Saturday 27 October 2007

Aberystwyth - Court Royale

Formerly known as Harley’s Sports Bar; Jesters; Prince Albert

Address: 21 Eastgate, SY23 2AR. Tel: 01970 611722 [gmap] 
http://www.courtroyale.org.uk (not working Feb 2011)
http://www.sabrain.com/court-royale
Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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 except 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 in the evenings, 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. There was a handpump with Brains ale on offer ion March 2011, though the clip was turned.

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 looks like the same old place to me. 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. There's also dart boards, a pool table and wi-fi.

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

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the place. The food is brill, better than the shit they serve in spoons or varsity

Anonymous said...

This used to be a lovely pub called The Prince Albert. The Albert had comfy Leather chairs and original Cartoons and caricatures on the walls of local celebrities.
It was bought by the owner of the long defunct Farmers arms and turned into an awful plastic and neon music bar changing its name to the Court Royal. It was mostly run by his wife Daryl who took over the Ship and Castle pub.

Anonymous said...

I visit this pub around 3 or 4 times a week and to be honest i cant fault it. The atmosphere is always great and always welcoming, the food is excellent, especially the sunday carvery - brilliant value. I agree with you in saying its got to be the best place to watch rugby. Long may it continue. best pub in Aberystwyth!!!

Beer,Pub's&Footie man said...

Allegedly it has been refurbished I challenge anyone to find which bit.
The atmosphere was all that was left
pre refurbish but that's gone as well now