Freeman & Grey

bar — Grey Lynn · Auckland

About Freeman & Grey

Freeman & Grey is an established neighbourhood local situated at 43 Ponsonby Road on the Grey Lynn fringe of Auckland. Known across the city for its energetic social atmosphere, the venue combines casual pub hospitality with an extensive food and drink offering that caters to daytime diners, after-work groups, and late-night crowds seven days a week.

The kitchen focuses on hand-stretched ten-inch pizzas made to order, accompanied by a generous selection of pub favourites, burgers, sharing platters, salads, and late-night bar snacks. With flexible indoor and outdoor spaces—including an upstairs area, courtyard, balcony, and main bar—Freeman & Grey is a frequent gathering point for casual get-togethers, dinner drinks, DJ-led weekend evenings, and private functions.

Freeman & Grey: Hand-Stretched Pizzas, Cold Drinks, and Ponsonby Energy

Anchoring the junction where Ponsonby Road meets Grey Lynn, Freeman & Grey has long served as a welcoming local pub and lively entertainment hub. Known for its approachable hospitality, generous seating, and energetic vibe, the venue opens seven days a week from midday until late into the night, shifting effortlessly from daytime lunch spot to bustling late-night haunt.

At the core of the venue's appeal is a vibrant social layout that features an upstairs mezzanine, outdoor balcony space, courtyard, and an open ground-floor bar. Whether guests drop by for casual after-work drinks, shared platters among friends, or weekend nights with resident DJs and a buzzing dance floor, Freeman & Grey provides an unpretentious gathering space in one of Auckland’s most dynamic dining and nightlife strips.

Made-to-Order Pizzas and Pub Classics

The culinary centerpiece at Freeman & Grey is its selection of hand-stretched ten-inch pizzas, prepared fresh to order. The menu covers traditional Italian-inspired combinations alongside bold pub interpretations. Standouts include the Pepperoni finished with piccanti pepperoni, fresh oregano, and hot honey, the savoury Wagyu topped with slow-cooked wagyu bolognese and bechamel, and the Pistachio Chicken with brie and pistachio cream. For those seeking plant-forward or dietary-conscious meals, the kitchen accommodates with gluten-free crusts and dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Beyond pizza, the kitchen turns out a robust variety of tavern staples and hearty mains. Diners can dig into buttermilk fried chicken burgers, classic double cheeseburgers, chicken or eggplant parmigianas with rocket parmesan salads, wagyu beef lasagne, and a 200-gram bavette steak with herb butter and fries. Sharing options range from burrata with cavolo nero to generous platters loaded with cured meats, cheeses, calamari, and fried chicken.

From Daytime Gatherings to Late-Night Bites

Drink choices run wide, matching the versatile food options across all hours. On tap, visitors find local and international favourites including Panhead craft beers, Urbanaut IPA, Kirin, and Mac’s Cloudy Apple Cider, served in glasses, jugs, and oversized sharing vessels. An accessible wine list highlights New Zealand and international vineyards, alongside an inventive cocktail list featuring the signature Freeman’s Cup, classic Margaritas, Mai Tais, and fruit-packed carafes of sangria.

Service flows continuously from daytime into the late evening. Dedicated lunch hours run daily from noon, dinner service spans the evening, and a curated late-night snack menu takes over past 9pm, ensuring night owls have access to hot comfort bites until close. With flexible spaces capable of hosting everything from intimate tables to private corporate functions and 350-person exclusive parties, Freeman & Grey remains a steadfast Ponsonby essential.

Signature items

  • Pepperoni Pizza
  • Wagyu Pizza
  • Southern Fried Chicken
  • Warm Skillet Cookie
  • Freeman’s Cup
  • Pistachio Chicken Pizza

Menu

Desserts

  • Affogato — Vanilla ice cream, espresso shot
  • Warm Skillet Cookie — Chocolate chip and marshmallow cookie, vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche
  • Sticky Date Pudding — Salted caramel, vanilla ice cream

Platters

  • Antipasto Platter — NZ cheese selection, burrata, pickles, relish, and sourdough
  • Italian Cured Meat Board — Italian cured meats with sourdough, pickles, chutney, and mustards
  • Mixed Platter — Fried chicken, calamari, cheese dip, and sourdough

Larger Plates

  • 200 Gram Bavette — Herb butter, wholegrain mustard, remoulade, fries
  • Wagyu Beef Lasagne — Mozzarella, fresh basil
  • Cheeseburger — Braised onion, pickle, swiss cheese, beer mustard, fries
  • Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger — Pickle, smoked cheese, chipotle aioli, fries
  • Chicken Parma — Rocket parmesan salad, fries
  • Eggplant Parma — Rocket parmesan salad, fries

Snacks & Sharing

  • Sourdough — Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic
  • Burrata — Cavolo nero, lemon oil, pumpkin seeds
  • Cheese Dip — Jalapeño, coriander, corn chips
  • Southern Fried Chicken — Served with ranch
  • Salt & Pepper Calamari — Served with lemon aioli
  • Chunky Fries — Served with aioli
  • Caesar Salad — Croutons, prosciutto, parmesan, anchovy dressing, soft boiled egg
  • Green Goddess Salad — Avocado, broccolini, quinoa, cashew

Late Night Snacks

  • Late Night Burrata — Cavolo nero, lemon oil, pumpkin seeds
  • Late Night Southern Fried Chicken — Served with ranch
  • Late Night Chunky Fries — Served with aioli

Tap Beers & Cider

  • Kirin — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Heineken Silver — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • St Arnau Draught — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Speights Summit Ultra — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Hallertau #9 — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Urbanaut Atlanta Bright IPA — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Panhead Supercharger — Available by glass, jug, or super jug
  • Mac’s Cloudy Apple Cider — Available by glass, jug, or super jug

Cocktails & Sangrias

  • Espresso Martini — Espresso, vodka, butterscotch
  • Mai Tai — Rum, cointreau, lime, mint
  • El Diablo — Tequila, lime, ginger beer, blackcurrant
  • Mojito — Rum, lime, mint, soda
  • The Hipster — Vanilla and peach vodka, lime, soda
  • Long Island Iced Tea — Gin, vodka, rum, cointreau, tequila, coke, lemon
  • Freeman’s Cup — Gin, Pimms, lemon, ginger ale
  • White Wine Sangria — Sauvignon blanc, apple, lemon, lime, mint, soda
  • Red Wine Sangria — Pinot noir, orange, cranberry, lemon, lime, ginger ale
  • Rose Wine Sangria — Rose, mixed fruit, cranberry, lemon, lime, soda

Hand-Stretched Pizzas

  • Margarita — Vine tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil
  • Buffalo Chicken — Buffalo chicken, jalapeño, ranch sauce
  • Stracciatella — Stracciatella, sherry onions, chives
  • Pepperoni — Piccanti pepperoni, hot honey, fresh oregano
  • Pancetta — Pancetta, pine nuts, rocket, pesto
  • Mushroom — Mushroom, spinach, pecorino, lemon oil
  • Wagyu — Wagyu bolognese, provolone, bechamel
  • Pistachio Chicken — Chicken, brie, pistachio cream
  • Carnivore — Pancetta, pepperoni, prosciutto, basil

Frequently asked questions

Where is Freeman & Grey located?
Freeman & Grey is located at 43 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand.
What are the opening hours?
Freeman & Grey is open Sunday through Thursday from 12:00pm until late, and Friday through Saturday from 12:00pm until very late.
Does Freeman & Grey offer dietary-friendly options?
Yes, the menu includes vegetarian (V), no gluten added (NGA), and no dairy added (NDA) options, with gluten-free pizza bases and dairy-free cheese available on request.
What are the kitchen service times?
Lunch is served daily from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, dinner from 5:00pm (or 6:00pm) to 9:00pm, and late-night snacks from 9:00pm until late.
Can I host a private event or party at Freeman & Grey?
Yes, Freeman & Grey accommodates seated dining for 2–150 guests, group bookings for 2–100 guests, and exclusive whole-venue events for 50–350 guests across its upstairs, downstairs, and courtyard areas.
Are there entertainment events during the weekend?
Yes, the venue regularly hosts resident DJs, private parties, and dance floor sessions, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tips

  • {"body":"Pizzas are hand-stretched and made fresh to order; during busy dinner rushes, preparation times can take between 30 to 40 minutes.","title":"Plan for Pizza Waits at Peak Times"}
  • {"body":"The venue features distinct sections including an open balcony, upstairs mezzanine, courtyard, and main bar, accommodating both relaxed dining and lively group gatherings.","title":"Choose Your Preferred Vibe by Area"}
  • {"body":"If you are visiting after 9pm, a dedicated late-night menu is available offering bites like southern fried chicken, burrata, and chunky fries.","title":"Late-Night Food Available"}

Good to know

  • {"dietary":"Gluten-free pizza bases, dairy-free cheese, vegetarian, and no-gluten/dairy added items available."}