Future of major former Tiny Rebel bar revealed

A new business is set to replace a former Tiny Rebel bar. The huge brewery announced the shock news back in March that it would be closing its bar in Newport city centre for good.

At the time Tiny Rebel, which also has a brewery bar in Rogerstone and a bar in Cardiff, said it had made the decision "with a heavy heart" and that footfall had been falling while costs had been rising.

The bar in High Street next door to Newport's indoor market closed for good on March 31 and has been empty ever since but now its replacement has been confirmed. Newport Game Bar is taking over the space and will offer arcade games and a full drinks menu.

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The bar, owned by the operator of Spirit of Wales Distillery in Maesglas Daniel Dyer, has a full range of taps including Birra Moretti, Amstel, Beavertown Neck Oil, and John Smith's as well as a range of non-alcoholic drinks like Stella Artois 0%, Guinness 0%, and Thatchers Zero as well as mocktails, international beers, ales, and ciders and a special range of spirits from the Spirit of Wales Distillery.

Games on offer include Jurassic Park Pinball, Prize Fighter boxing, basketball, and Dr No! James Bond pinball as well as interactive darts available from next month. Mr Dyer said: "I have always had a passion for gaming and with the success of Spirit of Wales Distillery it has long been my ambition to operate a bar in Newport city centre.

"When the Tiny Rebel building became available I knew it was the perfect opportunity to bring this vision to life. We wanted to create a place where couples can enjoy a fun night out and friends can meet up and hang out. Our goal is to bring back the joy of arcade games to Newport and create a lively venue for everyone to enjoy."

Tiny Rebel's announcement in March was criticised for describing Newport city centre as "imploding" but the brewery's co-founder Brad Cummings later told WalesOnline he stood by its original statement, reiterating that costs were increasing by more than the bar was growing and criticising Newport City Council for a lack of support. You can read what he said here.

Newport Game Bar will have its grand opening on Friday, June 14, from 12pm. It will open from 12pm-10pm Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-1am Friday and Saturday, and 12pm-10pm Sunday.