Just In: Sydney’s Most Beloved Nightclub Is Closing

It felt like a match made in heaven when Freda’s announced it was opening a neighbourhood bar at The Abercrombie Hotel and leading the pub’s music programming last year. 

Today, Freda’s founder David Abram said he and partner Carla Uriarte were ending their consultancy with Solotel, with Bar Freda’s last night slated for this Saturday. 

“When Carla and I took on this role, we understood the challenges that were in front of us; the enormity of the project and reality of running a late-night business in 2026. However, the opportunity to try and bring this old institution back to its former glory was too good to pass up,” he wrote in a statement on Instagram.

“Whilst this marks the end of this chapter, it does not mark the end of Freda’s. Our commitment to culture, community, and human connection through art and music remains. This fire burns bright.”

The news arrives less than two weeks after Toby Wilson announced the departure of Ricos Tacos from Solotel’s Redfern pub, The Norfolk Hotel.

Last month, Solotel announced it was offloading the leaseholds of four sites to Australian Venue Co: Barangaroo House, The Golden Sheaf, Public House Petersham, and The Erko. A fifth, The Bridgeview in Willoughby, is currently on the market.

Broadsheet has reached out to Bar Freda’s and Solotel for comment.

Bar Freda’s final night is this Saturday, 28 February. The team will cease programming of The Abercrombie’s club and rooftop in April.