Bar Fred

I want to like Bar Fred. I really do. It’s got a cool name, it’s almost on my doorstep, and it’s not the worse place in the world. My partner says the beer selection is pretty good here as well, but I just find it, well, lacking. I’ve found the place to be closed when it’s advertised to be open, and the service is minimal. I place a lot of value on friendly, welcoming staff, and Bar Fred doesn’t appear to have any when I’ve visited. I asked for a spirit/​coke mixer on one occasion only to be told I’d have to go elsewhere for coke. No coke? That was a first.
I’ll give them this — they do good pizza here, and it’s affordable. It opens up into something quite funky and can accommodate groups towards the back as well as people dropping in for one or two at the front. Outside there always seems to be a regular or three knocking about which is a good sign. I’d say if you’re into your beers and just fancy somewhere to chill you could do worse, but don’t go expecting to be wowed.

I used to visit a friend down here every so often and I saw this bar sitting there but for some reason never actually went inside to check it out. A part of me seemed to be more comfortable in a more traditional pub. However recently I decided to come back down this way to check out some of my old haunts and in doing some came and visited this place — all I can say is that I was really impressed. What stupid part of me turned a blind eye to this really cool bar hidden up this end of Nicholson Street. First and foremost the staff were awesome, and secondly it’s more than just a bar, it does pizza as well. While you have pizza shops everywhere, this place is a bar first, and a pizza shop second, but it seems that quite a lot of people come here for the pizza. The place is really ectectic, and while they don’t have beers on tap, they do have a pretty decent bottled range. Seriously, why didn’t I come and check this place out earlier?

Cheap and good pizzas, $ 10 with a beer. The owner, Sol/​Sal?, can usually be found out front eyeing off passers by… I suspect he is in a bikie gang but this does not matter, not with the quality and range of beers.

I don’t really go for pizza. I know, weird hey? Everyone loves pizza, you say. I say you’re wrong.
And what’s more, I don’t really go in for places that lure punters in with the promise of cheap pizza (after all, pizza is basically the scraps and scrapings piled on bread and heated with cheese on top and therefore pretty much the lowest form of food and therefore should be cheap) and then sting with inflated drinks prices. They don’t really do that here, however, it’s pleasantly surprising.
Sure, their average beer prices here are a bit steep, but they off set that with specials and running deals on local beers. They actually have a fine selection of ales if you wanna spend the cash, but their weekly revolving specials are the best.
As far as pizza goes, it ain’t bad here. They adhere to the ‘less is more’ ethos in terms of toppings, which I respect, but they maybe even take it a bit too far. Still, it’s not a bad spot for a mid week tipple and a yarn and is great for large groups.

I was a little apprehensive as to what to expect from this place, I heard it has tasty cheap pizza and cheap beer with a side order of attitude from the staff, however i found only the first two to be true
The idea of this Pizza /​Bar (pretty much the whole interior is surrounding the bar which runs along the left wall) is that you need to order a beverage in order to enjoy the very tasty pizza for $ 5. With this I had no problem, my only problem was deciding which beer to choose as they have a massive selection. Luckily or unluckily the couple of beers we did choose had run out though the staff suggested a couple of others which were great. There is no beer on tap.
I ate a putanesca pizza which was delicious. The staff were civil and I enjoyed a very relaxed night.
I will be definently be heading back to this place soon.

You’ll like this place more if you don’t expect much from the service and just go for the cheap pizza and the long list of cheap beer. If you live out this way, then you’ll love the place even more. If you need to travel out here, let me suggest that you don’t, it’ll have you judging the place more harshly which means it won’t come up looking too good.

Bar Fred is one of my absolute favourite places in all of Melbourne, and is the kind of place you should check out even if you live on the Southside of town.
This small bar/​restaurant is almost always packed, but never fear as you rarely have to wait long for a table. The $ 5 imported beers and $ 5 pizzas keep the Carlton North locals wanting more, and the relaxed, casual atmosphere keeps everyone in a great mood.
A really great place for a casual first date, and a fantastic venue for those that love beer and are keen to try the latest and greatest from around the world.
The only negative? The last few times I have been there I have gotten, well, attitude from the owner and staff. For instance, I wasn’t allowed to order on behalf of my friends?! But this is one place where I am willing to put up with that… It’s just that good.