Pub and Bar Reviews

Being a third year at the local university, it would be impossible for me not to access mbargo from a student’s point of view. Firstly, it is not true that we like any bar or pub just because it is cheap, honestly! Most of us have some standards, and so I shall try and talk about what Cheltenham’s mbargo has to offer both students and the ordinary public alike.

I first visited mbargo a week after it opened in October for my 22nd birthday party. As it had been derelict for the previous two years (and most probably longer) since I had been at university, me and my mates were all intrigued as to what the new bar was like. We all felt it was about time another contemporary bar opened in Cheltenham that could act as a prelude to a night out, or simple as a place to have a chat a grab a drink. So it took us no time at all to use my birthday as an opportunity to check out what, if anything, it would offer us.

It was about 8:30pm and on first impressions from the dark street outside, it looked inviting and intriguing; music was faintly blaring out through the double front doors, and the entrance faintly glowed from the mbargo sign and spotlights inside. We walked in feeling slightly dubious, only to suddenly relax when walking in and hearing up-to-date music played by a proper DJ (makes a change to jukeboxes and ‘old skool’ tunes we usually endure on normal student nights out). To the right of the interior was an empty yet inviting small dance area complete with booths and funky lighting. Although fairly empty (in fairness it was early on a Thursday night) there was a good general atmosphere. The music was audible without blowing our ears off, the lighting was low enough and therefore flattering (you know what I’m talking about, ladies!) but not dark enough to prevent me spotting any potential birthday guests!

As a student living on bread and water (yeah right) it is always nerve racking walking up to the bar wondering whether or not the drink is going to cost you a week’s worth of food money! As it was my birthday, my boyfriend kindly got the first round in: ‘double vodka and coke to get me started please’ I said. The bartender (a young friendly girl who also turned out to be a student) rung it up. Only £2.50!! ‘Bargain’ I said. So far so good. As the rest of my mates were waiting at the bar, we went to find some seating. We looked around and were pleasantly surprised to find that there was a lot of space available. We took our place near the back in an L shaped section with enough room for about 15 people. In front was a huge flat table which was great for us girls to bundle all our bags on, and our drinks, obviously. The seats were very comfortable leather sofas, chairs and stools, so far unaffected by wear and tear and spilt drinks.

Our time in mbargo was very enjoyable and sociable, and soon enough the time came when some of us had had just about enough alcohol to approach the dance floor. So off me and three other girls went across to the floor. But this time, now about 10pm, there was a good crowd, seemingly mostly students or around that age, and we were not the only ones throwing some serious dance moves. You all know what it’s like when you reach the point where you feel like requesting your entire iPod playlist of favourite tunes. Off me and my mate went with the intention of requesting some, quote, ‘banging’ tunes. No pointless bits of paper to write on, just a verbal request to the DJ, ‘Can you play Kanye West’s Stronger please?’ He smiled, nodded, and we receded back, only 2 seconds later for our song to come on. We all burst into song and from then on kept returning to the DJ to request more.

It was suddenly time for a toilet stop, so I told the girls where I was going, and headed off to the left of the bar, past the plasma TV screens, up the stairs past some fancy, modern art work, and into the ladies. I was not at all surprised when the loos seemed clean and fresh, as the standards downstairs would suggest. No broken door locks, blocked toilets, smudged or broken mirrors; just a perfectly sized room with 5 cubicles, large mirrors and plenty of space to have a girly gossip.

After a few more reasonable priced drinks, chats and dance sessions, it was time to leave. As everyone left, I looked back to check we were all present, and on our way to a club, we all discussed how fun it was in mbargo and that we would definitely go back again.
And we did. I have now been back every week for some party or another, and every time we go in there is always the same modern yet comfortable atmosphere. Although some days there are more students or more mature locals, there is always good service and prices, good music (ranging from dance to retro classics) resulting generally in a great night out. I am yet to visit mbargo during the day (being a busy student struggling to meet deadlines), but I would certainly recommend the bar to everyone, whether it is to grab a quick drink, or to spend the whole night there as you would in a club.

Catering for a range of ages and tastes, I would claim that mbargo is a fresh and much needed addition to Cheltenham’s nightlife.