Wednesday 24 October 2007

Aberystwyth - Lord Beechings

 
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 them. 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.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sine SALT opened Beechings has got the old Bar E menus, so the food in there is pretty good and you get alot for your money - like the massive 16oz gammon for £7.95 or something equally cheap.

One for the hungry student on a budget.

Anonymous said...

Really nice pub, comfortable and clean. Very good value food, certainly the best bar in aber.

Anonymous said...

I know I'll sound like a broken record/old fart/whatever, but seriously, the Lord Beechings is nothing like the Beechings I owrked in - the Three Tims and a Kim.

Good times. I'll never forget the night we were raided by the cops the night the boxing was on. Stayed drinking through till 8am then staggered home.

Anonymous said...

I remember this from when I was a kid - they used to have a skittles alley in the building at the back of the garden.

Forgot all about it until I was in their for a pint in about 96...