Freight Island expands nationwide with major new venues in Brixton, Leeds and Newcastle

The team behind one of Manchester's very best open-air food and drink venues, Freight Island, are shipping out a nationwide takeover over the next 18 months, with Freight Island's being delivered in Brixton, Leeds, and Newcastle!

Built off the back of their Manchester flagship - a place that’s become just as known for its all-day sessions and big-screen moments as it has for its top quality grub and bouncing atmosphere - the London and Newcastle venues are targeting openings in time for the spring/summer (and crucially, the Men’s World Cup), with the Leeds venture starting construction in late spring, meaning Freight Island is about to become a name not only the Mancs boast about. 

Freight Brixton is first to land, opening on Thursday, 7th May, as a huge rooftop destination just moments from Brixton Station. With space for over 1,000 people, it’s set to bring together live music, DJ sets, street food traders, cocktail bars and belting events, all wrapped into one open-air space in the heart of South London.

Speaking on the launch, Dan Morris, founder of Freight Island, said: “Freight Brixton is an incredible rooftop in the heart of South London and will be a place for locals and the city beyond to come together and enjoy themselves with the best food, drink and music. I cannot wait for us to get this open.”

Opening just weeks later in June, Newcastle's Freight Island is going all out. The 60,000 sq ft venue will take over a former Debenhams in Eldon Square, transforming it into a huge all-day destination, inspired by New York’s Coney Island and Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, and complete with 12 kitchens, four bars and The Plant Room, a massive dining space set beneath what will be the UK’s largest retractable roof in a hospitality venue.

The site is aiming to open in time to show Men’s World Cup fixtures, with a full programme of DJs, live music and events planned across the summer, and even more to come later in the year, with a 1,200-capacity indoor space also set to be added.

The recently announced Leeds space follows in a similar suit, with a major £15 million redevelopment of Trinity Kitchen transforming the space into a 63,000 sq ft multi-level venue complete with a massive outdoor terrace overlooking the city. While we don't know all the juicy details yet, you just know it's going to live up to the heights of these other spaces. 

On the Leeds venture, Morris added: “Food will remain at the heart of the venue, with menus driven by independent chefs and operators, alongside a programme of DJs, sports, performances, cultural and family events, all with a strong focus on showcasing and supporting local Leeds talent.”

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube for the latest music and events content.  

Header image credit: Freight Island on Facebook