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Perth’s inner city has gone through a significant revitalization; it’s now a hotbed of classy small bars that buzz until midnight and later. Twenty- and thirtysomethings also flock to Northbridge, Leederville, Mount Lawley, Subiaco, or Fremantle. Pubs generally close by midnight, which is when the crowds start arriving at the nightclubs; these tend to stay open until around 5 am.
Inspired by the New York jazz scene, The Ellington is the place for jazz in Perth. It may not have curb appeal but this place hops seven nights a week in an intimate and sophisticated setting. A low-key tapas menu, including buttered paprika popcorn, is available; be prepared to share a table with other patrons for sold-out performances. Entrance fees apply and it's best to reserve your tickets online in advance.
This sexy little number is as sultry as the jazzy tunes that fill the discreet laneway space each night. A number of the cocktails use smoked ice cubes—not to be confused with tacky dry ice—giving the liquor a heavenly, charred dimension. There are live jazz performances most nights.
The bar is accessed down a laneway off Murray Street—look out for the "red carpet" painted on the pavement.
