Feature by Jo Baker
Beloved Fremantle (Walyalup), Perth’s (Boorloo’s) hipster seaside sister city, goes by the name of ‘Freo’ and oozes the kind of free-spirited, spontaneous creative energy that makes for the best nights out. Her charming salty port, UNESCO World Heritage and eclectic indie vibes have drawn the most passionate makers of music, art, food, brews, and all flavours of fun. Here’s some inspiration for planning an historic date night with her.
Let Freo entertain you
There’s a permanent buzz around Freo fueled by the best barista-brewed coffee on the Cappuccino Strip by day and a jam-packed calendar of festivals, live music and comedy by night. The port town lures big local, national and international names and launches plenty of new talent into the stratosphere too. Check out Freo’s regular go-tos for the latest gigs at Mojos Fremantle, Freo.Social, The Duke of George, Fremantle Comedy Factory and Fremantle Arts Centre.
Be drawn to the light
Say ‘salute’ to the sun as it takes its daily evening dip in the Indian Ocean and sets the sky aflame. Reclined in a deckchair with feet in the white sand and a cocktail in hand at Bathers Beach House (WA's first licensed beach area). Relaxing on the decks of North Fremantle’s big, beautiful beach house bars at Bib & Tucker and Coast Port Beach. Or riding off into its golden glow aboard a 12.5m luxury catamaran, sipping bubbles on a Twilight Sunset Sail.
Bather's Beach House, Fremantle
Go over to the dark side
Yes, there’s a dark side to Freo that reveals itself after nightfall to those who dare to creep into its ghastly past on a Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour. No virtual reality trickery here, just the cold dark prison walls echoing the most spine-chilling true stories of pain, suffering and executions gone wrong, your guide adding a few good ghost stories, and your imagination running away with you. Enter if you dare.
Tunnel Tour, Fremantle Prison
Hit the South Fremantle strip
Kissed by salty breezes and ocean sunsets, and serving up some killer sips and delicious bites, South Terrace is a favourite spot to soak up the golden hour. Pitch up at a sidewalk table at Madelana’s Bar, drink in its European vibe and sink into the freshest, most sustainable local seafood bites. Come together at the confluence of mixology, fermentology and gastronomy for some insanely good pairings of booze and bites at Percy Flint’s. Or make yours a margarita, followed by some of the most authentic Mexican fare this side of the southern hemisphere at La Cabaña. Nearby, Running With Thieves will make the little detour to Marine Terrace well worth your while for a paddle of their lovingly crafted beers and gins.
Crawl the rooftop highs and underground gems
Freo’s wide array of watering holes reflects every aspect of her eclectic character, from stunningly restored yesteryear charms to raw industrial warehouse vibes. Want to get to know her bar scene more intimately? Crawl in style with Peddle Perth or Hidden DeTours. Or start with a golden hour cocktail on the rooftop and work your way down underground.
East Freo’s Sweetwater Rooftop Bar is a top spot to begin, a favourite sundowner with regular DJs and fresh Asian-inspired bites. The grand gold rush era brings the jackpot of rooftop panoramas from The National Hotel, and The Old Synagogue draws a devoted crowd to its four-tiered hub of good times. Head up to The Arbor’s lush rooftop beer and wine garden and grab some Southeast Asian-infused bites on your way down to discover its darling, intimate little speakeasy, L’Chaim.
Tonic + Ginger, Fremantle
Take a class at the coolest night schools
If Freo ignites a creative spark, you’ll find plenty of art studios and spaces flinging open their doors to help you channel that energy into something. Get crafty and clayful with a mid-week mug-making class at Stackwood. Bring your favourite wine and a friend to sip, paint and laugh through a Pino & Picasso class. Or learn how to bottle those creative juices of yours at Republic’s Gin School. Get hands-on, get messy and have a go.
Repubic of Fremantle, Fremantle
Beat the highest-scoring nights out
Bring your date, mates, family, colleagues and inner child and Freo will bring the best times with plenty of laugh-out-loud, high-energy, fast-paced gameplay. Kick things off at FOMO in Walyalup Koort, the young-at-heart heart of Fremantle with multiple multi-player options in one spot. Play 18 of the craziest holes at Holey Moley Golf Club. Roll on to Strike Bowling and get your fill of nostalgic joystick joy at B Lucky & Sons arcade game bar. Or aim for something a little different over on South Terrace, where the great British ‘Social darts’ phenomenon has taken off at the fairground-themed Flight Club.
Published March 2025.