The Live Lounge Cardiff — Restaurant in Castle

Went to live Lounge yesterday for bottomless brunch for a hen party. It was booked in advance and numbers were confirmed Monday when the venue contacted us . When two people got there to set up for the bride they had noticed that one table was reserved for us one end of the room by the toilets whilst the other tables were reserved by the bar. They only asked the manager (lady)could we move the table closer to us to which her response was I am not moving paying customers even though we were also paying customers who had booked in advance. When the bride arrived she did not realise that the question had already been asked and asked the manager could we move one reserved table closer to the party, To which she's replied no I can not do that it is splitting another booking up even though if she had just taken two minutes to have a look instead of getting defensive she would have realised that actually swapping the tables around would have actually put both parties closer together instead of mixing the parties . Just made no sense that they had one table by our party and we had one table by they're party . (There was a table even closer to us but because they had not reserved it there was two couples sat in amongst the hen) Bride just stated that she was happy with service as this had been booked and when booking a venue you do it to ensure you and your party can sit together again the response from managers was nothing I can do about it now even though the other party and not arrived so it was literally just a matter of swapping tables. The manager then stated that she was in two minds of just cancelling to booking to which the bride stated if that how you feel then fine . Bride went to the toilet came back and tables were moved which meant her party sat closer. The bottomless starter bar staff were brilliant even made a point of coming over and apologising to the bride and explained that they could see where she was coming from with this event being book. Food was lovely bar staff were really quick on service and really polite. Our two hours were up the staff let us know. More drink were bought as the party was enjoying in the live lounge Party then decided to move on one lady from the party asked bar staff if they had a black to clean the balloon up to which the response was don't worry about it we will sort it .As the bill was being paid bouncer came and asked bar staff how had we been to which the bar staff stated yeh fine no problems. After paying over £860 we left no problem no issues When we got to to the next venue bouncer stop the bride from going into the bar and stated live Lounge had radio down to every bar in Cardiff staying that the bride had caused trouble in the live lounge. When the bride rang the live lounge it was the manager that answered The bride asked what had she done to which the manager responded you was not the nicest of bunch and you left a mess. Bride then asked what had we done not to be nice not one issue other than the tables. Not one interaction with the bouncer to make us aware of any problems that accrued and the bride went onto say you were happy for us to stay the two hour and take our money and now we have left you have lied . The manager then put the phone down. Tried calling today to make an official complaint but apparently the manager that dealt with us yesterday is highest manager there . Would be very concerned if this is case and she clearly could not organise anything tidy and when asked nicely could the tables be moved closer together she got her back up Very unprofessional manager And to make false allegations to other bars is absolutely disgusting. We will be taking this further and seeking...

The very first day I arrived in Cardiff, I was given an introduction to the wonderful world of Live Lounge, and since then have often looked no further for a venue that combines real, live music, a nightclub style environment, lunchtime food, high quality drinks and prices that you'll remember for the affordability and forget for the amount of merry liquid that can pass your way during an evening there.

The obvious selling point is the live music, day in day out, with 4 or 5 bands / performers strapping on guitars of every species and flavour, and belting through classic covers that appeal to the diverse clientele that the venue attracts. Despite the belief held firm in clubs across smaller towns that a constant crush of Top 40 Arrggghhh and Beee is all that the tracksuited, hair gelled locals understand, guitar music is alive and well within Cardiff.

There is no greater entertainment than watching people, from students (to potential retirees on a Saturday night) shake their feet, knees and various other miscellaneous appendages to well executed and artfully adapted covers from across the entire spectrum of modern music (with some classics that have twice the years of the average student!) The DJ's crack out a mix of songs for everyone, from Slipknot (By very special request) to One Direction, Green Day, Blink and other bouncealong favourites.

Other highlights include deals during the week to pop your eyes from your sockets, and guarantee a mild haze that obscures your memory the next morning, with £5 bottles of White and Rose wine that may not be vintage but contain serious potency, £1 shots of Tequila and bottles of Carling ensuring beverage based excitement and a fantastic array of dance moves. However, digging a little deeper into the throng reveals an illustrious menu of 2 for 1 cocktails, and specialist alcohol is available on request, with the Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic an especially good choice.

The bouncers are always very friendly, helpful and quick to prevent trouble on the dance floor, and with opening times till 4am every single night, there is often a late surge from clubs across the city before the last entry at 2am. I suppose what makes the venue so special is the ability to have whatever sort of night you like, within the one building, with friends managing to spend 6 or 7 hours of a night working their way around the seats, bars and dancefloor.

Forget the cliche that guitar music will make you some sort of wierdo (over exposure to hiphop leads to a world of baggy shorts, and a lingo based on text speak, casual racism and pirate treasure (booty?)) and head on down to one of the best nights in Cardiff. Just don't drink...

Had a good night at a time when you had to book tables. Our last drink order was over 20 minutes late. As a result we got them 5 minutes before our table time expired. We were then surrounded by very aggressive security staff who insisted we leave immediately. We asked very politely to finish our drinks as they had only just arrived. Explaining how long they had taken. Security became more aggressive and appeared to be looking to provoke trouble. We asked to speak to the manager but this just got dismissed. Security then poured our drinks into plastic cups and started getting really up close and right in my friends face. He phoned the police but somehow got cut off. We got up and left having had a really nice evening ruined. On our way back to our hotel we met up with the police and reported how we had been treated. Hopefully words were had with the security people at live lounge. Prior to our leaving experience we were going to return the next evening but due to the disgraceful treatment we would never visit this establishment again. We were there to celebrate our friends 60th birthday, so are all extremely mature gentlemen who never cause trouble and have never experienced anything similar to the way live lounge...