Meze Lounge

This used to be lowest of the low when it came to places to drink in Newport, underage kid being sick on the pool table whilst I was taking a shot being one particular memory, but is slightly better these days. Although he underage drinkers still seem to flock here.

Tucked away down a side street in central Newport since 2002, at one point Meze looked as though it could challenge the likes of leading live music destinations in the city like Le Pub. But after peaking with a month-​long festival of underground sounds, Meze has since noticeably pegged back its programme. Nowadays there are more club nights than bands, with alternative tunes dominating the DJ-​led delights, providing an oasis for metal, drum & bass and indie-​rock fans in the barren chain pub wastelands of surrounding streets. The latter-​day lack of gigs is a shame, though, as the main Meze area is a nice space, with a pool table area as you walk in, a small secluded seating area opposite a bar that won’t drain your bank balance (cocktails are especially cheap, which is always a bonus) and elevated if small stage area. Late-​night weekend opening nails their colours to the mast: Meze is now a better bet for getting nicely inebriated at all hours than catching any musical talent.

I’ve been going to Meze Lounge since 2006 and as time has gone on, Meze has got progressively worse. When I first started going, the music policy was rock and metal music. It was an awesome alternative bar and it was nice going to a bar where I could listen to some kick ass rock/​metal music and meet people who were into the same thing. The place had a great atmosphere and everyone was lovely and friendly. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the owner during that time but when he left, Meze started going downhill.
I would say this started to happen in 2008. The music policy went a bit strange. They were still playing rock and metal music but not as much and started playing D’n’B and music similar to that. The atmosphere changed. Silly wannabe scene kids who think they’re better than everyone else started getting in and making the place uncomfortable. Also, chavs were able to get into Meze because there’s a club called Mojo that’s next door which made things worse because they would be blind drunk and start trouble. In 2008, there were a couple of incidents where a few people got stabbed and I was in the firing line duringone of them but was taken out of it in time.
Now, there is a new owner called Mista Ifsta (commonly known as Iffy). He has completely changed everything about Meze. They still play rock and metal music but they were playing bands like La Roux which was weird. The atmosphere is far worse now that underage children have started getting in, getting blind drunk and causing drama. The bouncers are arseholes. The bar staff are ridiculous. I paid £1.50 for a pint in there by one girl and her other colleague charged me £2 for the same pint and she said that prices vary from one bar staff to another. What a retard! She should be thankful I didn’t hit her!
However, us veterans are taking a stand and we are doing everything we can to make Meze back to the way it used to be. The only good thing about Meze at the moment is the smoking area upstairs which is always packed and has a great atmosphere.
If you want to go to a rock bar, you’re better off going elsewhere. Six Feet Under isn’t too bad as with Le Pub but Newport has gone downhill recently. If Newport in general doesn’t take your fancy, go to Metros or Fuel in Cardiff. Both awesome rock bars.

I went to Newport to visit a friend fom uni. We went out with a group of his friends and they all told me Meze was the place to go in Newport (and who knows better than the locals?!)
Being a student, I asked the barman what the cheapest drinks weresnakebite! £2.00! Bargain!
Before I’d even got half way though my first pint one of the people I wasout with leaned into me and shouted in my ear if you want to have a good night you’d better down the rest of that
I did down the rest of my drink, had a few shots and got quite drunkand yes! I had a good night!
Meze isnt very big but its big enough. Theres a few decent seating areas, at least 2 bars, 2 dance floors and probably one of the best smoking areas Ive been in.
Not bad at all! I’d deffinately head back here if I found myself in Newport again :)

A place for music. Had a lot of Indie acts and rock acts. A cool underground feel. Lots of students go there, and it has a little food hatch that does kebabs. A small venue which has two rooms with a bar between them and then a fair sized dance floor which gets quite busy with lots of people dancing! Gets very busy on weekends and there is door charge for entrance.
The venue is next to Newport market. Good for live music during the week, to view unsigned bands and start ups. I cool place to go for the Newport music scene for the alternative crowd.