The Black Griffin, Lisvane, Cardiff

Visited 24/10/24 for this review and visited many times over the last 15 years as my in-laws live(d) nearby. Interesting cask offering (for a GK pub) of GK IPA (OK give me that one), OSH, Lilley’s Bee Sting, GK Impact, Lilley's Apples & Pears cider, GK Blood Hound orange flavoured stout. Typical chain keg offering of Carling, Coors, San Miguel, Madri, Guinness, Thatchers Gold, Level Head, Neck Oil & Peroni. As stated, GK pub in the upmarket North Cardiff suburb that is Lisvane. To left of door is a long brown leather banquette winding round the front wall to the fire grate with regular tables and chairs plus a larger table in front of the fire grate. The TV sits above the fire grate. There is a snug beyond this section with some nice seating options and leading outside to the smoking area. The pub is a mix of bare boards and stone slabs and there are some immense wooden beams dividing the ceiling. The bar counter is opposite the front entrance and there are some stools on the left end that are always popular with locals. To the right of the front door are a row of regular tables and chairs and the end of this side of the venue has a flight of steps leading up to a mezzanine area, which in all the years of visiting this local I have never checked out! The pub is popular to watch live sport. There is quite a bit of outside seating at the front and side of the pub.

The Black Griffin may well be in a suburb of Cardiff and very close to the M4 motorway, but it has the feel of a village pub. Bar staff were friendly. Although, they wanted us to download the Greene King app in order to place a drinks order, despite it being quiet. After going to the trouble of doing this, we found neither of the drinks we wanted were on the app, meaning the barmaid had to come over to take our order. It's very frustrating. But in fairness, many pubs have the same issue. Three real ales were on - Greene King IPA, Morland Old Speckled Hen & Wye Valley Butty Bach, in addition to a real cider - Weston's Old Rosie. The interior has a galleried dining area, which is quite appealing. Beware of the large step on exiting the gents' toilet. After a few Old Rosies, I could imagine a mishap occurring. Despite the frustration with the app, this was my favourite pub of 6 in Cardiff.