Where To Eat Before, After and In Between Perth Comedy Festival Shows

The Perth Comedy Festival returns this April, bringing four weeks of stand-up, improv, sketch and cabaret to the city. From April 20 to May 17, more than 40 shows will take over The Regal Theatre, The Astor Theatre, The Rechabite, Riverside Theatre PCEC and the State Theatre Centre of WA.

You shouldn’t laugh on an empty stomach. Luckily, with so many suburbs covered in the program, you’re never far from a great meal or late-night bite. Around each venue, you’ll find some of Perth’s best dining and drinking – from compact Korean diners to bustling Greek tavernas. Here’s where to go before, between and after a show.

Subiaco

The blush-pink Regal Theatre sits proudly between Rokeby Road and Hay Street. Beyond the entertainment, the grand old venue – which first opened in 1938 – is also a great launchpad for Subiaco’s slick dining scene.

Before a show, head to Lulu’s Cantina (the casual sibling of Lulu La Delizia) for Italian wines and nonna-style meatballs. With a group? The good times start at Yiamas, a Greek taverna where the next-gen menu goes well beyond gyros and tzatziki. Order a bit of everything: cherry-spiked dolmades, braised lamb nestled into hummus and charcoal-grilled meats, all paired with Greek wines.

On weekends, Hay Street staple Lums stays open till midnight, serving easy-drinking wines and warm hospitality that makes you instantly feel like a regular. The main focus is wine – ranging from lo-fi drops by Mon Tout in Margaret River to dry German riesling – and the list comes with tasting notes to curb any confusion. Plus, Spanish-style pinxtos and small plates if you’re still hungry.

Northbridge

Before a show at The Rechabite, grab a pint at The Leadlight, the latest neighbourhood pub from the brothers behind hotspots Picabar and Percy Flint. Make a beeline for the bar for a Western Australian craft beer, then plonk yourself in the garden as the sun sets. When it comes to food, expect Italian-leaning American fare – think veal schnitzel and cheeseburgers with a dry-aged patty (or plan your night around $20 steak Tuesdays and $20 parma Thursdays).

For hearty Thai, head to Baan Baan on Newcastle Street, where owner Wanwipar “Dao” Thanasothorn serves the comfort food she grew up with. Snack on two-bite betel leaf wraps and the bestselling crisp chicken wings, plus share punchy papaya salad and crisp turmeric-spiked pork.

After a show, walk up William Street to Good Fortune Roast Duck House, an institution that’s been open since 1999. Look for the golden roast ducks hanging in the window, then order them alongside the Peking duck and barbeque pork on a combination platter.

Mount Lawley

The art deco Astor Theatre is Mount Lawley’s comedy hub during festival season, and it’s surrounded by some of Perth’s best dining on Beaufort Street. For a pre-show dinner, head to Le Rebelle, a sleek bistro right opposite the theatre. The menu leans into bistro classics with local ingredients, including steak frites, glazed Wagin duck and the crab toast that’s been a fixture since day one.

For something lighter, try Mame Japanese. Here, husband-and-wife duo David Jung (ex-Nobu) and Airi Yamamoto serve homestyle Japanese dishes centred on house-made tofu. Yamamoto is the fifth generation of her family to make tofu using traditional methods. Order the obanzai set – nine ever-changing dishes served in glass and ceramic bowls – or onigiri with fillings like grilled salmon and prawn tempura.

After a show, head to Bar Vino – which transforms the Willing Coffee space into a buzzing Euro-style wine bar a few nights a week. It’s serious about wine, with a 200-bottle list and a map of Italy on hand to help. The Mediterranean menu highlights local suppliers (hello, Bread in Common) through chunky ciabatta, prawn tagliatelle and Exmouth snapper.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Century Entertainment.