Welcome!

+++LATEST UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2009+++

I shall be returning to Aber for a few beers and the football the first weekend in November....

• APG EXCLUSIVE SCOOP - The Bay is shut...and for sale?
• The Tafarn Cross/Teifi Inn at Ffair Rhos added
• The Black Lion at Pontrhydfendigaid added
  
• Weston Vaults is shut
  
• Ship and Castle gets gutted
• New pictures for loads of the out-of-town pubs
• Addition of the Bluebell to the RIP - Pubs of the Past section
  
• Harry's Irish Bar reviewed
  
• Have tried updating the poll, but it won't let me now people have started voting. So if you want to vote for the new-look Salt as your favourite, just click on Bar E. We'll all know what you mean! Sadly, I won't be able to add Consti or Harry's...

Welcome to Quinno's thoroughly biased - but hopefully informative and humorous - guide to the pubs of Aberystwyth. It's a list of all - best and the worst - pubs in Aber, with reviews, pics and contact details and other miscellaneous stuff. This is a not-for-profit site. So if I praise something or slag it off it is my own personal opinion, nothing more. If you agree or disagree with me, leave a comment telling me why I'm wrong.

I'd really like users to leave comments, stories and memories on the site, so long as they are not libelous and are written in proper English (or Welsh if you prefer).

Enjoy the site.
Quinno.

If anyone has pictures of Aber pubs and bars pre-2000 that they're willing to share, I'd love to hear from you. Alternatively, if you want to email corrections/clarifications, photos etc, drop me an email at bluemondayuk@hotmail.com

Aberystwyth Pubs Map

Tips for using the pubs map:

• Use the arrow keys to move around the map (or use the grabby hand cursor icon - like you would in a pdf document). Use the + and - keys to zoom in and out of the map.
• Click on the name of any of the pubs listed on the right-hand-side in order to be taken direct to its location on the map.
• Want to print it, or want the map to display full-screen? You can access it by clicking this link
• NOTE: Googlemaps are best viewed in a Firefox browser. If your IE browser doesn't work on this page, why not download the best browser on the 'net for free, here? You won't be disappointed.

Map Channels - My thanks to them for being able to gloriously embed a Google Map into my blog. Check 'em out.

The Academy (Yr Academi)

Formerly called The Jolly Sailor Public House; "a notorious den of iniquity..."

Address: 52 Great Darkgate Street, SY23 1DW. Tel: 01970 636852 [gmap]
Facebook page

Last APG visit: 24/11/2008

Background: Massive derelict old chapel (called St. Paul’s, trivia fans), given a very expensive and unholy refit as a massive two-level bar (and as many speculated at the time, a club waiting to happen; but the local council seem to have put a stop to that idea...for now. Indeed the latest request to open an extra 30 minutes on bank holidays has been turned down). Most impressive pub in Aber, façade-wise. Inside has had a refurb (Sept 2008) though it's fairly similar as before, except the middle partition downstairs has been removed - see pics of the new-look inside below.

Student factor: A classic student bar, but it attracts more than enough locals to stop it getting too up-it’s-own-arse.

Atmosphere: The acoustics of the old chapel design mean that it only needs a few people in to give it a better atmosphere than the number warrants. Usually a pretty good vibe most evenings during term-time and there’s enough seating to keep people in for a good while, rather than downing two bottles of lager and leaving. Suffers a bit when the students aren’t in town. The previous lack of air con which meant that the place got like a sauna upstairs looks to have been rectified post-2008 refurb.

Drinks range: Fair, now has an ale on and the prices have stabilized a bit. Service is notoriously variable. The ale is often a more unusual choice (Breconshire Brewery during November) so worth giving it a go.

TV/Music: Had a bank of TV screens cobbled together to make one big screen (so 1997…) which has now been replaced by the usual big screen. Otherwise, usual pre-clubbing style music.

Other stuff: The old preachers pulpit is a DJ booth, not that it ever gets used much given the dreams of clubbing have been dashed - many jokes about ‘God is a DJ’ still hang around the place however. Food, pool, quizzer and table football are available, as is some nice outdoor seating during summer. Pub is wheelchair-friendly. Toilets are hike through a warren of corridors, easy to get lost if you’re plastered and unfamiliar with the place. Upper balcony is a great place for people-watching, and looking down girls tops. Be aware that the staff are primed and ready to deal with anyone they even suspect of ‘doing a Begbie’ in here. You have been warned.

Quinno’s verdict: Offers enough to keep most punters happy for a drink or two and is excellent as a warm-up venue for a late night to follow.

The Angel Inn

Address: 57-59 Great Darkgate Street, SY23 1DW. Tel: 01970 617878 [gmap]
Facebook page

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: Welcome to the great unreformed pub in Aber. Split into a front bar and large function room at the rear, this is a place that was one of the original Gang of Eight* to hold a post-11pm late licence in Aber before that nice Mr Blair’s Licensing Reform Act. Now hosts all the musical theme nights in Aber since the Bay temporarily shut its basement in a fit of stupidity. Without them, I think this place would be struggling.

Student factor: Big in the back room when the various theme nights are on. Otherwise, it’s often home to craggy locals and menacing people of dubious origin in the front.

Atmosphere: Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty good. Otherwise, it can be a bit dreary or full of incredibly pissed locals. Interior has a had a light makeover and isn't quite as pretty dark and shabby as before. They've also opened up a the right-hand side of the front bar a bit more. I’ve seen fisticuffs in here on more than one occasion.

Drinks range: Getting better. Snakebite & black/whiskey territory here mainly, though there's some Corky's which always goes down well. Token ale (Hancocks HB) variable quality.

TV/Music: There is a TV that gets intermittently used in the front bar. Mainly people go for the late-licence back room – (latest set-list: Monday – Indiesoc +++UPDATE - Indiesoc may not be running for the 2009/10 season unless someone steps up to the plate to take over+++; Tuesday – RocSoc; Wednesday – PunkSoc; Thursday - Reggae Night; Friday/Saturday – Locals Now That’s What I Call Music compilation ho-down). Back room also hosts the occasional live band. Aber monoliths The Mighty FUOD put on a legendary performance in here back in 2003. The back room is a pretty good venue on a busy night (see below, Aber Indiesoc night):

Other stuff: Dirty nudey quizzer normally inhabited by dubious middle-aged men (or the moth-boys on our visit). Front bar toilets are the worst in Aber, very Trainspotting (I can promise that the image below is un-doctered in any way) although the ones in the back room have been overhauled and aren't too bad now. Newsagents next door used to stock the biggest hoard of porn I've ever encountered.

Quinno’s verdict: Go for your particular musical theme night. Has improved a little over the last couple of years, but to be honest I wouldn't bother to go regularly beyond curiosity value.

NB- The Gang of Eight with a late licence between 1997-2005 were: Aber Student Union; The Angel; The Bay; The Boar’s Head; The Glen; K2; Pier Pressure and Rummers.

The Bay (Y Bae)

Address: 35-37 Marine Terrace, SY23 2DX. Tel: 01970 627115 [gmap]
Facebook group#1
Facebook group#2

Last of last APG visit: 20/01/2008

+++UPDATE 28/06+++

From my staff source:

"Time to clear some stuff up:

The Bay wasn't as successful in the last year as previous ones, as no-one came down to us most nights 'til about 3, and we weren't making the money, so Brains didn't close a successful pub.

The company own the lease, and still have a significant period of time on it. For the time being they have just emptied the place (eg the pumps, cellar coolers, tills etc), and all that's left is a shell of a building, and there is no news on what they are intending at the moment, but it doesn't look like it will come back in its recent state, if at all.

Upstairs is in a bad state of affairs, but that had nothing to do with the closing, it hadn't made any difference for the past few years, so why should it of now. Soundproofing was sorted last summer, with no financial help from Brains themselves, like the rest of the pub over the last few years."

Background: Believe it or not, this was a deathly-dull hotel bar 15-odd years ago. It’s now a jam-packed student dive. The last of the great ‘seafront plub’ generation from the 90’s still left standing (the Boar’s Head, Glen and the Seabank having fallen by the wayside), multi-roomed (everyone has their favourite place) with a bar at the front and a cobbled-together dancefloor at the rear and also downstairs, with sweat dripping from the ceiling and running down the walls. Post-plub aftermath has diluted it’s core appeal, there’s a few more mainstream types in there now than before. Usually charges a token entry fee after 11, so get down there early doors if you’re pikey like me.

Student factor: 100% - traditionally scruffs, Indie kids, rockers, EMO-saddo’s and alcoholics, though it's getting more and more mainstream each time I go, slowly turning into the Glen circa 1999. Now open until 3-4am. Christ, I remember when 2am was considered the height of decadence…

Atmosphere: After 11pm, this is the possibly still the place to be for a night out in Aber. Genuine student-types, a sticky, squelchy floor and grotty bogs. Make sure you have a download before you get here, because the toilet pan will be plastered in faeces and vomit by midnight. Has lost something since the smoking ban, mainly the cancerous fog – some nights you couldn’t see from one end of the dance floor to another. Bay regulars of years past had lungs of 60 year old chain smokers. Some of the old fittings have been removed, which makes it a bit less homely than before and more bland - shame.

Drinks range: Limited but cheap. Most people in here drink the legendary Snakebite and Black (aka diesel; goth juice) which is ½ lager, ½ cider and a splash of blackcurrant juice to those of you who don’t get out much. Gained notoriety in the late-90’s for being the first place in west Wales to sell the newly-legalised absinthe, and continues to sell similarly meths-based concoctions which are more suited to disinfecting hospital wards than being drunk. Queues on a weekend can be horrendous – get to know a member of bar staff, it can prove mighty beneficial when attempting to catch their eye amongst a hoard of 50 other people clamouring for more alcohol. Used to give out a free vodka with each drink in the earlier hours of trading (which got poured straight into the Snakey B to make it 'turbo') but the local plod have put a stop to that.

TV/Music: There are TV’s which are switched to whatever the barmaid was watching before the rush started. Sometimes it’s VH1, other times it’s S4C. But as we know, the main attraction here is the music, which is (or was?) usually modern alternative, Indie, 60’s and jukebox classics - although recently many more English townie centre nightclub choices are appearing at the weekends now which is bizarre; you now have to put up with what seems to be a poor attempt at Dave Pearce's Dance Anthems or Tim Westwood's Gangsta Megamix for a few hours before they put the decent stuff on the decks on a Saturday night.

Other stuff: A basement bar, which used to successfully host themed evenings (Indiesoc, Punksoc, various ‘proper’ dance music gigs) but they were sacked off to the Angel for some reason, (hard to think why as I know for a fact that IndieSoc made a fat wedge at the bar) and it's now been refurbed and re-opened with a more trying-to-be-trendy music edge. Upstairs also used to have a pizza hatch (toppings loosely-based on a national theme, so you’d order a 6” Welsh, or whatever) which was ace, again a strange decision to axe it - although rumour reaches me of some sort of sexual 'corruption' of the pizza oven. Has a demon quizzer in the back room and a knackered pool table. The hand dryer in the gents bogs looks like salvage from the Titanic and makes more noise than a 747 on take-off, but apparently has now been removed and is lying in the staff room - can someone do the decent thing and auction it on ebay please. Oh and Aled, landlord and occasional mayor of Aberystwyth.

Quinno’s verdict: Formerly legendary. People lost more hours of their life in here and had more good nights than you will anywhere else in Aber. However, is its power on the wane now? It used to have a toe-to-toe rivalry with the Glen, which created plenty of choice and almost tribal-like loyalty. I'm not seeing that now. Perhaps it's the fact that this place was once family-owned, but has since been acquired by Brains**...management pressure from Cardiff-based suits?

*-Thanks to the Boy Demetrius for this info. **-Though it has mysteriously disappeared from their website listings in the last few weeks...+++see Breaking News, it's now up for sale+++

The Cambrian

Formerly known as The Commercial Hotel

Address: Alexandra Road, SY23 1LG. Tel: 01970 612446 [gmap]
Facebook group

Last APG visit: 20/04/2008

Background: Originally a comfy boozer back in ‘97, this place went for a full-on refurb and emerged blinking into the daylight as a binge drinkers paradise – an IKEA cocktail bar. Became massively popular and has remained an integral part of the circuit ever since.

Student factor: 75% student. Some younger locals on a weekend, not that you’d notice.

Atmosphere: Veers from dead at 7pm to major crush at 8pm. Some evenings it will take you five minutes to get from one end of the bar to the other, which is lethal if you’re desperate for a slash.

Drinks range: Star Wars and University-themed cocktails, with their ingredients, are plastered all over the walls on slate discs; don't be a tool and ask for a menu at the bar. Cocktails are pretty much the only reason to go in. They’re not cheap, but they’ll do the job and they are big – most come in pint glasses. Biggest mutha of them all is the Death Star – two pints of what looks like muddy water from the River Rheidol. One of those will be more than enough to get you bouncing off the walls. APG Agent Toothbrush has created one called the Diva which I believe contains Captain Morgan rum - nice. Service is normally pretty sharp, the staff in here earn their biscuits. Token real ale, not that I've ever tried it.

TV/Music: No TV, but ‘pumping’ music gets progressively loud during the evening, often ending up at unnecessarily ear-splitting levels after 10pm.

Other stuff: Pool table, which is permanently booked after 7pm. Food is served during the day, Sunday lunch is rumoured to be decent. Toilets often poor. Cambrian was the scene of the infamous hit-and-run egging incident of Halloween 2006 - hopefully the management have learnt to lock the side door on that particular night now.

Quinno’s verdict: Probably the best student bar in Aber. Notice I said ‘bar’, not ‘pub’; this a place for vertical binge drinking only. Don’t expect to make interesting conversation with the person on the next table.

Castle Hotel

Address: South Road, SY23 1JW. Tel: 01970 612188 [gmap]

http://www.castlehotelaberystwyth.co.uk

Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

Background: Originally a two-roomed backstreet pub with a lounge and public bar, this watering-hole has had two makeovers in the last 15 years which have all but removed the soul of the place, including the lovely old Victorian bar. Now it’s laminate floored, chocolate coloured sofa lounge-bar thing. Bah.

Student factor: You’re drinking in the heart of student ghetto in the South Beach area, expect to see them, often drama/arty-farty types in fancy dress talking very loudly. The late-licence means that you get a bigger mixture of peoples these days compared to 10 years back, including some of the more well-known soaks from a particularly well-regarded Uni department who try to nick your drink when you aren't looking and pour it into their own.

Atmosphere: Used to hold quite a good atmosphere, but the new incarnation is still finding its feet. It certainly is a more clinical finish, can no longer feel busy with just half-a-dozen people in. It tends to get busy - you guessed it - when the other pubs are chucking out and this place is still open.

Drinks range: The ale range that had appeared after the refit has been battered down to one average pint of Rev James (though the Uni's resident CAMRA-type Jeremy Perkins has seen some better stuff sometimes). There's an interesting keg lager - Tuborg. Otherwise, fairly bog-standard and not particularly cheap either, outside happy hours.

TV/Music: The old RRROCK jukebox has survived the cull and is the size of a bungalow (see below), plenty of choice but beware that it has a funny concept of song queuing – don’t expect to hear all five of your selections within the hour. In a victory for APG, the 'trendy' song lyrics have been removed from the walls and the jukebox no longer has the shame of having Robbie Williams' scribblings stationed above it.

Other stuff: The biggest new thing here is the award of a late (very late) licence - currently, the Castle is allowed to serve drinks until 2am between Sundays and Thursdays and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and has a licence covering live or recorded music till 1am any night of the week (yes, I've clearly copied that from the Council's Licensing website). They're now actively pushing the hotel aspect of the place, check out their sparkly new website, though I'm not sure who would want to stay in a room above a late-licence drinking den?? Otherwise, there's an active dart board and pool table and there's apparently now food available. There used to be live music on a Friday in the form of local bands of builders who thought they were a cross between Stereophonics and Status Quo, not sure if this still happens post-refurb. Look out for the lethal metal pole in the middle of the pub (see bottom), you’re not a proper student drinker in Aber until you’ve walked into it by accident whilst blotto. Oh and the toilets have finally been done-up - there's now even Dyson Airblades, how very metropolitan.

Quinno’s verdict: Lost a lot of what made it enjoyable, though there's still the odd piece of history to be found. Clearly now trading on the late licence to make it profitable I'm not sure it can survive much longer if the hotel aspect doesn't work out; I can see this as a block of flats within the next five years which would be a shame.

Consti

Address: Constitution Hill, SY23 2DN. Tel: 01970 617642 [gmap]
http://www.aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk

Last APG visit: 20/04/2008

Background: All there used to be at the top of the iconic Constitution Hill was the Camera Obscura and a small, draughty Nissen Hut serving tea, coffee and old Mars Bars. In a sign of the times, there is now a super-shiny fully functional bar-restaurant, double-glazed and ready to cater for your every whim! (well, not quite, but you get what I mean). Be aware that the bar is only open when the connecting Cliff Railway is - 7 days a week from mid-March until early November, from 10am to 5pm. So don't turn up at 8:30pm in the middle of January expecting a pint.
Student factor: Depends when you go, but there'll normally be a few mixed in with the Brummie tourists and locals on a sunny Sunday stroll.

Atmosphere: Feels a bit like a canteen in a double-glazing firms office, but frankly the wonderful views from the windows, where you are 430 feet up from ground level, more than make up for it.

Drinks range: Not bad at all - they stock the full bottled range of Brains ale (including Brains Dark) and have Brains Smooth on keg, as well as Carling. They also have 45, a 'Welsh Continental lager' (another Brains product) bottled, which tasted OK. Lots of non-alcoholic options available too. Prices reasonable given the location.

TV/Music: Neither, that I recall. There may have been a radio on at the bar, but I didn't notice as I was too excited about standing in a bar at the top of the Hill ordering a beer.

Other stuff: You can take your beer outside (so long as you return the glassware) which is brilliant on a sunny day as we experienced in April (see pic above). Lots of places to sit and enjoy your beer with stunning views. Just be careful of the wasps in the summer - they get everywhere. Here are some spurious Cliff Railway/Constitution Hill factoids:

-It's the longest electric cliff railway in Britain, and opened in 1896.

-It originally operated on a sophisticated water balance system but went electric in 1921.

-The carriages travel at a leisurely 4 miles per hour.

Quinno's verdict: They've done a super job on this, and I'd heartily recommend a few beers up here on a warm summers afternoon - the perfect place to revise, I'd wager.

The Coopers Arms (Y Cwps)

+++UPDATE - Has been painted pink!!! WTF?+++

Address: Northgate St, SY23 2JT. Tel: 01970 624050 [gmap]
MySpace site

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: Small, narrow and pokey, the second home of the Welsh-speakers and folk musicians and peeling, nicotine-stained posters, this place had a long-overdue refurb around 2006. The Welsh and the folk singers are still there, the posters and nicotine stains are gone.

Student factor: Some, but it has its share of locals (who get more rowdy as the evening progresses) - it's too far out of the centre for most inebriated fun-seekers. Though given it's comparatively small size, it gets busy quite easily.

Atmosphere: Has changed somewhat - from peeling, nicotine-stained posters and a Trustafarian vibe, this is now cleaner and a bit more mainstream. I've always struggled to feel any real love for the place outside the music nights.

Drinks range: Average. Note to ale drinkers – don’t be fooled by the handpulls, only two of them work. If you order the Felinfoel stout, they’ll try a Derren Brown sleight-of-hand on you, to sub a dirty nitrokeg in its place without a peep that the real ale version is unavailable and that the advertised handpull is blatantly misleading advertising. Very poor form, especially from a pub that is owned by a real ale brewery!!! Mind you, you're not missing much as Felinfoel beer is pretty rank at the best of times so ner-ner to them. Pub used to be the home of ‘proper Guinness’ brewed in Dublin, back in the day. If you could taste the difference, you should have retrained as a sniffer dog.

TV/Music: Music and Sky Sports. Live music too (see below).

Other stuff: Seems to host a Welsh Christian folk group intermittently. Used to be gigs played in the room upstairs (cracking gig by the long-departed Moriarty back in the day), but this seems to have dropped off in recent times. There's a working piano downstairs too. Formerly huge and freezing bogs have had an overhaul, now smaller and considerably warmer.

Quinno’s verdict: Barring their liberal interpretation of the Trades Descriptions Act, worth a stop occasionally - but don't drink the ale.

It's old green incarnation is below, for posterity...

Court Royale Hotel

Formerly known as Harley’s Sports Bar; Jesters

Address: 21 Eastgate, SY23 2AR. Tel: 01970 611722 [gmap] http://www.courtroyale.org.uk

Last APG visit: 22/11/2008

Background: Was a newly-opened semi-American influenced sports bar back when I started in ’98 and was often empty, but then began picking up a lot of local custom at weekends. Now re-branded on the outside, but still looks very much like it always did inside but cleaner...

Student factor: A fair number, mainly shouty sports types and their groupies. Turns very local on a weekend.

Atmosphere: Quiet during the week, but loud and busy at weekends – the queue for the bar can be horrendous. Part of the townie crawl circuit on a weekend so be warned, some of the ones in here can be pretty lairy.

Drinks range: Limited – this is a vertical drinking den, make no mistake. There’s normally a cheap offer on something or other. They've got the Brains 45 lager - it's not bad actually (high praise from an ale drinker!), though pricey.

TV/Music: Very loud music in the evening, with the telly on during the day.

Other stuff: One thing it does do very well is the rugby – this is a great place to catch the 6 Nations because of the atmosphere generated in the back room. I was told this had a brief flirtation with being a gay boozer, but it looked like the same old Harley’s when I put my head round the door in April. Two pool tables and a jukebox also feature along with some posh leather sofas in the front bar. Apparently they have a vehicle registration plate for every US State on the walls (I've never bothered to count but I'll take their word for it). Food is now available in the afternoons and evenings.

Quinno’s verdict: Maybe if the rugby’s on, but I wouldn’t really bother unless you’re in a big group, wanting to down bottles of lager in a hurry.

Downies Vaults

Address: 33 Eastgate, SY23 2AR. Tel: 01970 625446 [gmap]
Facebook page

Last APG visit: 22/11/2008

Background: Tidy boozer with some nice period features and comfy individualist drinking areas. Successive refurbs over the years has taken the edge off it though. Back in the day, this was a classic two-roomed bar...

Student factor: More of a locals pub at the weekend, but students make up a fair portion of the drinkers during the week, often from the Interpol Department.

Atmosphere: Very packed and very rowdy on the weekend, but in contrast is quite quiet and reserved during the week. Go figure. There was a horrific stink when we went in during April '08, made a couple of our party feel quite queasy. It was gone in November so I assume there must have been a dead seagull somewhere??

Drinks range: Not bad, has something for everyone. Main drink for the alcoholics and scrawny male students trying to show off is the Admiral – 4 vodka’s and a Red Bull. Last time I heard it was £4, making it a natural successor to the ‘triple vodka for 99p’ promotion that used to be on offer at the Beeching’s.

TV/Music: Mainly music, the jukebox in here was one of the best in Aber a few years back, but now just pumps out standard stuff. Although there are speakers in the bogs, which is a rarefied bonus in these heathen parts.

Other stuff: Fred the landlord has a ‘unique’ way of removing unwanted drunken customers. Some nice stained glass windows and tiling if that sort of thing floats your boat.

Quinno’s verdict: Definitely worth a stop during the week, but less so on a weekend (unless you get there before 8:30pm), where the queues are too big, the jukey is too loud and you have to shout conversation to the person stood six inches away from you.

The Fountain Inn

Address: Bridge Street, Trefechan, SY23 1BE. Tel: 01970 612430 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: Genuine two-room, multi-layered old-skool pub, tucked away just over Tref bridge, past the pet shop. Tales persist that this was once a hive of activity, populated by gays, rockers and ale drinkers. Sadly for the last few years it’s been too quiet, which is a shame – it’s got a lot going for it. Old landlord Josh has left and the pub has been taken over and updated a little.

Student factor: One or two, normally friends of the person behind the bar. Mainly locals otherwise.

Atmosphere: Quite often lacking unfortunately, unless you’ve brought a few in and got the jukebox fired up. The ex-landlord (Josh) had a lot of banter, if he was in there’s was a bit more life about the place. Role-players sometimes turn up on a Saturday if they’ve been casting spells and bashing each other with plastic axes in the woods nearby.

Drinks range: Not bad for a pub this size. Only pub in Aber to sell a genuine cask mild – Brains Dark. Used to appear in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide, but not the 2009 edition.

TV/Music: TV's in the right-hand bar. A pretty good jukebox in the left, hosting mainly Rock, Blues and Indie, with a smattering of Now! albums from back in the day.

Other stuff: Pool table and the white UPVC toilet walls that look like they’ve come off the Crystal Maze. There was also a murder here a few years back (unrelated to the pub in general I might add). Food gets some good reviews, but this correspondent hasn’t had any (yet).

Quinno’s verdict: This is a pub that’s ripe for something to happen – plenty of room and cheap drinks, plus the pool and jukey. Fancy getting a few cheap, quiet jars in before a night out? Try here. It’s been criminally neglected by the last few generations of Aber students.

Glengower Hotel (The Glen)

Address: 3 Victoria Terrace, SY23 2DH. Tel 01970 626191 [gmap]

http://www.glengower.co.uk

Last APG visit: 27/07/2008

Background: This, along with the Boars Head, Pier Pressure the Seabank and The Bay used to form a rather wonderful pre-Licensing Reform Act sweep of late-opening joints along the seafront. Alas, with the advent of late licensing, the owners bailed out of this place, reasoning (incorrectly) that it was too far for the kids to walk when they could stay in Wetherspoons until midnight. So now it’s a huge wannabe foody lounge thing instead. Except it's falling apart and filthy (see below).

Student factor: From hero to zero unless it’s a summers day, when the limited outside seating gets popular with the locals, or Sundays when mum and dad are in town to buy their student sprog a square meal and venture in here by mistake because the view looks nice.

Atmosphere: Again, not much these days – it’s just too big to sustain anything outside of Friday evenings. Also seems pretty cold, which doesn’t help. A far cry from the ‘Aber Rock café’ of years past. After the expensive make-over the place is beginning to fall apart - quite literally. Chunks of plaster hanging from the ceiling and cement dust along the ledges. Our table, and the adjacent one to us, were filthy and obviously hadn't been cleaned for hours, if not days.

Drinks range: One area of massive improvement at least, with 3 relatively unique (for Aber) real ales on sale (get them to take the sparklers off the Southern ones first though) lots of whisky varieties (25+) and no more Hofmeister masquerading as Harp, now proper San Miguel. Also a good range of spirits and other exotic tipples. Features in the Good Beer Guide 2009 - though I wouldn't recommend it particularly as a pubbing experience.

TV/Music: There’s definitely music, sometimes horribly inappropriate (we ate Sunday lunch in here to sound of 50 Cent when it first re-opened). There’s also a big screen for the football, out back.

Other stuff: Besides the view, there's pot plants and pool. Despite the wholesale refurb upstairs, the downstairs bogs are just the same as they were in the ‘plub’ days, which is hilarious, given the amount of times I saw people urinating (and in one case, defecating) into the sink. Former manager of this place a few years ago had what I shall call a 'run-in' with the workers of a particular kebab house in the town and ended up through the front window of said establishment. Elizabeth Taylor's grand daughter used to worked here back in the early 90's - "looked very similar to LT in the 1950s. She had stayed at Michael Jacksons mansion (being a girl I guess she was OK) in LA but still ended up working in the Glen (94/95). If I remember rightly she was a local not a student but can't remember her name. Was worth putting up with Dave just to be served by her." (Mr X, former UWA student and barman at the Bear in the early 90's).

Quinno’s verdict: Can’t help thinking they threw away the Golden Goose. Maybe go here on a summer’s day (it’s the only ‘legal’ place to drink out on the seafront apparently, although that never stopped me). I can’t really see the point of this place now, especially when you get a massive portion of posh food at Tides in the old Theological College at the other end of the prom and better ale at The Ship 10 minutes walk away. Now the inside is falling apart and the tables are filthy (see photos below), there's no reason to eat here. Do the Council's Environmental Health department know about this place? Perhaps the falling masonry is an ironic attempt to make the students feel at home and I've missed the joke.

Harry's Irish Bar

Address: 40-46 North Parade, Aberystwyth, SY23 2NF. Tel: 01970 612 647 [gmap]
http://www.harrysaberystwyth.com

Last APG visit: 24/11/2008

Background: Used to be a hotel-cum-bistro with a small residents bar, this has now taken a leaf out of the Bay's book (15 years later!) and turned itself into a large bar, with a tokenistic Irish theme which appears to extend little further than an Irish flag outside and some Guinness paraphernalia in the window.

Student factor: Didn't see any on my visit apart from the Boy Demetrius, but then again we were the only customers...

Drinks range: Fairly poor for such a large bar, no real ale. In fact, outside of Guinness, I don't recall seeing any Irish drinks at all.

Atmosphere: Was dead when we were in there on a Monday evening. It's huge inside though, they're obviously expecting some customers.

TV/Music: Both, loudly and at the same time. TV's are dotted around - assuming that it's going to try and market itself as a sports destination venue?

Other stuff: It was hot. And I mean HOT. Perhaps a sneaky ploy in order to entice ladies to undress? Was also very dark, good for Hobbits.

Quinno’s verdict: On the strength of one visit, not much to recommend it. Early days though, let's see what the new intake of students make of it.

Inn on the Pier

Address: Marine Terrace, SY23 2AZ. Tel: 01970 610000 / 01970 636101 [gmap]

http://www.royalpier.co.uk

Last APG visit: 22/11/2008

Background: Nicknamed the ‘Pin’ (play on the name, Inn on the Pier - Pinn on the Ear, ho ho) this is the little sister to the nightclub (Pier Pressure) next door. As the name suggests, it's on the pier, which is always worth sampling on a wet Tuesday night with a Force 9 gale raging. Black barman with the (now shaved off!) dreadlocks is possibly the longest-serving barman in Aber, he was there back in 1998 when I started.

Student factor: Mainly students, with a fair number of loud and boisterous townies in the evening and the occasional hen do. Now has an extremely late licence (the only pier in Britain with a 24 hour licence in fact*), so there’s plenty of dregs wafting around there in the early morning. However, it has stopped being 24 hour during the working week in response to complaints.

Atmosphere: Always buzzing, which will tick most people’s boxes. Can verge on the rowdy late on in the evening with people desperately trying to get shitfaced whilst they can still hear themselves talk before they head next door. During the day it’s a great place to shelter from the cold and relax whilst watching the waves along the bay. Not afraid to trade on latent sexism during the evening, ladies take note.

Drinks range: Not too bad, your average MOR drinker will be happy, and there’s always a Del Boy range of offers on during the week. Sadly the ability to purchase draught Skol, which until recently used to be the last genuine pound-a-pint left in Aber has now gone; Tuborg is on instead. No real ale, sadly - only Ansells nitrokeg.

TV/Music: Football is almost a 24/7 fixture in here and it has enough tellies to show a number of live matches simultaneously – if you ask nicely.

Other stuff: Along with football, this place draws in a lot of punters for the food - pizza and fries based – which is fairly good value. Toilets are often flooded and can smell horrific (even in the middle of the day), which is bad given the money this place makes, and the fact the waft of stale wee hangs around the pizza hatch. There’s also an awful karaoke night. Oh and not to forget the most spectacular of all – the sight of thousands of swarming starlings coming to roost under the pier at dusk every evening. Just don’t get caught under it outside, or you’ll have a head full of faeces.

Quinno’s verdict: Always worth a stop, especially when the footer’s on or you’re looking to start the evening early with alcohol and pizza. A large chunk of your student debt will be created in here, I can tell you that.

*Hat-tip - Rebecca Connop Price

Kane’s

Formerly known as The Unicorn

Address: Corporation Street, SY23 2BT. Tel: 01970 615662 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 20/04/2008

Background: Small 2-floored drinking den with incredibly steep stairs leading downwards to the lower bar which is seemingly carved out of the hillside rock - a real health & safety botherer. Only open in the evenings.

Student factor: Some, but this is really one for the townies and friends of the football club as Landlord Jock is also the club's chairman. He's also good for banter when he’s in the mood.

Atmosphere: Quite how this place stayed open when I was at Aber is a mystery, as me and my dozen friends seemed to be the only ones in it during the week. But here it still stands, rammed to the rafters on a Saturday and seemingly not much else unless Aberystwyth Town get a result during the week.

Drinks range: It's a teeny-weeny bar that used to be more limited than Carlton Palmer, but there’s some cocktails on offer now, with suitably themed names - Jock's Cock Sock or something equally daft. Also , flavoured Corky's vodka and Tropicana orange juice add to the slightly eclectic mix.

TV/Music: Both, often loudly and at the same time - can be a real assualt on the aural senses.

Other stuff: Look out for the bogs where you can add your own comedy message with a keyring. Used to have an excellent dingy UV corner upstairs where your teeth would glow a funny colour and everyone could see each others dandruff but that's gone now. Shame as that was a real selling point for people when things like that were only found in Kate Moss type coke-fiend bars in London. Pool table located downstairs, though not easy to play on it if the place is busy, you'll end up cueing someone in the knackers by mistake.

Quinno’s verdict: Perhaps you and your friends could make it a niche-pub during the week? Worth popping in for a Saturday night cocktail if it isn't too crowded.

Lord Beechings

Formerly known as the Railway

Address: 8 Alexandra Road, SY23 1LE. Tel: 01970 625069 [gmap] Facebook page

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: Formerly a small, tight bar, notable only for offering lethal triple vodkas for 99p, this has recently been overhauled and extended into a fancy upmarket Brains outlet (see the Sistine Chapel thing going on below):

Student factor: A fair number, though a lot less so since the refurb. Currently seems to be a 60-40 mix between students and townies. Has established itself as a stop-off for Uni pub crawls due the wide open space of the main bar, so be prepared for pub golfers and suchlike.

Atmosphere: Can feel a bit bare during the week (bar the pub golfers), but is pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights. The refurbed décor and bar ethos seems like a direct attempt to give the Varsity some competition. The inside is light and airy, good for a sunny day.

Drinks range: Fairly standard Brains range of beers and ales in variable condition. The pub has now got a decent selection of wine for the more sophisticated lady who gave up Barcadi Breezers after finding out how much sugar was in them - the wine seems to be a big seller during the week. Has a few offers on and prices are generally cheap.

TV/Music: Piped mainstream stuff, loudness and tone varies according to the time of day. They now have SKY Sports and the like, surprised by that as I thought they were attempting the 'relaxed vibe' thing. It's not like Aber is short on places to catch the sport.

Other stuff: Has a neat little beer garden. Pub serves food - burger and chips based, no great shakes but will fill a greasy gap.

Quinno’s verdict: Certainly not got the buzzing student vibe of old at present but not too bad a place to go at all, especially if you can bag a seat in the old sweet shop corner with the big windows. Seemed fairly gay-friendly on my last two visits - would be interested to see how that pans out. Aber does need a decent venue of that nature.

The Mill Inn

Formerly known as the Cross Foxes

Address: Mill Street, SY23 1HZ. Tel: 01970 612306 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 22/11/2008

Background: Small watering hole, a little off the beaten track on Dan Dre. Hosts a downstairs area with a bar which has been semi-derelict for the last ten years.

Student factor: Usually occupied by sports-types from the Uni and younger locals.

Atmosphere: Used to need a machete to cut through the fug of cigarette smoke, which was part of its charm a few years back, and has definitely suffered since the smoking ban. It has at least been cleaned now! Otherwise can get very very crowded (unpleasantly so on Friday and Saturday nights because of its small size); why not re-open the downstairs bar?

Drinks range: Fairly basic, but enough to keep most people happy for an hour or two with competitive prices. Has upped the ale range (compared to a couple of years back - 10 years previously it had plenty), which was in good form during October 07, not the best in January 08 and fine in November 08. File under 'inconsistent'.

TV/Music: A couple of TV’s, tuned almost exclusively to football and The Simpsons. Music from an average jukebox otherwise.

Other stuff: Formerly(?) the lock-in capital of Aberystwyth, this correspondent managed to do a 6pm-3am Sunday stint in here more than once after the quiz had finished during Guy's tenure (where is Quizmistress Karen now?). Also has comedy outside lavs for the gents, which are a bastard in the winter. The ladies by contrast, have it rather plush and heated. Free pool during the day, if you’re lucky.

Quinno’s verdict: Not quite the pub it once was but still worth a visit outside the major crush times.

The Nags Head

Address: 23 Bridge Street, SY23 1PZ. Tel: 01970 624725 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: Classic out-of-the-way (well, on Bridge Street, it’s actually a stones throw from the clock tower) two-roomed locals pub.

Student factor: Few and far between - this is locals territory mainly - though the occasional two or three pop in as overspill from the clock tower area.

Atmosphere: If someone walks in who the regulars don’t recognise, it’s like a comedy Western where everything goes quiet, the honky-tonk piano falls silent and faces swing slowly round to look at you, before returning to their drinks. That said, once you’ve stayed a while and not shown any obvious characteristics of being the type of student ponce that gives students a bad name you can strike up some decent conversation with people. Decoration is spartan in the main bar, but there’s a roomy and sun-oriented beer garden out the back which is nice in summer (note that the beer garden isn't mentioned on rival sites...! *cough cough*)

Drinks range: The usual suspects in a Banks-tied house, a couple of Banks handpulls plus the usual lagers - nothing overly special. However the ale quality is good and the place is included in the Good Beer Guide 2009.

TV/Music: TV and a so-so jukebox. Be prepared for a double-header of Bonnie Tyler and Meatloaf if the locals have put their cash in before you get there...

Other stuff: Free pool on Wednesdays. There's a darts board on which you can attempt to beat a local (I wouldn't advise beating them by much though). Used to sell cockles behind the bar, which were always good for a drunken challenge but sadly these have gone the way of Roy Castle, although there are now pickled eggs which are almost as good. Have a gawp at the pictures of the regulars in various states of intoxication pinned around the walls. Landlady Kara is a bit of a local legend. Sponsors the Uni's cricket team to a generous degree, so I'm told.* Pub was also in the middle of some sort of speed-dating malarkey one time we went in recently - of all the pubs in Aber to have speed dating night, this would have to be the least obvious candidate - brilliant. And as an added bonus the barmaid on our last visit was the Notorious Woolies Girl (NWG), famed by members of APG for playing the uncensored version of Blow My Whistle full volume in Woolworth's** during a Friday afternoon whilst dancing around behind the counter...

Quinno’s verdict: A ‘proper local' pub, it’s an enjoyable visit but many younger students will find it anachronistic and unappealing (a good thing for some though). Worth putting on a crawl list IMHO.

*-Hat-tip -Paul Bee

**-RIP Woolies. The only place in Aber that sold decent birthday cards...

The Orangery

+++UPDATE 30/02/2009+++

Has re-opened!

THE owner of an Aberystwyth Indian restaurant is going to reopen the Orangery the Cambrian News can reveal. And according to its new owner, Muhammed Somir, reopening the Market Street eatery will create new jobs in the town. Mr Somir, who also owns Shilam restaurant, said: “I have taken over the lease, and will be running it as it was previously - it will not be an Indian Restaurant...it will be run as a restaurant and wine bar. Mr Somir, who was a regular customer there, took it on because he really liked the place. He told the Cambrian News: “The concept of what it was, was good for Aber - it was a nice place to relax. “The people of Aberystwyth are not impossible people in my experience -they are not asking too much in wanting some place to go for a nice time, as well as reliable service.” When the Orangery opened it became a popular place for a quiet drink but in recent months, complaints about service and price appeared on food websites on the internet.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 12 January 09

Formerly known as The Talbot Hotel; Brady’s; El Retro

Address: 10 Market Street, SY23 1DL. Tel: 01970 617606 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 13/10/2007 (so review below is a little out-of-date)

Background: A far cry from its previous incarnations as low-grade seedy dives, this new (2005) place is more like something out of Paris, a wine-cum-coffee bar, the inside is all muzak and mood lighting. Dividing opinion down the middle, this is truly the Marmite of the Aberystwyth pub scene. At least it’s not El Retro any more, that was the poorest excuse for a bar I’d ever been in. As for the posh history of the building, read the informative plaque pictured below.

Student factor: A few, mainly postgraduates and girls from the Home Counties called Harriet and Verity. Otherwise it’s 30-something men and women conducting elicit affairs in the evening and old ladies having tea and scones during the daytime.

Atmosphere: Pleasant and relaxed - if you’ve got a hot date and want a quiet drink, dimmed lighting and some posh food, this is a no-brainer. Big groups of half-cut students not generally welcome but children and the gay community are, so I'm informed.

Drinks range: Lots of wine, an eclectic mix of left-field bottled lagers and ales (try the Kelpie Seaweed ale for something particularly outlandish). Liqueur coffees available too I believe. Table service is the norm here, going to the 'bar' too often will make you look common.

TV/Music: Calming soothing muzak and old jazz. Niiiiice.

Other stuff: Pleasing art deco feeling interior and the aforementioned food, which is popular. Toilets are top-notch, although a bit of a hike.

Quinno’s verdict: The Sophistication Station – go in to find out what it’s like and make your own mind up. I like it for what it is.

The Pier Hotel

Address: Pier Street, SY23 2LN. Tel: 01970 615126 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 23/11/2008

Background: Not to be confused with the Inn on the Pier complex, this is instead the bar of the Pier Hotel which in recent years has been extended from a small and permanently quiet drinking room into something more resembling a full-on pub, without actually quite being one. Has had a very recent scrub-up and IKEA-style pine overhaul inside, making it look more of a bar. Have to admit I preferred it the way it was - it certainly never used to need a bouncer outside on a Saturday night.

Student factor: A few, but more of a locals place overall. The occasional student crawl stops off here.

Atmosphere: Not bad, gets rowdy when the inevitable Saturday hen night crowd from Penrhyncoch arrive and the place turns into a grab-a-granny session. Otherwise quite quiet during the week, good for a few beers with your friends.

Drinks range: Pretty good considering its size -it manages to pack in two of the Banks’ ale range which often come out well. Does a nice line in jelly baby flavoured vodka and you can get a two-pint glass of lager.

TV/Music: An eclectic mix of 70’s and 80’s from the jukey.

Other stuff: Darts and pool. The nudie quiz machine looks to have disappeared. +++Update Aug 09+++ and so has the pool table!

Quinno’s verdict: A decent visit, put it on the crawl list for the jelly baby vodka, decent ale and two-pint servings.

Rummer’s Wine Bar

Formerly known as Bacchus

Address: Bridge Street, SY23 1QD. Tel: 01970 625177 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 28/03/2009

Background: Ahhh, ‘Bummers’ as it’s disparagingly known by the Pier Pressure types, is a rustic-themed wine bar; all candles, low lights and sawdust on the slate floor with a few nooks and crannies inside to lose yourself in.

Student factor: Mainly frequented by the close-knit community of lecturers, postgraduates and their groupies along with a smattering of middle-aged well-to-do locals. Occasional appearances from Aber characters like Julian Shelley are not uncommon.

Atmosphere: Bustling and amiable with plenty of high-brow chat. Gets incredibly packed on weekends and becomes very hot and stuffy – not good for asthma sufferers although now the smoking ban’s come in things are bit more tolerable. There’s a nice outside drinking terrace which is great if the weather’s not too cold.

Drinks range: Good - lots of wine, a few ales on (though the southern ones are stupidly sparklerised - and the staff wonder why it takes 10 minutes to pour it?!?) usually Burtons, Tetley's and a guest, plus some more unusual lager and spirit choices. Very expensive though (happy hour excepted - see comments), you’re paying for the venue in which you drink them. Incredibly small bar, can take an eternity to get served after 10pm.

TV/Music: Live music a few nights a week from various local bands, ranging from Folk to Jazz to Blues to Rock and most of what lies inbetween. TV’s have been installed, which are usually on during 'quieter' periods, much to the detriment of the atmosphere - too many geeks watching Top Gear for my liking.

Other stuff: Has a selection of board games with one piece missing, along with a nice patio outside the front. Used to have super views of the River Rheidol in the downstairs bar until some muppets from the local council put a load of ugly concrete pillars all the way down the riverside. Very good pizzas are offered; well-worth getting dinner in there early on in the evening. Opens late at weekends.

Quinno’s verdict: If you’re feeling bohemian this is the best place for a lively drink and high-brow chat in good company and with quality live music. Or (if you're being more practical) to try and sponge some knowledge for that essay that’s due in at the end of the week from the lecturers and PhD's hanging around. Rummers won't necessarily appeal to everyone but it gets my vote.

Salt (formerly Bar Essential)

Formerly known as Central Park; The Central; Bar E; Bar Essential

Address: Portland Street, SY23 2DX. Tel 01970 623318 [gmap]
http://www.saltaber.com/aberystwyth/index.htm
Facebook page

Last APG visit: 27/07/2008

Background: This place has had more guises than Carlos the Jakal over the last 15 years. Salt is the latest - and best - incarnation so far. It's had a radical overhaul and looks damned good for it, with a slightly 'wine bar' feel but don't let that put you off. So, over to APG Agent Toothbrush to describe the new look: "Think Animal surf shop in bar form. Think stones in circle on beach greeting card. Sky blue and brown interior. Tasteful. Chrome bar top. White trim. Pine 'driftwood' dividers. Skylight sacrificed for image, it just doesn't fit the new décor and the bar does appear to benefit by breaking with the flapper-era frappery that the light foisted on the place. Happily though, the lethal stairs remain. Beach pics on walls upstairs. Some nice marine-theme touches."

Student factor: A fair few, but this still retains the air of an upmarket locals pub outside of Friday and Saturday evenings.

Atmosphere: Nice and chilled, more open and airy than previous. Still not exactly busy, but then again, too busy would kill off a part of the ambience they're striving to create. You get the feeling the new owners are more than happy with the University rugby club getting plastered over the road in Varsity than in here. It's also trying to be a bit of a café-bar during the day - not quite sure they'll succeed seeing as Yr Hen Orsaf is so stupidly cheap but you never know.

Drinks range: Beer range - 3 Brains handpulls (Rev. James, Brains Bitter and SA) which came out fairly well on tasting. Nitrowank range - Heiniken/Carling/Peroni/Guiness (£2.45)/Strongbow. Prominent coffee machine at right of bar. Decent range of spirits. Pricing not bad at all, given that I was expecting almost £3 a pint by the look of the place.

TV/Music: Relaxing muzak and MoR classics (expect Texas to get an airing). APG agents Toothbrush and Duck seemed to enjoy themselves:

Other stuff: A see-through floor in one part of the lower floor, with bits of flotsam and jetsam in. A huge picture of Aber-by-evening- plastered across the upstairs wall (see pic below) - nice touch. Comfy sofas upstairs. Fish menu and usual other foody fayre - food is reasonably priced, good tasting though portions are on the small side. No quizzer- too posh in here for that! The magnificent old skylight upstairs is no more, sadly - architectural vandalism? As mentioned above, the lethal stairs remain in place to keep Claims Direct in business. The first floor area can now be hired out for private functions.

Quinno’s verdict: There's plenty to like about it and I'm pretty keen. Perhaps a place to take your partner for a relaxed date if you think the Orangery is just a little too upmarket or perhaps for a couple of quiet pints with a few mates.

And for posterity, here's the original 2007 review for Bar E below...

Background: Opposite the Varsity on the Terrace Road junction, this was a dark and shabby two-level joint 10 years back, haemorrhaging customers like Aber Town do goals. Had a makeover when taken over by Brains but has now slid back into shabbiness.

Student factor: Generally students during the week, the locals tend to avoid this place except on a Friday and Saturday, when they come out in big numbers.

Atmosphere: It can have an excellent atmosphere when busy, especially upstairs. Unfortunately that is a rare occurrence – this place can be half-full on a night where all the other pubs are rammed.

Drinks range: Not much to write home about, but enough to keep most people going for a round and the ale is of decent quality compared to nearby outlets. Used to be renowned for employing female staff who were too busy preening themselves in the reflection of the lager pumps to actually serve anyone, but seems a bit better now.

TV/Music: TV’s upstairs, but mainly relies on slightly dated pop music.

Other stuff: The stairs to the top floor are a health and safety hazard. Once there, you can see a very pretty a glass dome in the middle of the ceiling, which casts a nice glow during the summer. Upstairs also good for people-watching. Food is served, fairly good value and good quality. Quizzes on Monday’s and Saturday’s (apparently the one on Monday is 60 seconds behind the bar. Has anyone attempted to open the till and take all the money out yet?). Child-friendly, which is unusual for the town centre.

Quinno’s verdict: A good pub, but a pub that has never really had a unique selling point, which in Aber is a rarity - hence why it suffers. It tried being a poor mans Varsity for a while, then tried to be the Cambrian but without the cocktails. Has the potential to be a great pub, if the right landlord takes it on with financial backing from the brewery. For now it bumbles along in a pleasant but forgettable manner.

The Scholars

Formerly known as the Crystal Palace

Address: Queens Road, SY23 2HH. Tel: 01970 615241 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

Background: Mock-Welsh Victoriana slate-lined ground floor based around a square central bar (that allows for a multitude of places to wait for a drink and not get seen). Pub is located by the bottom of the hill, so it's a good place for meeting up with campus-based friends who are heading into town for a night out. Used to have an aquarium, back in its Crystal Palace days.

Student factor: Being near (well, at the far end of the same road) to the newly-constructed seafront halls has seen this turn into a proper student dorm in recent years. Often plays host to lecturers and PhD’s putting the world to rights on a weekday evening.

Atmosphere: Pleasant – the inside is filled with collectables/tat nailed to the walls, with some comfy chairs and sofas at the far end (if you are quick enough to nab them). Lots of nooks and crannies to sit in, the upstairs is particularly good, especially if you bag a window seat. Can get quite hot, as the ventilation is non-existent – useful if your heating has packed up during the January storms. Condensation on the upstairs windows can be siphoned off for drinking water during the colder weather.

Drinks range: The old home-brew has gone, so now fairly limited, samey and not particularly cheap. The ale is usually Old Speckled Hen (rare for this part of the country so I'll let it off) and/or Rev'd James (which isn't). However, the damned good Bread of Heaven was available on our last visit in addition to the regular offerings - will be interesting to see if it (or similar) is on again next visit.

TV/Music: Occasional live music. A number of small TV’s dotted around, often turned to mute and (badly) tuned into a random programme on BBC1 without subtitles.

Other stuff: Student-friendly quiz night on Sundays with 24 bottles of lager as the prize - so really all you're playing for is the glory. Food served most of the day. Fiendishly difficult quiz machine. Active darts board downstairs and a pool table upstairs. Be sure to doff your cap to 'Eric's house', long-pointed out on the nearby road sign (for the A487 junction) as you leave. I have no idea who Eric is (or was), but he is up there with Julian Shelley, Midget on a Bike and Running Feral as Aber legends. Well done to the Council for not removing such a superb piece of graffiti.

Quinno’s verdict: A good place to meet up for a couple of beers before moving on into town, or a nice place to take a date for a quiet drink on a weekday. Seems to have become a lot busier over the last few years, older readers of this blog may be surprised.

Ship and Castle

Formerly known as Flannery’s (was Aber's only brewpub)

Address: 1 High St, SY23 1JG. Tel 01970 612334 [gmap]

http://www.shipandcastle.co.uk/index.html

Facebook page

Last APG visit: 28/03/2009

+++UPDATE+++

Refurb completed- should be re-opening Sept 4th. Check out the latest here

Pictures of the refurb below. Looks good, love the new bar! Well done Ian.

Background: Real Ale, Real Cider, Folk music and crusties. Used to be run by a couple called Pete and Dee along with their huge Rottweiler called Tara.* Rumour has it that they left because they forgot to renew their licence, being simply too pissed to remember…entirely untrue of course. Now run by Ian (who some of you may recall took over the Mill after Guy left).

Student factor: Unsurprising high mix of ale-loving locals along with the students. Students are mainly ale drinkers - Trustafarians, Interpol undergrads, Indie kids/Rockers and ale-swigging Rugby players.

Atmosphere: Hot and fuggy after 8pm as the inside is small and narrow – head to the far end for a lower-level drinking area in a calmer atmosphere and an impressive sea-faring mural. Often not found by first years so many inhabitants are 2nd and 3rd years, bringing with them a more relaxed vibe than the average Aber town pub (except on Saturday evenings when it gets rammed like everywhere else). The Ship is also a great place to while away a Sunday afternoon.

Drinks range: A real ale mecca, usually has five handpulls on the go, dispensing a number of unusual brews from Wales and the Midlands very well (Wye Valley Brewery is a regular) in excellent condition. Whiskey selection is also good. At least one real cider is available. Voted Ceredigion CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year 2007 and is a permanent fixture in the Good Beer Guide.

TV/Music: Live folk band on a Wednesday, usually good value. Jukebox is OK too, quite Rock-oriented. There's now a TV.

Other stuff: Holds a twice-yearly beer festival which is an absolute must-visit for any self-respecting student ale drinker, I spent many a fun hour in those. Sunday lunch used to be excellent value, this correspondent hasn’t sampled recently though. Free pool before 4pm. The toilets are the smallest in Aber, tighter than Russell Brand’s Y-Fronts so don't turn round too suddenly.

Quinno’s verdict: Enjoyable atmosphere and a must-visit for the more discerning/socially mature punter or people who appreciate a good beer. Fabulous.

*- Hat-tip: Scary John for the correction

University Bars

Arts Centre Bar - Penglais, SY23 3DE. Tel: 01970 621885

Mainly sells expensive nitrokeg in plastic cups for the theatre-goers, but it does hold a peculiar ambience in the afternoons, especially with the views on offer if you bag a window seat (see below). The rolls and snacks from the cafeteria are surprisingly good value. Parts of the Arts Centre in general are starting to look a bit run-down and need a refurb soon.

Brynamlwg (UWA Social Club) - Penglais, SY23 3AN. Tel: 01970 628621
http://www.aber.ac.uk/brynamlwg


Hidden away in the trees between Trefloyne and Rosser, this is a members-only social club that's open to employees of UWA and affiliated institutions, plus Postgrads. Has a couple of ales on the go, so will try and pop in for one at some point.


Cwrt Mawr Bar - Penglais, SY23 3AN

Refurb alert! Gone is the nice cosy Cwrt Mawr of old, where you could settle down for a session and meet some unusual characters. Now some asstard has turned it into a crap version of Bar 9 (see below). Why? Lost a lot of what made it good. Now just a lame sanitised IKEA refit bar. Wank wank wank. They have at least improved the bottled lager range but frankly you'd be better off taking your SLC money elsewhere.

Old Cwrt Mawr review:
Traditionally one for the Indie kids, drama students and grizzled oddballs from Fishguard. Has a decent jukebox and a bit of character, unlike Rosser and PJM bars. Near the Cwrt Mawr computer room (smells of piss) which is good for a semi-drunken email to that girl/boy on your course you quite fancy, before heading back for more beer.

Penbryn Bar
Does not exist. And never has, sadly.

Student’s Union (Bar 9 and The Joint) The Union, Penglais, SY23 3DX. Tel: 01970 621700

Beware - if you’re not a student. You’ll need one to sign you in on theme nights. Comedy on every alternate Tuesday is excellent. Wednesday (cheese) and Friday (contemporary) suffer from having the same set list every week, you can set your watch by Brown Eyed Girl. Some originality would be nice. Bar 9 is a bit of soulless dump and is now in serious need of refurbishment. Personally I thought it was better when it was the little green dive with Britpop posters on the walls and raised levels, along with spots-and-stripes pool - the only one in Aber, now departed because the Union were too pikey to pay for lost/damaged balls. Bar 9 was the favourite haunt of Running Feral, back in the day. New (well, new-ish) toilets are akin to having a dump in a submarine, Das Boot style. To be fair, overall the Union here does punch well above its weight.

The Vale of Rheidol

Address: Terrace Road, SY23 1PG. Tel: 01970 625819 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 22/11/2008

Background: The main locals pub in town. Has a bit of a reputation around Aber; enough to scare off 99% of students, which is just how the people who frequent the place like it. Has had a recent upgrade both inside and out but the punters remain the same. Named after the Vale of Rheidol railway line, which is a rather nice trip out during summer.

Student factor: There isn’t one. Locals only.

Atmosphere: Very very provincial Welsh. Pervading air of menace on Friday and Saturday nights but OK during the week. Fights can occasionally kick off (there was one on our last visit).

Drinks range: Weak – only low grade lager and high alcohol spirits. One of the few places in Aber with no ale on offer despite of the sign outside claiming that the pub sells real ale - trust me, it doesn't. Bottled Holsten Pils is about the best you'll get presuming you can get past the cigarette-puffing tattoo-fest at the pub's doorway.

TV/Music: Both, often loudly at the same time. TV usually has sport on, they've got SKY now too. Oddly we got Nina Simone on the jukey in November '08, very upmarket. Perhaps the idea was that Nina's dulcet tones would pacify the punters. Didn't work...

Other stuff: Pool table (normally reserved by the regulars for the whole of the evening) which is apparently free to use on a Monday. It was just over the road from this pub that the now infamous "who wants free money?!" incident took place a couple of years back - apparently one of pubs employees netted himself over £300

Quinno’s verdict: Do it once to say you’ve done it as it’s a good boast amongst the company of the less adventurous.

Varsity

Formerly known as The White Horse, parts of which are still quite evident on the façade: (see pic)

Address: 48 Upper Portland Street, SY23 2DT. Tel: 01970 615234 [gmap]
http://www.varsitybars.com/bars/aberystwyth.html
Facebook page#1
Facebook page#2

Last APG visit: 24/11/2008

Background: This was once the future back in the pre-chain bar, mid-1990’s Aberystwyth. A classic sanitized bar interior and a favourite hang-out for the Home Counties ‘plastic’ brigade, sporting a cut-price rip-off of whatever Victoria Beckham was wearing in Heat the previous month. In its White Horse days this used to be two bars on two floors with a large games room; no longer.

Student factor: 95% of the customers are students as are the bar staff. A favourite haunt of the American Football team and other loud lager-swigging sporty types.

Atmosphere: Nicknamed ‘the Goldfish Bowl’ for its large encompassing windowed frontage where everyone can see in as well as you can see out. Can make for much fun watching the people inside spill dinner over their tops or accidentally flash their low-grade knickers at you when sitting down by the window as you walk past. Very busy at weekends and Pound Party nights, so very noisy as a consequence. The upstairs seating area gives a nice view and a more relaxed vibe during the week.

Drinks range: Good but very expensive (except for the infamous Pound Party night on Tuesdays) unless you buy a ‘V’ card early on, which only reduces the prices to normal levels on most drinks as far as I can see. So it's basically one of the most expensive bars in Aber, unless you are a very regular card-carrying customer (and even then it isn’t the cheapest in town). Often seems understaffed at random times. After an 8 year period without ale (used to be electric-dispense Banks back in the day), we found two there on out last visit - Theakston's XB and Bombardier - which unlike the other drinks were non-V Card tagged but were ludicrously cheap (under £2). They didn't taste too bad either.

TV/Music: Piped MoR and Rn’B, plus whatever Now! Album is out, after 8pm.

Other stuff: Menu has changed as has the service - food used to pretty good for what you paid for but our most recent visit found that if it wasn't deep-fried, it was 'off' the menu. Five yards away from the legendary Istanbul kebab house and the 24-hour Spar. Now open until 12pm. Wheelchair accessible. Poker night on a Sunday. Some wonderful period decoration remains on the exterior, see pics below.

Quinno’s verdict: It’s a safe bet though its expensive prices and bland middle-of-the-road clientèle means that there’ll be at least one person in your group who’ll hate it.

The Weston Vaults

Address: Thespian St, SY23 2JW. Tel: 01970 627609 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 27/07/2008

+++UPDATE+++
Currently reported as closed as of August 2009

Background: Small two-roomed bar at the bottom of the hill opposite Death Junction. Most students don’t even notice it until the second year.

Student factor: Few students go here. It has one or two hardcore fans but not enough to keep it busy beyond a handful of locals who enjoy having the pub to themselves.

Atmosphere: Normally empty – bring a group of 10 people in and you can take over the place. There’s the occasional silent local sat in the corner but not much else. Has had a bit of a refurb recently and is certainly a little more welcoming than previous - they were more tolerant of a drunken Agent Toothbrush prattling through Jimmy Carr's Commercial Breakdown at volume 11 than I would have been.

Drinks range: Not much of note. Has an ale on (Banks Ordinary aka Mild) which is cheap but variable in quality.

TV/Music: There’s a decent jukebox which often remains unused as there’s never anyone there to put money in it. There’s a TV in the back bar tuned to whatever the barmaid wants to watch.

Other stuff: Has a dart board and pool table (with red baize).

Quinno’s verdict: If you fancy 20 straight games of pool with your mates on a funny table, this is the place for you. Otherwise not really worthwhile. Could do a lot better with a bit of imagination.

Yr Hen Llew Du (The Old Black Lion)

Address: 14-18 Bridge Street, SY23 1PZ. Tel: 01970 615378 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Background: The Welsh-speaking nationalist hangout in town, which puts a lot of English (and English-speaking Welsh) off. Don’t be, it’s got a nice vibe and the punters are generally a friendly lot. The inside can feel like a rabbit warren when it’s busy – easy to get lost on your first visit after a couple of pints too many.

Student factor: Many of the clientèle are students or student-related during the week with a few Welsh-speaking locals mixed in. However the odd gang of knuckle-dragging farmer-types turn up on the Saturday worse for wear – they’re best avoided as many of them are only after a fight.

Atmosphere: Often quite boisterous, most of the patrons in here treat drinking like a sport. On a visit after the Wales-Cyprus game we were met by the sight of a bloke standing on a table - trousers round his ankles, mickey out for all to see. Quite a few are chatty once you’ve said hello, just be careful not offend by accident as the atmosphere can turn sour quickly if they think you’re taking the piss. Just be sensible and don’t take in any Little Englander types who can’t handle their drink.

Drinks range: Steadily improving, standard fare of lager and spirits now supplemented by an ale (Brains Bread of Heaven) and bottles of Bass Red Triangle. Not too much of a slant towards Welsh produce, which is disappointing given the venue. Prices seemed a little on the steep side last time I went in, unless you opt for the offers.

TV/Music: Has a mix of both. A good place to watch Wales play if you’re a fan, brilliant atmosphere.

Other stuff: Has a small outside drinking area. Serves food, but have never sampled. Pool and darts available. Heard rumours of there being shove h’apenny but never seen it. Toilets are pretty good given the battering they take every weekend, nicely tiled like a bathroom showroom. Some of exterior is looking a bit weather-worn now and needs a lick of paint.

Quinno’s verdict: Ignore the scare stories and give this place a try. You might just like it.

Yr Hen Orsaf (The Old Station)

Address: Station Buildings, Alexandra Road, SY23 1LH. Tel: 01970 636080 [gmap]
http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/pubs/pub-details.php?PubNumber=1176

Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

Background: A Wetherspoons pub, which opened in July 2001 on the main part of the old railway station (built by the Great Western Railway in 1924) which had sat derelict for a number of years previously. Overlooking the bit of the station still in use, it’s an ideal place to wait for your (inevitably delayed) train back to civilization or Shrewsbury. Flashy (for Aber) on opening, it’s settled down into the familiar Wetherspoons mould: cheap drinks, all-day down-and-outs drinking away their giros and the perennial background smell of grease in the air.

Student factor: A student paradise when it comes to prices, you can wine and dine here on a tenner if you eat and drink from the myriad of special offers, such as the Thursday night curry club. Opens until 12 during the week and until 1am Friday/Saturday.

Atmosphere: Being part of the old station, it’s a cavernous affair inside. Clientèle are usually a 50/50 mix of students and locals, Friday and Saturday nights can be more of a townies affair near the bar. Always busy in the afternoons because of the aforementioned cheapness. The outdoor heated patio which backs onto the station platform is excellent and packs in a great atmosphere on a weekday night (especially if you want a few jars before the football). Watching the trains come and go gives it a quaint sort of charm you don’t get in most ‘Spoons outlets.

Drinks range: You know the score here – there’s something for everyone, the best choice in Aberystwyth by a mile. The ale has had a period of neglect and can still be a bit ropey on occasion. Service is usually sharp but be prepared to wait 10 minutes at the bar on a Friday/Saturday night.

TV/Music: There are a couple of TV’s usually switched to Sky News on mute unless Wales are playing, in which case it's full-on. No piped music at all, which this writer thoroughly applauds because it makes a nice change.

Other stuff: A well-used quiz machine along with some interesting and historical Aber facts dotted around the walls. Bogs are handy for a splash-and-dash during the day. One of the few pubs in Aber that is wheelchair-friendly. And what's that bizarre single-file queuing that's started at the bar during the day all about?

Quinno’s verdict: You’ll end up spending more time in here than any other pub in town - fact. So get used to it early…

Nightclubs

Not a great clubber myself, so will keep these brief...

Pier Pressure

Cheesy music and cheesy mofos. Friday is cheap night, but avoid Saturday as it’s a wallet-raper. An Aber legend, beloved of students and locals alike. I sometimes wonder how well a wrought-iron structure, continually battered by the corrosive salt of the Irish Sea, manages to sustain the weight of so many people jumping up and down each weekend...

Why Not (formerly Skinner's; Porky’s; K2; Club Yoko's)

Well well, another change of name for this place. The new incarnation retains a fair chunk of the Yoko's refit but strips away the worst bits of pretension (cheerio, Bog Troll!). Our visit on a Saturday evening in April saw a decent evening with a decent DJ (the Prodigy megamix was inspired). Also impressed by the availability of a decent bottle of beer (Marstons Pedigree). Would seem to be worth a visit - possibly for the first time in 10 years.

Old Yoko's review:

-Full of people who think they’re too classy for Pier Pressure. Cruelly exposed when they had pole-dancing nights for a while. “Page 3 stunners? Page 3 of the Racing Post more like!” was the reaction of the Boy Demitrius. Possibly the only place in Aber where Justin Timberlake is a cooler musical choice than Meatloaf. Only place in Aber (possibly West Wales) to employ a despised Bog Troll. My advice is to only drink bottled alcohol in here as the lager seems distinctly watery.

Pier Bar Brasserie (formerly the Indian on the Pier)

-Full of locals who started off in Pier Pressure/Porky’s 10 years ago. Now go here because they’re maturing gracefully. Sort of. To be fair, it’s quite good fun and if you’re a mature student you could do a lot worse.

Private clubs and non-mainstream bars

Aberystwyth Rugby club

Sadly never sampled.

Aberystwyth Town FC social club

Newly refurbished post-fire as the John Charles Lounge, this is now an excellent place to get a pint in and watch ATFC. Has excellent TV's with Sky Sports and a good sound system. Only downside is that it can be quite pricey. Over on Park Avenue, behind the old Kwik Save. Only open matchdays and on special event evenings.

Commodore Cinema

Has a little bar downstairs that you can sneak into without a ticket during the film. Watch out for Arkwright's till and the rather nice Stowford Press cider on offer.

Conservative Club - 19 Eastgate, SY23 2AR.

Last APG visit: 23/11/2008

Lovely building, just next to Court Royale.

Now opened up to non-members (you need to pay a £1 retainer at the bar). There were a couple of ales on (including a rather good choice in Adnams Old Ale). The interior is nothing to write home about but it's worth a look, especially if you like your beer.

Pier Snooker Club

Sold Wrexham lager for £1.50 a pint and Stella for a £1 a bottle back in the day, I haven't been in for quite a while though.

RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) Club – 46 Bridge Street, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 1QB Tel: 01970 615320

Full of old boys reminiscing about the war, along with their blue-rinsed wives. Hasn’t been modernized since the mid-70’s. Limited drinks range (no ale) - but worth sneaking in if you can, for the novelty value. Down by Rummers. The RAFA stands for the Royal Air Force Association, BTW.

Essentially, it's a club for people who are or used to be members of the RAF and provides a place for them to meet and socialise.

The place is struggling financially - the 'Save RAFA' Facebook group is here and it looks like things are going well. These days, anyone can join the RAFA in Aberystwyth, you don't have to be associated with the RAF. "It offers a great place for various types of groups to hold their social events and includes facilities such as a dance floor with a bandstand and a cosy bar area."

Royal Naval Association Club - Market Street, SY23 1DL. Tel: 01970 624787

Spotted on the most recent trip, no idea what resides within...any info appreciated. One would assume that the salty old seadogs enjoy a tipple inside.

Rowing/boat club - Aber Marina (at the end of South Beach prom)

Down by the Marina, sadly never sampled.

Tides Restaurant and Bar

Address: The Cambria, Marine Terrace, SY23 2AZ. Tel: 01970 626366

Only just scrapes in, but technically you can go in and get a beer and nothing else. Not much of a range though - one keg lager and bitter, a couple of bottles and a small array of spirits. But you've got to admire the building - what was the Theological College back in the day.

And finally...

There’s also some hotel bars, like the Belle Vue, Marine, Richmond, Queensbridge and Southgate. But if you think they’ll let you and your scruffy drunken chums in on a Wednesday evening, you’ve got another think coming. Try it with mum and dad instead if you must - the Marine used to do an awesome 3-course Sunday lunch. +++UPDATE+++ According Jeremy, the Belle Vue now has some beer in worth trying; "Got a surprise when we went to the hotel for a Christmas dinner and I found they keep two decently presented beers on in the non-residents front bar - Youngs plus a guest..."

Outside Aber - Aberaeron

Aberaeron

OK, so I always said I wouldn't include it in the guide because of the distance from Aber, but seeing as you can get a bus there easily enough then I suppose it gets in. Content to follow soon...for now, I'd recommend getting your beer in at the Harbourmaster (modern, posh and lovely harbour views) and the Cadwgan (small, cosy and local).

Outside Aber - Bow Street

Bow Street

Rhyd-y-Pennau Inn
Address: Bow Street, SY24 5AA. Tel: 01970 828308 [gmap]
www.rhydypennau-inn.co.uk (link not working 20/03/09)
Last APG visit: 12/10/2007

Spacious pub, featuring a couple of ales on my last visit although they were served too cold. Darts, food (which was fairly basic for the price paid) and quizzer all present and correct, worth a stop if out in the motor coming back from Ynyslas.

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The Welsh Black
Address: Bow Street, Dyfed, SY24 5AT. Tel: 01970 828361 [gmap] http://thewelshblack.co.uk/default.aspx
Last APG visit: Sometime in 2005 - time for another visit!

Very local, very Welsh, although it's been taken over in the past year so maybe that's changed a bit? Has a not-for-profit quizzer which is very easy to stamp your name over, assuming you can dislodge the legendary Degu. Felinfoel beer, food available and accommodation. Tried and failed to get in during November 2008 as it's shut on Monday afternoons. New landlord is an Elvis impersantor, should make for an unusual Sunday afternoon if he gets his jumpsuit out.

Outside Aber - Borth

Borth

Gratuitous plug: - Borth is home to the rather superb Animalarium which is well-worth a visit.

Friendship Inn Address: Borth High Street, Borth, Dyfed, SY24 5JA. Tel: 01970 871213 [gmap]
http://www.friendshipinn.fsnet.co.uk/inn/inn.htm (very out-of-date!!!)
Last APG visit: 19/04/2008

A nice little community place, with a couple of good ales on, one of which is the rather good Butty Bach. Interior is down a step, feels like a proper little den. Bits of paraphernalia around the walls make for homely atmosphere. Check out the unusual pub sign, double sided with a different illustration on each. Dogs are welcome and a beer garden is located out back. TV in the main bar normally with horse racing on. Some unusual pics up in the bogs. Landlord is a bit of a misery though, cheer up mate! All in all, a nice pub, good for an impromptu sing-along.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Railway Inn
Address: High Street, Borth, Dyfed, SY24 5JE. Tel: 01970 871348 [gmap] Beebo site
Last APG visit: 19/01/2008

Quite a locals pub, with a younger clientèle than the other three in the town. Has had an extensive refurb in the past couple of years. Has a so-so ale (Rev'd James) and a quiz machine. Functional beer garden out back. Check out the retro Borth FC footy shirt. Loves its sport, got SKY and Setanta. Pretty popular, and can be difficult to get a seat at weekends. Strangely, doors unlocked but completely deserted the last time we tried to get a pint in on a Saturday afternoon. The temptation to pour our own was almost too much...note APG agent Duck pondering the situation below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Seahorse Inn
Address: Borth High Street, Borth, Dyfed, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871122 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

A newcomer to the Borth pub scene (so new it still smelt of wood laminate and paint) and a welcome addition. We regularly pop in for the Sunday carvery (£5, bargain!) which is very tasty with extremely generous portions. Beer-wise, there are two cask ales: a guest ale of Newmans (last visit), alongside the regular Butty Bach, with some other keg items available. The atmosphere is good and we get a warm welcome. It feels like a very community-oriented place (including an old boy playing a hammond organ in the corner to himself). There's a big screen for sports and suchlike, I watched the Boat Race on it whilst the other APGer's rinsed the quiz machine of a tenner (Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old really wants to pay here). Very close to the train station, so ideal for a quick pint after you've been to the Animalarium.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Victoria Inn
Address: Borth High Street, Borth, Dyfed, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871919 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

+++UPDATE+++

The Victoria is now re-furbed and re-opened. Popped in for a pint and noted that:

a) The inside looks like a sanitized Wetherspoons. An odd choice for Borth.

b) The interesting ale selection has been replaced by Rev'd James. Rubbish!

c) No obvious availability of ice creams, cockles or stuffed Gorillas.

d) And no multi-coloured fairy lights outside.

Can't imagine it'll be much fun on a wet November evening. We shall see. For now, it's abdicated its place as Borth's best pub.

Previous review, for posterity:

A really, really good pub, lots of atmosphere. Has three ales on the go (two from the fabulous Wye Valley brewery and a Rev'd James) which are usually in good condition, though the Rev'd James had to go back on our last visit. Sells cockles and ice creams (from a dark room round the back!) and has food on in a restaurant section in the rear overlooking the sea. Also has a nice beer garden (no access to the seafront though, apparently!), as well as telly and a large stuffed Gorilla called Jacko (see below, posing with Degu) who you need to guess the birthday of for a quid. Oh, and the colourful fairy lights outside too. A winner, well worth the trip to Borth for on a wet and windy Friday night!

Outside Aber - Capel Bangor

Capel Bangor

Maes Bangor Arms
Address: A44, Capel Bangor, SY23 3LT. Tel: 01970 880923 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 25/07/2008

A brand new tick for the website, we popped in on the way up to Borth for the Square Festival. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much; the outside of the place hardly screams "pub!!!" in fact it looks more like someone's house. However, was pleasantly surprised. The inside is quite neat and spacious. The landlord was chatty (in a classic deadpan Mid-Walian way) and showed me the three ales that he'd only put on a few weeks before (it had been keg-only previously), which he said were selling well. Two were fairly mainstream (Revd James and some Greene King one) but he also has a revolving guest ale, the choices of which had been far more interesting. Sadly the guest was off as it had sold out (good news) so had one of the mainstream ones which was served well. Pub also features an outdoor covered seating area, which has some super views across the valley. Landlord also mentioned that he's up for sponsoring uni teams/societies (in return for said organisations to make a few trips out there to drink his beer!) - give him a ring.

In short, a good stop and will make an attempt to return sooner rather than later. Would certainly be worth a trip out by minibus to get a few in here and over the road at the Tynllidiart.

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The Tynllidiart Arms
Address: A44, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, Dyfed,SY23 3LR. Tel: 01970 880248 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 19/04/2008

+++UPDATE 01/09/09+++

I've had a number of reports stating that the world's smallest brewery is no longer brewing! Boo!

A nice roadside gastropub. Features in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world’s worlds smallest commercial brewery (with a capacity of just 9 pints per batch) which is located in the old lavs outside the front of the pub and which brews a decent pint of ale too (features alongside Butty Bach). Pub features in the Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide 2009 and was Ceredgion CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2006.

Very posh food-oriented upstairs, well worth driving your squeeze out here for a candlelit dinner; the food is very expensive (for Aber) but very nice. Occasional difficulty in getting served at the bar due to a number of annoying locals already sitting there and not moving when you ask. Entrance is right next to the A44, so be careful stepping outside if you’ve had a few (see below!). Well recommended for an ale (assuming you can get to the bar) and for the world record tick-box value.

Outside Aber - Cross Inn

Cross Inn

Rhos Yr Hafod Inn
Address: Cross, Nr Llanon, SY23 5NB (at B4337/B4557 crossroads). Tel: 01974 272644 [gmap]
http://www.rhos-yr-hafod-inn.co.uk

Last APG visit: None yet!

Features in the Good Beer Guide 2009, serves Youngs bitter (an odd but interesting choice) plus guest beers. See their website (and the GBG!) for further details because I haven't managed to pay a visit yet.

Outside Aber - Derwenlas

Derwenlas

Black Lion
Address: A487, Derwenlas (Nr Machynlleth), SY20 8TN Tel: 01654 703913 [gmap]
Last APG visit: Sometime in summer 2006

A nice rural stop-off offering a lovely view over the valley and a warm cosy interior.

Mainly frequented for meals, it was fully booked when we rocked up for a pint so it must be pretty good as far as nosh goes.

One real ale on tap (the brand I have forgotten) which had an irritating metallic taste.

Worth a stop to take in the view and I imagine the warm snug interior would be most appealing on a cold winters night. Loses marks for poor ale quality sadly.

Outside Aber - Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge

Three Bridges Bar (Attached to The Hafod Hotel)
Address: Devil’s Bridge, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, SY23 3JL Tel: 01970 890232 [gmap]
http://www.thehafodhotel.co.uk

Last APG visit: Never!

Bar Meals Served from 12pm-3pm (Except on Monday Lunchtimes, when the place is shut) 7pm-9pm (9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Apparently has Hancocks and a guest ale. As it's at Devil's Bridge, the APG team will be investigating soon. Our recent drive-by for the snap revealed the grubbiest pub sign in Christendom. Give it a wipe, please.

Outside Aber - Ffair Rhos

Ffair Rhos

Tafarn Cross Inn/The Teifi Inn
Address: Ffair Rhos, Ystrad Meurig, SY25 6BN. Tel: 01974 831608
[gmap] www.teifiinn.co.uk
Last APG visit: Never!

(photo source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1222168)

"The Teifi Inn public house and restaurant has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere and prides itself on fantastic food and a great choice of drinks. Situated in the rural village of Ffair Rhos (around 14 miles from Aberystwyth, just 1 mile from the B4340), the Teifi Inn is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty with views over Pontrhydfendigaid and over the hills and mountains towards Tregaron." So basically I haven't been there yet. Let's see what happens in November. In the meantime, try the write-up here

Opening Times / Amserau Agor
Monday / Llun 18:00 - 23:00 bar only
Tuesday / Mawrth Closed / Ar Gau
Wednesday / Mercher 12:00 - 14:00 food served; 18:00 - 23:00 food served until 21:30
Thursday / Iau 12:00 - 14:00 food served; 18:00 - 23:00 food served until 21:30
Friday / Gwener 12:00 - 14:00 food served; 18:00 - 00:00 food served until 21:30
Saturday / Sadwrn 12:00 - 14:00 food served; 18:00 - 00:00 food served until 21:30
Sunday / Sul 12:00 - 14:00 food served; 18:00 - 22:30 Curry Night

Outside Aber - Goginan

Goginan

The Druid Inn
Address: High Street (the A44), Goginan, SY23 3NT. Tel: 01970 880650 [gmap]
http://www.goginan.com/druid

Last APG visit: 25/07/2008

Out in the sticks, this place features in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008 and was recently voted Ceredigion CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2008 so we rocked up on the way to Square Fest to see what the fuss was about. Certainly ticks some boxes straight off - a couple of ales on, including the perennially yummy Butty Bach - an APG favourite - which was served very well by a friendly barman.

Very quiet, though given it was 3pm on a Friday afternoon I can forgive it. Has a room off to the right hand side which led to an outside smoking area. Cosy inside, with some pictorial history up on the walls - could imagine this being a great place to sink a few ales on a cold winters night (of which there are many in Goginan I imagine). There were also some tables set up for dining, but I didn't spot any menus. Apparently has a rather spectacular cellar hewn from the bare rock, I forgot to ask to have a look.

Well worth a trip out this way for a few beers - start by doing the two at Capel Bangor, then move onto Goginan up the A44 and you'll have a nice evening out.

Oh and check out the view you get (below) from outside the Druid - not bad eh?

Opening hours:
11.00am till 11.00pm - Sundays 12.00pm -10.30pm all year around

Outside Aber - Llanbadarn

Llanbadarn

The Black Lion
Address: Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3RA. Tel: 01970 623448 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

Looks like changes are afoot - previously I had stated that this was an "Enjoyable local pub with four ales on" which certainly wasn't the case on the visit before last. There were only two, one of which needed to be returned and the replacement wasn't too much better. The latest visit in March found one Banks ale on, which tasted decent but the place has a long way to go - it no longer features in the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide. Food available and pub quiz on Friday. Pool tables and darts feature (though retardedly, you can't play darts if the right-hand pool table is occupied) as well as a beer garden. There are two bars, though the second one up the steps (pic below) gets used very rarely.

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Gogerddan Arms (AKA The Gog)
Address: Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3RA. Tel: 01970 615209 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 30/03/2009

The Gog is no longer a small, dark little place, more befitting of a hobbit, populated by shuffling old men. It is now being co-run by Pete, part of the Pete n' Dee partnership that used to run the Ship & Castle when it was at the height of its power. So now there's ale going on, though oddly the quality has been variable so far. There's been a bit of refurb inside - a change of colour and a bit brighter too but it still needs a bit extra doing to make it obviously better than the Lion. Still has the little pool room up a couple of steps (with a Regal-branded table lamp), as well a good darts board. Very cheap (under £4 a dish) and cheerful food is offered to keep you going. there's usually a line of middle-aged drinkers set up along the bar, discussing local gossip - watch out for the woman who appears to have every taxi company's calling card in her wallet. Massive function room out the back, would be good for a party.

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Parc Lodge Hotel Bar
Address: Parc-y-Llyn, Llanbadarn Fawr, SY23 3TL [gmap]
Tel: 01970 636333
http://www.aberpark.com

Last APG visit: 19/01/2008

Not exactly a top-call destination but possibly worth a stop if you happen to be wandering around in a daze after a mega-shop at Morrisons and are waiting for the bus. OK range of drinks (no ale, unsurprisingly) and plenty of food to eat. A little soul-less but a nice seat by the window, perhaps a useful revision place on a nice late spring afternoon? You might have to contend with kiddies zooming around though.

Outside Aber - Llanfarian

Llanfarian

Royal Oak Inn
Address: Llanfarian, SY23 4BS. Tel: 01970 615355 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

+++UPDATE+++

News from Jeremy: "I checked this out a few weeks ago walking back from the Falcon in Llanilar and it is pretty obviously finished as a pub - Planning Permission was posted outside for a children's nursery as far as I could tell - perhaps they will taking turns playing at pulling pints!" (see below). What a shame - I never did get to go in!

Outside Aber - Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn

Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn

Farmers Arms
Address: Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, SY23 4LA. Tel: 01974 261275 [gmap]
Last APG visit: Never!

Apparently the Farmers Arms is "a delightful 17th century village pub with excellent ales on tap. Food is served every lunchtime and evening in the bar and non-smoking restaurant. There's a beer garden and patio for summer days; children are welcome. Sunday lunch requires a booking." There's two bars, with darts and pool available. The picture above suggests it's 1970's, rather than 17th century...

Popped over for a drive-by photoshoot when the pub was shut. The drive there is an absolute stinker, be prepared!
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 12pm to 3pm
6pm to 12am
Sunday: 12pm to 3pm
6pm -11pm

Outside Aber - Llanilar

Llanilar

Falcon Inn
Address: Llanilar, SY23 4PA. Tel: 01974 241633 [gmap]
Last APG visit: Never!

The Falcon Inn is situated on the eastern edge of the village of Llanilar. Serves good traditional food, including Sunday lunches I'm told. The pub serves as the village shop as well as providing the usual pub facilities. Beer garden available. Situated at the very south of the square and in the centre of the village aside the A485 road. No idea about the beer range, presumably Felinfoel (yuk) judging by the photo. One for the next trip.

Outside Aber - Llanrhystud

Llanrhystud

Black Lion Hotel
Address: Llanrhystud SY23 5DG. Tel: 01974 202338 [gmap]
http://www.llanrhystud.co.uk/pub.shtml

Last APG visit: Never!

"The Black Lion re-opened in July 2006 following a £500,000 refurbishment by Brains Brewery of Cardiff. Renowned pub designer, Keith Landers worked hard to keep the charm of the village local whilst allowing the pub to offer all the modern facilities of a top notch food destination pub.

Whether you are looking for a quiet pint and a browse of the newspaper, a family Sunday Lunch or a warming bowl of cawl by the fire after walking the dog, everyone at the Black Lion looks forward to welcoming you..."

A Brains outlet with Real Ale available according to the website. On the trip list for next time...

In the meantime, try this write up from Aberystwyth Online - loving the food portion sizes!!

Outside Aber - New Cross

Tafarn y Gors/New Cross Inn
Address: New Cross, SY23 4LY. Tel: 01974 261526 [gmap]
Last APG visit: Never!Properly out in the sticks, this'll be one for the next visit. They do food. Drinks range sounded thoroughly unexciting (when Carling Extra Cold is described as a traditional beer, you've got to worry). Appeared to be no ale available when I peered through the window in March.

Opening hours:
Winter: 12-3pm Thursday to Sunday; 6:30-11pm Tuesday to Sunday
Summer: 12-3pm Tuesday to Sunday; 6:30-11pm Tuesday to Sunday
Closed Mondays.

Outside Aber - Penparcau

Penparcau

The Tollgate Inn
Address: Piercefield Lane, Penparcau, Dyfed, SY23 1RX. Tel: 01970 615016 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 20/04/2008

Not-too-bad modern boozer serving the nasty-looking 60’s estate. Hosts the usual Brains selection of beer, not in great condition. Nice place to go in the summer for a pint outside, or if you’re planning to climb Pen Dinas and dance round the Wellington erection. Pretty spacious inside, has some comfy sofas and a pool table. Food is served. And it's child friendly, with a decent play area outside.

Outside Aber - Pisgah

Pisgah

The Half Way Inn
Address: Mountain Road (A4120), Pisgah, SY23 4NE. Tel: 01970 880631 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 19/04/2008

Located half way (see?) between Aber and Devil's Bridge just before the treacherous Mountain Road really kicks in. It's only five minutes drive from Aber, so it's well worth a trip out on a lazy Sunday evening. "Societies/Halls used to organize coaches out there for piss-ups with plenty of people missing the coach back. You could serve yourself Ale from barrels in the bar as well."* A recent visit found that it was shut during the afternoons, but the landlady (and border collie) kindly let us in for a quick half, a bit of banter and a few snaps. Pub features a dartboard, pool and TV and it also serves food, with a great view from the window. Two ales on, Felinfoel Double Dragon and the nasty Hancocks HB (neither of which were much kop at all) as well as a couple of keg ciders, including the rather nice Stowford Press. Also, try this excellent write-up from Ant

*- Hat-tip: Ex-Aber student Andrew Buckland

Outside Aber - Pontrhydfendigaid

Pontrhydfendigaid

The Black Lion Hotel
Address: Mill Sreet, Pontrhydfendigaid, SY25 6BE. Tel: 01974 831624 [gmap]
http://www.blacklionhotel.co.uk
Last APG visit: Never!
(Image source: http://www.pumlumon.org.uk/map/map.php?page=res_14&lang=eng)

"The Black Lion Hotel bar is a wonderful place to sit and relax. You can hear Welsh being spoken and at weekends enjoy traditional music from Wales and other Celtic Nations.

The bar has six keg beers and three cask conditioned ales. Felinfoel Double Dragon is our standard "real ale" and stock two hand pumped guest ales generally one from a Welsh brewer, such as the Breconshire Brewery or Bragdy Ceredigion and one other quality ale from elsewhere in the UK.

We have an excellent selection of fine wines and spirits. Our extensive selection of single malt whiskeys has been commented upon being the best in the area and is now complemented by Penderyn single malt Welsh whiskey.

The Black Lion Hotel Supports Welsh Farming and we wish our guests to sample the true taste of Wales.

We seek the highest standard foods, many are National or International award winners like Multi award winning Gorwydd Farm Caerphilly cheese, produced at , Llandewi Brefi and Merlin Goats Cheese produced in neighbouring village, Pontrhydygroes. Meat provided by Dai Davies, family butcher of Tregaron who oversees the meat selection and butchery process. Free range eggs provided by Birchgrove Eggs of Trawscoed, produced to highest RSPCA Freedom Food standard. Gold award winning sausages are produced by Rob Rattary of Aberystwyth and Gold award winning bacon is supplied by Caermynydd piggery, Penuwch."

Another one on the visit list...opening times are 5pm every day except Sunday (closed).

Outside Aber - Pontrhydygroes

Pontrhydygroes

The Miners Arms
Address: Pontrhydygroes, Ystrad Meurig, Dyfed, SY25 6DN. Tel: 01974 282238 [gmap] http://www.minersarms.net
Last APG visit: Never!

Another pub in more spectacular scenery near Aber. 'Little Switzerland', apparently. At the turn of the century, Pontrhydygroes was a watering hole for the landed gentry of Edwardian England who made their way here to enjoy the hospitality of the nearby Hafod estate. The Miners Arms is the last remaining Inn of five in the village, which was once a busy silver-lead mining area with mines at Frongoch, Cwmystwyth and Lywernog. Having driven through it for the first time on a wet March Monday, I have to admit it felt a pretty gloomy place.

From what I've cribbed from their website (ie this entire non-review), they're big on food, New World wines, peculiar whiskies, (including Wales' own Penderyn), two ales (Brains and Hancocks' HB) along with the usual nitrokegged stuff. There's TV, darts and pool available, as well as a log fire. And Wi-Fi enabled for the geeks. Sounds good.

There's accommodation to be had. In an unusual selling point, the pub sells fishing permits for Trisant Lakes (approx 4 miles away); apparently if you catch yourself a good fish, the chef will cook it for your dinner.

The pub sign below is the sort that will give small children nightmares.

Opening times:
Summer (July - September)
Tues - Sat: 12-2pm
Sun: 12-10.30pm

Winter
Tues - Wed: 7pm-11pm
Thurs - Sat: 12–3pm & 7pm – 11pm
Sun: 12–3pm & 7pm-10.30pm

Outside Aber - Tal-y-bont

Tal-y-bont

Black Lion Hotel/Y Llew Du
Address: Talybont, Dyfed, SY24 5ER.Tel: 01970 832335 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 27/07/2008

Two pubs are to be found in Talybont - next door to each other! First up (alphabetically, in both English and Welsh) is the Black Lion which boasts lovely views over the village green and is a fine old building on the outside. The inside isn't - it's a bit weird; the main bar is plain, spartan and open plan, whereas the small lounge behind it is really nicely done and quite modern, whilst there's a room to the right of the bar that looks like it hasn't seen any paint since the 1950's.

Two ales are available - Hancocks HB and Bass Red Triangle. The Bass was OK but nothing special. The pub seems aimed at a younger(ish) clientèle than the White Lion next door.

Food is available at lunchtimes and after 5pm. Darts available, as is a fish tank in the lounge. The quiz machine is willing to pay so get down there with a few mates and rack up some cash - we took £20 away. There's lots of Welsh Rugby Union paraphernalia around the walls and a nice outside seating area to be found. Not a bad place but could be a little better for my money.

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White Lion Hotel/Y Llew Gwyn
Address: Talybont, Dyfed, SY24 5ER. Tel: 01970 832245 [gmap]
Last APG visit: 27/07/2008

Lovely pub placed in some nice countryside and overlooking the village green. The White Lion is a two-bar, Good Beer Guide listed (since 2002) pub, selling Banks' Original and Bitter along with a guest beer, which sadly wasn't available on our visit. I tucked into a Banks Bitter which was good, as was the Original sampled by Toothbrush.

It's a friendly place, got a bit of banter from the landlord when I asked for the sparkler to be taken off ("You want it flat? In that case, if anyone asks, tell them that you got this next door!"). Also got chatting to an old boy asking as us what we were up to Aber, and exchanged a couple of pleasant anecdotes.

The interior is kitted out with wooden settles and an original slate-flagged floor. Metal hooks can be spotted on the ceiling, giving away the origins of the building as a butchers shop (apparently!).

We dropped in on a Sunday afternoon and tucked into a good-sized Sunday lunch, in which the meat is Welsh-reared - so a good food miles tick there. There was no problem accommodating the dietary needs of one our group (not hard to remove potatoes and gravy from a dish, but you'd be surprised how many places can't cope with simple requests). So thumbs up all-round for the food. The dining room was a little tight though - best lose a table to allow a bit more room for the elbows when the Simpson-style eaters like the APG crew turn up.

Apparently there are Sunday pub quizzes, a monthly Friday Welsh club - Welsh language singing and poetry. A darts board, jukebox, piano and terrestrial TV also feature and accommodation is available too.

To sum up - a nice unpretentious locals pub, well worth a visit if you appreciate a traditional pub atmosphere. And a good place for mum and dad to take you for a meal on their once-a-term visit.

Outside Aber - Tre'r Ddol

The Wild Fowler
Address: Tre'r Ddol, Machynlleth, SY20 8PN. Tel: 01970 832000 [gmap]
http://www.thewildfowler.co.uk
Last APG visit: 2004

The Wild Fowler nestles in some lovely countryside on the way to Machynlleth. It's not a bad little place either; spread out over two bars, it offers an ale (London Pride), food and some great views from the outside patio. Food served (Monday night is curry night). Pub is wheelchair accessible and pets are allowed in too. Pool table, quizzer, darts and TV all present and correct. Child-friendly, has a play area for specially for them. Worth a Saturday excursion.

RIP – Pubs of the past

Thought that opening a pub in Aber was a guaranteed way to make money? Not all succeed…

(Please be aware that these are places that mainly existed before my time - please let me know of others that I may not have heard of and memories of venues that have now morphed into a new venue e.g. the White Horse into Varsity. Any picture submissions for this section in general would be hugely appreciated. Please email bluemondayuk@hotmail.com)
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Yr Albion - High Street, Aberystwyth SY23 1JG

The Albion used to be a pub/hotel up until around 1991-92. A man called Jimmy Wood used to run/own it, according to one of the comments below (thanks Ystwythgirl!). Any more info available out there?

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The Bear Necessities (Marine Hotel cellar) - Marine Terrace, SY23 2BX

Grubby dive, played host to live sets by Doctor and the Medics and Dodgy* amongst others. Occasionally spasmed back into life during the late 90’s but now more dormant than Roy Castle. Home of the legendary free pasta specials, run by Jock (now of Kanes) where he used to do free pasta as a promo on Monday evenings which must have cost him about 2-3p a portion - but succeeded for several weeks to get good crowds into the pub at six on a Monday spending good money at the bar (students will always pay for a freebie!). **

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The Bluebell - Terrace Road, SY23 2AQ

Thanks to Jeremy for this one. The building that is now a small corner 'The Local' offy opposite Boots (older readers will remember it as the Threshers/Victoria Wine), used to be a pub called the Bluebell. It looks pretty awful currently. Would be grateful for any further info...

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The Boars Head; Streets; Po Na Na - Queens Road, SY23 2HT

+++UPDATE+++

Apparently in the midst of being demolished. Sad but inevitable.

Small gay-friendly ‘plub’ that got changed by some berk who had less business sense than Gonch from Grange Hill into a Po Na Na; full of fibreglass sand dunes which halved the already small capacity and which subsequently went bust within 12 months. Now stands idle and neglected (see above), save for a period of squatterisation (see comments). A great business opportunity waiting to happen. Situated just behind the Glen, just down from the infamous cottaging glory-hole cottaging toilets, now also boarded up!

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The Bottle Bar - 19 Bridge Street, SY23 1PZ

Sold only bottles of drink. Brilliant idea, back in the day when Hooch, Reef and Bacardi Breezers ruled the roost. Sadly way too small and had only three seats so no one ever hung around and subsequently the place often had no customers, barring the occasional pub crawl. Genius idea though, just badly executed. Now a hairdressers.

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Farmers Arms/TJ's Video Bar - Great Darkgate Street, SY23 1DW

Burnt down. Apparently was the pub next door to the Angel. According to a chap here, the Farmers was adopted by bikers, some of whom came by bus all the way from Machynlleth. The Angel was the hippy pub.

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Kings Hall – Terrace Road, SY23 2AP