The Penrhyn Arms, Llandudno

This pub is in the current Good Beer Guide, and on the basis of my very good half of Purple Moose Paradisi 4.5% (£5/pint) I think it's a good choice. There are three other beers on (see photo), and one spare hand pump. The original building has been opened out into one large space, but it's been done sympathetically, with some massive RSJs boxed in with unfinished timber. The floors are tiled and the bar is also timber fronted, with a slice of a large tree for the counter. The music is at a decent volume, though some of the tracks were not likely to be to everyone's taste, swerving wildly between jazz, hippy funk and heavy rock. The road where this and the Cross Keys are situated is narrow, with few parking places - I was lucky to find one less than 100 meters away.

The slightly better of two pubs in the village of Penrhynside, this one features in the 2023 Good Beer Guide. Quiet when we walked in early on a Saturday evening, it soon started to fill up. The barman/landlord seemed to be a friendly enough chap. Banks's Amber Ale is the regular beer. Guests were Nottingham Bullion, Three Peaks Whernside Pale Ale, Milestone Missy Sippy & Wild Horse Elements 06: Pale Ale Version 2. Ciders from Gwynt y Ddraig were Happy Daze, Black Dragon & Dog Dancer. Strangely, there was no advertising of the ciders. I was expecting some, but had to ask to find out what they had. I certainly couldn't locate the board mentioned on the previous review. There is an open-plan bar area inside, with an impressive garden over several different levels at the rear. Dogs and families are welcome. A waitress was poised ready to take some food orders. But we didn't see anybody ordering. Live music was also being promoted for that evening.