interesting concert venue / native american sweat lodge. before i heard wavves were playing here, i'd never heard of the place. there's no sign outside but it's located right next to a mexican restaurant. the entire basement space is blanketed in marker and a little spray paint here and there. it's safe to assume that most of the writers are suffering from tourettes. it gets hot in here. really, really hot. first the people start sweating, and eventually the walls start to sweat. once the music is playing, and everyone starts going crazy, there are several people who helicopter cold open water bottles around. it's a crude, yet efficient cooling system and it gets the job done. the only downside is when you're leaving the venue and walking to your car, you're covered in water and will get strange looks from passersby. the crowd is fun here, more so than new york crowds. they don't seem to book many bands i'm interested in, though. it seems like it's mostly punk stuff. the place is all ages, and i'm pretty sure the average age of most concertgoers here is around 20, and that means no alcohol is served. there's a bar that's close, though, the two jakes or something, and they have really cheap beer. i liked the sign telling people not to use drugs or face an arrest from undercover cops. we joked that people probably thought *i* was one of them because, besides a couple of the bands, i was one of the older people there. would definitely go back if someone i liked was playing there, but would probably wear older clothes next time. i had footprints all over my jeans and my favorite pair of clae sneakers looked really unhappy at the end of the night. 8 ^( by the way, wavves are/were terrible and should be avoided at all costs. read more

chill asf, interactions with the staff was awesome, the whole vibe of the place is sick asl, as long as you got marked you can reenter if like you left something in the car or smthn, generally just an awesome experience read more

The Meat Locker - TVs in space before the bands, play live video of bands, rad asf - Music Venues Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

My god I totally get it. My friend text me last minute and said they were at this place. That they had a friend playing in a live band. Once I found a place to park I was already in a bad mood. I walked in and lasted 2 minutes. There's like, no bar! People are young Gross I walked out! Got to my car and said "liz I'll be at Halcyon, that place is not my thing" Omg I was overdressed, and I didn't want to touch anything I wanted out. That place should just clean up its act. That's all. Not my place read more

Horrible. Been going to grungy punk clubs for 20 years. They charge $7 to see some bands that drive across the country to play shows for 30 people and then tell the bands they're not getting paid because they have to pay their rent. I understand you have to make some money to keep your doors open but there's absolutely no incentive for bands to play here if they can't even make gas money. Also didn't tell the bands they weren't going to be paid until the show was over. No way to run a DIY club. read more

I know people who've played here and almost all of them hate it. If you think this place is "for the music" and that the owners support or even pay the bands what they deserve or were promised, you're wrong. Let me give you a picture of what this place actually is as someone who's been about 4 or 5 times (to support friends playing there): A place where young teenagers gather to drink or get high with literally no supervision. The only time you'll see anyone who works here is when they briefly hound you for a donation. Literal children have alcohol out on the table and smoke cigs or weed openly inside the venue. No ID to get in here either. The worst thing is, I know someone who was groomed and assaulted in this very basement as a minor by an adult, and unfortunately it makes perfect sense that a place like this where vulnerable teenagers gather to get intoxicated would be a breeding ground for predators. I'm very much for the idea of all ages spaces especially music venues, but you can't run it this way. Someone who represents this place needs to be around enforcing the no-alcohol policy that *supposedly* exists and maybe keep the literal dark hole in the wall where no one can see or hear you free of teenagers. It's a very small place, there's no excuse for not knowing (and I believe they do know) that a ton of children are getting intoxicated in your venue. I mean, this place is more underage kids/people than adults. How is safety not a priority? There's no number to even call and tell this place about concerning behavior or people. There's nowhere to run. It's hellish. read more

2 stars because its a great local place for young artists.. no more than 2 because its dirty and they dont try very hard which bothers me. Stop being lazy. You have a great place. Make it seem great. read more

This is the greatest venue ever and it's the only thing making independent music survive. You want to see up and coming bands just go over here. read more

Great DIY venue that has been a staple on the NJ music scene for years. The people running the Meat Locker are extremely friendly and are passionate about music. read more

I brought my date to the meatlocker after hearing about the amazing food and drink specials. Let me tell you, they have the best fried cat I've ever tasted and the bleach cocktails were on point....might i add the roach-fritters were TO DIE FOR. Some band called the Frisky Browneyes (sp?) was playing some super edgy nuwave but it was hard to hear them over the sound of some accoustic act practicing that totally drowned them out....kind of a bummer. The decor was very post-darkages which totally captured the bistro vibe they're going for. Im only ranking this 1 star because i didnt have more than 3 dollars in my pocket so the door girl made me do like 20 pushups and im terribly out of shape. My girlfriend realized this and fell in love with said door girl who was imo a crass bully. Might go back again to try and get lucky with this oddly attractive vegan with a beaver tail nailed to his head. Namaste. read more

This place would have been a great experience, but this filthy dreadlocked vegan kept trying to have sex with me in the restroom. I think his name was Dan. read more

If you are a touring band. Don't play here! If you have any respect for musicians, don't go to shows here! If you can make over $200 easily, then cool. The bands will split what comes after that. If bands are cool with admission of their show admission paying for another person's practice space, cool. ALSO, just so you know, you might have another band(s) rehearsing very close to the stage while you play your heart out. I am definitely in favor of an all ages space, BYOB, and an alternate space for music making other than a bar or normal venue. MUSICIANS: it's not your obligation to support someone's trashy basement playground. read more

What a great idea. Talented metal bands having a blast. We had a very old and out of place group there and the regulars could not have been nicer. I think you bring your own and expect a different experience. read more

Famously one of the worst music venues in North Jersey. The guys who run the place are alright, they're really about the music but honestly don't run the venue that well. The Meatlocker is a stinky basement in Montclair formerly known as 8 Park Underground. I really can't complain about the appearance of the space because it is a DIY venue and was in no way designed to be a performance space. So when I say there's a dangerous pole directly in front of the stage that people often get injured on when more aggressive bands play, it is in no way subtracting from my rating. The worst thing about this venue is easily their bathrooms and sound system. Seriously, now that this place is charging $10 a show, the least you can do is proper restroom maintenance. If there's a show I really wanna go to, I just won't eat that day so I don't have to deal with that. As for the sound system, the venue typically only mikes vocalists. This would be totally fine if they still didn't manage to make it sound like complete poo. A decent P.A system for vocals only costs usually less than $400. I know that's a lot of money for a DIY venue but once again, considering that they're now charging $10 a show...yeaaa. I like most of the staff here as people except one of them is really annoying. The last time I saw a show here I left at 1:00am in the morning because I had work early the next morning. As I tried to leave, I was basically bullied by the same staff member mentioned in another review who hounds you for a donation. There was two more bands playing who travelled all the way from Canada. Guess what, it's not my fault that YOU decided to put the band who travelled the farthest at the worst possible time slot. I apologize to that band, because I really would like to have seen them, but the venue staff should also apologize to them. As mentioned in another review, there are multiple rooms close together in that filthy basement where sometimes there will be a band practicing while there is a show going on. There have been a few instances where the show going on was so bad that I actually went to go watch another band practice that was much better. I don't think this is a bad thing about the venue because it feels like a hub for music performance and creation. The best thing about the venue is that anything goes. Practically any style of performance is acceptable here including those that could potentially harm people in the audience. On multiple occasions I've seen grown men here playing completely exposed. That's punk. Overall the Meatlocker is an OKAY DIY venue. I believe a good d.i.y venue should be raw, but also friendly. The Meatlocker is definitely raw, but it is definitely NOT friendly. That being said, if you're a band starting up in North Jersey, you HAVE to play here. It's not only a rite of passage, but it is necessary for any local credibility in the music scene. I think the best possible solution for the Meatlocker to both increase friendliness and their profitability would be to charge a true donation, not the "suggested" $10. Shows should not be free, but people should pay what they can and what they think is fair. It just isn't worth it to pay $10 for a bunch of locals, especially when they wouldn't even want to charge that much. Final sidenote: I once booked my band and several others here and insisted that I did all the promotion and fee collection at the door. I also made tickets that I could sell in advance to secure attendance. These tickets were $5, that's what I thought the show was worth, and it was also $5 at the door. Believe or not, it was actually the most profitable show we had played there and walked out with over $150 even after paying the venue. Edit: People have been messaging me complaining about my review so let me clarify. I love the Meatlocker in all of it's crappy glory, I just don't think they should be charging a $10 donation when the word "donation" implies a voluntary exchange. read more

Avoid avoid avoid. Very dirty and very rude. You're going to leave feeling gross and uncomfortable.

This place is a graffiti covered punk rock haven located in the really nice and expensive downtown of Montclair, NJ. The kid who runs this place now is the man. I don't think places like this exist in NYC. read more

I came here after making a post on Facebook asking if anyone can drive me from south orange. The person that picked me up likes his music loud, maybe too loud. He offered me some downloaded music, which I accepted and guess what? It was also too loud! Wtf. I went here hoping to make some friends and the surly door lady hugged me hard, too hard! The man with the dreadlock that runs the place offered me a beer and it was cold, too cold! And his girlfriend can't even pronounce simple words like mountain and Yosemite. The people there are stupid, maybe too stupid. read more

some days ya just can't help but beat yr meat, and i find that to be most days actually. but fr some people it's hard, y'know? some folks need the right atmosphere or the right mood or lighting, but im not that picky. that's why i love the meatlocker, it smells like a basement probably because it IS a basement, one that's been around since the 80s. Wow! i mean, it doesn't get more diy punk than this folks, take it or leave it. the folks here are great, and i've only been kicked in the chest once atta hardcore show, but i've def lost count of how many times i got stale beer spilled all over me, and then sucked it outta my clothes but hey that was good beer goin to waste. anyway, sometimes you just can't beat the meat. 10 / 10 read more

this place is horrible! from rude staff picking on the people attending shows combined with shit sound quality... 18+ and no alcohol yet the place is stuffed with minors sneaking in alcohol. it's sad to see decent bands stuck playing this venue when they are entitled to a respectful area to preform. read more

a few days ago i was in Montclair, NJ and I heard a loud noise emanating from below me while I was enjoying my eggplant parmesan. I quickly paid my check and walked downstairs, where I was assaulted by the smell of stale beer and other unknown substances. Not long after, I was literally assaulted, this time by a man with bleached blond curly hair, wearing a Lacoste windbreaker (side note: probably a Pitchfork insider). then, he climbed on stage and played bass in a band named "Winona Ryder" (this name sounds familiar but i'm not sure why). my body began convulsing with lit dance moves while the singer, wearing a decadent piece of jewelry known as a "choker," sang about volcanoes and starting a cult, followed by a speech about knowing who you are and being yourself. Inspiring. Then, a bunch of punk bands played and I watched a number of drunk college students nosedive into a rolling chair, before an underage goth tried to light the chair on fire! I couldn't believe my eyes, as I cried tears of blood!!! Literal tears of blood! Overall, it was nice. read more