Travel expert Simon Calder requested a visit to Cardiff’s ‘signature’ pub and got some responses. The journalist and travel guru sparked quite a debate when he asked Cardiff pubgoers what the city’s most famous pub was.
Simon took to Twitter to ask users what their city’s “signature” pub would be. He named Belfast (The Crow Liquor Saloon) and London (George) as great watering holes, but asked his followers to name their favorite spots, saying he wanted to visit them all.
His tweet, which also asked for recommendations from cities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham and Edinburgh, drew hundreds of responses. You can find all the Cardiff news here and sign up for our daily newsletter here.
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And as anyone in Cardiff knows, the city has plenty of pubs to visit. Unsurprisingly, a popular suggestion on Simon’s Twitter thread was the City Arms on Quay Street, which is a match day essential. Matt Taylor, a BBC meteorologist, said the City Arms have been a Cardiff landmark since late 1919.thousand century, and is a staple for football and rugby fans on match days.
Located close to the Principality Stadium, its expansive windows are almost as iconic as the countless bomb clips that adorn the interior walls. If you’re from Cardiff, your parents probably told you stories about the place when they were your age. A true classic.
Another classic that got more than a few votes was the Old Arcade on Church Street. The Old Arcade, chosen by rugby player Paul Williams, is a rugby fan’s paradise in Wales. Decorated with autographed shirts and memorabilia, it’s almost as much rugby heritage as a pub. With a great selection of beers and the famous TV behind the bar showing countless live sports, this has long been a place for rugby fans.
Further cues in theme, albeit trailing City Arms and The Old Arcade by a mile, were Cardiff classics The Borough and The Cottage. Sadly, The Cottage is no longer with us following closure in 2021. The historic St Mary’s Street pub initially closed temporarily at the end of 2021 when Covid restrictions were tightened, but has not reopened. The building is currently empty, its future fate unknown. You can read more about all the pubs and bars Cardiff has missed recently here.
(Image: Richard Swingler)
Quite new to the Tiny Rebel block also chimed in, retweeting his message and adding, “Come visit our brewery and taproom, we can definitely get you a beer!”
A reddit user also shared Simon’s tweet on the discussion platform, offering suggestions to other users. One of the top reviews by u/steve3146 called Queens Vaults the best in Cardiff. With rows of pool and darts tables, which are sadly becoming a rarity in more modern pubs, the Queens Vaults sit in the Principality’s shadow, making it another Six Nations must-see.
A feather and wig was another popular option. Recommended by several Reddit users, it offers live music and a location in the heart of the city that’s hard to beat. Oh, and it was named in Camra’s Good Beer Guide six years in a row.
Which pub do you think is the most famous in Cardiff? Give us your opinion below.
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Source: Wales Online
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
