Aberystwyth Pubs Guide

Welcome/Croeso!

2007-10-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

+++LATEST UPDATE NOVEMBER 2011+++

Welcome to Quinno's thoroughly biased - but hopefully informative and humorous - guide to all the pubs in and around Aberystwyth; the Good, the Bad and the Downright Strange. This is a not-for-profit site, so if I praise somewhere/slag it off it is my own personal opinion, nothing more. Feel free to leave comments, stories, corrections/clarifications on the site - so long as they are not libelous and are written in proper English (or Welsh if you prefer)...comments are moderated so it may take a day or two for yours to appear.

Enjoy the site,
Quinno.

Updates

At long last, the first downloadable Aberystwyth Pub Crawl booklet!
Latest update on the Bay
All change at the Llew Du!
Ceredigion CC have all of Aber's old pubs listed. See RIP - Pubs of the Past for further info
Weston Vaults now renamed Aber Vaults!
Added functionality - Pub crawl map and pubs list now located in static pages on the menu bar above this post, below the blog banner.

In development

Writing up all the Machynlleth pubs

NB - Photo above is very cool. Unfortunately I can't link to the original as I was a bit drunk when I downloaded it. Whoops.

Aberystwyth Pubs Map and downloadable trail

2007-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well here it is, finally - the downloadable Aberpubs pub trail! Download it, print it out, and off you go. This is the first version and is very much a work in progress, so be nice. As I say in the gumpf in the booklet, this is a hobby and the stuff written in it shouldn't be taken as gospel - it's merely a guide. Corrections to bluemondayuk@hotmail.com please!

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/7rqgnrp6x618h1c/Aberpub_Aber_pub_trail_to_web%20V1.0.pdf

Most (though not all!) of the town's pubs are featured on a nicely compiled downloadable map over on Aberystwyth.org.uk, which rather compliments my own trail, I think. Grab it here: http://www.aberystwyth.org.uk/foodanddrink/aberystwyth-pub-map.pdf

Tips for using the pubs Gmap:

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 easily embed a Google Map into my blog. Check 'em out.

Aberystwyth - Aber Vaults (was Weston Vaults)

2007-10-30T18:56:00.001-07:00

Formerly known as Weston Vaults

Address: Thespian St, SY23 2JW. Tel: 01970 626110 [gmap]

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 09/11/2011

Background: Small two-roomed bar at the bottom of the hill opposite Death Junction. Recently given a complete overhaul - stripped wood floor, squiggly mirrors, black and white pictures, blue bead strip lighting etc

Student factor: Previously, few students went here but the new overhaul is aimed squarely at them – which given that the place is the second pub they encounter on their way down the hill, is probably a good call.

Atmosphere: Well, we were the only two in here early Friday evening, apart from two middle-aged locals which I imagine are not quite the clientele the place is aiming for. The wide open door in the front bar which is inches from the junction made for a cold and uncomfortable feel along with the muted lighting.

Drinks range: Various spirits and mixer combos, along with ‘goldfish bowl’ drinks. No real ale, of course. My Guinness was OK.

TV/Music: Chart music with a muted telly showing Pointless in the main bar. Back room houses another TV (tuned to some random footy match).

Other stuff: We liked the back-lit V shapes at the bar front that changed colour. The interior sports new banquette seating and a weird mix of new black tables and old bar stools from the old Weston, which are incongruous. Quizzer in the back room.

Quinno’s verdict: Time will tell how it fares, but it seems to be in direct competition with Harry’s. With students having to fork out even more money for tuition fees next year this place will need to be on its toes. CMStudent also has a well-written take in the comments below.

Old comments for Weston Vaults
3 comments:

Anonymous said...Wasn't too bad a few years back but nowadays the sleazy boyfriend of the landlady won't leave you alone if he's working. Landlady does a lovely Sunday Roast at a reasonable price but only go if you can stand the boyfriend's squeaky voice disturbing your meal. Be careful there as the boyfriend also has a tendancy to get violent when drunk.
1 July 2008 11:09

Anonymous said...
This is so true! He is a right sleaze! Not to be trusted! She's no better though! (What a man!)No atmosphere whatsoever in the pub.. If it was the last pub left in aber I don't think I'd drink there! You may think different but...
7 September 2008 13:51

PN said...Has had a mini- refurb and was good enough to sponsor a pair of uni football teams last year. Landlord (Stan) is a legend in his own right. Not the best quality drinks, but unassuming and a good place for a laugh with a small group. Also good for the crack of being pestered by the local drunks for a game of pool.
21 August 2010 15:28

Aberystwyth - The Academy (Yr Academi)

2007-10-30T18:55:00.001-07:00

Formerly known as Three Jolly Sailors; "a notorious den of iniquity..."

Address: 52 Great Darkgate Street, SY23 1DW. Tel: 01970 636852 [gmap]
Pubs Galore page
Facebook page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 1
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 2

Open: 12pm-1am Sun-Fri, 11am-2am Sat

Last APG visit: 04/03/2011

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). The most impressive pub in Aber, façade-wise. Inside had a refurb in 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, as are the amount of staff on duty. The ale can occasionally be a more unusual choice (Breconshire Brewery during November 2010, though it was just rotten old Felinfoel in March 2011) so worth giving it a go. Sells absinthe, if you really want a bad time.

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. Food, pool, quizzer and table football are available, as is some nice outdoor seating during summer. Pub is wheelchair-friendly. The upper balcony is a great place for people-watching, and looking down girls tops.

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.

Aberystwyth - Angel Inn

2007-10-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Address: 57-59 Great Darkgate Street, SY23 1DW. Tel: 01970 617878 [gmap]
Pubs Galore page
Facebook page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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 before closing down. 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.~~ I never thought the Angel would ever be fashionable but this place now seems to be in vogue with a number of the less pretentious students now - a few years ago they wouldn't have been seen dead in here.

Atmosphere: Interior had a light makeover a couple of years back and isn't quite as 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, so be prepared duck.

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) of 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 – I~~ndiesoc~~ (discountinued); 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: 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 - one shelf for UK, one shelf for foreign and a special section for shrink-wrapped - someone had fun filing those.

Quinno’s verdict: 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.

Aberystwyth - The Bay (Y Bae) - CLOSED

2007-10-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

+++NOW CLOSED+++

+++NOW CLOSED+++

LATEST NEWS - Ceredigion CC are forcing Brains to make good dilapidation and hand back the building. Good. Brains have been a pretty shitty outfit. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13523654

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

Last APG visit: 20/01/2008

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."

Old review below for posterity:

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.

Aberystwyth - Belle Vue Royal Hotel

2007-10-29T19:03:00.001-07:00

Address: 23 Marine Terrace, SY23 2BA. Tel: 01970 617558 [gmap]
http://www.bellevueroyalhotel.co.uk

Last APG visit: 19/11/2011

Background: A comfy, stuffy hotel bar that appears to be slowly allowing more non-residents in, thanks to a decent ale range.

Student factor: Some occasional overseas students, though mainly aged residents and well-to-do locals.

Atmosphere: Quiet but relaxing. Lovely views of the seafront if you grab a window seat. Heated like an old folks home, so great during the winter months.

Drinks range: Not so bad, actually. A decent ale range (Welsh micros) over two pumps get it into the GBG but quality isn't in the same league as the Ship and Castle. Otherwise, a small range of keg and a few spirits (with an interesting whisky selection).

TV/Music: Some loungey muzak, but mainly it's the gentle crashing of the surf outside.

Other stuff: There's posh nosh available. Check out the crazy opposing mirrors that create a weird labyrinthine-feel when you look into them. Trippy.

Quinno’s verdict: If you fancy a relaxing pint in the peace and quiet with a lovely sea view, this could be up your street.

Aberystwyth - Cambrian

2007-10-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as The Commercial Hotel

Address: Alexandra Road, SY23 1LG. Tel: 01970 612446 [gmap]
Pubs Galore page
Facebook group
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 04/03/2011

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, though it's starting to get rather tatty round the edges.

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

Atmosphere: Veers from dead at 7:30pm to major crush at 8:30pm. 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. Quieter outside of term-time.

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 of them all is the Death Star – two pints of what looks like muddy water from the River Rheidol and one of those will be more than enough to get you bouncing off the walls. Service is normally pretty sharp, the staff in here earn their biscuits. Token real ale (Pride or Hancock's HB) not that it gets drunk much.

TV/Music: No TV, but ‘pumping’ music gets progressively loud during the evening, often ending up at unnecessarily ear-splitting levels after 9pm.

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 (or indeed, opposite...). The interior and exterior are now getting pretty grubby, perhaps this is attempting to an invent a new cocktail genre.

Aberystwyth - Castle Hotel

2007-10-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Address: South Road, SY23 1JW. Tel: 01970 612188 [gmap]
http://www.castlehotelaberystwyth.co.uk

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

Background: Originally a two-roomed backstreet pub with a lounge and public bar (and one of the main locations in Malcolm Pryce's Louie Knight books), this watering-hole has had two makeovers in the last 15 years which have all but removed the original soul of the place, including the lovely old Victorian bar. Now it’s laminate floored, chocolate coloured sofa lounge-bar thing, specializing in being the last pub in Aber to close each ~~evening~~ morning. It tends to get busy - you guessed it - when the other pubs are chucking out and this place is still open.

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: Holds quite a good atmosphere late, but the new incarnation is still finding its feet during the daytime as the more clinical interior finish means that it can no longer feel busy with just half-a-dozen people in.

Drinks range: The ale range varies; there's usually a couple of unusual ones (Hop Back has been sighted previously) on in ~~good~~ variable nick - I get the feeling that the beer is put on and then not checked, so if it's fresh, you're in...if it isn't, it's Sarsons. There's also an interesting* keg lager - Tuborg.

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. 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. +++UPDATE - Apparently there's a new jukebox...is nothing sacred?+++

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?~~ I have spent a night there and the room itself was pretty good (see below) and clearly sound-proofed - except for the rickety old sash windows, which of course meant that the utterance of every drunk entering/leaving/having a smoke outside was audible almost as loudly as if you'd been standing next to them. Fail.

Otherwise, there's an active dart board and pool table and also apparently food is now available. 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: Clearly now trading on the late licence to make it profitable, the place seems to be finding its feet and I'm happy to have been proved wrong when I previously stated that "I'm not sure it can survive much longer if the hotel aspect doesn't work out". It's a worthwhile trudge from the Ship & Castle to finish off your evening with a few games of arrows. Louie Knight might be horrified by the new look though.

* - interesting in that I don't drink much lager....

Aberystwyth - Consti

2007-10-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

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

Last APG visit: 06/03/2011

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. Surprisingly, real ale is available (though only Felinfoel or Cambrain Bitter). They also have 45, a 'Welsh Continental lager' (another Brains product) bottled, which tasted OK. Lots of non-alcoholic options available too. Prices are reasonable given the location.

TV/Music: Neither, that I recall. There may have been a radio on 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 drink with stunning views. Just be careful of the wasps in the summer - they get everywhere. There's a function room available to hire.

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.

Aberystwyth - Coopers Arms (Y Cwps)

2007-10-27T18:40:00.001-07:00

Address: Northgate St, SY23 2JT. Tel: 01970 624050 [gmap]
Pubs Galore page
MySpace site
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 05/03/2011

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. Used to be green, now pink!

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.

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. Very poor form, especially from a pub that is owned by a real ale brewery!!! 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 - eems 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.

Other stuff: Formerly huge and freezing bogs have had an overhaul, now smaller and considerably warmer. Seems to now be the most nationalist pub in Aber, no 'Yes for Wales' flyers at the Llew Du, but there were here:

Quinno’s verdict: I've always struggled to feel any real love for the place outside the music nights, maybe worth a stop occasionally - but don't drink the ale.

Its old green incarnation below, for posterity...

Aberystwyth - Court Royale

2007-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

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 Harley’s 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.

Aberystwyth - Downies Vaults

2007-10-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

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

Last APG visit: 21/08/2010

Background: Formerly a 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 comfy 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.

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: Sometimes 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.

Aberystwyth - Fountain Inn

2007-10-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

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

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 1
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 2

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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. The 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 or a couple in Aber Town colours after a match. 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. Mainly locals otherwise.

Atmosphere: Quite often lacking unfortunately, unless you’ve brought a few in and got the jukebox fired up (the locals will always let you know what they think of your selection). The ex-landlord (Josh) had a lot of banter, if he was in there was a bit more life about the place.

Drinks range: Used to pretty good but seems to be a bit up and down now. Was the only pub in Aber to sell a genuine cask mild – Brains Dark, now departed though still there in keg form apparently; though this has been recently replaced by Felinfoel Stout - the proper stuff too, not that keg rubbish at the Cwps. Pub used to appear in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide, but not the 2010 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.

Quinno’s verdict: This is a decent pub that has a lot of unfulfilled potential. Fancy getting a few cheap, quiet jars in before a night out or watching Aber Town over the footbridge at Park Avenue? Try here. It’s been criminally neglected by the last few generations of Aber students.

Aberystwyth - Glengower Hotel

2007-10-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Address: 3 Victoria Terrace, SY23 2DH. Tel 01970 626191 [gmap]
http://www.glengower.co.uk
Pubs Galore page

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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 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.

Student factor: From hero to zero unless it’s a sunny 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 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. In a previous visit I complained bitterly about filthy tables and falling masonry ("Perhaps the falling masonry is an ironic attempt to make the students feel at home and I've missed the joke...") - this appeared to have been largely rectified. Let's hope it stays that way.

Drinks range: One area of massive improvement at least, with 2-3 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. Also a good range of spirits and other exotic tipples. Features in the Good Beer Guide 2010 - though I wouldn't recommend it particularly as a pubbing experience myself.

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. A former manager of this place a few years back 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. More trivia - Elizabeth Taylor's grand daughter used to worked here back in the early 90's; to quote "she 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). Sadly, I don’t really see the point of this place now - the Glen falls between two stools of not being posh enough for food but not studenty enough to be busy.

Aberystwyth - Harry's Irish Bar

2007-10-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Address: 40-46 North Parade, SY23 2NF. Tel: 01970 612647 [gmap]
http://www.harrysaberystwyth.com
Pubs Galore page

Last APG visit: 04/03/2011

Background: This used to be a hotel-cum-bistro with a small residents bar, back in the day. Has 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: ~~A few, but mainly seems to be attracting locals and Bala Boys at present~~ looks like this is turning into a student haunt - usually ones dressed up bananas

Drinks range: Fairly poor for such a large bar, ~~no real ale~~ ~~(now got Double Dragon~~) no real ale (again) or unusual spirits. In fact, outside of Guinness, I don't recall seeing any Irish drinks at all. The only thing that I'd want to drink in here is the Brains 45 but that is an expensive option.

Atmosphere: Getting busier at weekends but still quiet during the earlier parts of the week. It's huge inside with two enormous bar areas, so they're obviously expecting some customers. Beware that you can no longer do a lap of the bar as the left hand side is now given over to dining - an odd choice given the amount of drunk students in fancy dress only yards away...I wouldn't fancy eating there. The staff get sniffy if you wonder in there by accident, as I found myself!

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? A previous visit yielded the eclectic sports choice of competitive skateboarding.

Other stuff: Dark and hot. The toilets are quite an impressive affair, ~~very modern~~ now getting vandalised, need to keep on top of that. There's a 'no hidden catches' loyalty card available for various discounts. The food is also being pushed again.

Quinno’s verdict: Seems to be finding a niche amongst the students, but I find it a fairly bland box-ticker.

Aberystwyth - Inn on the Pier

2007-10-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

Address: Marine Terrace, SY23 2AZ. Tel: 01970 610000 / 01970 636101 [gmap]
http://www.royalpier.co.uk
Pubs Galore page

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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. Ladies take note, it's not afraid to trade on latent sexism during the evening.

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 the mid 2000s 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 (£2.40).

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. There’s also an awful karaoke night. ~~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~~ seems like the toilets are improving and the smell of pizza wee has subsided. 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. Fair play to them here for being able to stay in fashion for so long.
*Hat-tip - Rebecca Connop Price

Aberystwyth - Kanes

2007-10-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as The Unicorn

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

Pubs Galore page

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page (the 1981 entry is well-worth a read)

Last APG visit: 08/11/2009

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 and safety botherer. Pub is 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 serve lager and spirits only. There’s some cocktails on offer now with suitably themed names - Jock's Cock Sock or something equally daft. Also stocks flavoured Corky's vodka and the Tropicana orange juice adds to the slightly eclectic mix.

TV/Music: Both, often loudly and at the same time - can be a real assault 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. Same goes for the darts board (still monikered as the Unicorn, see pic above).

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

Aberystwyth - Lord Beechings

2007-10-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as the Railway Inn

Address: 8 Alexandra Road, SY23 1LE. Tel: 01970 625069 [gmap] Facebook page
http://www.sabrain.com/lordbeechings
Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 05/03/2011

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). However it's getting a bit grubby round the edges and is risking a fall from grace - a lick of paint and a good clean would help massively.

Student factor: A number, though a lot less so since the refurb. Currently seems to be a 70-30 mix between townies and students and becoming more townie by the year. Has, however, 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. Surprisingly quiet on a Saturday evening in March.

Atmosphere: Can feel a bit bare. 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. However, there seems to be an unsavoury element that are attaching themselves to the place - concerning. Not helped by a low level of cleanliness recently.

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 the. Has a few offers on and prices are generally cheap. Barmaids are friendly.

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: Was a nice place on re-opening but is letting its standards slip alarmingly. On its day it's a decent venue, especially if you can bag a seat in the old sweet shop corner with the big windows. The place seemed fairly gay-friendly post-refurb but that vibe has gone and is definitely heading towards a middle-aged locals club.

Aberystwyth - Marine Hotel

2007-10-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Address: Marine Terrace, SY23 2BX. Tel: 01970 617435 [gmap]
http://www.marinehotelaberystwyth.co.uk

Last APG visit: 21/05/2011

Background: Hotel bar, that gets in purely on the basis of having a real ale - the yucky Cambrian Bitter.

Student factor: One or two during the mega buffet Sunday lunch (see below). Otherwise, only during graduation week.

Atmosphere: Quiet but relaxing. Lovely views of the seafront if you grab a window seat (basically, just like Belle Vue)

Drinks range: Average hotel bar range, the real ale notwithstanding. Tried the Guinness last visit as I couldn't stomach the Felin. It was pretty good and not marked up against the lagers, which makes a change.

TV/Music: Occasional. Music is usually hovering around Celine Dion's Greatest Hits in terms of quality.

Other stuff: Sunday carvery. £10 for mains + 1 or £15 for a three course chow-down - always packed with locals and chapel-goers. Entrance is signalled by the lights flashing on and off in the bar. Good value and well-worth doing when your SLC money arrives after Christmas (or Mum and Dad are in town). Watch out for the gaggle of old ladies who have a slither of meat and a potato each in order to be first to the groaning pudding table in order to rape the meringue tray of its contents. Front bar bay windows are good for dolphin-spotting.

Quinno’s verdict: Not really worthwhile as a loungy seafront venue during the week - the Belle Vue is better. But Sunday lunch with a pint is a must.

Aberystwyth - Mill Inn

2007-10-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as the Cross Foxes

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

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 1
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 2

Last APG visit: 19/11/2011

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.~~ There used to be a downstairs bar area but apparently it is no longer useable (presumably ripped out?).

Student factor: Used to usually occupied by sports-types from the Uni and younger locals, though there seemed to be quite a sea-change in atmosphere on my last Saturday visit, with a quite a relaxed bohemian crowd.

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 (sometimes unpleasantly so on Friday and Saturday nights because of its small size).

Drinks range: Heavily leaning towards funnily-coloured spirits and mixers, but enough other stuff 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 - 15 years previously it had plenty), which seems to be getting better, quality-wise. Currently it appears to be stocking Porthmadog's Purple Moose.

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~~. Now has brand new toilets for the gents - indoors, warm and, dare I say it, almost plush. Free pool during the day, if you’re lucky.

Quinno’s verdict: Not quite the pub it once was (I miss the lock-ins!) but still worth a visit outside the major crush times.

Aberystwyth - Nags Head

2007-10-23T18:15:00.001-07:00

Address: 23 Bridge Street, SY23 1PZ. Tel: 01970 624725 [gmap]
Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 06/11/2009

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 handpulls for banks ~~Original~~ Mild and Bitter, plus the usual lagers. The ale quality is good and the place is included in the Good Beer Guide 2010.

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 I reckon.

*-Hat-tip -Paul Bee

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

Aberystwyth - Orangery

2007-10-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

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

Address: 10 Market Street, SY23 1DL. Tel: 01970 617606 [gmap]
http://www.theorangeryaberystwyth.co.uk

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Background: A far cry from its previous chequered incarnations as low-grade seedy dives, this place is a p.o.s.h. a wine-cum-coffee bar; the inside is all muzak and mood lighting. 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, rotund estate agents schmoozing clients 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 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. It's expensive for Aber, so be prepared - a small bottle of Budvar will set you back over £3.50.

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. Now owned by the same bloke who runs the mighty Shilam. Table service is the norm here, going to the 'bar' too often will make you look common. Don't forget to pay before you leave - I have.

Quinno’s verdict: Dividing opinion down the middle, this is truly the Marmite of the Aberystwyth scene. At least it’s not El Retro any more, that was the poorest excuse for a bar I’d ever been in. Go in to find out what it’s like and make your own mind up. I like it for what it is.

Aberystwyth - Pier Hotel

2007-10-23T18:11:00.001-07:00

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

Pubs Galore page

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 03/03/2011

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.

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

Aberystwyth - Rummers Wine Bar

2007-10-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as Baccus Wine Bar and Fondue Restaurant

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

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 19/11/2011

Background: Ahhh, ‘Bummers’ as it’s disparagingly known by the Pier Pressure types, is a rustic-themed wine bar; all candles, low lights and latterly 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 packed on weekends and becomes very hot and stuffy – not good for asthma sufferers although now the smoking ban’s come in things are a 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 (Black Sheep last visit), 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. Happy Hour, where vodka, gin and whisky are all just 60p a shot, occurs all night Tuesdays, and from 7:00-9:30pm on all other days.

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 in-between. 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.

Aberystwyth - Salt

2007-10-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

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
http://www.sabrain.com/saltaberystwyth
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Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 20/05/2011

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 few, mainly from the more respectable end of the spectrum (there's a student discount card available, for a quid). 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 SA and a guest from the Brains range)~~ just one Brains ale last visit (Friday evening). They can do a lot better here on the range if they tried - this is the sort of place that could thrive on it. Prominent coffee machine at the right of the bar. Decent range of spirits. Prices not bad.

TV/Music: Relaxing muzak and MoR classics (expect Texas to get an airing).

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 but it is underacheiving. 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.

Old comments 5 comments:

Anonymous said... is the amazing coffee table with glass lid and lots of sea related stuff inside it still there? Good place to have a quiet drink and read a book. Will check it out when next back in Aber
23 January 2008 08:43

Anonymous said... crap servcice. dis-interested staff who do not give a toss. food average but over priced if you get a meal at-all ! very slippery pebbled floor. nice deco tho
22 March 2008 10:18

Anonymous said... I miss the old Bar E! With snakebite £1.50 a pint on tuesdays, the Ski Club would usually spend most of the night in there before heading to Pier. Now the bar staff give you a pretentious little napkin with your drink and drinking games are out of the question! On the plus side though, The Mill has subsequently become one of our favourite haunts :)
13 June 2008 04:40

Anonymous said... There's a new guy running it now. He seems to be full of ideas and is really chatty, i think he's done a good job of turning the place around - it's much livelier now than it was 3 months ago!
15 February 2009 07:59

Anonymous said... New management. Very friendly bar staff now. Relaxed atmosphere and good for a quiet drink with a group of friends. Prices are quite fair and varied promotions
6 November 2009 05:40

Aberystwyth - Scholars

2007-10-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as the Crystal Palace

Address: Queens Road, SY23 2HH. Tel: 01970 615241 [gmap]
http://www.sabrain.com/scholars
Pubs Galore page

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 05/03/2011

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 Innkeeper Wales type 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~~ (it wasn't).

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 cheap lager from the cash and carry 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.

Aberystwyth - Ship and Castle

2007-10-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

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

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

http://shipandcastle.co.uk

Pubs Galore page
Facebook page

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 19/11/2011

Background: Real Ale, Real Cider. The pub dates from 1762. 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 (well, the being pissed bit might be). Now run by Ian Blair AKA Blairo (who some of you may recall took over the Mill after Guy left). Whilst still selling many fine real ales, the place has modernised somewhat after an extensive (and sympathetic) refurbishment in the summer of 2009.

Student factor: Unsurprising high mix of ale-loving locals along with the students. Students are mainly ale drinker stereotypes - Interpol, Comp Sci and Geography students, Indie kids/Rockers and 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 Friday and Saturday evenings when it gets rammed like everywhere else). Sadly on our second-to-last last visit we witnessed a rather drunken student society (sponsored by the S&C it turned out) loudly attempting to remove each others trousers - I'd respectfully suggest that the management should make sure such behaviour is left at the door...this is meant to be a haven!

Drinks range: A mecca, usually has five handpulls on the go, dispensing a number of unusual brews from Wales and the Midlands (Wye Valley Brewery is a regular) in excellent condition. There's a large range of whiskies and foreign beers, as well as at least one real cider and perry, with Gwent y Ddraig bottled cider in the fridge. Yum. Voted Ceredigion CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of the Year 2007 and 2009, this is a permanent fixture in the Good Beer Guide. Also made it into the last 16 of CAMRA's Pub of the Year for 2010. Read more here.

TV/Music: 80's-oriented Jukebox, which has strange amplification, like someone has put a pillow over the speakers. There's now a TV for sports (mercifully not permanently switched on). I'm not sure whether the folk music nights have survived the refurb.

Other stuff: Named after Aber's ancient trading connections with Bristol (a ship and castle features on the city's coat of arms). 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. Free pool before 4pm (though given the amount of valuable floor-space the pool table takes up I'd say there's a good argument for getting shot of it, myself). The toilets are the smallest in Aber, tighter than Russell Brand’s Y-Fronts so don't turn round too suddenly. Was the scene of the infamous General Picton drinking contest before IndieSoc+10 in October 2008.

Quinno’s verdict: A must-visit for the more discerning punter or people who appreciate a good beer. Whilst the refurb has it's faults (weird amplification of background noise for example) it needed to be done and is about as good as can be expected. A fabulous place.

*- Hat-tip: Scary John for the correction
**-Most internal pics sourced from their website

Aberystwyth - University Bars

2007-10-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

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 will need a refurb soon though.

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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 "Members may bring up to four guests into the club who are not entitled to become members of the club. Guests are not entitled to membership privilege discounts on drinks and meals but they may apply for temporary membership which will make them eligible for discounts"). Has a couple of ales on the go, so will try and pop in for one at some point.

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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.

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Penbryn Bar
Does not exist. And never has, sadly.
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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~~ (+++UPDATE 11/09+++ it has been, still looks naff though). 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. The Bernie Virgin Memorial Toilets are akin to having a dump in a submarine, Das Boot style - no loo seats so not great for the ladies. Overall the Union here does punch well above its weight.

Aberystwyth - Vale of Rheidol

2007-10-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Formerly called: Terminus Vaults

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

Pubs Galore page

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

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 (UPDATE - now has Gwynt y Ddraig cider in bottles! Result!). 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.

Aberystwyth - Varsity

2007-10-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

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
Pubs Galore page
Facebook page#1
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 20/05/2011

Background: This was once the future back in the pre-chain bar mid-1990’s Aberystwyth. This is a classic sanitized 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. Has had a recent interior refurb and is certainly less of a barn than before - there's now divided seating areas. Quite nice inside now. Although one of their fancy light fittings above a table came crashing down, luckily no one was sat underneath...

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), there are now three to choose from - my Brains was pretty good and the Greene King IPA was, well, IPA-like; both served in a handled beer mug. However, whilst my pint was poured well, I noticed another barman top up a pint with slops from the drip tray. There was beer festival on in may with some decent choices. However there was clearly a lack of knowledge - southern beers fitted with sparklers and the ones on stillage having no obvious cooling (so don't touch those!). However they are at least trying, unlike those lazy bastards over the road.

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. 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. No doubt that there has been significant changes for the better over the last couple of years.

Aberystwyth - Yr Hen Llew Du (The Old Black Lion)

2007-10-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

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

Pubs Galore page
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 05/03/2011

Background: Imagine, if you will, my utter bewilderment on re-entering the Llew Du after its refurbishment to find that it has regenerated into something that bears little resemblance to the previous Welsh nationalist incarnation. Almost everything has changed - the bar has been moved, large chunks of the interior have been stripped out (including the old fireplace) and a veneer of 2011 has been smeared around the inside. I really can't quite begin to describe how remarkably different this place now is apart from to say that, if I had been bundled, blindfold, into the boot of a car in Capel Bangor and driven to and around Aber, then dumped into this place Terry Waite style, I would have literally no idea where I was once the blindfold was removed.

Student factor: Plenty of them, mainly English on our Saturday visit, including some utter wankers on scooters (yes, inside the pub - very Nathan Barley). They'd have been ejected by the locals if they'd tried pulling that stunt a year ago.

Atmosphere: Loud and quite boisterous.

Drinks range: One area of definite improvement, with two scrummy Purple Moose beers - Glaslyn and a house brew (I forget the name - presumably a re-badge of a regular brew?) which were both excellent. I think there was also Fentimans soft drinks too!

TV/Music: Music - a bit too loud.

Other stuff: The bar is - weirdly - too tall, I wouldn't fancy being a midget ordering a beer. The signs are bilingual and the dragon flag still flutters outside.

Quinno’s verdict: I was too stunned by the change inside to make much of a judgement, suffice to say that the beer was good, so that's a start. Not sure what the old nationalists make of it all though...

Old review below, for posterity:

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 (usually Brains) and bottles of Bass Red Triangle - however recent reports from APG Agent Amelia suggest that the beer is often pretty terrible and that the staff aren't that interested in doing anything about it. 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. Also hosts occasional gigs.

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 - though don't drink the ale.

Aberystwyth - Yr Hen Orsaf (The Old Station) AKA Wetherspoons

2007-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Address: Station Buildings, Alexandra Road, SY23 1LH. Tel: 01970 636080 [gmap]

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/pubs/pub-details.php?PubNumber=1176

Pubs Galore page

Last APG visit: 04/03/2011

Background: A Wetherspoons pub, which opened to great fanfare 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 all-to-familiar Wetherspoons mould: cheap drinks, all-day down-and-outs drinking away their giros and the perennial background smell of grease in the air. ~~Over the last couple of years standards have taken quite a nose-dive; tables left filthy for hours for example~~. After a period of very poor management, things seemed to be picking up in March '11.

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 40/60 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 overall choice in Aberystwyth by a mile. The ale had a period of neglect and can still be a bit ropey on occasion but choice and quality seem to be improving, with an added emphasis on local (for Aber!) beers. Service is usually grindingly slow, be prepared to wait 10 minutes at the bar on a Friday/Saturday night because of the bizarre single-file queuing (presumably because of that damned pillar by the bar).

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: ~~The staff have a penchant for tying the front door wide open in all conditions which allows Arctic gales howling through the interior, meaning half the punters never take their coats off~~. Looks like my moan to Spoons HQ got that sorted :) A well-used quiz machine along with some interesting and historical Aber facts are dotted around the walls. Bogs are handy for a splash-and-dash during the day and it's one of the few pubs in Aber that is wheelchair-friendly. The usual 'Spoons food is served - usually slowly, half cold and with integral portions of the meal missing or substituted without warning. I've vowed not to eat in here again after my last experience, it's that bad.

Quinno’s verdict: ~~Whilst it's cheap, it's rarely cheerful these days; a decent manager needs to get a grip on this place.~~ Worth going because of the cheap drinks which is why it's always busy. Hopefully the improvement in standards is permanent and we can attempt to forget the pathetic omnishambles of 2010.

Aberystwyth - Nightclubs

2007-10-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

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

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Why Not (formerly Tavern in the Town; Skinner's Arms; Skinner's Video Bar; Porky’s; K2; Club Yoko's)
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

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.

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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.

Aberystwyth - Private clubs and other bars

2007-10-18T17:38:00.001-07:00

Aberystwyth Rugby club
Address: Plascrug, SY23 1HL. Tel: 01970 623800

A big scruffy barn, with clapped-out furnishings that nonetheless serves a couple of good-quality ales (alongside the usual other keg suspects) in a friendly atmosphere during match day. Appears to be free to get in, so I'd recommend a trip out for an ale and some rugby. Spot the APG Agents in the photos above...
(UPDATE - poster below says that much needed refurb has recently taken place!)
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Aberystwyth Town FC (John Charles Lounge)

Address: Park Avenue, SY23 1PG. Tel: 01970 617939

Refurbished post-fire as the John Charles Lounge, this is now an excellent place to get a pint in and watch ATFC. Has plentiful TV's with Sky Sports and a good sound system. Only downside is that it can be quite pricey. Ground located behind the bus depot. Only open matchdays and on special event evenings.

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Commodore Cinema

Address: Bath Street, SY23 2NN. Tel: 01970 612421

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 (which was on in here long before its rise to national prominence). This place is unique and needs your support - it's only £4.50 to get in!
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Conservative Club

Address: 19 Eastgate, SY23 2AR. Tel: 01970 617632

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.
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Pier Snooker Club

Address: Marine Terrace, SY23 2AZ. Tel: 01970 636101

Sold Wrexham lager for £1.50 a pint and Stella for a £1 a bottle back in the day (yeah, like 2003!), these two bargains are now long gone. Good for the football and a few frames. You can order food in here form the same menu as the Inn on the Pier. If you're lucky you might get it quicker too. There's now a beer garden out the back at the fag-end of the pier structure - innovation!

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RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) Club
Address: 46 Bridge Street, SY23 1QB. Tel: 01970 615320

Down by Rummers and 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 but worth sneaking in if you can for the novelty value. '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.

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." +++UPDATE 11/09+++ Thanks to Anonymous for the following: "RAFA CLUB now making money after new committee took over membership has increased and open to all not just x RAF also have real ale have done for a few years Hancocks HB with a Guest ale currently Reverend James. Also large Function room available for hire to members and non members." oh dear, looks like things are on the slide again: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/front_page/newsid_9379000/9379343.stm UPDATE 04/02/2011 - Looks like they live to fight another day (no pun intended) http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/front_page/newsid_9386000/9386158.stm

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Railway Club
Address:"Somewhere behind Argos"
~~Any info welcomed as to its current existence!~~* Ah-ha! Spotted by me on the train out of Aber in May, so it certainly exists - looks like it's behind the loading bay of Argos...how the hell do I get to it, I wonder?

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

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

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

Down by the Marina, sadly never sampled.
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St David's Club
Address: 35 Eastgate Street, SY23 2AR
About this I have little idea beyond the strange website above!*
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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.
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And finally...

There’s also some smaller hotel bars, like the Richmond and Queensbridge. But if you think they’ll let you and your scruffy drunken chums in on a Wednesday evening, you’ve got another think coming.

* Hat-tip: Dan Field

Aberaeron - Black Lion Hotel

2007-10-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

Address: 31 Sgwan Alban, Aberaeron, SA46 0AJ. Tel: 01545 571382 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

+++UPDATE FEB 20011+++

"After the football shown in Black Lion Hotel, the manager came round the tables with a massive bucket of sausages and chips! I was so bemused at first I declined to pick from his bucket, but then decided to sample the goods. Bizarre indeed (but enjoyable localness!)" (APG Agent Amelia)

Comprises two dark and long narrow bars with a room at the back. Husband and (grumpy) wife team serving a poor real ale (Cottage on my visit, with one unused handpull) and a quiz machine that doesn't work, along with sports TV. Notable for a random wooden Tardis in the back of the pub by the pool table (no reason for its presence given). There's a few old pictures of the town's football team dotted around and it's the pub of choice for the half a dozen fans on matchday. My sister was was able to cadge some goodies from a large bucket of sausages and chips that were doing the rounds in January.

Aberaeron - Cadwgan Inn

2007-10-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Address: 10 Market Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0AU. Tel: 01545 570149 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Small and cosy local, serving a couple of real ales in good condition (was in the Good Beer Guide 2009 but strangely not 2010). Watch out for the underfoot rumbling of the cellar refrigeration unit by the telly. Sport is usually on, with some nautical-themed memorabilia scattered around as well as some fascinating old pictures of the town on the walls. Worth a stop.

Aberaeron - Castle Hotel

2007-10-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Address: Market Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0AU. Tel: 01545 570205 [gmap]

http://www.castle-hotel-aberaeron.co.uk
Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Recently refurbished hotel lounge with a circular bar area at its centre. Interior is quite swanky (has a an American deep south feel to it) but in an attempt to cater for all tastes - or perhaps in acknowledgement of the Harbourmaster - it avoids being too upmarket and markets itself as a sports bar also, which makes for an odd clientèle mix. Food is on offer, which looked pretty good to us. Real ale is served (hooray), I had an Evan Evans Cwrw and jolly good it was too; Leffe was also available. There was also a piano but no idea if it works - give it a tinkle and let me know! We also thought the toilets were of a higher standard than one would usually expect. Background music was easy-listening Indie, if you can imagine such a concept. Overall, a pretty good, if confusing, first impression.

Aberaeron - Feathers Royal Hotel

2007-10-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

Address: Sgwan Alban, Aberaeron, SA46 0AQ. Tel: 01545 571740 [gmap]

http://www.feathersroyal.co.uk
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Not exactly a pub, but a small hotel bar with comfy armchairs offering a limited range of beverages and food for the oldies. No real ale so I plumped for Guinness. Plenty of old pictures of Aberaeron on the walls to keep you interested for a while. Check out the very nice watercolour of the pub exterior, somewhat ruined by the addition of a small crap red car. The landlady had very definite views on it. Pub is a mobile phone blackspot. Massive function room available. I've also written 'comedy carpet' down here but have no idea why.

Aberaeron - Harbourmaster Hotel

2007-10-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

Formerly known as the Red Lion

Address: Quayside, Aberaeron, SA46 0BA. Tel: 01545 570755 [gmap]

http://www.harbour-master.com
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 05/03/2011

Very swish and very modern (opened 2007) hotel and gastropub situated in the old Harbourmaster's house on the quayside. The interior bar is very nouveau-posh - slate, aluminium, glass, local art and cushions, along with huge copper lights above bar and a stuffed albatross in a case. Used to have a couple of ales on sale from Welsh brewers but they now seemed to have settled on Purple Moose and they're served in top condition - Good Beer Guide quality. They also have a personalised ale brewed for them by the Purple Moose people, called HM.

Signs are bilingual - nice touch. The massive glass frontage of the entrance to the bar (out of shot in this photo) makes for lovely views in the summer and a 'thank god I'm in here and not out there' feel in the winter when it's pissing down and a howling gale is coming in from the Irish Sea. The food menu looks nice (if expensive) though some value can be found in the pizza range. We at APG are also very fond of their cushions:

There's a lot to like here (the glowing write-ups from several national broadsheet style supplements are hung on the corridors) and I'd highly recommend getting the bus down here from Aber to sample it, as it's fast becoming the one of best pubs in the APG area.

Aberaeron - The Monachty

2007-10-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

Address: 7 Market Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0AS. Tel: 01545 570389 [gmap]

http://www.monachtyaberaeron.co.uk
http://www.sabrain.com/monachty

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

+++UPDATE Feb 2011+++
My sister has lambasted the beer quality again recently "Beer improved SLIGHTLY in Monachty, but was teetering on the verge, still." Oh dear!

A fairly modern Brains pub situated over two levels (a large dining are is on the upper level). A couple of Brains real ales on the go - Reverend James and SA on our visit - the Rev'd was pretty good, the SA less so (iffy quality borne out by latest visit from APG Agent Amelia who had to take a pint back). Features in the Good Beer Guide 2010 but shouldn't get into 2011 on this showing (UPDATE - somehow, it has). Decent quizzer and sports TV, plus a paved garden out the back. Not a bad stop but I'd be more tempted to amble on down the street towards the Harbourmaster if time is short.

Aberaeron - Prince of Wales

2007-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Address: 1a Queen Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0BY. Tel: 01545 570366 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Likeable backstreet boozer, with two different bars over two different levels, plus a fair-sized back room. The genial landlord (from Leicestershire, given his accent) is a welcoming chap and will engage in conversation. Pub is a Felinfoel tied house so two of their ales are on offer, though I hate their beers so much I had a J2O instead. Quizzer ready to take your money in the back room (which has a nice frieze of the harbour at sunset). Also extra points for the availability of Idris Ginger Beer and cheap kettle chips. Not a bad little place - in a different West Wales town it'd do well but here it's overshadowed by pubs with nicer beer. Still, I'd say it's worth popping in to show your support to a good landlord.

Aberaeron - Royal Oak

2007-10-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Address: 30 North Road, Aberaeron, SA46 0JG. Tel: 01545 570233 [gmap]

Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

A pub that looks like it hasn't seen an upgrade since 1977, pine clad walls and a carpet that's older than me. Located over two bars, it sells a manky pint of Felinfoel ale (Bitter and Double Dragon), serves basic food, has an unusable dartboard and appears to provide employment to a wide range of local barmaids. It ticks a lot of perfunctory boxes but isn't worth the effort if you aren't an extra from Gavin and Stacey.

Aberaeron - Victoria

2007-10-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Address: Victoria Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0DA. Tel: 01545 571838 [gmap]

Last APG visit: 07/11/2009

Not even really a pub these days, it's a downtrodden little bar that serves a tagged-on Indian restaurant (and the smells are much in evidence). The small interior is dominated by a pool table - you either sit around it on the banquette seating it or stand at the bar. Sports TV tuned in, though to watch it you need to crick your neck from the seats by the pool table and overcome the noise from the perennial vacuuming man. No real ale, though they did have Cobra on tap. An uncomfortable place with a bad atmosphere, we couldn't get out quick enough. Frankly, this place is crap.

Aberdovey

2007-10-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

Popped over to Aberdovey in May 2011, so will put those pubs up soon (let's hope quicker than I've done Mach, anyhow).

For those planning a trip, there are three over there:

-Britannia (locals sports bar)
-Dovey Inn (large jack-of-all-trades pub)
-Penhelig Arms (posh but characterful Brains hotel)

All on the seafront road.

Quinno

Borth - Danny's Bar (was Seahorse Inn)

2007-10-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871122 [gmap]
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page (my pic again...)

Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

+++UPDATE+++

Now appears to be called Danny's Bar. My sis reckons that the ale has gone as well! If true, a travesty!

Old review below, for posterirty:

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.

Borth - Friendship Inn

2007-10-15T04:55:00.001-07:00

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5JA. Tel: 01970 871213 [gmap]

http://www.friendshipinn.fsnet.co.uk/inn/inn.htm (very out-of-date!!!)
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

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 - the condition of which is usually fairly good. 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.

Borth - Railway Inn

2007-10-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

Address: High Street, Borth, SY24 5JE. Tel: 01970 871348 [gmap]
Beebo site
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page (yes, that's my pic...)

Last APG visit: 01/12/2009

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, plus darts. 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.

Borth - Victoria Inn

2007-10-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871919 [gmap]
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page

Last APG visit: 01/12/2009

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!

Bow Street - Rhyd-y-Pennau

2007-10-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

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.