The Meridian

This WAS the concert venue for Metal/​Industrial/​EDM/​Indie/​and Punk of houston, and easily my personal favorite of venues I’ve been too. Sadly it’s closed now, and for some time now. The bathrooms may of not been the cleanest, the whole thing looks like a small warehouse which can host a even bigger venue on the bottom but this and warehouse live was always alive before EaDo was a yuppie thought in Houston. The layout is 3 rooms and 3 bars, the waiting/​meeting room was large, with arcade machines, pool table, and a smoking patio to the right with restrooms and full service bar, the Red Room had sofas, a small stage, exposed piping, perfect for a punk gig. another set of restrooms down the hallway lead to the main blue room, with the much bigger main stage, bigger bars on each side. No matter where you are, the floors are sticky, the A/​C gets pushed in the summer and the venue had potential for so much more and bigger acts if they worked on the bottom floor and made something bigger there. The management wasn’t great but the people who worked there was. it was also easy to meet members of the band if you get to the line early enough.
The meridian also had other events when a major act wasn’t in town like hosting Java Jazz in the Red Room which I never got into, Wrestling events, open mic nights for hip hop, some fetish ball stuff for those industrial fans. Plus the bathrooms are actually useable compared to Numbers.

This place has been closed for quite some time. There use to be a lot of metal and rock concerts here as well as a few electronic music events towards the end. Was actually a really good venue except I only saw a few shows where the sound was good because the acoustics in this place suck as with most venues in Houston. This place is big and has many different areas. It’s two floors but practically all the events I attended here were upstairs in two rooms. The sound sucked in the large room. The only concert I can remember that had decent sound was the Butthole Surfers show back in 2008. That was a good show.

A new group is opening a Food Truck Park outside the building. Check out

This is a funky place that always has a good show. Several bars to order drinks at, a big standing area in the middle with a few seats around the outside. It has a similar feel to Warehouse Live. It gets crowded and has the same kind of crowd as Warehouse as well. I think I like Meridian just a bit more. You can’t go wrong with either venue though.

NEVER BOOK A SHOW HERE. YOU’LL REGRET IT.
Even though a contract was signed they said «things change», they randomly started saying that we had to pay $ 10 to park, threatened to shut the show down if she didn’t have her money in 15 minutes (the contract stated midnight), BARELY any lights, NO A/​C.

I was elated to hear that The Meridian shut down. This place was worse than getting your teeth cleaned with a machete.

Meh. Numbers, Verizon Wireless, and Warehouse Live (in that order) are far superior in my opinion, although you can definitely find the diehard fans of this place.
I was here for two of my favorite bands: The Format and Limbeck. Awesome show.
Venue: not so awesome. But I would still come back if a band I really like is making their Houston show here.

The meridian is one of me favorite venues! When a metal band hits up the meridian, I’m sooo down!
Ther meridian isn’t so much as small, but cozy. There’s enough room and if a show gets way too popular, it’ll probably get moved to a bigger venue. hTink this happened with Dethklok and I’ve been told that t happened with paramore as well.
The sound quality is great! Loud and clear like it should be. You get a slight feel of a bigger venue, but you still get that «intimate» feeling with the performers.
The area outside the stage (red room?) is nice. there’s couches there and sometimes bands play there as well! The smoking patio is outside and downstairs. it can get crowded, but its a breath of fresh air (and smoke) to be out of the crowd and in the open air between acts!
Note: Watch out for the pole up in front of the stage. When you’re running through that madness, it can come out of nowhere and boom. ouch.
Parking shouldn’t be too much of a problem. you’ll probably have to pay, but you can find some nice lots not too far for decent prices.
I do have a couple of gripes, but they’re not big deals for me. The bathrooms. they’re horrid (for the men at least)… But so are the people busting into these in between mosh pits so its understandable hahah! And my second gripe is the One entrance, up the stairs. They get you through quick, but its still a pain when theres a long line going around and you can hear a band starting to play on the inside. So get there early!
I’ve seen. oh way to many acts to list. But if it was metal in the past 4 years, I might have been there =P Metalfest is always enjoyable. Local acts, plus big acts. I Definitely look forward to my next meridian show. Not as many acts go there as before because of the house of blues, but I still love the meridian!
In conclusion… The meridian is awesome.

******CRUNKMAS REVIEW******
The only thing that can be said about 5 area’s and 45 dj’s is «HFS, I GOTTA SEE THIS!!!» Went to down to this celebre’ de crunk with my cynical-​retired-​raver buddy (still a step up from a straight-​edge-​christian-​raver) and like clockwork we managed to wrangle the door. Big props to SDC for having the irrational exuberance to manufacture rickshaw bikes into DJ chariots with sound systems and visuals. These suckers had bass cabinets that would rattle the trunk right off a Cutlass Sierra perched on 26“ers, and plasma screens blasting LSD patterns. Word up! The side room of Meridian has a badass sound system and is set up like a proper little club. Andrei Morant demonstrated why he is the BOSS with an exhilarating techno set. 0045 impressed me in the main room with an excellent display of their new POSR remixes. Right on fellas, they sound amazing! Ran into like 9 random old friends. That’s what I love about holiday parties it brings all the old veterans out from the wood work. Merry Crunkmas indeed H-​town.

I’m definately going to have to vote the Meridian as the best music venue in Houston. When it comes to getting really close to the artist, here is where you can smell their sweat. I like the fact that they play on the 2^nd story and you have a great view of the city before the show. They also have a cool separated section with sweet couches where they put all the merch up and can have a few drinks. They allow cameras which nowadays is rare [damn you!] Love this place.
Bathrooms aren’t that great but hey you’re there for the music! Depending on the concert, it can get a bit hot but i personally love that! it adds to the intensity and awesomeness of the show and its great being surrounded by fellow music lovers.

I’ll be the odd ball out and not mention the music venue portion of The Meridian. I’m not a music person at all, but from what I’ve heard, there are plenty of great shows here.
I came yesterday for their darts tourney and was impressed by the set up.
They had plenty of boards set up for the matches and plenty extra for the casual players. There were pool tables galore, a poker game in the corner, random video games (including an air hockey table!!!). They had a jukebox that spewed out a random variety of music – definitely a sign that the gaming portion of The Meridian is pretty separate from the music venue. There were songs played last night that would’ve made all the patrons next door cringe, if their own music wasn’t playing so loudly.
Things that I didn’t love: the «parking lot» (basically a dirt lot that seems shady beyond belief – I was a bit surprised that my car was still there), location (it is in the middle of old Chinatown and in a sketchy area), the prices on the drinks were jacked way up (we’re not there for a concert, so don’t charge us concert prices!), and building had that dingy feel (this wasn’t helped by the M lights being out as we approached «eridian»).
The bartenders were friendly and competent and the waitresses that walked around were great about not interrupting the games. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the place after my initial misgivings. I’m not sure I’d ever make it my regular hangout since it is a bit off my normal path, but I definitely plan on returning for more of those tournaments!

What an awesome venue! I came here with some other Unilocalers to catch The Airborne Toxic Event. Coming from the San Francisco area, I think I’ve been spoiled by the music scene out there. We had the Fillmore and the Warfield which are my 2 of favorite smaller venues. The Meridian might be number 3 on my list.
I didn’t know what to expect when we got here, but what I was extremely pleased with the venue. Where the band played was pretty tiny. It reminded me of a basement but it’s on the 2^nd floor. The band just started playing when we arrived which was perfect timing. No matter where we were standing, we had a great view. Well, I say this but I’m also 6’2″ and was able to see through the crowd for the most part. I’d imagine it was a bit rough if you were shorter.
The acoustics aren’t the best, but the intimacy of the place more than makes up for that. At the end of the show we stuck around for a bit and finished our beers. There were only about 20 people still here at this time and then the band came out. They just cruised around and talked to the people that stuck around. How great is that? Eren some how talked Alex into getting his t-​shirt signed by the band members except for the drummer. How disappointing and what a waste of a shirt.
If you want a beer or drink, the line was never long and there are 2 bars to accommodate you. Overall, I love this place and am looking forward to some more shows here.

I’ve been to the Meridian a few times to catch some great shows. My most recent visit involved the Horrorpops and it rocked. The Meridian is a little run down, but it adds to the mystic of the bands you will see there. It’s a good size venue, about the same size or a tad smaller than Warehouse Live. The bands that come through the Meridian though are very different than what you’ll find at the WL.
The shows will be on the second floor. The bars are very convenient, and reasonably priced. They are located on the walls to the left and right of the stage. The bartenders are very attentive and prompt despite how loud the shows can get. The sound isn’t the greatest, but the venue is a little dated. I am not a big fan of the obstructed view, ie the poles in the middle of the floor. It’s not fun if your in the pit and you get shoved into one of the poles. Trust me it sucks. The Meridian manages to book quality shows. Some of the shows I have seen; Reverend Horton Heat, Tiger Army, Wolfmother, Street Dogs and She Wants Revenge. Because of the quality and diversity of bands that the Meridian brings to Houston, it’s always on the top of my list of venues to look up every week.
I have to agree with A.S., if your in the neighborhood stop by and pick up your tickets so you don’t have to pay some of the other surcharges. The only show I ever had problems finding parking for was Reverend Horton Heat. Other wise you can typically find parking on the street. They also have an empty lot they charge $ 5 to park at.

I recently experienced the Butthole Surfers reunion show with all original FIVE members. (Teresa once again performed with the boys.) It was as if the Meridian was throwing the scenesters of the late 80s/​early 90s a 20-​year high school reunion/​prom and had somehow managed to get the Surfers to play for us. We were all psyched!
This is what a venue is supposed to look like. I can’t tell you how many shows I’ve seen in venues that resemble the Meridian. (My favorite being Liberty Lunch-​closed, The Unicorn-​closed, and The Austin Music Hall.) Questionable bathrooms, so-​so sound system (but then, does it really matter when you’re watching a band with two drummers?), huge floor with poles in your line of sight, stage just short enough that you can’t see anything, beer can debris, creepy sweaty drunk men in the pit who JUST HAVE TO rub up against your non-​sweaty clothes when they push past you. I’m deceptively innocent looking, so oftentimes sweaty drunk pit-​revelers go home with bruised shins.
I want to mention the bathrooms again. They are not SO nasty, but closed-​toe shoes are the way to go. They tend to have dubious puddles. In fact, towards the end of the last show I went to, toilets over-​flowed. Oddly, there are bathroom attendants. With supplies.
The bars are mostly well-​stocked. I had beer and my friend was able to order vanilla vodka cokes all night… that is until they mis-​heard her and she wound up with a blueberry vodka coke. According to her husband, there ARE worse-​tasting cough syrups out there. Hmm.
I’m not certain why the venue is in the upstairs portion of the warehouse. Basically, you have to walk up really steep stairs to get to will call/​purchase your wristband (make that «fancy ticket»), walk through the small venue, into another, larger venue to watch the good bands, then back out of the large venue and down another steep set of steps (hopefully safely if drunk… DON’T trip and careen down the metal and concrete steps) to the smoking area. Wouldn’t it have been logical to not mix drunks and steep stairs?

I wish the actual place were nicer. It’s got that scuzzy feel to it.. where the floors are sticky and you’re afraid to go into the bathroom. And you’re sometimes afraid the building might collapse.…
O.K. so it kind of sounds like I don’t like the place. Like I said – I wish the building were nicer. The Meridian, however, seems to book 90 percent of the shows I want to see in town. So, you won’t be catching Aerosmith here, but Buckethead – hey they’ve got him!
Although I’ve never caught any of the other events they host here – like midget wrestling, and some other brand of local wrestling and god knows what – they always seem to keep it interesting. So kudos Meridian!

I LOVE the Meridian for a number of reasons:
1. My school is in Huntsville and it takes less than a half hour for me to get there when I speed. :)
2. Bands that I actually want to see play at this venue, and it makes me incredibly happy that they do.
3. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — I like this place, it’s bad décor, and it’s shitty bathrooms. Thanks.
It’s places like this and Red7 in Austin that keep me happy. I am all about a place that cares more about the music than what the buildings or the toilets look like. Seeing the lead singer of Orange flip around on the piping above the stage is plenty for me.
The only thing I really don’t get — the screens showing random ass shit on the right side of the venue?

This place is one thing and one thing only: a venue to listen to music and drink excessively, while expressing your primal instincts (i.e. not being well-​mannered). It’s dark. It’s sticky. It’s not very well ventilated and the people in the mosh pit in front of you will make sure to rub their sweaty bodies all over you as they push by to get to either bar on both sides of the main room. The acoustics on the other hand, are pretty good here. There is a front (or back) room that has a bar and some lounge areas, but I am a bit afraid to sit on them unless I am wearing my yard-​work clothes.
This is what I think an old decrepit porno theater would be like. Sticky floors with a funny smell in the air. And bathrooms right out of a Saw movie.

It’s dingy, dark, kinda dirty, and doesn’t always have the best sound or set up for shows… but dammit I love this place! This year I got to see Henry Rollins, Team Sleep, Something Fierce, The Drunks, Poor Dumb Bastards, and The High Divers. Plus there are so many more coming in ’08!
The bartenders are always super sweet and the parking is never a problem.
I’ll admit there were a few times I’d go in that bathroom and run back out, hold in in till I got home or to House of Pies. Here lately though they’ve hired a good staff to keep it clean.
Oh, and it’s close to were I work so going to the box office during my lunch break to be greeted by friendly staff selling tix is a big plus. :)

Meridian deserves a 5 star review for the shows they bring to town. However, I can’t give them one more star because of the confusion I’ve had with them over when the doors open and when the show starts. Without fail, they have given me the wrong time for every show I’ve seen there and I’ve had the misfortune of showing up extremely early or a little late.
And this is nuts, because I actually call to make sure I’ve got the right stage time.
So, Meridian, I give you 4 stars for consistently bringing in some of the best names and putting them literally within reach of the fans. Your 4 stars are for damaging my hearing with the great music I came to see. I wanted it loud and you delivered.
Thanks to you, Meridian for being one of the best new night clubs on the Houston scene. You can expect to see me there the next time someone awesome rolls in town.

Living in Austin I usually laugh at the live music scene in Houston, but the Meridian is definitely one bright spot. They have different rooms here and they are all small enough that you can see all the skin imperfections on the band members and maybe even get one the guitar tabs impaled into your eye when they fling em into the crowd!