Freo.Social guide: parking, seating, ID and the train back to Perth

Freo.Social is the live music venue in the old Artillery Drill Hall in the middle of Fremantle. Its licence gives the address as 1 Holdsworth Street, Fremantle WA 6160, but the main entrance is on Parry Street, so that's the street to head for. Inside there's the Entertainment Hall for gigs, a side bar, a kitchen and a beer garden.

A few things catch people out here. It's a licensed 18+ venue that still lets under-18s into many shows with a parent or guardian. It's cashless. It doesn't publish a bag policy or a seating map. And if you're coming from Perth, the train home is the part to plan. The detail below comes from the venue's own pages, its Moshtix event listings, the City of Fremantle and Transperth, all checked on 2 October 2026. For more gigs around the port city, see concerts in Fremantle.

Quick facts

How do I get to Freo.Social?

Train

If you're coming from Perth, take the Fremantle Line to the end. The venue says Fremantle Train Station is a "15-minute walk" away, and the City of Fremantle describes "a compact, walkable city centre."

While the Fremantle Traffic Bridge is closed, Transperth is running two extra weekday trains between Fremantle and Perth in the morning and afternoon peaks. Those won't help after a gig. Check the Transperth Journey Planner for your trip.

Bus

The venue's Find Us page says to take the Fremantle CAT bus and get off at South Tce Fremantle Markets or High St after Queen St, each about a five-minute walk.

During the bridge closure, Transperth also runs a free transit zone along South Terrace between Douro Road and Fremantle Station. You have to tag on and off inside the zone with a SmartRider or contactless card.

Driving

The Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure affects road trips into Fremantle too. Transperth says "Travel times will be longer so we recommend you plan ahead." Check Main Roads WA for the current road changes before you drive.

Is there parking at Freo.Social?

Not on site, but there's a big council car park right next door. The venue's Find Us page says "PARRY ST 24Hr Car Park" is a one-minute walk.

Best parking for Freo.Social

Parry Street car park (City of Fremantle car park 1, 172 bays) is the obvious one. It's paid. The venue's page advertises the first hour free, but the council's own page describes the deal differently:

Other City of Fremantle options nearby:

• Queen St/Holdsworth St car park (car park 4) is also on the council's fee schedule. It's paid.
• Street parking: the council says there are more than 1,000 on-street bays in the city centre, and you can pay with EasyPark. The fee schedule lists separate evening fees for metered street zones.
• Free parking: the council lists 30-minute free parking on High Street (West End) and on Adelaide Street between Parry and Queen Streets. That's too short for a gig, but handy for a drop-off.

Not all parking in Fremantle belongs to the council. Wilson Parking and other private operators run their own car parks, and the council says it has no authority over them.

Accessible parking

The City of Fremantle says ACROD permits issued anywhere in the world are accepted, and "All ACROD parking permit holders are entitled to free parking and the signposted time limits are doubled." In a dedicated ACROD bay, stick to the time on the sign. The council has a map of ACROD bays in the CBD.

Does Freo.Social have seating?

Usually not for gigs. The Moshtix listing for a show we checked on 2 October 2026 sold "GENERAL ADMISSION - STANDING" tickets, and the venue's homepage describes "live gigs and events in the Entertainment Hall every week." The functions page says the Entertainment Hall can be set up for "Large Seated or Standing Functions" of 100 to 700 people, so some events may be seated.

There's no seating map on the venue's site. If your ticket doesn't say, assume it's standing, and email hello@freo.social if you need a seat.

The hall itself is the old drill hall: Wikipedia describes "curved laminated jarrah ribs" holding up a "26-metre-span, barrel vaulted roof." It's one big open room.

Capacity

The venue doesn't publish a gig capacity. Its functions page lists:

Treat the 700 as the top end for the hall. The real limit for a gig can be different.

Bag policy: what can you bring?

Freo.Social doesn't publish a bag policy. We couldn't find one on its website, its House Policy and Code of Conduct, or the Moshtix listing we read. The Code of Conduct does say staff ensure "measures are in place to disallow the conveyance of liquor into our premises," so don't bring alcohol.

The Moshtix venue info is clear on behaviour: "Dangerous behaviour including Crowd Surfing, Stage Diving, Moshing and Violent Dancing is not allowed and will result in your immediate removal from this venue." Intoxicated people won't be let in.

Bring a small bag, and check your event page or email the venue if you're unsure.

Age rules and ID

This is the one to get right. The venue's T&Cs, updated November 2023, say:

• "18+ VENUE. ID is required within the venue." The three accepted forms of photo ID are "A current Australian Drivers License", "A current Australian or International Passport" and "A current Western Australian Proof of Age Card".
• Minors are allowed to attend events "unless stipulated as 'Stricly 18+'". The ticket listing on Moshtix will say.
• All minors must be with a parent or guardian, who "must remain with them at all times whilst in the venue."

The Moshtix listing we checked put it as "18+ LICENSED SHOW - MINORS PERMITTED WITH A LEGAL GUARDIAN", though the same page also carried Moshtix's line "You need to be 18+ to attend this event". If you're buying for someone under 18, email the venue to confirm before you pay. Its venue info names only a driver licence or passport as acceptable ID, while the venue's own page also accepts a WA Proof of Age Card. Go by the venue's page, but a licence or passport is the safest bet.

Is Freo.Social cashless?

Yes. "Freo.Social is a cashless venue. We accept payment by credit and debit cards or digital wallet apps via EFTPOS."

Food and drink

The side bar pours "Rotating craft beers by Otherside Brewing Co., local wines and delicious cocktails." The venue suggests coming "down early for a feed before a show in the side bar and beer garden", and posts its menu on its homepage. The beer garden is "A space for everyone - including kids and dogs", with DJs and live music some days.

Under its Code of Conduct, the venue says it provides food, low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks and water, and free use of a phone for anyone arranging a safe trip home.

Accessibility

From the venue's FAQs, updated November 2023:

• Entry: "Accessible entry is via our main entrance on Parry Street."
• Toilets: "a unisex accessible bathroom is available for patrons in our Front Yard."
• Companion and carer entry: if you have a ticket and need a companion or carer, email hello@freo.social "at least 24 hours prior to the event" to arrange a complimentary companion ticket. The companion shows their government-issued Companion Card at the Ticket Desk.
• Anything else: email hello@freo.social before the event.

The venue's pages don't mention a viewing platform, a hearing loop or quiet spaces. Ask the venue if you need them.

The venue also has a written policy on prescribed medical cannabis. Vaping prescribed cannabis is allowed only in the designated smoking area, with a prescription you can show on request.

Tickets, doors and set times

• Tickets: the venue's T&Cs point to Moshtix. Some shows are also listed on Ticketmaster.
• On the door: Moshtix says "When ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door."
• Refunds: the Moshtix listing we checked said tickets are "non-refundable & non-transferable" once bought.
• Set times: the Moshtix listing said "SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE." The venue doesn't post a general door time, so check your event and the venue's socials on the day.
• Finishing times: "all mid week and Sunday events will be scheduled to finish by no later than 11.30pm and on Fridays and Saturdays, no later than 12 midnight."

Getting back to Perth after the show

Most people coming from Perth take the train. A few things to know:

• Allow 15 minutes to walk from the venue to Fremantle Station, by the venue's estimate.
• Shows finish by midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and by 11.30pm on other nights, according to the Moshtix venue info. That gives you a rough idea of when you'll be walking to the station.
• Check your last train before you go. We couldn't confirm last-train times for the Fremantle Line, because Transperth's timetable page loads them in the browser. Use the Transperth Journey Planner or app, or call 13 62 13, and look at the time of the last train, not the one after it.
• Sunday trips are free on Transperth with a SmartRider or contactless card, "from first service until last service." But Transperth adds that "The free travel does not apply to late night services after midnight on Saturday", so a Saturday-night train home after midnight is a normal fare.

If you're getting picked up, the venue's Code of Conduct asks patrons to respect nearby residents and businesses when leaving. The venue runs under a noise management plan agreed with the State Government, the City of Fremantle and the National Trust (WA).

A bit of history

Wikipedia says the Artillery Drill Hall was built in 1896 for the volunteer guard and given a brick extension facing Queen Street in 1940, when it was used for wartime training. It was used for military purposes for almost 100 years. It's part of the Old Fremantle Police Station and Court House Complex, and the Heritage Council of Western Australia entered it on the State Register of Heritage Places in September 2003.

From 1986 to 2015 the hall was home to the Fly by Night Club, one of Fremantle's best-known music venues, until the building's owner, the National Trust of Western Australia, evicted the club in 2015. The hall was then redeveloped, and Freo.Social opened in 2019, according to Wikipedia. Jebediah, who call Fremantle their "OG hometown", described it on their Moshtix listing as "the legendary Freo.Social".

Before you go

• Check your event page: strictly 18+, or minors allowed with a guardian?
• Bring photo ID: driver licence, passport or WA Proof of Age Card.
• Bring a card or phone wallet. The venue is cashless.
• Head for the Parry Street entrance.
• Driving? Use the Parry Street car park and expect to pay for the evening.
• Taking the train? Check the last Fremantle Line train back to Perth before the show.
• Need a companion ticket? Email hello@freo.social at least 24 hours before.

Upcoming shows at Freo.Social