NOW EXPERIENCING:Young George
Drinks Directory|Good for groups|Meal and a bev|Top notch wine list

Young George

48 George Street, East Fremantle, WA, 6158
Phone
(08) 6424 9500
Website
younggeorge.com.au
Instagram
@young.george

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 17 Apr 2023

By
Max Veenhuyzen

A Freo bar that’s low in waste and high in taste, Young George is a neighbourhood bar-restaurant that exceeds the brief by delivering top-notch drinks and eats in equal measure.

Fine dine area at Young George
Why you goThe pandemic might have made neighbourhood bars great again, but Young George has been feeding and watering locals in East Fremantle for close to a decade now. While many of its patrons relish being within walking distance of Young George’s front door – thoughtfully designed to make entering and exiting easy for the movement-challenged – Young George’s brand of hospitality has far-reaching appeal. Wife-and-wife owners Susan Whelan and Melissa Palinkas keep a keen eye on what’s happening globally and have distilled their findings into a thoughtful, neighbourhood-friendly package where staff pride themselves on minimising waste while maximising guests’ enjoyment.
Why you stayIf you live in or around the 6158 postcode, you’re probably reading this on your smartphone, perched on one of the stools at the bar with a glass of something delicious on hand, smug as a bug that Young George is your local. For the rest of us, this brick and limestone building that looks and feels like it’s been here forever makes for a covetable neighbourhood haunt. Tables both high and low fill the room as well as the downstairs cellar, which is set aside for functions and events. The layout of the space might look more restaurant than pub, but the room has no problem finding its voice when it’s time to party. While the owners have paid attention to the details – whatever your drink order, count on good glassware and choices – the outgoing staff evidently got the neighbourhood bar brief, and they keep the mood suitably relaxed.
What drink to orderLike any self-respecting watering hole, Young George takes every aspect of its drinks offering seriously. An interest in cocktail culture is evident in gently tweaked versions of the standards. The Negroni Shakerato fuses two of Italy’s greatest contributions to drinkers: coffee, and the world’s favourite Campari-fuelled aperitivo cocktail. A Manhattan starring a liqueur made from apple skin and scraps proves minimising and upcycling waste isn’t just a kitchen thing. Although the beers on tap and in the bottle are almost exclusively West Australian, the wine list takes guests around Australia, with occasional forays into Europe – ciao, Sardinian vermentino!
cocktails and drinks at Young George
Food and Drinks at Young George
What to pair it withMelissa Palinkas is a cook who trades in bold, more-is-more cooking. The house-made cured meats are some of WA’s finest and might include truffled mortadella, duck prosciutto and other meats that’ll play nice with the white wines in the cellar. The offer of mutton neck roasted in the wood-fired oven speaks to an interest in lesser-seen cuts, while wood-roasted cabbage, and lupin and nettle dumplings have vegetarians covered. While some dishes will suit solo diners – that’d be the milk bun housing a fried chicken cutlet coated in blitzed instant ramen for maximum crunch and savour – the menu of small plates is largely about sharing, so consider dinner a team sport. If you can’t bring friends, best pack a good appetite.
Why we love itFor close to a decade, Young George has been East Fremantle’s de facto living room and something of an anchor for perpetually shifting George Street. This commitment to being a good neighbour is also evident in the bar’s dedication to minimising waste. The kitchen has banned single-use plastics, Melissa deals directly with producers and buys unwanted produce, and off-cuts are regularly offered as specials such as the grilled octopus head skewers.
Regular’s tipWhat’s a neighbourhood spot without specials for its locals? Whether it’s the $16 pizza-and-wine deal on Wednesday nights, or the “Groundhog Day” wood-roasted pork special available all day on Sundays, here’s a bar that works hard to deliver bang for buck to regulars. Liked the house cured meats? Much of them are available to take away down the road at Young George’s deli spin-off, Ethos. Want to make a night of it? The historic Tradewinds Hotel, a boutique stay overlooking the Swan River, is just a short stroll away.
Pizza at Young George
Who to takeAs a bar-slash-restaurant hybrid, Young George can do it all, from delivering those all-important big-night-out thrills to being that rock-solid option for weeknight comfort. This diversity is reflected in the crowd: a joyful mix of groups and solo drinkers, the younger and the older, and those who are here to talk business (daytime trading hours and good coffee make Young George a solid option for a working lunch) and those who simply want to focus on having a good time.
Authour image
Max VeenhuyzenMax Veenhuyzen is a Perth food, drink and travel journalist who contributes to key Australian publications.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryHappy hourGood for groupsKiller cocktailsFamily affairFancy occasionWheelchair accessibleOutdoor areaDate nightPet friendlyPerthCasual catch-upBarAfter work drinksMeal and a bevTop notch wine listRestaurant
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