Introducing… FRATE

By now, you’ve probably heard something about FRATE, the new entertainment complex behind Newcastle's Grey Street that opened at the end of May. Housed in a series of shipping containers, this new centre promises music, films, food, drink and all-round good times. We caught up with Rob Clarkson, one of the owners (who is also behind Pumphreys, The Dog & Parrot and Market Shaker), to find out what we should expect.

Image: The FRATE site before development

We started by asking what the original inspiration was for FRATE and what it brings to the city. “The idea behind Frate was born off the back of covid, when hospitality venues were allowed to open outdoors for tables of up to 6 people," Rob explains.  “The landlord of the site allowed us to use the car park behind our sister venue Market Shaker to create an outdoor space for customers to enjoy drinks and socialise. The outdoor space was a huge success and pushed me and co-owner Tommy Byron to ask the landlord if we could lease the land to create a new and exciting outdoor hospitality venue. Once permission and planning applications were granted, the concept of FRATE started to come alive.”

Rob and Tommy have a twenty-year lease on the land so it won’t be a short-term venture, and they plan to keep it open to 2am every day, all year round, with plans to install a canopy roof or retractable structure to keep the heat in for the colder months.

Image: FRATE at night

Frate has inevitably drawn some comparisons with the recently dismantled STACK, but Rob is keen for people to appreciate that FRATE is a very different venture. Unlike STACK, FRATE will be run as one venue instead of a variety of franchises, he explains. “And although people have drawn similarities to STACK, other than the use of shipping containers, we hope people will be able to appreciate a new and different take on the experience of outdoor food and drink, ultimately one that allows us to forge our own reputation and vibe for the venue.“

Image: One of FRATE's cocktail bars

As well as some of the city’s best-loved DJs, live music and screenings of films and live sport, they’re also planning record fairs, vintage clothes fairs, yoga and more. And alongside its two cocktail bars, there’ll be a rotating roster of food stalls. “The food vendors will be changing every 6 months, bringing a fresh offering for the people of Newcastle to experience and enjoy.” Slice Boys are offering pizza and Babs offering kebabs and mezze to kick things off. “The shipping container venue will be offering an exciting space for the community to come together, socialise, and experience events in a unique setting.”

Image: Slice Boys at FRATE

FRATE certainly sounds like an exciting addition to Newcastle's nightlife, somewhere to grab some cocktails and some grub, watch the match or Wimbledon, listen to a great DJ on a warm evening and much more so make sure to stop by the city's newest hangout soon.