Brooklyn's Freehold Changed the Way New Yorkers Eat, Work, and Play
Brooklyn's hip pocket of Williamsburg is lined with a collection of cafés, cool workspaces, and trendy bars filled with live music and game rooms. So it's no surprise that Freehold—a unique 10,000-square-foot space that offers visitors all of the above—was named the most visited late night restaurant by Lyft in 2018. With the feel of a classic boutique hotel (although, sadly, you can't stay there), Freehold was designed and developed by owners Brad Gallagher & Brice Jones, and its café was designed by Crown Design.
Since its opening, Freehold has become a hot spot for the laptop workforce by day, and a lively gathering place for creative cocktails, small bites, live music, and gameplay in the evening. "Freehold has the ability to transition seamlessly from day to night," says Lydia Mazzolini, partner and executive marketing director. And that, of course, was all by design.
Freehold opens early in the morning as a coffee shop and shared workspace. On a typical day, you'll find find guests snacking on avocado toast while taking conference calls, says Mazzolini. By mid-afternoon, patrons are hard at work on their laptops, or perhaps taking a break to play hooky and have a drink in the courtyard with friends.
As evening approaches, Freehold takes on an entirely different vibe. "The lights dim and the music changes. All of a sudden you find guests subconsciously putting away their laptops and joining friends who made the trek back to Brooklyn from their corporate midtown jobs for a martini," says Mazzolini.
In fact, it's not uncommon to find guests dancing around the bar. There always seems to be some type of event scheduled, including live comedy in the lobby, whiskey tastings, seasonal garden parties, and more.
From offering laid back, nine-to-five workspaces to buzzing as a trendy nightlife destination, the "hotel without hotel rooms" welcomes a variety of guests. "Simply put, Freehold has something for everyone," says Mazzolini.
Inviting gathering spaces. Guests can catch up with a beverage, or co-workers can have an off-site brainstorming session while feeling like they're enjoying someone's backyard terrace.
Golden touches. A closer look at the bar reveals pops of gold from the taps to the drink shakers, which bring out the sleek shine on the bar top surface and contrast with the concrete slab border around the bar, and black metal stools. Funky-colored backsplashes round out the whole look.
Glitzy game time. Skee-Ball, basketball, and pinball machines beckon gamers along the exposed painted brick wall. But the section is classed up by the nearby hanging chandelier and velvet purple seating.
Courtyard cool. This outdoor courtyard space adds a depth of urban sophistication to Freehold, from its pop art grafitti-esque wall mural to its faux grass flooring.
A gold and green welcome. The entry to Freehold offers a peek at what's to come inside—the lush potted ferns and bright metallic golden doors.
An eclectic café. Comfy window seating with brightly colored pillows and low tables, as well as long pub height tables and high counter stools provide a nice change from the usual work routine.
