Bar News

These are really great responses guys. Thanks a million. I had no idea about 70s and early 80s venues. Keep the information coming

Sirs is a fab name for a gay bar, so much classier than Pulse (I'd imagine literally as well!).

I wish I still had my old copy of the Sparticus Guide! I've never forgotten the entry for Merthyr - this was it in its entirety;

"Merthyr Tydfil has the world's most boring gay scene. BAR Red Cow, 3rd Wednesday of the month"

BAR Red Cow, 3rd Wednesday of the month"

14:00-15:30

I've had a look but can't find this anywhere on the forum..

A friend of mine was in The Wharf on Saturday night and was told by the bar staff that it's closing down and being turned in to apartments. Apparently the takings have taken a real hit over the last few years and it's no longer sustainable!

There's a shortage of apartments in Atlantic Wharf and a glut of pubs, hang on...

The Wharf had gone pretty down market when I was in there earlier this year which either explains the slowdown in business or reflects Atlantic Wharf nowadays.

There's a bit of history behind why the Wharf has always struggled.

Back in the 1980s, before the barrage was even a gleam in the government's eye, there were ambitous plans for a 'maritime quarter' around the Bute East dock. The Wharf and South Glamorgan County Hall were meant to be the anchor developments and I think I'm right in saying that Brains received a fair bit of public money towards the cost of building the place.

When CBDCC came into being the emphasis switched to the barrage and the so-called "arc of entertainment" between the Norwegian Church and the Saint David's hotel. Many of the sort of developments planned for the east dock went to the waterfront instead.

It is a pity the Wharf is closing though. It's an attractive building and I shouldn't imagine there are many alternative community spaces nearby.

The Westgate and The Grange are up for sale

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... p-10246162

http://www.gva.co.uk/Property/9191/
http://www.gva.co.uk/Property/9192/

Surprised to see the Westgate listed, always seemed fairly lively in there, hopefully that will remain a pub. As for the Grange, went in there a couple months back and it was dead, run down inside, staff seemed disinterested and a group of kids came in at the end. It's days as a boozer are sadly numbered IMO, thankfully the Cornwall isn't too far away

I've spent many happy hours in the Grange over the years but I wouldn't be surprised if it was converted for other uses. Last time I went in it was funereal. The Westgate is more a transit pub. Many Cardiff City fans use it for a pint or two before moving into Canton and quite often it's a stopping off point for a quick pint before pushing onto town. I can't imagine it has much of a local clientele though.

Grangetown, Adamsdown, Riverside and Splott are all working class districts that were formerely awash with pubs but which now have one or two at most. I think this is a national trend. Basically going to the pub is now a middle class activity. If you want a good selection of pubs with a strong following you are better off going to Whitchurch, Llandaff, Pontcanna.

Thats definitely true Carl.

The pubs that are doing well now are those in city centres, especially those with lots of commuters travelling by public transport. A pint or three after work is an institution in London, and to a lesser extent places like Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham. (Not so much in cities like Brum and Cardiff where more commuting is by car).

And in more middle class suburbs, where they also often serve food.

Pubs in old working class areas have run into a perfect socio-economic storm.
a) Their traditional customer - the male manual worker - is becoming an endangered breed.
b) The younger local "working class" often is in a pretty precarious economic position - high unemployment, low pay, high housing costs.
c) Many incoming migrants (especially from overseas) just aren't going to buy into pub culture. Whether for religious reasons (e.g. Muslims) or just more general cultural reasons (Black Africans, Indians, etc).
d) The young "hipster" type incomers starting to move into these areas will generally not go to the old style pubs. They may like their craft beers. But they like their trendy venues (even if that often means pastiche 'traditional'). Once you get a critical mass new venuse might open up to cater for this group but it won't be the old pubs. And the young "yuppie" types will socialise in the city centre or enjoy a bottle of wine at home.
e) Alcohol in supermarkets is much more readily available and substantially relatively cheaper than 30 or 50 years ago, say.

Add all 5 together. And its the reason why pubs are closing down all over working class districts. Its the same in Rotherhithe where I live in London. Last 2 years or so, 3 pubs have closed on an approx 1 mile stretch of Rotherhithe Street. Those that have survived have usually had really really good locations (e.g. riverside or dockside terraces).