Freo Harbour Bar is riding a wave of success with its fantastic house-made pizzas and stunning views at the revamped E Shed Markets on Victoria Quay.
Since taking over the bar fi ve years ago, Garth Ingram has transformed it into a stylish venue with a great range of local beers on tap, a hand-picked range of WA wines, more than 40 types of spirits and a state-of-the-art pizza oven.
Heading up the kitchen is a top Perth chef with more than 40 year’s experience in the industry.
He uses local produce and house-made dough and sauces in a great range of pizzas that include the garlic-infused Keep Vampires Away, My body is a Temple (vegetarian) and Pig in a Field (mozzarella, ham and mushroom).
All the old favourites are covered too with Margherita, ham and cheese, meat lovers and garlic prawn.
The bar has gone down a storm with locals who can’t get enough of the food and drink in the glorious al fresco, where you can sit under the stylish veranda and enjoy amazing views of Fremantle Harbour and the A wide range of drinks Indian Ocean.
Or come winter sit in the recently upgraded E Shed food court, where Ingram has installed some bespoke tables and chairs.
“We’ve built up a great rapport with locals who love coming down for some friendly craic while enjoying the amazing views and a cold beer or glass of wine,” Ingram says.
“It’s really taken off and were so happy with how the bar has been received by the local community; especially the pizzas, which people say are the best and always get a top review.”
“We’ve had people come up from Mandurah to try them!”
Prior to taking over the reins at Freo Harbour Bar, Ingram designed and installed commercial kitchens and bars in more than 100 top WA venues including The Rooftop Bar at The National in Fremantle, 8 Knots Tavern in East Freo and the new Flaming Galah on Essex Street.
Ingram applied his magic touch to the Freo Harbour Bar in an extensive refurb that included bi-fold doors, a top-notch commercial kitchen and a glorious photo of Ningaloo reef.
In a little nod to his Irish heritage, he even has Guinness on tap, and insists on glasses being chilled to keep the beer nice and frosty.
Since Fremantle Ports took over management of the E Shed about two and a half years ago, Ingram says the place has been refurbed and reborn.
“There’s live music every Saturday and Sunday, a DJ on Fridays and they’re organising more and more events. It’s been a real turnaround for the place,” he says.
“The return of the cruise ships has also revitalised things, and there’s a real buzz about this end of port now.”
Freo Harbour Bar has just launched a new winter menu with seasonal pizza, bruschetta and veg or beef nachos, and Fremantle Ports are planning to install external heaters.
Ingram says the venue is dog and child-friendly with great disabled access.
“It’s a fantastic spot for a casual meal and drink and once people come down they say,
‘Why didn’t I know about this place before?”
Freo Harbour Bar Open Fri, Sat & Sun 11am to 8pm
EShed Markets, Victoria Quay
freoharbourbar.com