Aberystwyth - Marine Hotel

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 Cambrian. 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 to holocaust 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.