for groups but anymore than 10 might get abut crowded.

Been here a few times over the last couple of years.
It’s a lovely set-​up with the outdoor area and stylish indoor area — even though it is quite small. It can get quite packed on weekends.
They have a great wine, beer, cider list & a huge selections of liquor behind the bar.
It’s a great place to relax for a chat with friends after work. The staff are lovely & not over the top trendy which is refreshing.

My. friend and I decided that we would drop by Mechanics’ Institute before the Food Truck Rumble last Sunday and it turned out to be the hands down best decision I have made all year! In days of yore (circa 1800s) Mechanics’ Institutes were places for adult learning, and provided a welcome alternative to gambling halls and pubs. In today’s world Mechanics Institute with its rooftop views, cool tunes and relaxed vibe in keeping with tradition offers us a break from the mundane!
The warm and friendly greeting we got as soon as we walked through the door certainly got our attention and put a smile on our faces. We were handed the menus to peruse and I glanced over it even though I had already decided on my choice beforehand.
After seeing the fantastic photos and reading the great reviews, I felt I had to try the legendary — Epic Bloody Mary! Wow, it blew my socks off and I have talked of little else since then. It had all the hallmarks of a great Bloody Mary with just the right amount of Tabasco to add piquancy! In addition to a lovely, fresh stick of celery it was dressed up with assorted food on sticks which made me very happy! There was a delicious, mini cheese burger, a cheeky sausage, a wedge of smoked cheese, a tiny pickled onion, a cherry tomato and a cornichon! It’s like a party in a jar and certainly left me satisfied! I also indulged in a chilled glass of white wine, while my friend was well pleased with the red wine recommended by the wonderful bar staff!
The staff are extremely knowledgeable and are willing to advise if you are unsure when you place your order. The service is so good that you are hardly out the door and you are looking forward to your next visit! I plan on going back with workmates this coming Friday as I want to share this place with everyone. Can’t wait to sample more cocktails and a nice burger with fries!
The are options as regards to seating but I would recommend the rooftop in order to enjoy the fresh air and the lovely sunshine. It is an idyllic way to while away an afternoon and you will walk away feeling relaxed and full of joie de vivre! Trending bars may come and go but at Mechanics’ Institute they are on point!

Mechanics Institute is one of the many small bars in this area. the Mechanics Institute stands out from the crowd by serving flip side burgers from the shop down stairs! Who doesn’t love a delish burger with their Friday night beer or cider?!
The Mechanics Institute has a good range of drinks from tasty cocktails (high teens$) to a nice selection of wine by the glass (low teens$) or bottle.
The outdoor seating is superb, plenty of group tables and protection from the sun with umbrellas and supplied sunscreen for those of us who get sun burnt in a flash.
I am yet to drop by for the famous Bloody Mary Sunday but I have been told by friends that it is an occasion not to be missed!
The bar staff seem friendly enough and are capable to sipping up a mean drink. The venue is pretty loud inside with fairly loud background music for the small space, best to sit outside if you are wanting to chat.

Voted Perth’s best small bar and you can see why, they serve giant Bloody Mary’s with mini burgers, friggin genius! (Sundays only) for recovery reasons obviously. Great big deck to hang out in with separate levels and before the building next door went up there was a killer view of the city but oh well the drinks and atmosphere will keep you coming back for more!

Great vibe, great beer, great whiskey snd bourbon selection, delicious burgers served from Flipside below.
Great hip and viby spot!

I love this place. It has such a great vibe. Their roof is definitely one of the best places in the city to hang out and talk, and the inside area is both comfy and funky. Every time I go there, I’m always struck by how much I enjoy the music they play.
Their relationship with Flipside downstairs means they can offer tasty, filling, reasonably priced food without diverting their attention away from the important stuff: drinks! The cocktails here are awesome. Not like the expensive and tasteless glass of ice with watered down fruit juice that passes for a cocktail at many Perth bars nowadays.
Two thumbs up!

Progressive lunch continues to drink o’clock. Please read my Perth Thailicious & Superstar waffles reviews.
We decided a few of us hasn’t been to Mechanics’ Institute before, we’ll go there for drinkies. This place is tugged away. I will probably never find this place unless you know about it. It’s a hip place with quite a bit of sitting area. I love the outdoor area where people could chill when the weather is fine. Smoking is permitted outside.
As I’m not a huge drinker, I’m the anything goes kinda gal. Had lime, soda water & vodka. It’s a nice light drink to have after having a nice lunch & dessert.
One day, I might go back again or who knows I might get an invite to hv drinkies there again.
Mechanics’ Institute, I know you now…

I like Mechanics. I have been here twice. Once we got there quite late on a Friday which was a big mistake because of the big line and the tiny space inside. But the other time I learnt my lesson and went early on a Sunday which was nice.
It is pretty easy going inside, I like that they have a lot of shade and everyone shares tables. The burgers are great. I really liked the bloody mary. For 20 something bucks you get a bloody mary, a mini burger and a sausage and cheese and it comes out pretty cool aswell all hanging of the huge celery stick.
The staff are friendly aswell. I would definitely go back but remember to get there early if you want a table.

I love a hip bar that I can feel completely at ease at, be sure to receive great hospitality and can munch down on delectable burgers whilst I sip my cider on tap, lovely cheap wine or masterfully concocted cocktail… So this place has my vote.
Try the lunch time mini burger and chips from Flipside, which you can order at the bar, and soak up the sunshine whilst taking in the lovely Perth City skyline. It’s a win in my book.

I like this place. I mean I REALLY like this place.
It has a cute, small inside bar with knowledgeable bartenders who change their cocktail menu daily. I had the 75 which was a delicious pomegranate and apple concoction. They’ll pretty much make any drink for you that’s not on the menu too, how lovely. The bar staff must practice yoga daily, as they were super zen and patient dealing with the 3 row deep line and endless burger orders.
The crowd is 25+ (hoorah!) and is cool without being super hipster. The music played over the speakers is just my type — early 90s!
Stunning views of the city and State Theatre kept drawing my eyes away from the people I was having conversations with.
Get there early on weekend nights to secure a table, and by early I mean before 6pm