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Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:38 pm
by elgdav
Quote from Varsity Cardiff Facebook Page:

"...so sad to say we are entering the last week of varsity..." not entirely clear what this will mean from the message although the one in Aberystwyth is apparently changing to become "The White Horse"

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:51 pm
by elgdav

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:14 pm
by Ash
elgdav wrote:Bierkeller opens in August
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... er-8571265


Forgive me if I give it a miss!

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:15 am
by elgdav

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:38 am
by Karl
The bierkeller place sounds like an 1980's shopping mall food court only with alcohol with its german beer hall/sports bar/world beers mash up. I imagine that it will do very well in Cardiff especially on rugby days. The guide prices look hefty though - all beers over 4 quid a pint. I'm still reeling from being charged £4.20 for a pint of Peroni in the Yard a few years ago. Since then I can't walk past the place without getting a headache.

Am I alone in voicing my concern at the growing price of a session? On a night out I still get £20 out of the cashpoint thinking this will see me through a decent amount of ale, chips and the bus home. It barely covers a round in some places. I know there is Wetherspoons for the cash conscious consumer but I don't feel ready to succumb to the vaguely melancholic fug that habitually shrouds your average Spoons.

On another note it looks like Stadium Plaza is going to be fully let soon which is a shame as I would have liked to have seen it knocked down.

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:41 pm
by Simon_SW17
I used to get £20 out of the cash machine for a night out in 1995 Karl, think a bit of catching up is needed :D

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:51 pm
by Jantra
Cardiff hostelries do seem to charge at the top end of the 'you must be fookin joking' scale. rarely do I have much left over from a ton when I go for a few sociables in town.

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:04 pm
by RandomComment
I paid £4.90 for a 330ml bottle of beer in a fairly standard bar in the West End last weekend. Count yourself lucky if you can get a whole pint for £4.20.

Cardiff's prices are rather variable I think. You still get cheap deals during the week - especially those aimed at students. £2 pints, even less. And if you're not averse to the gays, the gay bars offer pretty cheap prices during the weekend too.

But prices have crept up post-recession in many of the nicer bars in Cardiff. Still not Bristol, or London prices though.

And Varsity have a bit of a cheek - pretending they are closed for refurbs, when its because they were ordered to for selling drink to minors. Thats corporate 'spin'/b*shit at its most brazen. A bit like BA/IAG spinning their recent changes to the Avios programme as about making it "fairer", and giving you "more chances to spend your miles" when it was, in effect, a large devaluation in the currency for the vast majority of users. We often lambast our politicians for this - for good reason - but corporates are even worse!

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:27 pm
by RandomComment
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/f ... ly-8613978

Something called "Hopbunker" taking over the old barfly unit, focusing on locally brewed craft beers. Apparently going for an 'industrial-ish' theme. Out of interest, isn't the main building being turned into student flats? Maybe this will be better for that than a venue focused on live music.

Re: Bar News

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:59 pm
by Karl
I saw that. Apparently the people behind it are brewers based in Pontyclun and they are opening up this venue as a way of getting their beer sold to a wider audience. They suggest that they couldn't get pubs to stock their beer and point to Brains, with their stranglehold over the city centre, as as being the main miscreants in this regard. I think Tiny Rebel were faced with a similar quandary which led to the opening of the Urban Tap House (which is really good despite the shit name). Perhaps Otley and Celt brewery may go the same route? Whatever happens the city centre is looking a bit more interesting than a few years ago with a number of independents opening up and a wider variety of boozers.

On a related note the outside works on Northgate House are almost complete. Contrary to all expectations I think the conversion is quite decent. They've got elements of white render and grey cladding which echo the buildings next to it (Lloyds TSB and the old Bank of Wales building). I was expecting a Shand House-esque abortion of a conversion but have been pleasantly surprised.