The bar at the Pavilions complex formerly known as Mezz Bar has been re-launched as The Pav Lounge (TPL) following the murder of Stuart Whitelaw in May.
The Pav Lounge is now students only after a change in the license, which was under review following the incident in May. Students are allowed to bring guests but they must be signed into the visitor’s book.
The student only condition is set out in the new license and security will be checking for student ID from 8pm until close. Before these times it is up to the bar supervisor to ask for a student ID.
The bar has had a minor transformation over the summer with new sofas brought in, but the bar will have a full refurbishment in December.
“It’s going back to what it was when it very first started when it was just a student only venue so its for resident on site, students and obviously students can come down with their friends,” bar manager Christopher Martin said.
Mezz bar was popular for live music and hosting regular events, Martin hopes to be able to continue this but with the student only condition this could be difficult: “It has to be student only so if it’s a student band bringing students, yeah, if it’s a student band bringing non students then no.”
Drink prices are again affected by regulations. Last academic year, Mezz bar ran a promotion for £1.50 drink between certain times but Martin explains that this is no longer possible: “There’s a new mandatory regulation where you can’t binge drink promote or put drinks promotions for specific times, our prices are set across the board every night. There’s no difference to a Wednesday night or a Sunday,” Martin said.
Both the bar and shop, now Londis, have been taken over by Sodexo Education to work in conjunction with South Street, the company which owns the Ruston Way complex, Pavilions.
Doesn’t sound as fun as it used to be.
It is dreadful that a man was murdered at this venue and nothing I am about to say detracts from the sadness of such an incident. Our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends. As a result of these new rules at The Mezz Bar, our army reunion was cancelled with just 12 working days’ notice. We booked in Sep 09 and we raise money for “Help for Heroes” with our events. We were due to have our reunion at The Mezz Bar on Sat 18 Sep 2010. I am pleased to say that the event went ahead at The Wig & Mitre in Lincoln, who came to our rescue at the last minute, by re-arranging their restaurant bookings to accommodate us. As a result, we have raised £700 for the forces charity “Help for Heroes”. Our thanks go out to The Wig & Mitre, Lincoln for their help, fantastic service and fabulous food!!