Five years since its closure, beloved Sydney institution Freda’s will return to its home suburb of Chippendale in a new partnership between Solotel and owners Dave Abram and Carla Uriate.
Late-night bar Freda’s was an icon in Sydney’s nightlife before it was forced to close in 2020 due to redevelopment. Occupying a prime position on Taylor Square in Darlinghurst, Café Freda’s opened in the same year, upholding the spirit of the original Freda’s.
With the new site also set for redevelopment, Abram and Uriate announced the imminent closure of Café Freda’s in December last year, with Saturday 1 March being the last day of service.
Keeping the Freda’s spirit alive, the pair have partnered with Solotel to takeover the Lil Sis space at The Abercrombie in Chippendale, which will reopen in April as Bar Freda’s.
Solotel’s CEO Elliot Solomon said: “We’re delighted to be working with Dave and Carla to bring Freda’s back to its roots in Chippendale after its immensely successful run in Darlinghurst.
“Freda’s has always been synonymous with community and great energy, and this collaboration is an exciting opportunity for us to continue that legacy in a new way. We know Dave and Carla will put their unique stamp on The Abercrombie and make it something really special, and we look forward to working with them and seeing what they do.”
Sharing his excitement about Freda’s return to Chippendale, Abram said the partnership with Solotel felt like the right collaboration at exactly the right time.
“We had been thinking about how to bring together elements from the two different venues we’ve operated in the past, and when we first discussed the Lil Sis site and programming the club space in The Abercrombie with Elliot, it felt like serendipity – it was exactly what we had hoped to do for our next project.”
Freda’s has long held a reputation for its vibrant dance parties and showcase of live music, and with 15 years’ experience running late night venues, Abram and Uriate will now take creative lead in programming for The Abercrombie, which holds a 24-hour license.
“It’s remarkable that we’re coming back just a few hundred meters from where the original Freda’s was,” Abram added.
“That venue had a big impact on the nightlife scene at the time, and with Club Freda’s nights in the works, I’m beyond excited to be back in a position to provide opportunities for young DJs, promoters and creatives in Sydney and help give them a platform to perform and express themselves. At the heart of it, that’s what Freda’s has always been about.”
While the food and beverage offering is still being finalised, patrons can expect some familiarity with cues taken from both past and present venues.
“The drinks at Bar Freda’s will continue our tradition of offering fantastic wines from small producers, but we’ll also put a greater focus on cocktails, using quality ingredients but keeping things fun and approachable. We want it to be a space that’s accessible, welcoming, and community minded,” says Abram.
The announcement of a new direction for the Lil Sis side bar follows Solotel’s acquisition of three Public Hospitality venues in Sydney just last month, including The Norfolk in Redfern, Oxford House in Paddington, and Camelia Grove Hotel in Alexandria.