Llanbadarn - Black Lion

The Black Lion

Address: Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3RA. Tel: 01970 623448 [gmap]
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 

Last APG visit: 19/05/2012

After a few years of instability it looks like the Black Lion has found a sure-footed landlady to revive its fortunes (apparently Kara, previously of the Nags Head). Not much has changed internally but the main difference is the selection and quality of the ale - three on during our visit (Banks, Adnams and Hop Back Summer Lightning) and pints of the latter two went down a treat. The pub has been restored to the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide and I can see why.

Service behind the bar was excellent - friendly, efficient and she even flicked the lights on over the pool table without prompting as we shoved our 50p in the slot. 

Pool table and darts feature (though annoyingly you can't play darts if the pool table is occupied) as well as a beer garden (which has seen much improvement, below). 

There are two bars, though the second one up the steps gets used very rarely. 

Here's a pic below of a painting in Aberystwyth museum of Llanbadarn and the Black Lion when it was a thatched cottage:

Currently this is well-worth the walk out of town. Well done.

Llanbadarn - Gogerddan Arms

Gogerddan Arms (AKA Y Gog) 

Address: Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3RA. Tel: 01970 615209 [gmap] 
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 

Last APG visit: 20/05/2012

The Gog is a very locals local set over two small bars. After a period of being co-run by Pete, part of the Pete n' Dee partnership that used to run the Ship & Castle, it looks to have changed hands (yet) again. So now there's one ale going on, Wells Bombardier on our visit - an odd choice for this part of the country but one of the locals was also wearing an England top too which stumped me. The quality was good though. There's been a bit of refurb inside on the right hand bar - a change of colour and a bit brighter too but it still needs a bit extra work to make it obviously better than the Lion. The left hand lounge room remains the same as it always has been and is my preferred seating area (dubious sofas not withstanding). Still has the little pool room up a couple of steps (with a Regal-branded table lamp), as well a good darts board. There's usually a line of middle-aged drinkers set up along the public bar, discussing local gossip - watch out for the woman who appears to have every taxi company's calling card in her wallet. Massive function room out the back. Hand on heart it isn't really much of an experience at the moment.

Llanbadarn - Park Lodge

Park Lodge Hotel Bar

Address: Parc-y-Llyn, Llanbadarn Fawr, SY23 3TL [gmap]
Tel: 01970 636333
http://www.aberpark.com

Last APG visit: 19/01/2008

Not exactly a top-call destination but possibly worth a stop if you happen to be wandering around in a daze after a mega-shop at Morrisons and are waiting for the bus. OK range of drinks (no ale, unsurprisingly) and plenty of food to eat. A little soul-less but a nice seat by the window, perhaps a useful revision place on a nice late spring afternoon? You might have to contend with kiddies zooming around though.