Aberystwyth - Kanes

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: 19/05/2012

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. A recent internal makeover has seen the toilets moved lock stock and barrel downstairs, with the area they previously occupied being turned into a pool and quizzer room.

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 weekend 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 now a corporate ('buzzpubs'??) drinks menu at the table, centred squarely around alocopops, spirits and fighting ciders. In May 2012 we had some test tube shots which were, well, 'interesting'. Below the legal measure as well, according to a fellow APG agent.

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 upstairs now alongside a quizzer. Forgot to note if the Unicorn-monikered dart board is still in existence.

Quinno’s verdict: Perhaps you and your friends could make it a niche-pub during the week? It isn't one I'd particularly recommend myself, to be honest.

Aberystwyth - Private clubs and other bars

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! Popped my head round the door in May 2012 and it does look nicer, though I couldn't see any ale on...hope it comes back!)
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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 (keg only) 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, special event evenings and gut-buster Sunday lunches.

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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).

The room is spacious and has remained virtually unchanged since the place opened. 

This cinema is unique and needs your support  - it's only £4.50 to get in! 
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Conservative Club - CLOSED

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 - CLOSED

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 - CLOSED
Address: 46 Bridge Street, SY23 1QB. Tel: 01970 615320

My aged review from 2009

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." 

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Railway Club
Address:"Somewhere behind Argos"

Ah-ha! Spotted by me on the train out of Aber in May 2012, so it certainly exists - looks like it's behind the loading bay of Argos...how the hell does one get to it?

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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 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 - CLOSED
Address: 35 Eastgate Street, SY23 2AR
About this I have little idea beyond the strange website above!*

Update from Vas, June 2017: "Like the The Nags Head, the building was owned by Marstons. The guy running the Downies Vaults bought his freehold from them and soon after what remained of the block (from the Downies all the way round Pier street to just before Galloways used to be) was put up for sale.  The inside of the St David's Club can often be seen in the current series of Hinterland, who filmed there 6 times last year"
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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.