Fans farewell Frankie’s’ Pizza as iconic Sydney late night venue closes
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Hundreds of revelers queued for hours to get a final slice of a Sydney nightlife icon.
Frankie’s Pizza has ordered the last few drinks as the popular CBD pizzeria and live music venue prepares to close its doors for good before being demolished for construction of the Sydney Underground.
Famous for its rock and roll sounds, daily $1 pizza slice specials and secret ‘Fun Room’, massive crowds have flocked to the iconic CBD underground venue to get a taste of the action.
The last night of one of Sydney’s last nightspots this Sunday also coincides with the bar’s 10th birthday.
Some of the world’s biggest stars have walked through the doors over the past decade, from Blondie lead singer Deborah Harry and Priscilla Presley to Guns and Roses, The Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins.
Grammy Award-winning Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale is also a famous fan and stole the show as the headlining act at the packed bar on Wednesday night.
Frankie’s Pizza fans are hungry for one final taste of the action before the iconic spot closes on Sunday night.
Hundreds packed Frankie’s Pizza on Wednesday night for a free concert by Australian hard rock band Wolfmother (frontman Andrew Stockdale pictured)
Famous for its pizza slices and drinks in colored glasses, Frankie’s is nearing the end of an era.
Huge lines stretched 250 meters around the block on a weeknight for one last slice of cheesy pizza and a drink in a brightly colored plastic cup.
Frankie’s fans are heartbroken and angry, one of Sydney’s last nightspots is closing as the port city’s bleak nightlife struggles to find a new lease on life post-Covid and late-night lockouts.
‘Sydney has this uncanny ability to sniff out joy and life and then demolish it. It’s the worst city I’ve ever lived in, if an IG influencer was a city it would be Sydney,” said one furious man online.
One woman added: ‘Best bar in all of Sydney. Another defunct live music establishment.
A third said: “Frankie’s Pizza is iconic and it’s a shame they couldn’t put the Subway in a slightly different location.” I hope it moves because the city needs places open late.
Guns & Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed was among thousands of revelers with fond memories and paid tribute last week.
‘One last Jägermeister and one last Pizza @frankiespizzabytheslice Thanks for all the good memories and all the things I don’t remember. Also many thanks to all the staff who always took great care of us. I’m going to miss that place!’ public.
The packed place kept Frankie’s waiters and bar staff busy with orders on Wednesday.
Margherita and pepperoni pizzas were on the menu for these Frankie fans
Frankie fans have until this Sunday to get one final slice of the action at the iconic venue.
Frankie’s has had many famous patrons, from Blondie lead singer Deborah Harry and Priscilla Presley to Guns and Roses, The Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins and Grammy Award-winning band Wolfmother (pictured performing at the bar on Wednesday by the night)
Last month, Frankie’s announced The Final Campaign to fire Sydney.
“It’s time to leave our legions, say goodbye to our four walls and end up in our scariest fucking place,” a statement read.
When the last week of festivities began on Sunday, a crowd of 200 people were already lining up outside before the gates opened.
The farewell party ends this Sunday night with the aptly named Decade of Debauchery.
The venue announced Wednesday that its frames, neon lights and posters taped to the walls will be auctioned off, giving fans a chance to own their piece of the Frankie story.
The A RIP Frankie range of t-shirts has also been a huge hit with customers.
Frankie’s first opened its doors in late 2012, and it didn’t take long for the venue to become a favorite with both Sydneysiders and international visitors.
Lines stretched 250 om around the block on a weeknight to see rock band Wolfmother perform one last free concert at Frankie’s
For the past decade, Frankie’s Pizza has been the go-to night spot for Sydneysiders and international visitors (revelers pictured Wednesday night)
Many revelers will return this Sunday for the last night and Frankie’s 10th birthday.
The bar is famous for its Jameson whiskey and freshly made apple juice served in colorful glasses.
Frankie’s Pizza is one of the few nightspots in Sydney where revelers can end their night on the town with pizza and a final round of beers.
It’s not too late to have fun at the end at Frankie’s Pizza, but you have to be quick.
Before the Sydney lockouts, the eclectic venue had a 24-hour business license. Blondie’s lead singer, Deborah Harry, was one of their first customers who happily waited in line for the second night of trading.
The likes of Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins and Guns & Roses frontman Axl Rose are just a few of the famous faces to try a night at Frankie’s.
Priscilla Presley loved Frankie so much that she came back the next night.
Metal band Slayer were also up for a late-night bite to eat, but were reluctantly denied entry because it was past 1:30am on the first night of the city’s hated lockout regime introduced in 2014. .
When Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian lifted Sydney’s lockout laws in January 2020, the city was weeks away from going into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NSW government announced 18 months ago that Frankie’s would make way for a new tube line linking Parramatta to the CBD.
The owners were reluctant to relocate the bar, unsure if “lightning can strike twice” and have urged fans to hold their breath.
“The world is changing a bit and the last thing you want to see is a watered down version of Frankie’s,” Jordan McDonald told the Daily Telegraph.
Those wishing to get in on the action before Frankie’s closes should arrive early.
Revelers mark the end of an era for popular CBD pizzeria and live music venue
Frankie’s Pizza fans have been dreading this day ever since the news was announced 18 months ago.