Last APG visit: 17/05/2012
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. The nicotine bouncers outside the main door can be off-putting to the lily-livered.
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.
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.
16 comments:
I've been here a few times to watch the footy and for a quick pint and game of pool, but wouldn't recommend it otherwise, unless you want groups of 65 year old women eyeing you up all night. Not nice at all.
Jon.
i love the vale, i was worried when i went in cuz of what id heard about it but its a great pub. also i felt so sorry for the guy behind the bar as he said how he hates to hear all this stuff about the vale which isnt true and scares people off! i would reccommend it but its more of a rough atmosphere than a lot of the student friendly pubs round here!
i went in the vale to watch a footy game as i couldnt find anywhere else who had the match i wanted on sky sports. I thought it seemed pretty rough. the locals stared us down good and proper. and being english, my welsh friend told me they were making jokes about me. we got out of there pretty sharpish after the match
I wen in here once in my 3 years in Aber, on a legendary 'every pub in Aber' all-dayer. The locals were having a pool competition which i decided to enter, already quite pissed at 8pm. I got 7-balled in the first game and had to run round the pub with my kecks down as a forfeit.
Never did go back, funnily enough.
The Vale of Rheidol used to be a very rough pub and I mean really rough called the Terminus. It changed its name to the Vale of Rheidol in the eighties and cleaned its act up. Sad to hear it has gone back to the bad old days.
Any chance you can change the contact details - the phone number and post code is in fact for the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway rather than the pub! :)
Will
www.rheidolrailway.co.uk
@ Will
Haha, yes you are right, now corrected!
You guys don't know what you're talking about; it's the best pub in town!
I would have to agree with Simon best pub in town
As a student who happens to be English who frequents this pub regularly since i began Uni 3 years ago, find the comments about it being unfriendly and a rough pub really odd.......yes the majority of people who frequent this pub are locals and Welsh but surely this just means how much of a good pub it is to drink in??
I drink in the vale regular and have NEVER heard a welsh conversation there! I think im one of only a small handful that can actually speak welsh! Plus we like the lack of student presence. This has got to be the only 'real' pub left in town
Great pub: it IS for locals, though those lost souls who wander in that are not recognised are not made unwelcome; has a wonderful friendly atmosphere even though, yes, there are many 'characters' that frequent this watering hole, some of whom you could be forgiven for quaking in yer boots when you eye-ball them, but, honestly, most are pussycats; the digital jukebox has a very eclectic selection in music, & acts such as Nina Simone are oft heard, along with great old school Rock, Soul, R&B, Reggae....& even Cilla Black (I always have a Cilla Moment with each of my selections!); all are welcome & accepted: old, young, Gay, straight, male, female...nobody is judged. Okay, the range of beer on offer is not great, but manager, 'Digger' (Keith), is still holding out for his free keg of real ale from the brewery to get him started!!! The pump is in....he just needs the keg now!! Keith & his staff are genuine, lovely, accepting folk who are always ready with good, fun banter & excellent service. Don't be put off by the negative remarks in some reviews. Come & try it for yourself. At the very least, an interesting night is guaranteed!!! See ya there!!
If you go into this pub with the right attitude and just enjoy your self,no problems,been there a fair number of Friday's recently and never seen a hint of trouble,cracking beer,cracking jukebox,nice and loud.
well this is the best pub in aber me and hubby always go there every weekend whenever we are out. we all get on and have a good laugh. i love the vale best pub going xxxxxx
I generally agree with Dan the Man's comments. Although, students who know how to behave in public would be made welcome. It's the type who think it's somehow cool to wander the streets at 3 a.m. screaming and shouting for no apparent reason who would be shown the door.
Rough!!!!!.
This is Aber not LA.Last time I went 2 of the Locals spent half an hour watching a Policeman writing a Ticket out!
The Pub is full of Locals who just like a decent Pint and are not into Real Ales and changing what they are used too.
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