Date night options are ample in Subiaco, from the cosy and candle-lit table for two at a family-run restaurant to the kinetic atmosphere of a fabulous new cocktail bar. But what about venues that make going out in larger cohorts a breeze? Subiaco has plenty of those, too, as Monique Ceccato discovers.
All good stories start with tequila. At La Condesa, a Tulum-inspired Mexican cantina by Perth hospitality heavyweight Clint Nolan, there are 150 of them and their smokier counterpart, mezcal, to choose from.
The assortment of bottles is at home in the bar’s rendered and recessed wall niches, which lend a typically beachside feel to the cantina. Paired with warm terracotta tiling, wavy timber tabletops, and pops of oceanic blue, it all feels decidedly breezy and miles away from the hubbub of busy Hay Street.
In the dining room, high tables set for eight welcome larger groups and are more than big enough to hold plenty of share-style dishes. Build your menu with selections from the starters, tacos, and mains, or take any indecision out of the equation by going for the set menu (only available for groups of eight or more).
Ben Tua and Leigh Power are serious about good food. But, for the duo behind Shui, memorable dining doesn’t end at finessed flavours. They’re all about rounding out the experience by creating a playful and vibrant atmosphere, too.
They’ve had fun fitting out the place, choosing more maximalist details like a sculptural, calico-draped ceiling, sunburst back bar, and neon-accented arched mirrors. They’re details that, on paper, sound like a mismatched bunch, but, in situ, just seem to work. Leigh’s Asian-inspired menu is much the same. Burnt cauliflower and cured kingfish spring rolls are hardly everyday flavours and preparations, though Shui makes a good argument for why they should be.
Smaller bookings best come hungry for a good chance at trying a decent portion of the menu. In larger groups of eight or more, it’s less of an issue, with the ‘chef’s banquet’ option the perfect cross-section.
By all outward appearances, Paul and Jaycinta Zammit’s Lady of Ro seems your cosy neighbourhood eatery. But, come 6pm, the family-run kitchen and dining room is buzzing, adding a wonderful Aegean vibrancy to this typically quieter corner of Subiaco.
At capacity, the deceivingly large restaurant seats up to 50 people, all talking and laughing over their char-grilled, share-style Mediterranean dinners. Paul oversees the mains, while Jaycinta takes care of the sweets. The night’s menu selection includes things like Hebrew eggplant and smashed peas with feta and is scrawled on the chalkboards overhead, while the wine is BYO.
It’s a laid-back atmosphere that lends itself perfectly to a night out with a group of your closest friends.
At Squire’s Loft, grass-fed, char-grilled steak is the name of the game.
Juicy eye fillets and Angus porterhouses come served with a side of chunky chips or baked potato, and are made even better with a generous dollop of one of the steakhouse’s seven punchy sauces. Though red meat is the focus, pick through the robust menu and you’ll also find the odd chicken, seafood, or vegetable dish. They’re imperative inclusions when booking for a large group with varied tastes.
With a capacity of up to 60 people, no group is too large for this neighbourhood steakhouse. Keep cool under the air conditioning of the high-ceiling dining room or relish the balmy summer evenings and commandeer a long table in the wrap-around alfresco area.
Clean, elegant, and simple: they’re three words that define both the decor and menu at the Subi Continental.
Beyond the sage and cream checkerboard-tiled welcome, this corner tavern subscribes to a Scandinavian minimalist style: all blonde timber, sandstone, and subtly textured white walls. On the menu, things are as pared back as the interiors, but there’s no compromising on flavour. Classic martinis and fresh oysters start the party, and the likes of bisque beurre blanc-topped market fish and steak bearnaise follow.
There’s more than enough space to accommodate a large group meal here, either on one of the large communal tables inside or in the alfresco area.
As the name suggests, Village Bar is every bit your casual, comfortable local. That laid-back pub feel is owed to its polished concrete floors, high timber tables and the big screens dotted around the venue.
Just as the atmosphere is low-key, so is the menu, with all the usual pub favourites – pizzas, parmis, and pints – making an appearance.
Whether you’re there for the game, a baby shower, or anything in between, there’s no question of space at Village Bar, with the sprawling venue able to accommodate groups of up to 200 across any of its three separate zones. Bookings for larger groups are essential, but hire fees and a minimum spend aren’t.
