MESS ignites Biarritz

This new music bar opened in early August 2024, featuring an Evo X sound system from the brand Funktion-One. The sound installation was carried out by the Bordeaux-based company Alive. Freddy Schaeffer, the creator and director of MESS, introduces his establishment.

A recognized nightlife professional in the South of France, Freddy Schaeffer first gained appreciation as a DJ, from L’Osidano in Limoges to La Nuit des Rois in Angoulême. He then opened his own venues: N’Cocktailo in La Roche Salée, L’Ambrosia in Anglet, and most notably, Le Carré Coast in Biarritz (from 2004 to 2020). After a break, Freddy Schaeffer and his wife Valérie envisioned a new ideal venue, MESS, and spent several years bringing it to life.

With a capacity of 220 seats, this club-like music bar features two bars, including a cocktail bar with fresh seasonal fruits, and two lounge areas. “We wanted a place where people feel good. I do this job with a real passion for nightlife and imagine places where comfort is essential.” MESS is thus a cozy establishment with a very pure, Japanese-inspired décor, featuring anthracite-patterned acoustic tapestries, red LED lighting reminiscent of a Speakeasy, benches with small velvet cushions, and small tables, among other details.

The director prioritized sound quality as a key asset of his venue. “I absolutely wanted to work with Funktion-One, and I chose the brand’s new sound system, the Evolution X model. Before that, we conducted acoustic studies of the place that lasted six months, and then I turned to the company Alive for the sound system installation. The expertise and professionalism of the Alive team were crucial in optimizing the sound system’s performance. Choosing Funktion-One was a significant investment, and I made the best choice!”

“The sound is incredible: round, warm, and enveloping. It’s full of groove and also fiery.” Freddy Schaeffer is brimming with enthusiasm. In early August 2024, the new establishment he created, MESS (short for Mélodie en sous-sol), opened right in the center of Biarritz. Within a few weeks, this music bar has carved out a niche in the Basque nightlife scene.

“The DJ booth is central, like in a Boiler Room. The dancefloor is therefore very accessible. This creates a strong visual impact and a sense of proximity and intimacy between the DJ and the dancers.” For music, MESS relies on two DJs: Ray, a Biarritz figure known for his house, deep, funk, and US rap mixes, and Raff, the newcomer, the son of Freddy and Valérie, with his 100% Ibiza clubbing house mixes. And, of course, to propel the music they play, a splendid Funktion-One EX sound system. “I love beautiful cars,” concludes Freddy Schaeffer. “And a Funktion-One sound system is the Bugatti of sound!”

> MESS, 21 Avenue Edouard VII, Biarritz. Open 7 days a week, from 9 PM to 2 AM (Thursday to Sunday starting late September). mess-biarritz.fr