The story
Fredericks is the brainchild of a veritable dream team of Brisbane’s best. Nestled in the heart of West Village, the concept is the result of a collaboration between Paul McGivern and Bailee Dewes (La Lune Wine Co, Corella ), Daniel and Amelia Miletic (One Fish Two Fish), and Jon Dowding and Chrissy Feld. If the last two names don’t ring a bell, it’s a safe bet you’re familiar with their work. The two are notable designers who have worked across film and interiors, with a portfolio that includes Mad Max (yes, that Mad Max), Hostelworld’s Sand Hostel and Libertine Parfumerie. The three groups have put their respective expertise together to create Fredericks at West Village, taking direct inspiration from Frederick Peters (the founder of the iconic Peters Ice Cream Factory that sits at the centre of the thriving hub) to create what could be the perfect summer bar. With a projected lifespan of three months, Fredericks is certainly here for a good time, not a long time. That being said, it gives a taste of what can be expected when West Village completes its anticipated food, retail, and specialty store expansion.
The space
Fredericks is perched at the top of West Village’s Factory Lane, with prime position overlooking The Garden Pantry, The Common and part of the Peters Ice Cream Factory. Although tucked away from the bustle of Boundary Street, Fredericks isn’t hard to find. Jon and Chrissy have utilised every inch of space to add life and energy to the nook’s visuals, from menu design to the pop-up’s aesthetic itself. Colourful neons beckon from afar, with a glowing Fredericks sign and multi-hued lighting over the bar saturating the corner with vibrant tones. Pair that with eye-catching murals incorporating motifs nodding to food, drink and travel, and an open-plan sun-dappled al fresco seating area, and you’ve got a place ideally suited for summertime sips.
The food and drink
With the look of the venue covered, it came down to Paul, Bailee, Amelia and Daniel to back it up with food and drink that similarly invigorated the senses. Fans of the wine selection at Corella or La Lune will be pleased to know that Paul and Bailee have brought a similar insightful approach to the quaffing material. The Fredericks drinks list leads with cocktails, with concoctions such as the Lemon Drop, Planters Punch, negroni and Aperol spritz the perfect choice if you’d like to colour coordinate with the decor. A clutch of craft beers (Kaiju, Sailors Grave, Aether Brewing and others) lead into the wine list, with a curated collection of sparkling, white, pink and red sourced from Australia’s top wine regions and a few international vineyards. If you’ve got food on your mind, flip to the back of the menu and browse the range of snacks. Shared bites such as mixed olives, duck-fat potatoes, manchego croquettes, crispy squid, toasties (think spaghetti bolognese, and gruyere and greens), and cheese and salumi plates are on offer, while food from The Garden Pantry retailers (Cheeky Poké and Mr Bunz) can also be ordered to enjoy on site.
Fredericks is now open to the public. Head to the Stumble Guide for opening hours.
