Restaurant
Varnish on King
75 King St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Find Varnish on King
75 King St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Varnish on King
Down a discreet flight of basement stairs on King Street, this moody Perth den pairs serious American whiskey with tailored strips of bacon. The draw here is deliberate sensory alchemy—bourbon flights curated specifically by fat content to balance the spirit's mash bill. Regulars also swear by the bottomless steak nights, where rounds of sirloin and seasoned fries land without having to flag down staff. The dark room carries Deep South swagger over subtle American soft-rock playlists, setting a relaxed rhythm for a date or a low-lit catch-up over craft cocktails. Tables fill fast on Friday and Saturday, when walk-ins often find the narrow underground booths already claimed.
- Bacon & Whiskey Flights: Curated pours of bourbon and American whiskey paired with specific cuts of pork matched by fat profile.
- Endless Steak Nights: A 90-minute service of continuous sirloin and seasoned fries kept in motion by proactive floor staff.
- Subterranean Vibe: A basement venue behind understated street signage, defined by dark timber accents and low-volume American soft rock.
What's On at Varnish on King
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Varnish on King
What sets this subterranean Perth whiskey and steak haunt apart
Tailored Whiskey and Bacon Pairings
Patrons discover meticulously matched flights pairing select American whiskeys and bourbons with bacon cuts tailored to spirit and fat profiles.
I ordered the bacon whiskey flight. The pairings (Which the bartender told me was done based on fat content) were excellent.
Pinguindustry Sensory Novelty in a Cosy Setting
Guests seeking distinctive food and drink combinations experience surprising flavor interplay in an inviting subterranean lounge.
First time that I have had a whiskey and bacon experience and I enjoyed it! It was a new experience to taste the flavour combining.
James Seamless Steak Flow Without Wait Times
Servers proactively anticipate dining needs during bottomless steak sessions, prompting refills and keeping courses arriving without delays.
They were constantly asking if we needed more steak before we had even finished our last plate which kept the flow going and there was barely any wait!
Charlotte Kiely Proactive Rounds at Endless Steak Night
Dinners enjoy continuous rounds of freshly cooked steak delivered straight to the table without having to chase down waitstaff.
The service was excellent — without even being asked, staff were already coming around to offer the next round of steak.
Hamish Reeves Intimate Subterranean Atmosphere
Hidden beneath King Street with subtle streetfront presence, the intimate subterranean interior offers a secluded, high-style retreat.
One of Perth’s true hidden gems. This is a unique, exclusive spot with an intimate atmosphere and a sophisticated crowd.
Jake Sullivan Conversational Volume for Group Gatherings
The comfortable basement layout and balanced acoustics make it effortless to converse without shouting during dates and small group outings.
Music and noise at the venue was not quiet, but not so loud you couldn’t have a conversation at a comfortable volume.
Pinguindustry
Most popular items
Signature tastings and main courses most celebrated by guests.
Bacon Whiskey Flight
I ordered the bacon whiskey flight. The pairings (Which the bartender told me was done based on fat content) were excellent.
Pinguindustry Endless Steak Night
Me and my partner went to the 90 minute endless steak night last night and we were blown away!
Charlotte Kiely Sirloin Steak
The sirloin steak was cooked to medium rare perfection with the fries coming out piping hot fresh and were well seasoned.
Jason Arkady Lamb Rump
We had the Arkady lamb rump with lemon myrtle salted butter. Wow! It was outrageously succulent and delicious and one of the best lamb rumps I've ever had.
Anne Foster
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality details and distinct sensory touches experienced at Varnish on King.
Fat-Profile Bacon & Whiskey Pairings
Flight tastings are curated with specific American whiskeys matched to distinct cuts of bacon selected intentionally based on fat content.
Server-Initiated Steak Replenishment
During bottomless seatings, floor staff proactively bring fresh rounds of steak before plates are even finished without diners having to ask.
Guided Bourbon Consultations & Bites
Bartenders walk guests through distinct bourbons and bitters, tailoring custom drinks alongside complimentary bar snacks like pretzels.
Intimate Live Acoustic Jazz Sessions
Live musical accompaniment featuring a jazz vocalist with guitar enhances the subterranean lounge setting.
Before you head over
Practical advice on reservations, finding the subterranean entrance, and sampling tasting flights.
Book Ahead for Weekends
Tables fill quickly on weekends, so reserve ahead if visiting Friday through Sunday to secure seating during peak hours.
Watch for the Discreet Entrance
Look closely when arriving on King Street; the basement venue features understated street-level signage and a downstairs entrance that can be easy to miss.
Sample the Whiskey and Bacon Flight
Explore curated pairings of specific bourbons matched with bacon pieces cut to complement spirit profiles, or ask staff for guidance navigating the extensive whiskey list.
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