Think burgers and cocktails don’t match?
Perthites Hamish Fleming and Siobhan Blumann reckon they do. In fact, they’ve built their burgeoning burgers-and-cocktails empire on it. The couple own Mrs Brown – a gorgeous North Fremantle small bar that welcomes patrons to bring in take-away burgers from the neighboring Flipside (yep, Hamish and Siobhan own this too) as they sip a libation or two.
Lucky for the north-of-the-river folks, the duo has just brought the concept to Northbridge. The brand new small bar Mechanics’ Institute sits above an equally shiny new Flipside on William Street, just opposite Universal Bar.
It took a fair while to convert what was previously an alleyway into the small bar that it is today – but the result is pretty spectacular. The 120-seat venue is dominated by its expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the city and cultural precinct. It may be within eyeshot of the rollicking mega-pubs with its binge-drinking clientele… but it feels miles away. Mechanics’ Institute isn’t a place to go wild – it’s a place to chill out under the stars with mates without going broke.
Rather than make a statement through its minimal decor (rows of upcycled Octoberfest tables line the terrace and rusty typewriters sit on the bar) Mechanics’ Institute is about honest prices and quality cocktails. They’ve nabbed some of the best bartenders in the business and committed to pricing no cocktail above $16. The burgers from downstairs cost around $13.
Great: Affordable cocktails and a supercool outdoor terrace
Not-So-Great: No food options for the non-burger lovers and a seriously random music playlist
Can’t wait to check it out!
You’ll love it! Definitely visit around sunset – all of the buildings surrounding the terrace light up with a gorgeous golden glow.
I’ll wait for my mechanic friend to come over to Australia next week
hahahaha