The Local Hotel

The Local Hotel is one of WA’s oldest trading hotels, serving beers since 1897. With its grand Victorian archways and polished wood floors, it’s a relic of the traditional bars that formed the heart of the South Fremantle community during its settlement.

Today the pub’s soft lighting, polished-wood floors and large windows make it an ideal spot to kick back with friends and enjoy a beer in the afternoon sun. If you get too comfortable to face the trek home, you can head up to one of 20 rooms upstairs and stay the night.

After changing many hands, the hotel is now being looked after by Phill Thompson, who wants it to be the best possible local bar. He comes with 14 years’ experience at the Norfolk Hotel, another well-loved pub in Fremantle, and knows the value of doing simple things well.

Cocktails have been pushed aside in favour of a quality set of tap beers from Nail Brewing, Feral and Gage Roads, alongside a range of international brews. The wine list is simple but well curated. It features the likes of South Australia’s D’Arenberg and Kilikanoon labels alongside West Australian and Victorian drops.

The traditional menu takes in big portions of fish and chips, burgers and steaks. If this is too much to commit to, the snack list will keep you busy with blue-cheese donuts and hot wings with celery ranch sauce. On weekends the pub hosts a mix of live music and DJs.