11/09/09

Disappointment

by Official Big Picture

I went to see John Lee Hooker, Jr. recently. I was really disappointed. Tried to hit me up for $5 for parking but I parked on the street and felt as if my car was as safe as in the paid parking lot. The show was advertised as starting at 8pm but didn't start nearly 11 pm. I realized right away the accoustics were bad. It was like being in giant box without any insulation. The sound guy didn't have a clue and allowed the band to overpower Hookers vocals. I guess he thought playing with the smoke machine made up for lacking in everything else. There was also another set of head banger bands playing and they bled over into the room where JLH was playing. I'm guessing he didn't realize what the place was like or wouldn't have allowed the booking. As far as pros....I didn't really find any except the beer was cold. I had to fill out the rating before I could publish this. WIsh there was a negative rating because I don't feel right even giving them one star.

• Pros: Honestly didn't find any.
• Cons: Bad accoustics, no seating, didn't start on time

12/31/08

Mixed Drink Ripoff

by Stickylollipop

This place is a joke for mixed drinks or even beers for that matter. If you want to spend way too much money for a 6 ounce plastic cup filled to the brim w/ ice & hardly any alcohol content, this is your place. A "can" of Heineken is $5.00, no bottles available.. I felt like a giant sucking machine was connected to my wallet in order for me and my crew to cop a buzz. Don't do it man, party before the show someplace else or sneak in your flask because its an insult to pay so much for a plastic freakin cup filled w/ ice!

• Pros: Good Sound Quality
• Cons: Overpriced Drinks, No Ambiance

10/02/08

good music venue

by demilieu

i like the meridian. i'm not sure i like the idea of two venues in one, each with a seperate cover, though. having said this, the place is large enough for dancing and is professionally run. as others note, the toilet rooms are relatively new and clean. the main draw of the meridian's concert and dance hall is obviously the entertainment they book. i've not been to the 'other' lounge-like venue yet. parking is $5 at nearby lots where owners have found a secondary means of generating income from their strip center. event tickets are available at the door before the show or on-line through ticketmaster, but there's an added $6 charge. the 2 bars inside the concert hall are okay, but i would have liked to check out the other lounge to take a break from the live bands and possibly meet some people. after all, people don't come to concerts to meet other people, they come to hear and see the act.

• Pros: good acts, professionally run, clean
• Cons: lounge and dance hall each have seperate covers

01/16/08

This place RAWKS!

by cschace

Seriously, this place rocks. This is undoubtedly the best venue in Houston for live music. I've been to several shows of varying genres... all were fantastic. The management and staff are by far the most friendly and coolest around.

• Pros: Best sound in town.
• Cons: None

12/26/07

The best Place in Houston for Live Music

by garpkman

I love concerts at the Meridian... The sound is incredible and the staff is warm and friendly. A great place to relax, listen to music, grab a drink and just have a great night. The central, easy to get to location and ample parking is a nice change from the chaos of Main street.

• Pros: great shows, sound, staff, locations
• Cons: They are not open every night!!!

07/03/07

Providing panoramic views of downtown and a venue for the top rock, pop and alternative bands in the country.

by Joshua Hinsdale

In Short
This much-needed addition to the Houston live-music scene is located in a prime section of downtown, just across from the convention center. Divided into three areas, Meridian's main warehouse-style room houses the stage, capacity for close to 1,000, and a stellar sound system. A smaller lounge, known as the Red Room, exudes Middle Eastern charm with curtained divans, pillows and dim lighting. The smaller VIP room is cozy for conversation. Pool tables and video games help pass time between bands.

05/14/07

Nice Sized Venue for Houston

by aus10m

This place is pretty big when you get inside. I first came here for RENT which is a monthly house music party held on the last Saturday of every month. Alot of shows/concerts are held here because it is a nice sized venue in the middle of downtown. This place can get really smokey though, so bring a smoke mask!

• Pros: Spacious, Parking, Location
• Cons: Fills up with smoke

04/21/07

Poorly Organized

by lindz0915

Last night I went to The Meridian to see Nickel Creek. I have been a fan for years and purchased tickets well in advance. I also requested my tickets be held at will call to avoid the additional charge for shipping. I arrived over an hour early and there was already a line starting. Now, any other concert or event I have ever been to will open will call at least an hour before doors open. This was not the case. We waited in line, ticketless, for over an hour. As doors were opening, the line that wrapped around the building was then divided into two sections: those with tickets in hand in one line, will call and those needing to purchase tickets in another. This is where things began to get confusing. We were told that the lines would be permitted to enter at the same time (we wanted to get in early to get a good view; the whole reason for sitting outside for an hour to begin with). This is not what happened. The will call line was held as most of the other line was admitted. When we get to the front we find that we were all ultimately going to the same place, they were only checking purses at the front! We then discovered that ticketmaster had not delivered the tickets. I understand this is not fault of the club but that hour in line could have easliy been spent solving this problem if they had opened will call earlier. We calmly made this suggestion to people at the front desk only to be told that we could cut the attitude or leave. Ignoring the comment to avoid any escalation, we were finally admitted.

Since we were no longer able to get a good spot, we sat on one of the couches for a drink before the show. My boyfriend had his feet up and was slouching, nearly laying down, when the bouncer told him he couldn't lay down because this is a bar. So, he sat up with his feet still up and asked if that was okay. The bouncer told him that if he was going to be a smartass he could leave.

I doubt we will ever go there again.

• Pros: Good music and prices
• Cons: Unfriendly staff and poor organization

08/28/06

Dress comfortable

by mannymanolo

me and my lady decided to start going to clubs again, I'm from houston, but it had been a while since I went to a club. I wore a Long sleeve and square toe boots, I think i was a bit overdressed, i should of wore a t-shirt and diesel shoes. The DJ's where awsome, the house music was definately happening, I totally recomend it.

• Pros: the bar tenders totally sucked
• Cons: the crowd was happening

04/01/06

Great Club - Sam Bush Show

by pbandj

I went to Meridian to see Sam Bush and was blown away by the opener Classical Grass. That's one of the things I love about Meridian-they bring in new acts along with the popular repeats. I also like that they have different kinds of music - not just the same thing. I love jam and they seem to have really sewed that up with great shows, but I also like some new stuff and rockabilly (shame on anyone who missed the Blasters! Great show!). I wish they had food, but you can eat and get there early enough to chill in the small room before the show - plenty of drinks (good $) and usually something funky playing on the big screen. The shows in different rooma are a cool option. The staff's cool and you don't park a mile away.

• Pros: Great mix of acts, Best sound! Good Vibe, Cool staff
• Cons: Cute bar manager, won't go out w/me