El Sieco's

El Sieco's was a pub, bar, and music venue in Newport, Wales which opened in 2016 on High Street, Newport, following the closure in 2010 of TJ's. The venue closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. [1]

El Sieco's
The new El Sieco's, a successor to TJ's
Former names100 Club
Address10 High Street, NP20 1FQ
LocationNewport, Wales
Coordinates51.589492°N 2.997074°W / 51.589492; -2.997074
OwnerAshley Sicolo
TypeMusic venue and bar
Genre(s)Rock, punk and alt
Seating typePrimarily standing, some seating
Capacity100
Opened2016
Closed2020

TJ's was a key part of the Newport music scene and led to the 1990s label of Newport as 'the new Seattle'. The present owner, Ashley, is the grandson of John Sicolo, who died in 2010.

The new venue proved popular, having been named in the South Wales Argus list of top 5 live music venues in Newport,[2] and announced in 2019 it will be moving to larger premises at 13 Market Street, near to Tiny Rebel.[3] The new venue is scheduled to open on 20 September 2019 and would offer an increased capacity of 350, two floors, with weekend evenings offering two rooms of music. In October 2020 Ashley announced that the club would not reopen, stating that "Coronavirus put life on hold. I’ve had some great times and met some great people, but it’s time for me to move on".[4]

Background

TJ's was a famous nightclub located on Clarence Place,[5] which opened in 1985 and became an integral part of the so-called toilet circuit. The club, praised by John Peel, advertised itself as "The Legendary TJ's".

In 2010, John Sicolo passed away, reportedly having funded the club's upkeep in its poor quality building using much of his life savings. The original premises were held by administrators following his death, and later sold to the Hassan brothers of Cardiff.[6] On 2 February 2013, the original building was damaged by a fire, suspected to be arson.[7] It remains empty in 2019.

In 2012 John Sicolo's grandson, Ashley Sicolo, opened a resurrected venue, first named the 200 Club, on Stow Hill, the decor for which included TJ's memorabilia and copies of TJ's gig posters. In May 2013 indie rockers took part in a gig at the venue when PiL guitarist Keith Levene and Therapy? singer Andy Cairns played there. The club closed on 26 May 2013 due to complaints over noise.[8]

See also

References
  1. "El Siecos closes in further coronavirus blow to Newport nightlife". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. "These are said to be the top five places to enjoy live music in Newport". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  3. "'I think I've finally got it right': Newport's El Siecos is moving to a bigger venue". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  4. "El Siecos closes in further coronavirus blow to Newport nightlife". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  5. Best, Jessica (21 February 2010). "Threat to legendary Newport nightclub". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  6. "TJ's being "left to rot" - John Sicolo's daughter".
  7. "Police investigating suspected arson at former nightclub TJ's". South Wales Argus. 2 February 2013.
  8. "Noise complaints force closure of Newport's 200 club, run by grandson of legendary TJ's owner, John Sicolo". South Wales Argus. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
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