Bench Espresso

The coffee has to be good if they have espresso in their name right?
Right.

Using Five Senses coffee beans to literally take your senses on a coffee magic carpet ride within a cool concrete, kicked back environment.

Visually, you can see the precision going into every individual coffee through their open work spaces.

Cold drip Summer in Perth is hot! The latest trend is cold drip coffees. This innovative technique extracts the coffee beans over night and is served over ice. You can seriously taste the smooth, cool vibe Bench Espresso is portraying through your beverage.

Experience the space around you, there is no rush! When visiting Bench Espresso take your time to look up at the menu, it may be overwhelming at first with all the different innovative coffee techniques, but these guys will do the explaining! Find out the coffee for you and start off your day with a pour-over coffee and let the gentle taste of the smooth coffee give you a head start to your day.

The smell of coffee beans roasting and fresh daily muffins lures you right in, not to mention the strategic positioning on Hay street, making it virtually effortless to grab your morning coffee before your busy day in the office.

Lastly, the best part is, these barristers live and breathe coffee! They know what they are talking about! Ask them anything and they are more then happy to share their coffee wisdom with you.

short macchiato

Top 10 Perth Beaches – Do you agree with Number 1?

Perth Beaches – Explore Your Favourite This Weekend

Explore the Perth Beaches one at a time or perhaps make a full day out of visiting each beach, until you find the perfect one. With ten beaches to choose from you can find family friendly, quiet, popular, supreme surfing and more.

  1. Cottesloe Beach: With white sand, a walking path, and spectacular scenery Cottesloe Beach has plenty to offer. Close to restaurants and shops this beach also has fewer crowds than you may find at other beaches around the city. It is just a short ride from downtown Perth, so bring your gear and don’t worry, there are facilities on site.
  2. Scarborough Beach: perfect for surfing, swimming, and kitesurfing. Drive along the northern coast of Perth to find this wonderful beach, which is kept clean and has ample amenities. During the weekends there is heavy night traffic, plus plenty of beach goers which make the place buzz with life.
  3. Burns Beach: an unspoilt stretch of white sand, this is the perfect beach to enjoy breakfast and a swim. While there consider a stroll along the footpath or lay in the shaded grass or sunbake in the warm sunshine. It is also a wonderful spot for families with kids.
  4. Coogee Beach offers a picnic destination complete with barbeque and shaded areas. It is one of the beaches known to have lifeguards – because it is popular as a holiday destination. Enjoy the cliff walk or simply soak in the beauty at this family friendly coastline.
  5. Floreat Beach is often busy as a wedding destination. It helps to have a long stretch of white sandy beach for enjoyable walks plus several top restaurants and shops in the area. It can have strong windy days, which are great for surfing.
  6. Watermans Bay Beach belonged to Swan River Colony and then Waterman’s Castle before becoming part of the Hamersley Estate. Now it is a public beach. Being surrounded by homes, this beautiful beach is part of suburbia which includes many shopping centres like Marmion.
  7. Sorrento Beach is a place of few crowds, no seaweed, and plenty of white sand. While it can be windy it is good for swimming or surfing. Perhaps a little walk to the marina, Sorrento Quay will be a part of your leisure trip. Sorrento Beach is well known for abalone, and with a little luck you might find one.
  8. Perth City Beach is less developed with some sand dunes and bushland. It has an active surf lifesaving club. Today this stretch of beach is clean with plenty of nearby restaurants and a dog beach. It has reasonable surf conditions, but watch out for the hazardous shore break in Summer.
  9. Whitfords Beach has instant access from the parking lot. This easy to find beach is close to Hillary Boat Harbour. Its unique feature is as a dog beach.
  10. Trigg Island Beach is particularly kid friendly, with barbeque area, and calm seas most of the year. There are times when surfing is a definite option, but be careful there are dangerous rips during these periods. It is also another animal friendly beach, with a lovely lawn and lifeguards watching out.

Whether you want a family friendly location with plenty of white sand, lawn area, amenities or surfing, Perth beaches have every type of beach – many of them natural wonders.

Top 10 Perth Music Venues – The Best Venues in Perth for a Music Retreat

Top 10 Perth Music Venues – The Best Venues in Perth for a Music Retreat

The music life in Perth has a quality of its own. Its regularity ensures that no music lover will have to wait for their musical dose. There are so many music venues in Perth, and some are among the best worldwide. Here are the top 10:

1)    Mozo’s- Definitely one of the most famous places in Perth. A good centre for appreciating the state of local music in the city. Talk about loud music or cheap beer, this place gives you all and is rightly the centre of attention for both local and international tourists.
2)    The Bird- Located in Northbridge, The Bird is famous for its love of underground music and arts. The place hosts events every night, which are generally ticketed. Local bands perform regularly at this place.
3)    The Bakery- Do not go by the name, it’s not a bakery! It’s just a metaphor for top musical talents who will cherish you on your visit. The indoor stage is the best place to be from where you can see your favourite artist and maybe have a bit chit-chat too.
4)    Fly by Night- This place showcases some of the best musicians in Perth. A large stage, and plenty of room, you can choose between a wide range of places to enjoy the music. Great music means too many fans, so come in time if you don’t want to be left stranded standing.
5)    Rosemount Hotel- A larger musical venue, compared to the others. It boasts of a wide variety of live music throughout the week. The lighting is good, so is the sound-mixing. There is a beer garden outside where you can listen to the DJ.
6)    Amplifier Bar- This is one of the most popular music venues in the city. A grungy city bar with popular music, this is an ideal place to chill out in the evening with a beer in hand and music in the ears. It still resonates with the locals when they think of fun.
7)    Indi Bar- In a nice warm weather, with fancy drinks and cocktails, live music is a great experience. And that’s what Indi bar provides. Their live music is a rage in the visitors and there is no reason why you should be missing it.
8)    Rosie O’ Grady’s- An Irish themed pub, Grady’s provides you live music on alternate days of the week. The brewery is something that you will remember from here, which as usual is a great companion to the music played.
9)    Rocket Room- The place had some problems with bar and stage space not going along, but after few changes it is now a great place to be. The lighting and the stage will make you feel lifted and in no time you will be tapping your feet.
10)    The Jazz Cellar- Last but definitely not the least in this list is the place which has remained relatively obscure in an alley and down a flight of stairs. Friday nights are spectacular fun here when traditional jazz bands fill the place with their tunes.

Top 10 Perth Coffee Shops – These Places Will Make You Fall In Love With Coffee

Top 10 Perth Coffee Shops – These Places Will Make You Fall In Love With Coffee

Who does not care for a brewing hot cup of coffee? Perth Coffee Shops have best of the people in the business. These guys really know how a great tasting coffee needs to be prepared. Here is a compilation of the places you can visit depending on your own convenience:

1.    Standing Room Only- So here is a place that does not give you a seat. No other dishes are served. But there is coffee. And you have to visit here to know what the fuss is all about. This place will make you feel nostalgic with its setting which has borrowed elements from the past.
2.    Cuppa Joes- A friendly staff and a warm, cheerful atmosphere are what people look for when visiting a place for coffee. This place has a great vibe, which will enrich your experience and tempt you to visit it more often.
3.    Elixir Coffee Specialists- Located at 145 Stirling Highway in Nedlands, this place provides some of the best coffee flavours. The music is cool as is the staff. And the way they present it definitely goes on to add to the taste.
4.    Woogi Espresso- Their special blends and the locally roasted beans, add another dimension to the definition of a coffee. Their pastries and toasted flat-birds deserve a mention too. Don’t miss it if you happen to visit nearby.
5.    Bench Espresso- Whenever you are at the East end of Perth, go to Hay Street and pay a visit to Bench Espresso. Vanessa knows what she is doing and will offer you with the best flavours according to your preference. The place boasts of a range of flavours from all over the world.
6.    Café 54- Another stand out café located in the East end of the city is on Pier Street. As the tag-line suggests, “a journey for the perfect cup of coffee”, they have incomparable coffee. This is why visitors keep on coming here once they taste the coffee.
7.    Monogram- Reading in a library with a nice cup of coffee, isn’t it perfect? This little coffee cart at Grove Library provides smooth coffee and a wide array of sweets. Go read, drink and have fun!
8.    Pizzaca Caffe- The Bizzaca family and staff will make you feel right at home. People say that they serve the best coffee in the town. They serve pizzas too, so you might have a lot more options when thinking about having lunch. A nice cozy place, it is perfect for friends and family outings.
9.    Lowdown Esprezzo Bar- Based in 16A Cloisters Arcade, Perth, this place serves espresso, and gourmet flat breads among other things. Their beautifully extracted coffee provides a nice sensation and you will feel refreshed in a few sips.
10.    Esprezzo Café- Keeping a mind towards promoting local businesses, this place is very highly rated when it comes to customer service and coffee. Have a feel of the local region and culture by visiting Esprezzo Café.

Top 10 Perth Sports Bars – Does your Local Make the Cut?

Top 10 Perth Sports Bars – Does your Local Make the Cut?

When you’re looking for a casual place to kick back, grab a drink and watch the game, there is nothing like Perth sports bars with great character. What makes a great sports bar? The best sports bars offer a laid back environment, casual entry rules, friendly service, friendly people, big TVs and excellent spirits and beers.  Whether you are a tourist or a Perth local, it’s good to know what’s out there and which bars are the best. To help you out, below are the top 10 sports bars you will find in Perth.

1. Subiaco Hotel

The Subiaco Hotel is one of Perth’s most iconic venues. They are known for their consistently good food, made with locally grown, seasonal ingredients. The menu is somewhat limited, but what they offer they do extremely well.  They’re often quite busy, especially on a Friday night, making the Subiaco the perfect place to go if you want to get amongst the action.

2. Inglewood Hotel

The Inglewood Hotel is a sports fans dream, and the food is pretty great too. The Inglewood is known to locals as one of the best places to catch a game and have a few pints with your friends. They are also known for their prompt, friendly service and well-stocked bottle shop. The atmosphere is casual and the security staff is known to be a bit more friendly than some other bars.

3. Ocean Beach Hotel

Located right across from the beach, the Ocean Beach Hotel certainly lives up to its name. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, you can’t go wrong with the Wagyu Burger and they also offer a wide array of teas, coffee and other drinks. If you’re looking for a quality sports bar with a killer view, then you should definitely check out The Ocean Beach Hotel.

4. The Vic

The Vic is a Perth staple. It was established at the turn of the century, eventually became a landmark and a very popular watering hole. The Main Bar in The Vic serves classic pub fare at reasonable prices and their beer menu is expansive, with over 15 different beers on tap. The Vic’s second bar, the Lounge Bar has more of a relaxed atmosphere and is perfect for catching a footy game or meeting up with friends before attending a concert at Paterson’s Stadium.

5. Rosie O’Grady’s

Rosie O’Grady’s is a classic Irish pub and sports bar.  The bar itself is open late most nights, and the restaurant serves a full Irish breakfast, homemade muesli and an extensive dinner menu as well. O’Grady’s isn’t just a great place to catch a game with your mates; they also offer live music four nights a week and trivia night on Tuesdays.

6. The Brass Monkey

The sports bar at The Brass Monkey is cosy and inviting. It’s a fun place to play pool with your mates and you can watch your favourite team play on a MEGA screen attached to a Bose surround sound system. The Brass Monkey offers nightly drink specials, including a 2.4L beer tower, a huge beer menu and decent pub fare.

7. The Albion

The Albion is a beautiful, roomy sports bar with numerous pool tables, as many monkey nuts as you can eat, free poker nights and quiz nights on Wednesday.  The beer menu at The Albion is excellent, making it a great spot for adults, but Saturday nights are family friendly, with kids 12 years or younger eating free. The Albion also boasts their own butcher on site, so you can choose the exact cut of steak you want made.

8. The Mustang Bar

The Mustang Bar is an American style sports bar and one of the few places in Perth where you can find American beer. They cater to a slightly older clientele, which is perfect if you’re looking to avoid a rowdy crowd, and there is live music and dancing every night of the week.

9. Paddy McGuire’s

Paddy McGuire’s is one of Perth’s more popular Irish pubs. They offer a wide selection of both international and local beers on top, including Kilkenny and Guinness. There is live music from local bands on the weekends, and they also have regular karaoke during the week. Paddy McGuire’s serves old-fashioned Irish pub food and their television screens are quite large, making is a good place to watch a game with friends.

10. Carbon Bar Burswood Casino Complex

The Carbon Bar sports bar at the Burswood Casino Complex boasts a gigantic 12.5 M screen and 16 HD plasma screens throughout the bar. Being that they’re a part of the casino complex, Carbon Bar is open 24 hours a day and they’re a great place to watch the game and drink reasonably prices cocktails and beer.

Top 10 Perth Breweries

Top 10 Perth Breweries – World Class Yet Locally Made Perth Beers

If there’s one thing Aussie’s take seriously, it’s beer. Because of this, you’ll find some of the world’s finest breweries in Australia Many of them located right here in Perth. Perth breweries offer top-notch beers, a customer friendly atmosphere and the highest level of service. There are dozens of quality breweries in the Perth Metro area, but below are the top 10 Perth breweries that consistently hit the make when it comes to standards and excellence.

1.    Little Creatures
Little Creatures is one of the most recognizable breweries in Australia. Their beers are world-renowned and sell well both domestically and internationally. The brewery itself everything you’d expect a world class brew operation; they offer a wide selection of locally made beers, great food and a friendly, helpful staff. I tour through Little Creatures is a must if you’re interested in Perth Breweries and the brewing industry.

2.    Eagle Bay Brewery
The Eagle Bay Brewery is family owned and operated brewing and hospitality business here in Perth. Their beautiful, well-decorated restaurant looks over the farm land towards Naturaliste and you can enjoy the view while you sip on one of their slow-brewed, small batch beers. They also serve a full menu full of locally sourced foods.

3.    Old Swan Brewery
4.    Duckstein Brewery
5.    Bootleg Brewery
6.    Feral Brewing Company
7.    Indian Ocean Brewing Company
8.    Iron Bark Brewery

9.    James Squires
The James Squires Microbrewery and Pub is centrally located o Murray Street and Shafto Lane. They have a wide selection of beers, including 10 different James Squires brews, as well as two ciders. The James Squire Brewery has won multiple awards and offers 2 delicious seasonal beers fresh from the taps.

10.    Colonial Brewing Company

10 Things Not To Miss In Kings Park

10 Things Not To Miss In Kings Park

Kings Park has more than its share of famous attributes to claim, including being larger than New York City’s Central Park. Kings Park, in the business district of Perth, is 4.06 square kilometres approximately 3.74sq km more than Central Park. A mixture of grass parkland, natural bushland, botanical gardens and stunning views there is plenty to offer a visitor. Enjoy views of the Swan River and Darling Range from the top of Mount Eliza plus the over 300 native plants and 80 native bird species. Discover 10 top reasons to visit Kings Park:

1) State War Memorial – in remembrance of the lives lost during WWI and WWII, plaques are not only a part of the memorial, but line the streets.

2) Royal Kings Park Tennis Club – for those into tennis as a sport the tennis club is available for a fun game. It is also one of the oldest clubs in the world dating to 1899. Important members such as Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewton, and Tood Woodbridge have played at this club.

3) Reservoir – built in 1890, the Mount Eliza Reservoir was designed as a catchment for local water needs along with the historic residence that still houses corporate meetings and social gatherings.

4) Kings Park Festival, since 1965, is a wildflower show and exhibition. It is the largest Australia with over 500,000 attendees each year. Hosted in September it is not to be missed by families, garden enthusiasts and plant lovers.

5) Bali Memorial is dedicated to the 2002 Bali bombings that took 16 West Australian lives and a total 88 Australians. The bombings took place in the resort community of Kuta. Like the State War Memorial it is a place of Remembrance and importance.

6) Edith Cowan Clock Tower and Memorial is easy to see at the main entrance to Kings Park. Built in 1934 it is the first civic monument of a woman in Australia, of the first woman to enter parliament.

7) Botanic Garden offers 18 hectares of land, 2000 species of flora native to Western Australia. A combination of plant conservation and stunning design, by John Oldham, it was opened in 1965. This amazing garden has over 25,000 native Australian plants, a pioneer women’s memorial fountain and water garden, conservation garden and the Lotterywest Federation walkway.

8) Gija Jumulu Boab Tree – the tree was brought to Kings Park from 3,200km away. This 750 year old tree was transplanted from Telegraph Creek near Warmun. It weighs 36 tonnes. It is spectacular because of its ability to live at least 2,000 years.

9) DNA Tower built in 1966 is a double helix staircase 15 metres high, with 101 steps, and inspired by Chateau de Blois double staircase in France. It resembles a DNA molecule built with stones from 11 towns and 80 shires in Western Australia.

10) Synergy Parkland is a place all about energy with two energy themed children’s playgrounds. The parkland includes a lake and island.

With over 3 kilometres of walkways and staircases visitors to Kings Park can enjoy the landscape and bushland year round.