The small bar model is gaining momentum among Perth's hospitality industry, with an additional 12 licences granted since the start of the year, including five small bar licences.
While the small bar licence, introduced in May 2007, has been defining a new style of boutique venues in Perth, the concept has also been taken on by restaurateurs applying for a tavern licence.
Prominent hospitality figure Kate Lamont was granted a tavern licence for her tapas/wine bar project on Station Street in Cottesloe, Lamont's Cottesloe.
The tavern licence allows the venue to serve food and liquor without food and, in the case of Lamont's Cottesloe, allows take away liquor.
The Perth CBD, West Perth and Subiaco are the pioneers of the small bar wave, hosting venues including Amphoras, Pure Bar and 1907 Bar.
Alda's in Wolfe Lane and Etro on King Street were added to the map in January when they received their small bar licences.
The Old Canton Bar, located on the first floor of 532 Hay Street, was granted a small bar licence in April and plans to open its doors in June once thorough renovations of the former Chinese restaurant are completed.
Owners of the Hula-Bula bar, Josh and Barbara Collins, launched their latest venture, The Devilles Pad, on the East Perth side of Aberdeen Street in late April.
Outside the CBD, North Fremantle's Mrs Brown Bar, attached to Flipside Burger Bar on Queen Victoria Street, has also been granted a small bar licence.
So too has Leederville's Double Lucky, which is located in the same complex as Niche bar, off Newcastle Street.
In addition, Brendan Aitken's Suite Wine Bar projects in Shenton Park and Mt Hawthorn have both received council approval.
The timely and costly process, which involves applicants navigating their way through council, liquor licensing authority and landlord approvals, is not getting any easier, according to Lavan Legal's Dan Mossenson.
"To open a small bar requires overcoming many hurdles," he told WA Business News.
"The process is getting harder and slower...as more small bars are granted the opportunities for additional licences diminish."
But the long wait for a licence is not over for everyone.
Highgate's GoGo's Madras Curry House executive chef GoGo Govardhan, whose application to change the use of the building next door from a recreational facility to small bar was knocked back by council a few weeks ago, is waiting for his appeal to be heard by the State Administrative Tribunal.
Mr Govardhan said he has paid $75,000 in rent since he secured the lease for the venue and has accumulated an estimated $1.5 million in lost trade.
The owners of Ellington Jazz Club on Beaufort St Highgate, who applied for a cabaret licence, and Murray Mews' Tiger, Tiger, who applied for a small bar licence, are also waiting for their licence approvals.