Big Freedia’s first Black-owned Hotel Freedia hopes to open by Mardi Gras 2024
Black Excellence is on full display once again! A new entertainment venue called Hotel Freedia is coming to Decatur and Frenchmen streets in New Orleans, and the city’s bounce legend has announced that construction has begun. A restaurant, a nightclub, a pool, and a micro boutique hotel will all be part of the new project.
Although Freedia’s name has been linked to the venture, the building at 2114 Decatur Street was actually purchased by developer Zach Kupperman in 2021 for an unspecified amount. Kupperman is collaborating on the concept with Freedia and a number of local investors, noted by Nola.com. Two years ago, Freedia and Kupperman began working together on the idea for the project, and Kupperman acquired the building with the Hotel Freedia vision in mind.
It will be more of a music club and bar with food and an outdoor pool-party space than a traditional hotel, according to Reid Martin, Freedia’s manager and a partner in the project, even though it will be called a hotel. This New Orleans hotspot is set to open at the corner of Decatur and Frenchmen streets in the trendy Faubourg Marigny district and will not only house Freedia’s performances but also other regional and international musicians.
“The hotel is not the economic driver of it. It’s primarily a music venue and a pool party spot. Think of a country club with a music venue,” Martin said. “Obviously, Frenchmen Street is all about local music, so we want to have a lot of local music going on, but we’re also interested in having some national music coming in,” he elaborated.
On Wednesday, Freedia shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming opening of her hotel via Twitter.
“This dream of mine has been in the works for a long time, I’ll be one of the first black hotel owners in New Orleans,” she said. I Will keep y’all posted on the official opening date, can’t wait to see y’all at Hotel Freedia.”
About two years ago, while Big Freedia was cooped up at home during the pandemic and doing more cooking for herself, her friends, and neighbors, the idea for the Hotel Freedia was born, according to Rolling Stone.
“Not being able to go out and work during the pandemic, cooking brought so much light and creativity it just really got me interested in doing a restaurant,” Freedia shared. “And I always had a dream of opening a hotel, so it just kind of came together that way.”
Even though Freedia won’t be the executive chef or actually work in the restaurant, those dishes will serve as the basis for the food served at Hotel Freedia’s 60-seat restaurant. Martin stated that the specifics of who will run the restaurant are still being worked out.
There is a two-story, 4,800-square-foot building on the property, as well as the adjacent area that was once a garage. Kupperman tore down the garage, which had burned down in the interim.
Ground floor will house the eatery and concert hall. The hotel rooms are on the upper floors, and the ground floor will also house the pool and clubhouse.
Listen! If you’re familiar with the legend that is Big Freedia, you already know that you’re in for a good time in New Orleans. Be on the lookout for further information on Hotel Freedia.
Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.
This story was originally published February 2, 2023 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Big Freedia’s first Black-owned Hotel Freedia hopes to open by Mardi Gras 2024."