The Cambrian Tap, Cardiff

Narrow corner real ale house near station. American diner booths on the window side, details of craft brewing process on the other. Good choice of beers

I fully appreciate that Saturday evening is not the best time to see the pubs and bars of central Cardiff, but it’s hard to feel favourable to places like this small Irish pub after you’ve seen them at their worst. The place was packed upon our arrival, mainly due to a hen party taking up much of the space (not because there were lots of people in the party, but because their cumulative girth left little room for others). The rest of the clientele seemed to comprise the waifs and strays of the city who had all come together to dance/stagger around to Irish jigs, slopping their beer everywhere and filling the urinals with vomit. Wherever you looked, it wasn’t a pretty sight. As Irish bars go, the decor was pretty standard, with half panelled walls decorated with Irish brewerania and a few rugby shirts. The small single room has the servery in the back corner and some battered looking seating in the front half and a drinking shelf opposite the bar, so comfort isn’t really a strong suit. A few bottles and jugs are arranged above the servery and there are some decent black and white photos near the stairs down to the filthy toilets. One hand pump was drawing Brains SA, which we all gave a try only to wish we hadn’t bothered. A bog standard keg range centred around Guinness made up the rest of the draught products. I’ll give this place a bit of credit as I imagine in the cold light of day it could be a half decent traditional style boozer in the middle of the chaos of the drinking barn strip. However, the place did very little to endear itself to me on the one time we did decide to give it a try and I can’t see myself wanting to return.