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.

Borth - Bosun's Call (was Seahorse Inn/Danny's Bar)

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871122 [gmap]
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page (my pic again...) 

Last APG visit: 29/03/2009

+++UPDATE+++

Now appears to be called Bosun's Call

Old Seahorse review below, for posterity:

A newcomer to the Borth pub scene (so new it still smelt of wood laminate and paint) and a welcome addition. We regularly pop in for the Sunday carvery (£5, bargain!) which is very tasty with extremely generous portions. Beer-wise, there are two cask ales: a guest ale of Newmans (last visit), alongside the regular Butty Bach, with some other keg items available. The atmosphere is good and we get a warm welcome. It feels like a very community-oriented place (including an old boy playing a hammond organ in the corner to himself). There's a big screen for sports and suchlike, I watched the Boat Race on it whilst the other APGer's rinsed the quiz machine of a tenner (Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old really wants to pay here). Very close to the train station, so ideal for a quick pint after you've been to the Animalarium.
 

Borth - Friendship Inn

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5JA. Tel: 01970 871213 [gmap]

http://www.friendshipinn.fsnet.co.uk/inn/inn.htm (very out-of-date!!!)
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page 
 

Last APG visit: 19/04/2008

A nice little community place, with a couple of good ales on, one of which is the rather good Butty Bach - the condition of which is usually fairly good. Interior is down a step, feels like a proper little den. Bits of paraphernalia around the walls make for homely atmosphere. Check out the unusual pub sign, double sided with a different illustration on each. 

 
Dogs are welcome and a beer garden is located out back. TV in the main bar normally with horse racing on. Some unusual pics up in the bogs. Landlord is a bit of a misery though, cheer up mate! All in all, a nice pub, good for an impromptu singalong.

Borth - Railway Inn

Address: High Street, Borth, SY24 5JE. Tel: 01970 871348 [gmap]  
Beebo site
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page (yes, that's my pic...)

Last APG visit: 01/12/2009

Quite a locals pub, with a younger clientèle than the other three in the town. Has had an extensive refurb in the past couple of years. Has a so-so ale (Rev'd James) and a quiz machine, plus darts. Functional beer garden out back. 

Check out the retro Borth FC footy shirt. Loves its sport, got SKY and Setanta. Pretty popular, and can be difficult to get a seat at weekends.

Borth - Victoria Inn

Address: Borth High Street, Borth, SY24 5HZ. Tel: 01970 871919 [gmap]
Ceredigion CC historical pub info page


Last APG visit: 01/12/2009

+++Seems to have shut and re-opened again since the review below from 2009+++

The Victoria is now re-furbed and re-opened. Popped in for a pint and noted that:

a) The inside looks like a sanitized Wetherspoons. An odd choice for Borth. 

b) The interesting ale selection has been replaced by Rev'd James. Rubbish!

c) No obvious availability of ice creams, cockles or stuffed Gorillas.

d) And no multi-coloured fairy lights outside.

Can't imagine it'll be much fun on a wet November evening. We shall see. For now, it's abdicated its place as Borth's best pub. 

Previous review, for posterity:

A really, really good pub, lots of atmosphere. Has three ales on the go (two from the fabulous Wye Valley brewery and a Rev'd James) which are usually in good condition, though the Rev'd James had to go back on our last visit. Sells cockles and ice creams (from a dark room round the back!) and has food on in a restaurant section in the rear overlooking the sea. Also has a nice beer garden (no access to the seafront though, apparently!), as well as telly and a large stuffed Gorilla called Jacko (see below, posing with Degu) who you need to guess the birthday of for a quid. Oh, and the colourful fairy lights outside too. A winner, well worth the trip to Borth for on a wet and windy Friday night!