After spending years as a bar manager at Mechanics Institutethen co-founded a groundbreaking nonprofit Mixed HousePippa Canavan’s career has gone from strength to strength. Last month she opened Bar Love alongside Mechanics Institute alumnus Murray Walsh. With a retro 70s interior with lots of pink and orange, trinkets and gold lettering – as well as drinks that mix modern trends like Mont Blanc cafes with retro drinks like melon liqueur – Bar Love is one of the most exciting new openings.

When she’s not behind the bar, Canavan frequents listening bars, orders a fancy bottle of wine at her local, and orders Thai so spicy it’ll rid you of whatever’s bothering you.

What is your favorite drink at Bar Love and why?
The melon ball. It is composed of Midori, dry vermouth, honeydew, eucalyptus and lemon. I love it because it’s a silly little mixed disco drink.

What is your preference if you want a quick dinner to go?
Longlae ​​Thai is amazing. They don’t take away the spiciness of the Western palate and I love that.

What if you had lunch on the go?
Dumplings House Authentic Bites. It’s simple, fast and you have them delivered by a robot server. The future is now!

What is your favorite snack in your city?
In good hands Mount Hawthorne makes the most delicious baguette with roasted cherry tomatoes and stracciatella. I’ve tried to recreate it at home many times but it’s never quite the same.

Where is the ideal place for a first date?
Astral weeks. The ambiance is perfect, the wine is delicious and you can have a nice meal in the hidden French restaurant Ah uh which is directed by Jae Woods, who will charm you.

If it’s a special occasion, where do you book? What do you order?
We will The Rebel and order crab toast and a bottle of something fancy from the secret wine list – Sarah Atkinson always has the goods.

Where to find the best coffee?
March Coffee Studio in the city produces the most famous caffeine this city has ever seen.

Do you have a long lunch appointment? What do you order?
The Lido in CottesloeI order the seafood pasta that is on the menu, and then I go for a swim at the beach.

How about a meal with a large group of family or friends?
The Falco in Mount Hawthorne is absolutely perfect for a large group, especially if you’re sitting outside on a Sunday afternoon.

What is your bucket list bar?
It’s a draw between cry baby in Adelaide (if you want to dance on the tables) or Rosella’s on the Gold Coast to enjoy some of the best drinks I’ve ever had in a very cozy and nostalgic setting.

If you’re looking for something sweet, where do you go and what do you get?
I will Gelato Cuccini and have two scoops of pistachio and saffron ice cream.

Is there a hidden gem that you think is awesome?
Fu Lu Shou next to Uncle Billy’s is one of my favorite bars in Perth. That’s thanks to the lovely Alex and Ryan, who always use their chemical engineering degrees to make weird and wonderful drinks (you have to ask him about it though, because he’s shy).

Tell us about a local producer you can’t stop thinking about.
The House of Honey in the Swan Valley has the most amazing selection of honey and honey products. The watermelon honey blew me away.

Where is your favorite place for a late night meal?
Alfred’s Pizzeria on Barrack Street will always tempt me.

What is your favorite hangover meal?
Chicken larb Long fireplaceit’s so spicy that you’ll forget about your headache.

Where is your favorite bottle shop?
Besk west of Leederville. This is the best selection of wines in Perth.

What is your favorite wine bar and what do you order there?
Technically it’s not a wine bar, but a bottle of a strange northern Italian orange is always a treat in the backyard of If Paradiso.

What is your favorite cocktail and where will you find it?
A Tommy’s margarita Mechanics Institutespecially made by KD Adams.

@pipcanavan
@barlovebar
@mixhaus.au