Clarences doesn't feel like your typical Aussie watering hole. More European in its décor, this welcoming Mount Lawley saloon is about cosy leather booths, bare-brick walls and dim lighting. Weekly specials add variety to the small, but impressive, menu of tapas-style bites and share plates, which come complemented by handpicked beverages of intoxicating goodness. If the weather is agreeable nab a table under the stars in its leafy little courtyard.

Just a stone's throw from the Central Business District, this multi-award winning spot has a chic atmosphere, comprehensive wine list, great cocktails and smooth grooves. A little slice of France in the heart of Perth, Must's Bistro serves Provincial-style food along with an impressive selection of local and international wines by the glass or bottle.

The Aviary is Perth's largest rooftop bar and restaurant space. Decked out in brightly coloured furniture, the large outdoor terrace has views of the city's Central Business District skyline and hosts a range of live music. Good-looking locals dine in style here, but make sure you adhere to The Aviary's strict dress code: no thongs(flip flops) and neat, smart casual dress at all times.

Open since 1972, Connections is the perennial gay favourite that still offers the best music and light shows in town. This is the spot that everyone (no matter what orientation) seems to end up at. With a late license and no dress code policy, cocktails are usually the order of the evening, as drag queens, DJs and lesbian mud wrestling ensure this isn't quite like any other late night joint in Perth.

Metro Freo, as the locals know it, plays host to excellent local and international touring bands. When not blasting out live music, Metro is a multi-level dance club. On Friday and Saturday nights, the large dancefloor (aptly named 'Fire') lights up with a mix of R&B, 1980s and 90s tunes and the latest electronic tracks. Once you've danced up a sweat, grab some fresh air and frolic under the stars in the outdoor bar.

According to its own mission statement, Villa is "not a nightclub. It's whatever you want it to be." The multi-storey venue hosts touring DJs and live music with a 700 capacity.

Arguably the most famous outdoor venue in Australia, the Belvoir Amphitheatre hosts 4,500 and provides an intimate concert experience even when the biggest names in music come to town. The stepped amphitheatre is also the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic on a summer's evening.

Opened in late 2012, the Perth Arena has since been nicknamed "Optimus Prime", "the crushed beer can" and "the spaceship" for its distinctive exterior. Beyond the abstract architecture, the venue has become a local favourite and hosts many touring musicians and comedians. Recent guests to the 15,000 capacity seating arena have included Bruce Springsteen, KISS, and Katy Perry.

Home to Barking Gecko Theatre Company, the Subiaco Arts Centre is a multipurpose venue for plays, concerts and other performing arts events. As the leading theatre company for young people in Western Australia, there are also workshops and classes taking place here. The centre itself is surrounded by magnificent gardens where visitors can enjoy fairs and picnics, while its spectacular outdoor amphitheatre is used for twilight concerts.

Yirra Yaakin Theatre is Australia's largest Aboriginal-led theatre company whose performances combine traditional dance with contemporary drama. Designed to be both educational and entertaining, their award-winning productions provide a unique window into the culture and customs of Australia's indigenous population.