Travel expert Simon Calder has asked for Cardiff's "signature" pub and had more than a few responses. The journalist and travel guru sparked quite the debate when he asked Cardiff pub-goers which is the city’s most iconic pub.
Simon took to Twitter to ask users what their city’s “signature” pub might be. He hailed Belfast’s (The Crow Liquor Saloon) and London’s (George) as undeniably great watering holes, but asked his followers to name their local favourites saying he wants to visit them all.
His tweet, which also asked for reccomendations for cities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham and Edinburgh, has garnered hundreds of responses. You can find all of our Cardiff news here and subscribe to our daily newsletter here.
Read more: Cardiff's most romantic restaurants to inspire you for Valentine's Day according to Tripadvisor
And as anyone from Cardiff knows, the city has more than a few must visit pubs. Unsurprisingly, a popular suggestion on Simon's Twitter thread was the City Arms on Quay Street, an essential on match days. Given the nod by BBC meteorologist Matt Taylor, the City Arms has been a Cardiff landmark since the late 19th century, and is a staple for football and rugby fans on match days.
Situated near the Principality Stadium, its wide windows are almost as iconic as the countless pump clips that adorn the walls on the inside. If you’re from Cardiff, your parents have probably told you a story about this place from when they were your age. A true classic.
Another clasic that had more than a few votes was the Old Arcade on Church Street. Picked by rugby columnist Paul Williams, Old Arcade is a Welsh rugby fan’s paradise. Decorated with signed jerseys and memorabilia, it’s almost as much a rugby heritage site as it is a pub. With a good range of beers and their iconic behind-the-bar TV which runs an endless stream of live sports, it has long been a place for rugby fanatics to call home.
Other suggestions on the thread - albeit behind the 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 after closing in 2021. The historic pub in St Mary Street initially closed temporarily at the end of 2021 as Covid restrictions were reinforced but it never reopened. The venue is currently vacant with its future unknown. You can read more about all the pubs and bars Cardiff has lost recently here.
And fairly newbies on the block Tiny Rebel also got involved, retweeting his message and adding: "Come pay our brewery and taproom a visit we're sure we can sort you a pint!".
A reddit user also shared Simon's tweet on the discussion platform, offering other users their suggestions. One top comment from u/steve3146 named the Queens Vaults as Cardiff’s best. Boasting a row of pool tables and a dartboard – which is sadly becoming a rarer sight in more modern pubs – Queens Vaults sits in the shadow of the Principality, making it another must-visit on a Six Nations matchday.
The Pen & Wig was another popular choice. Suggested by several Reddit users, it offers live music and the location – right at the heart of the city – is hard to beat. Oh, and it has been named in Camra’s Good Beer Guide for six consecutive years.
Which pub do you think is Cardiff’s most iconic? Have your say below.
Read more:
- Lonely Planet names small Welsh island as most romantic place in whole of the UK
- The new Oodie dupe for Valentine's Day that's on a two-for-one offer
- The three Welsh locations listed as the most romantic places to visit in the UK
- Chanel perfume, Pandora, £2,000 Selfridges gift card for just £10 in new 'mystery deal'
- Six romantic Welsh cottages perfect for a Valentine's Day stay
