The once-quiet intersection of Brisbane and William streets has been getting a lot of love lately. The longstanding Wines of While was joined by bar Vincent in 2021, and newcomer Margot’s finally opened a few months back (after an 18-month delay). Now, another venue is joining the love fest at “the Paris end of Northbridge”.
The shiny new addition is Bar Love, a ’70s-inspired cocktail bar from bartenders and best mates Pippa Canavan and Murray Walsh. The pair met while managing Mechanics Institute, where they spent four years honing their craft and dreaming up a venue of their own.
“Opening a bar is something that we’d chatted about and something we both wanted to do,” Walsh tells Broadsheet.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW“Not necessarily together,” Canavan adds.
Walsh continues: “But then after spitting ideas at each other after numerous staffies we worked out we had a pretty similar vision. We knew we worked well together and we got on well.”
“We’re basically the same person.”
“One brain.”
“We take turns.”
At Bar Love, glimmering gold signage across the front window makes a persuasive case for what’s inside: “Cold Drinks, Warm Service and Hot Bartenders”. And the sign does not lie. Their combined experience ensures that the creations coming from behind the bar are of the highest quality, and they’re certainly down to gab while they work.
“We want warmth. We want friendly, chatty people. We want that sense of community and to know the regulars’ names,” says Canavan.
The kitsch decor reflects the maximalist personalities of Bar Love’s founders, with vintage records adorning the vibrant pink and burnt orange walls, velvet love seats in rich ruby shades and a mirrorball porcelain panther surveying the space from the top self.
Interior and service aside, it’s cocktails that will really make you fall for Bar Love.
Walsh and Canavan are playing to their respective strengths. Walsh’s cocktails are “more for the discerning drinker”; Canavan’s are the crowd-pleasers. Among them is the Peaches & Cream Negroni, a subtly sweet cocktail that’s a little more approachable than the standard stiff drink, and the Melon Baller, Canavan’s “melon-blended disco drink” made with eucalyptus and Midori. For those looking to kickstart their night, there’s the Vamos Martini, a mash-up of a classic Espresso Martini and the Tiktok-famous Mont Blanc coffee.
“We’ve just made fun, delicious drinks that you want to come back for … nothing that you have to think too hard about,” says Canavan. Walsh agrees: “Flavour first”.
The beer and wine lists are predominantly Western Australian. Four taps pour Shelter beer, an ale from a guest brewery, and a rotating batched cocktail from Idle Hands Drinks Co.
Classic bar snacks are the handiwork of Zimbabwe-born Dwight Alexander of the neighbouring Peasants Paradice. Alexander is known for his bold flavours that draw from various African nations and his command of spice. The Bar Love menu features both original plates and Peasants Paradice favourites that have been tailored to suit a bar setting.
Come summer, the duo will add al fresco seating and hosting regular bar takeovers with top bartenders, but their priority will always be providing that “third space”.
“We want to create that sense of warmth, sense of friendship, and sense of bringing everyone together,” says Walsh. Canavan adds: “It’s the whole reason it’s called Bar Love.”
Bar Love
195 Brisbane Street, Perth
No phone
Hours
Tues to Thu 4pm–10pm
Fri 3pm–midnight
Sat midday–midnight
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