‘Freddy’s’: Panthers star Nathan Cleary names new Penrith sports bar after club legend

Penrith beer baron Nathan Cleary has honoured one of the Panthers greatest players, naming his new sports bar after the premiership-winning champion. Grand opening date revealed.

(L-R) UFC fighter turned boxer Tyson Pedro and Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary at Drink West Brewery in Penrith. Picture: Richard Dobson

Sidelined by a hamstring injury, rugby league’s biggest star is taking one step closer to life after footy by opening up his own sports bar — on his home turf.

The Penrith drinking hole is called Freddy’s, named after another famous Panther, Brad Fittler. And the first sporting event to be shown on the pub’s big screens could feature Nathan Cleary himself in State of Origin I on June 5.

The sports bar will open on the site of cocktail bar Duck Duck Goose on High Street.

Cleary will be involved in the new bar with UFC fighter turned boxer Tyson Pedro and MMA’s Tai Tuivasa.

Along with business group Quiet Capital, they are co-partners in beer company Drink West, which was established in 2019, and is literally changing the landscape in Penrith.

In late 2022, Drink West Brewery opened its doors on the site of an old aluminium plant on Castlereagh Road.

The area has now become a popular social hub, surrounded by multiple businesses.

Nathan Cleary and his business partner, UFC fighter turned boxer Tyson Pedro, at Drink West Brewery in Penrith. Picture: Richard Dobson

With eight different beers that are stocked in more than 200 bottle shops around NSW, the success of Drink West Brewery has the business partners excited about the opening of Freddy’s, named after Panthers legend Brad Fittler.

“Penrith has been crying out for another sports bar to go watch the footy, races or fights. Opening a sports bar is an exciting prospect. It will add to the brand,” said Cleary, who celebrated the Panthers’ 2022 grand final win at Duck Duck Goose.

The 26-year-old will focus on his business interests during his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Cleary and the Panthers celebrated their 2022 grand final victory at Duck Duck Goose.

“We are hoping to get it open around June, before Origin I, which would be nice. Let’s see

how it goes. Having an opening night with Origin would be perfect,” he said.

“It will be a little bit different but essentially the same people are behind the sports bar as the brewery. It’s an exciting thing.

“Although they are different entities they are linked through the beer.

“I’m just enjoying the ride and learning as we go. This is a long-term project. Now that the brewery is up and running, we are trying to get people coming in here as much as possible.

“It’s pretty important. For me, my passion and all my times goes into footy but to have something on the side where you’re learning as you go, and picking up general life skills, and skills for after-footy, business skills, that’s important.

“It gets your mind off footy for a bit too which is nice. It adds a bit of balance to life too.”

Pedro revealed their plans went beyond just the sports bar.

The site of Duck Duck Goose in Penrith (left) that will be transformed into Freddy’s sports bar. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Hopefully we can run our podcast out of there,” Pedro said.

“We’re planning on doing it on High Street. From where we were to now, it’s been pretty crazy.

“At the moment we’re trying to stay more in the local area (with Drink West.) We want to try and take over Penrith before we go too wide, too fast.”

Cleary, an avid reader, continues to ponder life after football.

He has already ruled out coaching but enjoys investigating business and commercial opportunities.

“I don’t know what I want to do but as I get older, I’m asking myself that question more and more often. I’m not too set on anything. I want to try and experience different things and see what I really like,” he said.

“I’m enjoying this business venture at the moment. I could see myself go down that path but I also see myself staying in footy too. I’m open to a range of ideas at the moment.

“I’m focused on my footy and making sure I get the most out of it. If I do that, it will set me up for later in life. By nature I don’t enjoy looking too far ahead, I stay in the present and take each day as it comes.

“But it’s smart to have a little plan in place or have different options because footy can end quite quickly. I just want to pick up different life experiences as we go.”

Asked whether he would coach, Cleary said: “Honestly, I don’t think I could be a head coach. That doesn’t interest me at all.

“Obviously growing up with Dad (Ivan), and seeing how much stress he goes through, I’d like to have more of a stress-free life after footy.

“But I wouldn’t mind staying in the game in some capacity to pass on things to the next generation. I’m focused on my footy and making sure I get the most out of it. If I do that, it will set me up for later in life.”