Llangollen:
Nice traditional pub- several real ales in good condition, friendly landlord, decent alcohol-free option for the non-drinker with us. One big room, known as a live music venue, but quiet when we visited on an early Friday evening.
Category Archives: Wales
The Bull Inn
Langollen:
The first pub we entered in Langollen, and it was a bit of a disappointment. It looks positively lovely from the outside, and the traditional alleyway to one side feels nice and traditional. Outside space too, on a sunny August afternoon.
Then it went a bit wrong: the pub was OK but not exceptional, and we were after lunch, but as sometimes happens, stray off the beaten track and kitchens shut, as did this one at 14:30 on the nail.
We drank our drinks and left.
The White Horse
Aberystwyth:
A Stonegate slightly-above-spoons chain pub. Nothing exceptional, apart from the chap with the lovely whippet we made friends with, but not unpleasant at all. More atmosphere than ‘spoons. Some cask ale, but nothing I fancied, so more lager…
The Billiard Bar
Aberystwyth Pier:
With The Inn on the Pier closed for refurbishment, this was the only place to get a drink on the pier. It’s a snooker/shuffleboard place primarily, but there’s a decent amount of seating and the “sun deck” out the back. Pleasant staff, no ale, but not bad.
The Castle Hotel
Aberystwyth:
This is a hotel, but the bar is definitely a pub. Got a bit of a similar feel to The Woodman inside: there’s some Victorian/Edwardian stuff remaining but it’s been refurbed. Pleasant staff, no cask, but Staropramen again. Another pub with a student drinking vibe, but it was quiet when we visited.
Lord Beeching’s
Aberystwyth:
Formerly The Railway Hotel, this is opposite the station, so also opposite Yr Hen Orsaf, the ‘spoons, and it seems to e doing a bit of a ‘spoons-a-like, but with slightly higher prices and a bit more atmosphere. It’s a S A Brains pub, presumably named for the railway-wrecking Baron.
Friendly barman, nicer to sit in than the ‘spoons, OK beer, but nothing exceptional.
The Cambrian Hotel
Aberystwyth:
Named a hotel, but not a hotel. Again opposite the ‘spoons. Impressive building, but in need of a bit of maintenance outside- tidy enough inside. Calls itself a gastropub, but that’s stretching it a bit- it’s burgers, mostly, for food. Pleasant staff, no cask ale, but Staropramen, so I’ll forgive that. It’s fairly normal town-centre pub, probably aimed at the students, but it’s not a bad place. Stripped wood and church-pew benches.
Hafod
Devil’s Bridge:
Another hotel, really, but again it’s listed on Whatpub, and the bar feels pubby. Nice, airy decor without removing atmosphere. Really friendly staff, and nice scenery nearby. Choice of 2 cask ales, and what I had was in good nick.
The Bottle and Barrel
Aberystwyth:
Nice micropub in a backstreet. Huge range of bottled beer, and a mix of keg and cask on tap. Pleasant staff, nice, small courtyard/beer garden at back, which was nice to escape the students on an unseasonably warm October evening (this was the only place in town we went dominated by students in what is a university town). No food, but you can take your own or order in.
The Glengower
Aberystwyth:
Hmm, lines are blurred. CAMRA have it has a pub, but it is a hotel, and it feels more foody than pub.
Nice enough though. Pleasant staff, great beer, good food that’s a step above ordinary pub food, and a good location right on the front. Can’t comment on the rooms but they look nice enough from the website.