July opening for a 1,000-capacity rooftop bar

Freight, a giant new open air venue above the Sports Direct store on Pope’s Road in Brixton is set to open on Friday 5th July.

Lambeth council’s licensing sub-committee approved plans for the venue, which will be London’s largest outdoor rooftop destination, on May 21.

The applicant, Field Vision Bars, says its business will have a capacity of 1,000, up to 200 employees and will involve an investment of £1,600,000.

Scheduled hours are 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 AM to midnight Friday and Saturday.

The site, once a car park, previously housed the Brixton Beach bar.

A new door to the venue will see those visiting the Freight Transport leave directly through a former railway arch onto Brixton Station Road, which Field Vision says will take them away from the homes of most Brixton central residents.

The company’s representative at the virtual subcommittee meeting said: “I don’t want you to think for one second that this is some kind of pop-up or today-gone-tomorrow scenario.

“Field Vision Bars have signed a 10 year lease with Fraser’s Group (owners of the site). They very much want to be a part of the local economy and encourage and lead that economy for years to come,” the Field Vision representative told the sub-committee.

Local residents and local MP Helen Hayes, on their behalf, objected to the application on the grounds of noise – some homes are just yards from the proposed site – and a possible increase in anti-social behaviour.

However, after much consideration, subcommittee chair Linda Bray said: “We have considered this application very carefully and have decided to accept it.

“We looked very carefully at the residents’ objections and the conditions that were put forward by them to limit potential noise nuisance, for example any conditions relating to temporary events, but we felt that this would be beyond our power as a licensing sub-committee. .”

The plans for the site would appear to spell the end of Hondo Enterprises’ ambition to build a 20-storey tower on the site – which has always belonged to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct empire.

Freight Brixton said today (June 6) that it will “celebrate community, culture and music in the heart of South London”.

It will “bring together an incredibly talented group of people in one creative venue – featuring London’s best chefs, passionate winemakers, emerging musical talent and a wide program of cultural events.”

Chef residencies are promised from Robin Gill, owner of Bottle & Rye on Brixton’s Market Row, Rice Paddy, Darby’s, Breddos Tacos and Ruben’s Reubens.

Freight Brixton will also present a ‘Festival of Football’ for Euro 2024.

The venue “will host a diverse program including live performances and DJ sets, as well as provide local and emerging artists with a platform to connect with the community. Carefully thought out to cultivate the ultimate weekend destination, Freight Brixton will offer everything from themed brunches to football screenings and live jazz nights to night markets and local collective showcases.”

Street food vendors will rotate seasonally, along with three bars, Freight said, “the venue is a one-stop shop for local partygoers and visitors to drink, dance and dine.”

Two of the bars will be dedicated to cocktails: Hotel Campari, an “aperitif bar”, will offer classic negroni, chocolate negroni and limoncello spritz. Casamigos tequila brand House of Friends tequila bar will have “a range of paloma drinks, frozen margaritas and a special strawberry watermelon frozen paloma.”

Brixton Brewery will be serving its local craft beers with special events including dinners, beer tastings and limited edition beers.

Freight Brixton will team up with Sergio Verillo from urban winery Blackbook in Battersea, where all the grapes are sourced within hours of the city and bottled by hand. Sergio will combine his love of wine, art and music to host tastings and collaborative dining with London’s best chefs.

“Beyond a place of entertainment, Freight Brixton will be a celebration of community,” it said,

“Dedicated to honoring the vibrant spirit of Brixton, the team extend a warm invitation to local initiatives, from dance classes to youth charities and everything in between.

Email [email protected] if you want to get involved in the space.

You can sign up now for priority access when bookings open at freightbrixton.com

Instagram: @freightbrixton