BRAPA ...GLAMOUR IN GLAMORGAN (40 pubs, but which was best according to you) Part 1/5

You know by now that I like a pub countdown from after my epic BRAPA holidays, and it doesn't get much more epic than seven nights in Cardiff.

My second favourite EVER Air B&B up on the Cathedral Road (Thetford is winning so far, Dover bottom), next to the Cricketers Arms and Pontcanna Inn (Cayo Arms on my visit) made it even more palatable. As did an evening being driven around by the local 'Pub Ticker', a lovely guy who'll remain fairly anonymous as per his wishes!

The long journey home via Birmingham rather than the usual Manchester route got me thinking.....

What if this time, instead of me ranking the pubs in order of personal preference, I absolve myself of all responsibility and put the blame on YOU. Or at least those of you on my X, BlueSky and Untappd.

So I've totted up the X and BlueSky 'likes' I received for each pub (not re-posts, that got too complicated), and in the event of a tie I've looked at how many 'toasts' my beer in each pub received on Untappd, and put them in order.

And as I write the review, I'll comment on whether I think you got it right, my dearest reader. If you feel like I'm addressing you personally, apportioning praise and blame, then good, that is the intention, you'll just have to be brave.

Let's kick off with the worst eight pubs of my holiday, according to you!

40. Village Bar & Cafe, Killay

    
    

I get it, you've seen me drinking Doom Bar and you've thought 'I'm not liking that shite' which is a shame because it was well kept Doom, though I guess most of you think that concept is impossible even though I'm here to tell you you're wrong. Too often a sweet thinnish beer though, I'll accept that. Real funny place. And hard not to compare/contrast with Glamorgan pub majesty the Railway Inn just up the road at Upper Killay which I adored in 2017. This one felt like a Craft Union trying to be a micropub. People dead strange, couple with dog trying to make themselves invisible despite their canine's sociability. Lliverpwl's shock defeat to the Plymouth Gargoyles perked me and the place up no end, with a fair smattering of plastic scousers looking glum. More people drank white wine than beer. Felt like a place struggling with its identity, but a cheap cheerful local atmos you can almost appreciate.

Si's Verdict - Well done folks, it really was one of this week's poorer GBG visits.

39. Stradey Arms, Llanelli

I could feel a warm jocular menace at this pub which I really appreciated on a holiday where the reception I received was a tad chillier than the national average. Not as convincing an interior as Swansea's Brunswick, but location and general vibe were reminiscent. I think its out of town location might be part of the reason for its low rating, you simply don't know it. "Time for another one!" screeches one of the mad Madri lads, "yeah boyo!" comes the reply, but when I bump into one in the loo, we have a nice chat about the cold wind. Local barfly makes a joke to me, I can't understand a word, but the barmaid laughs, so I join in. I quite like Rev James as I hit my mid forties, I used to hate it, and it is on form here but being third last pub of my holiday, I'm drinking it at 1 mph. But any pub playing 'Dub Be Good to Me' by Beats International featuring Lindy Layton is a winner in my book. Top of the hit parade in Llanelli, I understand.

Si's Verdict - You've been harsh here, but I understand the reasons so I'll let it go, but please try harder next time.

38. Pontardawe Inn, Pontardawe

Plonked on the edge of Pontardawe under a bridge between flyover and mountain on the edge of town like a Castle Duckula teleportation, I was slightly underwhelmed by this one. However, like the Stradey, I liked how the moustachioed blokes blocking in the entrance door welcome me in with a hairy smile. Do you lot hate friendly pubs or something? The beer was very Marston's, and with no sign of a Mansfield Riding revival, I plump for Pedigree and it is rather thick, furry and warm. Not great when you're drinking against the clock, bus looming into view. Inner stone walls, plenty of comfort, and the highlight of all, I'm desperate to pay with my remaining coins, they total £3.20 so I'm thinking it won't be enough, but barman announces £2.70. Happy hour! And he's happy I'm happy. But having followed stronger pubs in Penycae and Ystalyfera, this place suffered from a case of 'After the Lord Marston's Show'.

Si's Verdict - I'd never have ranked it this lowly but it may've struggled to reach mid table mediocrity so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

37. Mardy Inn, Gorseinon

A 'Spoons on a bus route 'twixt Swansea and Llanelli, last of pub of a long day, and I was obviously 'feeling it' because it took hours of research to remember what beer I ordered! I guess when you combine those circs, its lowly position starts to make sense. The wheelie carpet pattern combined with some devilish angular floor tiling certainly appealed to my senses, 8.75/10 combined. But how flippin' high up are those toilets? Flashbacks to Dorchester's Royal Oak. And when you get to the top, you have to go down a couple more to find the Gents. The ale was stunning quality, as I'm finding so often in 'Spoons at the moment, and as the great Sir Quinno says, they put fewer casks on in the Welsh ones and it benefits them, although Chesterfield was better than Merthyr and Llanelli so you never quite know. Still, I'd class this an above avg 'Spoons effort.

Si's Verdict - Deserves to be higher, but I'll take the blame for this one, my increasingly addled state probably made for a less detailed review at the time.

36. Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais, Cardiff

'Under new management'. Is that automatic GBG disqualification next year? Booo if so. Despite its relative proximity to Cardiff, it felt a tad obscure and I'm guessing that is the reason for its low ranking, plus it was pretty basic in a tatty homely way. The Brains Bitter was flabbier than E.Honda (Brest were getting a hammering, possibly unrelated). My new mate Pub Ticker drove me here, I think he reported favourably on the crisps. In the second half, my Brains flatlined like the Welsh Rugby Union team (thanks, I was paying attention over the weekend). Cardboard Taylor Maxwell was a statement piece which seemed to say 'it ain't always about Luke Littler ya English scum'. Carpet deserved special commendation.

Si's Verdict - I get why this didn't speak to a wider pub audience, plus you were probably all settling down for bed when I posted this, so don't feel too bad.

35. White Hart, Llantwit Major

A third consecutive 'last pub of the night', can you see a theme developing here? I jumped off the bus early after some traumatic 'lost in Monknash' happenings, needing a wee, and thought 'may as well even though it will be my SEVENTH pub of the day' which as we know, is too much for a lightweight like me. I have very little recollection of the experience other than a boisterous Saturday night atmosphere - there was a sense of 'let's forget the rugby ever happened' in every pub I went to after 4pm. The barmaid is smiley but serves a local dog before me. Symptomatic of my week as an outsider. When I finally get served, it is a random but delightful Respire by Black Sheep. Most northern beer this week, but travelled well. My fave by them outside of Riggwelter which is a sheep that fell over and couldn't get back up, which so easily could've been me tonight. I hobbled back to Cardiff and felt rough and pallid in Port Talbot next morning, which at least helped me fit in with the locals.

Si's Verdict - All on me this one, can't even rate it myself but in my hazy state, I thought it was ok. Dafydd at the Bus Stop, who'll we'll hear about again, wasn't keen, and he's probably a better judge.

34. Red Lion, Llandyfaelog

Down a steep hill from the bus stop on the road between Carmarthen and Kidwelly, this was my gateway statement tick which said 'I'm coming for you West Wales. I'm not scared of you. Well maybe a bit. But 2026, just you wait. I'll get stuck in!' The Red Lion balances old folk dining with unfussy pub atmosphere quite supremely. I'm impressed. I'm comfortable. This St Austell Tribute is one the freshest pints all year, and believe me, BRAPA has had more crappy Tributes than good ones. Something I'm sure will continue when I'm squashed to death walking along a West Welsh road next year and my eulogy is delivered in a York brewhouse. The pub even has a little section for the local drinkers next to a big pile of Good Beer Guides called the 'Surgery'. With a man fondling a wicker cow and a woman with a cardigan made out of 'Spoons carpet offcuts, I like this one.

Si's Verdict - Poor on your part, this deserves higher than 34th place. Can only assume the obscure location, sight of Tribute and volume of diners has deceived you. Be better. Thanks.

33. Glantaff Inn, Quakers Yard

A 25 minute walk from Quakers Yard station to Quakers Yard pub was an irritating surprise on my first day - I'd spent most of it travelling (York to Cardiff), so was trying to pick pubs not too from Cardiff on a rail route i.e. minimal effort. This felt like a pub stuck in Glamorgan purgatory halfway between twild teatime and 70's throwback. You had the delights of complimentary spray deodorant in the Gents (I had a squirt of Right Guard), a gaggle of hi-vis lads are stuck to the far side of the bar, but yet you had Mummies feeding Twilds fish fingers, baked beans and chips, and Daddies ascending glass fronted staircases, stuffing Fruit Shoots into their jeans back pockets to save them a second journey. The Rhymney Export started on fire, not literally, but faded to grey later on.

Si's Verdict - I think you've done well here. On a sleepy weekday afternoon, this may well feel like a boozer. But then again, Saturday afternoon's may be hell.

So that is the first eight down. I think you've done decently on the whole, but underrated a few so I'm interested to see which end up in a higher position than they deserve.

Back either tmw or Wednesday with part two.

Cheers, Si