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Picture of The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Wednesday, 20th December 2023
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The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon), Cardiff

9 Westgate Street
Cardiff
CF10 1DD
Correct details

Pub Type

J D Wetherspoon

Served areas

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Reviews of The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon) (Average Rating: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Blackthorn _ left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)

A good sized Wetherspoon’s pub located just around the corner from the stadium and housed in what looks like an old warehouse unit of some sort from the back, although it does have rather more of a grander entrance at the front, perhaps being a cinema in a former life.

Internally it’s split across two floors with a full height atrium at the centre. It’s instantly recognisable as a ‘Spoons, and whilst it might not have much in the way of character it looks freshy decorated and is not at all unpleasant. There’s not really much of any note, although the curved bar counter was perhaps a bit of a feature, and the glass balustrade around the edge of the upper floor looked as though it might be a good spot to sit, and there was also a smaller bar counter on this level. Paintwork was inoffensive, with a white ceiling, taupe on much of the walls with some maroon elsewhere, and grey on the supporting pillars. Some large and colourful local artwork was on the walls, and the usual Wetherspoon’s carpet covered much of the floor area, with some tiling around by the bar.

Beers on tap were Greene King IPA, Doom Bar, Abbot Ale, Cardiff Arms 1876, Exmoor Exmas, Rudgate Evil Elf and Rhymney Xport. Ciders meanwhile were Black Dragon, Old Rosie, Strongbow in both the regular and Dark Fruit varieties, Stowford Press and Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime. I was disappointed not to see Thatcher’s Gold on which you tend to get more often than not in a Wetherspoon’s, but the friendly barman said they had taken that off in favour of Strongbow. He seemed just as disappointed as I was.

On 22nd December 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1937 recommendations about 1850 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)

Seems to have become the default first pub when I arrive in Cardiff. Five guest ales plus loads of cider (must have been about 10 in all?). My Mumbles Oyster Stout was in good nick. We all ate breakfast here and the food was fine.

October 2014
Revisit. Not much change to the large and cavernous interior bar - some wear and tear as well as some of the furnishings becoming shot. The bar area is decent but was less keen on the dingy window seats at the rear. As noted below, layout is Lloyds-esque and there are few tables available for groups of 4 or over. Loads of cider (evidently more than the usual Spoons standards) and also a good selection of local ales at the bar - my Celt was in extremely good nick. Still just about a 7.

June 2009
Large JDW with an entrance on either side of the building and close to the Millennium Stadium. The split-level interior is a bit more contemporary than their usual city centre offerings. A good range of ale with a distinctly Welsh slant. My early afternoon pint was in very good shape. Too cold inside, someone had been over-zealous with the aircon. I imagine this place gets rammed in the evenings and on match days, but it’s a bit better than the average Spoons and is worth a stop when quiet. Rated 7

On 23rd November 2015 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5050 recommendations about 5033 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a medium sized Spoons, well certainly compared to the two down near the Central station. Inside it's a single large room with a raised area on the right, the bar on the left and another level above the raised area. There is a lift between the three levels which is a big plus as inevitably the toilets are right at the top.
The bar has three sets of five hand pumps, one of which was devoted to the usual offerings, one to some interesting ciders and the last one had just Locale beers. These were Boss Brave, Mad Dog Barking Like a Dog, Borough Pithead Porter, Tomos Watkin's OSB and Celt Experience Dark Age. I went for the Boss Brave (£2.50) which was an excellent pint.
I thought this was easily the best of the three Spoons that form a line between the station and the castle and could easily have stayed for a few.

On 16th June 2015 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Aqualung .
Cardiff Central, 0.51 miles, 9 min walk (show)
Cardiff Queen Street, 0.67 miles, 12 min walk (show)
Cathays, 0.86 miles, 16 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon), Cardiff
22nd Dec 2023, 12:44
Review submitted by Blackthorn _
 
20th Dec 2023, 22:43
Picture submitted by Blackthorn _ approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • CAMRA Discount : No - 50p JDW vouchers only - last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Car Park : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Darts : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Dog Friendly : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Function Room : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Jukebox : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Karaoke : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Live Music : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Micropub : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Pinball : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Pool Table : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Real Cider : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 23 November 2015 by Quinno _
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