Hudo Lounge, Cardiff

Visited on 07/08/24. The branch on Cowbridge Rd East of this chain of "Lounges". This one feels like others I have been to, and it would definitely be regarded as an upmarket location in this part of town! It appears to be set on ground floor only and is a long "dog leg" bending to the left from the entrance to the back in the distance. Parquet flooring throughout, the walls are predominately wallpapered with the emphasis of greens in the front and reds in the back but overwhelmed by frame to frame logjammed pictures throughout. The bar is on the right-hand wall about where the venue bends to the left and where the back part is accessed by a token two steps to elevate it slightly. The lighting is quite subdued throughout and is quite attractive in the front part particularly. No cask. Keg options were Brixton Reliance Pale Ale, Henry Weston's Vintage Cider, Cruz, Hofmeister Helles, Moretti, Menabrea and Old Mount Cider (berries and cherries). Not a bad venue but lacking in the beer dept compared to other venues around here. As with other branches in this chain you know what you get so can’t be disappointed if you find yourself here. If you like the style of your drinking establishments as kitsch, then you will love this venue and this chain. Me, I prefer beer, so can only rate venue as average.

Now called the Hudo Lounge, part of the Loungers chain.

This is a Brains outlet that is more like a Wetherspoons than the actual JDW outlet diagonally across the road. It's a long wooden floored room with the bar on the right. It extends back a long distance and has a ground floor accessible toilet with the main ones being upstairs. The tables are numbered for food orders. There are TVs but they were muted and showing sport "news". It has a low ceiling making it seem fairly dark. I got here around midday and there were a few groups of people coming in for food. There are four hand pumps which had Brain's Bitter, SA, Rev James & Rev James Gold. I went for the Gold (£3.25) which was in good nick. It's not too bad a place but I preferred the more basic public bar in the Butchers Arms up the road.