Unique Perth Laneways to Explore

Take a stroll through Perth’s inner city laneways and you will discover hidden bars, cool cafés, Asian eateries and amazing street art. Street Art that's constantly evolving as murals fade or refresh, keeping the city bright and exciting. Read on to discover which Perth laneways we think are worth exploring.

A few blocks west of Mercure Perth On Hay is Shafto Lane. This brick-paved, pedestrian-only laneway which connects Hay and Murray Streets, is home to numerous eateries, bars and the Angel Falls Grill House - the only Venezuelan restaurant in Perth. If you are interested in trying traditional Japanese Hokkaido soup, pop into Rojiura Curry Samurai. Made with seventeen different types of vegetables this delicious soup is best paired with a glass of Hokkaido wine or beer. Enjoy cocktails at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub, Korean fried chicken and kimchee pancakes at Gami Chicken, pan mee and char siu at Noodle Forum and live music and Philly cheese steak at The Generous Squire - James Squire Brewhouse. Get your lard na fix at Soi Shafto and delicious salmon dishes at Kyo Japanese. The street is lively at night and quiet during the morning as few cafes open early. Enjoy the peace under the shady trees while sitting on one of the benches. 

Take a stroll around the neighbourhood to see street art by Drew Straker – from his famous ‘flamingo’ and ‘bee’ mural on Murray Street - both have a neon glow to them, which he creates by layering white lines under transparent spray paint, to his ‘Neon Lady’ at the Cuban Boxing Club.

A few minutes’ walk east of Shafto Lane along Murray St, and you will find Prince Lane. The lane was transformed by six Western Australian visual artists namely, Leanne Bray, Clare McFarlane, Denise Brown, Stephen Genovese, Jae Criddle, and Paul Caporn. Their collaborative efforts pay tribute to the fashion heritage of King Street with retro geometric shapes and old vintage dress patterns. There is also a Stormie Mills mural entitled the ‘Lost Giant’ on the corner of Wellington Street. Head around the corner to Lucy’s Love Shack on Murray Street or Rubix Bar, also on Murray Street for classic pub meals.

Wolf Lane is where you will find the most prolific street art in Perth’s laneway’s. From ‘The Wolf of Wolf Lane’ by Steven Buckles to Dan Bianco’s striking untitled mural of a woman holding a pot plant that obscures her face – the street is alive with evolving art. Liam Dee’s 3D lime green gecko leaps from a wall as if it's alive and his other mural - the playful Murray Mews sign is a bright landscape filled with 3D animated creatures. ‘Hope’ by Jerome Davenport wraps around an entire building and features a young girl adrift in a boat but tethered to a stylised hope balloon. It’s a great reminder that we all need a little hope to survive. 

A whimsical dragon by Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz graces a Wolf Lane wall and James Giddy’s ‘Somewhere Between’ mural features a black swan alongside a life size figure representing the fashion industry of nearby King Street. ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Shakey (Jacob Butler) comically tells the story of previous tenants of Wolf Lane - delivery men being attacked by magpies while dragging a piano up a flight of stairs. A Samuel Smith & Sons wine merchant realises his wine delivery is in danger of being smashed by the piano, while kids naughtily toss marbles at encumbered delivery men. 

Get your morning caffeine fix from The Wolf Espresso and delicious toasted sandwiches from Toastface Grillah. Pop into the Cheeky Sparrow, for a Cheeky Espresso Martini. This popular wine bar also offers a lunch menu, delicious homemade pizza and fringe comedy acts.

Wander down Howard Lane just off St. George’s Terrace and you will find the statue of Judith, a bronze sculpture of a young girl who lived on Howard Lane during the Great Depression with her family in a tiny room. Howard Lane is located just down from Judith’s statue. Here you will find two Stormie Mills murals, ‘The Conversation’ and ‘The Swing Overlooking The Field’ - done in his signature black, white and grey and featuring his quirky characters. Another fanciful street artist you’ll discover on Howard Lane is Yok. Look out for his droopy eyed characters in the ‘Night Forest’ and ‘Cheeky Chaps’. 

From morning to night you’ll find something to drink and eat on Howard Street. Enjoy a Montblanc coffee and toastie at Howards Groove and cocktails at Terrarium, a rooftop bar swathed in greenery that overlooks Perth CBD. For small bar charm head to Andaluz Bar & Tapas where you can enjoy cocktails, wine and tapas and discover street and skate fashion culture at Lo-Fi.

 Lion Walk, close to Perth's Chinatown, aptly reflects the Chinese community in Western Australia. Situated off Aberdeen Street in Northbridge the laneway offers an open and sunny atmosphere. Visit 20Twenty for coffee and cake, transform your hair colour at Hearts and Hues and eat delicious Korean fried chicken and street food at JMT Kitchen. Also in the neighbourhood is Lucky Chan’s Laundry & Noodle Bar on William Street – great spot for ramen and Lychee Mojito Bubble Tea. 

Check out the massive street murals in the surrounding laneways and around the TAFE campus. ‘Migration’ by Buenos Aires artist Ever (Nicolás Romero) talks about migrating to another place. ‘Self-Protection of the Immigrant in Ourself’ by Italian artist Pixel Pancho, fondly referred to as man with a colander on his head, is about how we are all immigrants in our own way. Along Aberdeen Street you’ll discover Ian William’s ‘Mandala’  and ‘Baba Yaga's Houses’ little sculptures which are inspired by characters in Eastern European folklore.

If you are planning a trip to Perth, one of the best locations to stay in, is around Murray Street and Hay Street. Mercure Perth On Hay is a comfortable and convenient  4-star hotel on Hay Street. After a day spent wandering around the inner city laneways enjoy cocktails on the outdoor terrace and grilled steaks and a Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon at the Hop & Huddle Restaurant.  Mercure Perth is conveniently located in the centre of Perth CBD on Irwin Street with major shopping, entertainment and nightlife areas all within walking distance. Enjoy comfortable accommodation, buffet at Beccaria Restaurant, authentic Italian dishes at Cucina On Hay and a rooftop swimming pool which is aemheated in the winter months.