Yo-Chi frozen yoghurt – aka Sydney’s hottest nightclub for the under 25s – has opened a shiny new store in Sydney, and it’s the chain’s biggest yet.

In a move that no one saw coming, Yo-Chi, the rapidly expanding frozen yoghurt chain, has opened its largest store yet, taking over the iconic site that once housed Australia’s NOMA at Barangaroo, the late Cirrus restaurant. This striking location is a far cry from the early 2000s fro-yo aesthetic. Where once fluorescent lighting, blinding white tiles and pink cartoon fruit characters reigned, you’ll find copper plating, soft warm recessed lights and Scandi-blonde wood. Oh, and plenty of fro-yo.

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The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. Just a few years ago, Yo-Chi had a modest presence with four stores in Victoria. Fast forward to today, and the brand has skyrocketed to over 40 locations across the country, earning a dedicated following along the way. Its journey from a small local favourite to a national powerhouse is a testament to the growing popularity of healthier – and more affordable – hangout spaces.

When even one schooner at a pub can set you back an eye-watering $10 or more, the appeal of a tasty dessert in a buzzy 165-seater at one of Sydney’s most coveted waterfront spots is a bit of a no-brainer, especially as young people move away from the booze-fuelled nights many of us grew up on.

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With 11 self-serve yoghurt taps and a toppings counter that curves and flows like the currents of the Harbour, the Barangaroo site is unlike any other Yo-Chi location both in its atmosphere and sheer size. The mammoth footprint of the store means that this isn’t exclusively the domain of gaggles of 20-somethings and influencers who don’t mind a crowd – it’s a destination for parents treating their kids over the holidays, quirky corporate meetings, pocket-friendly first dates and just about anything else you need it to be.

Yo-Chi Barangaroo is open now at Shop 10/23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo.

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