Attachments
10 Apr 2025
Wednesday 9 April 2025: After announcing its return to Chippendale earlier this year, Bar Freda's will officially open on Thursday 24th April, occupying two levels across a row of heritage terraces connected to The Abercrombie. Helmed by Freda's co-founders, David Abram and Carla Uriarte, Bar Freda's promises to be a warm and welcoming space that brings people together over food, drink and music.
On the ground floor you'll find vintage light fittings casting a soft glow, bar stools that have been reupholstered from the original Freda's, and large bay windows that let the neighbourhood in. Upstairs, a giant disco ball will hint at what's to come – a dedicated DJ room powered by Freda's signature Danley Sound System. While in adjacent rooms you'll find cosy booths, and a stainless-steel bar built for good times that go well into the early hours.
Bar Freda's is the lovechild of Cafe Freda's and the original Freda's, so on its menu you'll find an eclectic mix of bar snacks, nostalgic pastas, and stacked sandwiches. Bar snacks will include Sydney Rock Oysters, house made pickles, sliced meats, and marinated vegetables for sharing. The Lasagne croquette with a side of hot sugo promises to be on high rotation. Nostalgic pastas come in the form of a Rigatoni with eggplant ragu and stracciatella, plus Mafaldine with crab, tomato, chilli and pangrattato, which nod to beloved Cafe Freda's pasta nights.
Bookending the menu will be regularly rotating deli style sandwiches including a Reuben-esque tower of beef pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Freda's house dressing, as well as a fried King Prawn roll with Thousand Island dressing, pickled cucumber and iceberg.
“Bar Freda's draws inspiration from late night bars in Berlin and other great after-hours cities, and American dive bars that have maintained their character and warmth over many decades of servicing a city's social needs,” said Dave.
“With our menu at Bar Freda's, you'll find elements of diners or a deli counter in New York. Lots of things to share and big hot sandwiches to fill you up. Plus pastas harking back to Cafe Freda's (yes, there will be a regular wine and pasta special!). It's meant to be fun and easy, but filled with quality and comfort,” said Dave.
The drinks list follows suit and is intentionally unpretentious, fun, and crafted with care. You'll find Freda's classic Mega Mate, a vodka + Club Mate combo built to keep you dancing into the night. Elevated slushies include the Frozen Espresso Martini (made with NODO Coffee Tequila and dairy-free whip), and a Pina Colada infused with Matcha.
On the cocktail list you'll find classic cocktails with a twist like the Freda's Martini (vodka, vermouth, pickle brine), and a Negroni featuring pineapple Campari and pomelo vermouth. For Margarita fans, there's a choice of three: Tommy's, the Spicy with mezcal, mandarin and habanero, and a Margarita using all locally sourced ingredients that includes Black Snake Agave, rosella, and smoked salt. As always, wine is a major focus, with a rotating list from small Australian and European producers, plus an extensive range of non-alcoholic options.
“We've cherry picked all the drinks we love, with a focus on fun and nothing too heavy. Three different Margaritas. Easy drinking wines from small Australian and European producers. A rotating specialty tap from our friends at Grifter. Slushies using high quality and specialty ingredients. Cerveza on tap, that you can make into a Michelada. Lots of great boutique non-alcoholic options including Club Mate. Something for everyone,” said Carla.
Backed by Solotel and built on 15 years of late-night hospitality experience, the Bar Freda's team is also programming the club space next door, with regular Club Freda's nights designed to give local DJs, artists and promoters a place to create and connect. More on this to follow.
The Details
Opening Happy Hour Specials: We will have happy hours Tuesday to Saturday 5-7pm. On the menu will be $7 Select Schooners, $12 Frozen Cocktails, $15 Tommy's, 10% Off Bottled Wine
Bar Freda's Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 5pm-12am; Friday & Saturday 5pm-3am. Bookings now open! Book here
Address: Abercrombie Terraces, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
