If the freshly painted walls of Lil’s could talk, they’d have a lot to say. Pre-pandemic, the 600-capacity space, formerly known as Tiger Lil’s, was a hotspot for revellers. And, despite lying dormant since 2020, its heaving dance floor, neon red lanterns and sticky bar are etched in the memories of millennials across the city.

Following an extensive revamp, the familiar space has been reborn as Lil’s: a polished bar and Mediterranean-inspired eatery that still knows how to throw a party.

During the week, both the Italian-leaning ground-floor space and sun-drenched rooftop terrace are decidedly laid-back. The downstairs space accommodates quick bites and big, boozy lunches alike, while the al fresco rooftop welcomes the after-work crowd looking to catch the golden-hour glow over the CBD.

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On weekends, the ghosts of Tiger Lil’s past come out to play. On Saturdays after sunset, the downstairs dining room becomes a dance floor with a soundtrack of DJs and live percussion. Upstairs, guests are invited to sip through summery spritzes, a selection of 20 wines by the glass and a dozen tap beers until the wee hours of the morning.

While head chef Alex Baglin admits he “used to enjoy a night out or two [at Tiger Lil’s] back in the day,” his menu forgoes Tiger Lil’s offbeat Asian-inspired dishes in favour of refined Mediterranean plates. The bulk of the menu is built for sharing, with a line-up of elevated pub classics available for solo diners.

“It’s that perfect balance of having something for stopping in mid-week for a work lunch or dinner [and] those high-energy weekends where you want to share a few plates with friends,” Baglin tells Broadsheet.

There’s tricolore crostini with tomato, basil, stracciatella; grilled chicken skewers with a zesty South American salsa; vibrant fish crudo; and a mix of classic and contemporary woodfired pizzas.

“[I’ll always recommend] the pizzas,” says Baglin. “You can watch them be prepared and cooked from our pizza kitchen.”

Larger plates include Lil’s steak sandwich (stacked with a whopping 150-gram rump steak); caesar salad with crispy prosciutto, white anchovy and soft egg; and prawn casarecce.

The Murray Street mainstay is back with a bang but, thankfully, the classic Tiger Lil’s tussles for a beverage at the bar are a thing of the past.

Lil’s Rooftop & Bar
437 Murray Street, Perth
(08) 6285 1115

Hours:
Mon to Wed 11.30am–11pm
Thu 11.30am –midnight
Fri & Sat 11.30am–2am
Sun 11.30am–midnight

@lilsrooftopbar
www.lilsrooftopbar.com.au