- Posts: 463
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:35 pm
HalRobsonKanu wrote:Gin and Juice is the latest part of the Barker empire. I've not seen it in person yet but, from your photograph Paul, it really does look fantastic.
I'm also very much looking forward to the new Crafty Devil bar, which probably sounds more like the sort of place that I'd like to go for a drink.
It's been great to see a growing number of small, independent bars (along with smaller chains such as BrewDog) opening in town over recent years, bringing much more choice for more discerning customers. We're also getting seeing places like Curado and Bar 44 doing really well. It's strange to think that 15-20 years ago huge warehouses like Walkabout, offering crap lager, chart music and vertical drinking culture seemed like the future.
Whilst we have lost some old pubs that I do still miss, like the Park Vaults, I think Cardiff city centre today is a much more interesting place for a night out. Hopefully we will continue to grow this culture of smaller independent bars and restaurants, along with the music scene. One thing that's still missing, from a personal point of view, is a pub with a really good jukebox.
Agree with pretty much all of that. I'd like to see some better restaurants in the city centre and it would be nice if some of the empty buildings in Womamby Street and Castle Street could be brought back into use. I think the city centre is really missing a decent pub with a beer garden. Difficult to see how that will be resolved although perhaps any pub situated in Central Quay will take advantage of the riverside location.
This part of the city centre is very much food and drink driven now. I think the owners of the arcades are recognising that and are moving tenants around so that the corner units facing the street can continue to trade after 6.00pm. As an example Nine Yards have recently opened in the corner unit of High Street arcade (facing Working Street).