Perth’s Hay St mall drops ‘too rough’ tag and gets first alfresco cafe

Hay Street mall in Perth continues to be rejuvenated, having now opened its first alfresco food and beverage venue in nearly a decade.

The strip is shedding its sorded past, with calls for it to become a go-to café strip.

While Hay St Mall’s anti-social behaviour and vacant shops have long been a blight on the city, there are now calls for it to become a cafe strip.

This has started with the opening of Italian eatery Espresso & Prosecco, which could be the area’s first-ever outdoor licensed venue.

Espresso & Prosecco offers breakfast, lunch and aperitivo.

Espresso & Prosecco owner Guiseppe Agnello said of the mall, “It does get a bit of riff-raff but it’s pretty tame.

“Since August it has really picked up and today was very, very busy. Hopefully that inspires other cafe owners to join us and turn Hay St Mall into a cafe strip.”

Mr Agnello also has plans for a rooftop bar at the venue.

The City of Perth council has spent $760,000 on the mall, including murals, native plant boxes, improved lighting, street furniture and a light exhibition to make it more user friendly.

While Mayor Basil Zempilas wants more cafes in the city.

“This is one of the most significant openings in the CBD in the last decade,” Zempilas said.

“Licensed food and beverage back in the heart of the city, with alfresco spilling out into the mall is exactly what we want to see in our CBD - and I’m confident it will be a catalyst for more.”

Jonathan Jackson - 10-11-22