The Lion Hotel, Criccieth

Just up off the main road, this place straddles the hotel bar-cum-pub vibe fairly well. Looks like a mid-2000s refit with a bit of touching-up in the interim; light varnished pine fixtures, third length tongue and groove panelling and some tasteful jumbo canvas prints. Dog-leg layout with a comfy snug behind the public bar and a proper old skool carpeted hotel lounge off left (empty). Gents are swish. Two pumps at the jump with a single cask offering in Conwy Brewery Pride of Wales which was in surprisingly good shape (NBSS 3.5). Bit of atmosphere, though perhaps a bit more earthy than anticipated; the old couple sat next to me clearly thought so as they puckered-up, had a quiet word and then sidled off after a particularly robust (though friendly) exchange between the two main tables hosting different sets of well-refreshed punters. I thought this was a good bet in the context of Cricc, easily the second best place to get a pint.