What do a startled train driver, a bowl of pears, and a pair of majestic red-tailed black cockatoos have in common? They are just some of the giant, captivating murals that greet guests from the ninth-floor windows of the Vibe Hotel Subiaco, signalling the artistic heartbeat of this reinvented Perth suburb.
An Urban Base for Exploration
Opened in late 2020, the Vibe Hotel Subiaco offers a fresh and modern base for rediscovering the area. From a premier suite, guests are treated to panoramic views stretching across the suburb to the Perth city skyline, a vista that becomes a front-row seat to spectacular summer thunderstorms. The rooms are designed for comfort, featuring bright bathrooms with deep soaking baths and double vanities.
Crowning the hotel is The Storehouse, a rooftop bar and restaurant that might be one of Perth's most underrated. With wraparound balconies, it offers stunning sunset views on one side and sparkling city lights on the other. The contemporary space, accented with gold and full-length windows, serves a concise but well-executed dinner menu featuring quality produce like a 300g Donnybrook pink Angus beef scotch fillet. After a day of exploration, the hotel's rooftop pool is the ideal spot for a sunset dip.
Subiaco's Streets: Art, Al Fresco & Alleyways
Positioned just three stops (under 10 minutes) from the city by train, Subiaco is a perfect blend of convenience and charm. The suburb boasts great weekend markets, proximity to major hospitals and the University of WA, and a retail and dining mix that one visitor compared to Sydney's Paddington.
A stroll down Rokeby Road reveals stylish alfresco dining decks, chic boutiques, wine bars, and beloved institutions like the Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie. The iconic Subiaco Hotel and Regal Theatre stand majestically on opposite corners, but the real magic often lies in the laneways. The murals visible from the hotel window are part of a thriving street art scene. James Giddy's red-tailed black cockatoos face the Forrest Street carpark, while Dan Bianco's Unexpected Journey honours the suburb's 1924 railway station. Jarad Danby's Still Life With Pears brightens Xanthis Lane, and Graeme Miles Richards' fun, detailed mural featuring an astronaut and penguins adorns Walmsley Lane near Bar Amelie.
The City of Subiaco offers downloadable art trails, and local business Oh Hey WA runs themed art tours. Sculptures like Ayad Alqaragholli's Arrive To Paradise dot the leafy Forrest Walk, and the captivating strings of lights in Hiddlestone Lane come from the family business Hiddlestone Electrics, operating since 1920.
A Culinary and Community Renaissance
Subiaco's food scene is a global tour. Nippon Fare, serving traditional Japanese food since 1990, offers affordable and delicious poke bowls. For a taste of South America, Pinos Empanadas – Perth's first bricks-and-mortar empanada bakery – serves favourites like beef brisket and caprese. A Saturday visit allows for a double market delight: the Subiaco Farmers Market at the primary school in the morning and the Subiaco Night Market at Market Square after dark.
The night market is a standout, with global food stalls, cute bistro seating, and giant games. Visitors can try Greek doughnuts, Filipino skewers, and freshly rolled onigiri from Oni Oni. The suburb's ongoing revival is perhaps best symbolised by The Embassy by Devlin's. Now housed in the century-old former Witch's Cauldron building, its faux wisteria-adorned deck is a welcoming sight. On a busy Wednesday night, the restaurant serves premium steaks and a decadent 100-layer potato pave under the guidance of awarded head chef Charlie Vargas.
From the historic Earthwise Community Op Shop in a pink 1897 church building to the perfect pastry from Corso Francia at the farmers' market, Subiaco proves that sometimes the best urban getaway is just a short trip from home.
Fact file: Vibe Hotel Subiaco deluxe king rooms start from $329 for bed and breakfast; premier suites from $499. Visit vibehotels.com and seesubiaco.com.au for more information.
