Perth restaurants could soon serve alcohol without food if Premier Colin Barnett has his way.

The premier said his pledge ahead of the March 9 election would end the restriction that prevented bar patrons from carrying their own drink from a licensed zone to an alfresco area.

He said it would also allow restaurants with less than 120 people to responsibly serve alcohol to seated patrons without serving them a meal.

If the Liberal Party was re-elected, it would reform the outdated liquor licensing regulations so people could enjoy a drink at a restaurant instead of a bar or tavern, Mr Barnett said.

"This change will mean that people who would like to have a drink at a restaurant, for instance after a show or event, can do so without having to order a meal," he said.

Mr Barnett said venues like The Flying Scotsman, The George and the Belgian Beer Cafe were currently under the strain of restrictive laws and would benefit from his proposed changes.

Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said ensuring diners were seated was an important distinction between restaurants and bars, hotels and taverns.

"The policy eliminates unnecessary red tape for restaurants wishing to offer a drink without a meal and removes the requirement for a special permit," he said.