The much-loved Slug & Lettuce cocktail bar in Newport is to close its doors for the final time this weekend after 8 years, the venue has announced.
The popular bar and restaurant at 23-26 High Street has confirmed that it will be shutting, bringing an end to an 8-year chapter at the town centre venue.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the Slug & Lettuce team thanked customers and the local community for their support over the years.
The venue said it has been “more than just a bar”, describing it as a place where customers have celebrated everything from birthdays and bottomless brunches to first dates and memorable nights out.
The team said:
“After 8 incredible years, we’re closing our doors.
“We’ve shared so many special memories, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to our guests and the local community for your loyalty and support.”
Customers have also been invited to return for one final farewell on Saturday 12th September, with the team calling on friends, regulars and former customers to join them for a final “cheers”.
The announcement marks the end of a significant era for one of Newport’s best-known late-night venues, leaving just Wetherspoons and Hogshead to cater for Newport’s party people.
The site, which sits prominently on Newport High Street, has a history stretching back well before its time as a Slug & Lettuce. According to Stonegate Pub Partners, the building was once a cinema and retains a distinctive character as a result.
Stonegate’s own property listing has now been updated to describe the premises as the “Former Slug & Lettuce – Make It Your Own”, indicating that the site is being made available for a new operator
The company says the premises are being offered as a Fixed Term Tenancy, with a forecast annual turnover of £458,584 and a guide rent of £942 per week.
The listing adds that the venue has enjoyed strong trade throughout the week and has developed a loyal following for its brunches and cocktails.
It is not yet known what will replace the Slug & Lettuce, but Stonegate says the premises represent an opportunity for a new operator to “shape the future” of the established Newport venue.
The Slug & Lettuce team, meanwhile, has used its shock closure announcement to look back on the memories created at the venue and thank those who have supported it.
They concluded their message by simply saying:
“Thank you all.”
