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Beer of the Week (w/e 15th June 2025) with hondo
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The Pen & Wig, Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 3BJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Pen & Wig
As mentioned, this pub’s name may be a legal reference, so perhaps these grand neo-Gothic buildings constitute legal chambers, or is this, given the area, a ‘maindy’ (stone building)?
Either way, it would seem that this is a conversion of some sort, boasting that it’s been in the GBG for the last six years, now under the aegis of Heritage Pubs. Dark wood panelled, the interior is quite grand as mentioned, with affluent professional customers, many apparently drawn from the legal profession, though presumably not the criminal fraternity; what does let the place down though, are the TV screens which were showing adverts from the Food Channel on loop; how many times do I want to drink and watch a medium rare steak being turned over or a salad being tossed?
There were 10 pumps, about five dispensing Lilley’s ‘unreal’ cider, though half were sporting ‘Coming Soon’ tags, me going for a half of Glamorgan Jemimas Pitchfork (Google it) and in ok shape.
This place is an interesting addition to a crawl, but the TV dross, average beer and limited ale promised for a Thursday evening lets the side down a bit, but otherwise it’s a decent place for a prolonged stay.
On 1st June 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2242 recommendations about 2199 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Pen & Wig
Based in an upmarket suburb away from the circuit drinkers,this ornate building has the feel of a legal chambers with it's solid exterior. Inside there is a fine fireplace at the front,good wood panelling and some opulance.Opposite the bar is a wooden staircase ,while beyond is a seating area and then the beer garden,a real suntrap in good weather.A large Bass mirror adds to the interior decoration.
Real ale options on my trip were Goffs Pan -Asian IPA (NBSS 3.5) and Mango IPA,Tomas & Lilford Irreverent James,Mumbles Gold,Glamorgan Jemima's Pitchfork ,two Lilly ciders and three ales coming soon.Ales priced around £5.60 mark this out as expensive for the area but one I would return to given the range of real ales available.If crawling Cardiff,dont miss out on this one.
On 26th May 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2971 recommendations about 2971 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Pen & Wig
Pretty much the same as the last time - the wood panelling at the front remains and it's a mid-market venue straddling the students and staff of the Uni, local legal office workers and middle class locals. 10 pumps remain as per 2015 though once the ciders and ‘coming soons’ were stripped out we were down to five local ales. GBG listed, my Tomos & Lilford Nash Point was in fair shape (NBSS 3); advanced pricing at £5.45pp and I played the CAMRA discount to get it down to £4.95. The COVID enhanced garden with cast iron column seating area is impressive. 7.5
November 2015
Not far from the immediate city centre and worth putting on the crawl list. It’s a fairly traditional place in a large knocked-through Victorian terrace building (you can enter from either end). There are plenty of discrete seating areas with a large traditional bar area and back. Clean and tidy inside with a welcoming furnished feel. Busy on our late Saturday afternoon visit, with a pleasing mix of shoppers, locals and students though the music was over-loud and not really required. Ten pumps at the bar with eight ales and two ciders. A pretty good selection of micros and regionals to choose from. I stayed local and went for Cwm Rhondda and Otley O6; the Cwm Rhondda had seen better days but the Otley was much better. 10% CAMRA discount is offered and clearly advertised at the bar. Food available and we decided to eat; it’s mid-range pub grub but it must be said that the quality and service were a notch above what I expected and we all enjoyed our food (they even did Mrs Quinno’s steak properly medium as requested). Really enjoyed my visit here and would make sure I take it in again next time I’m in Cardiff. Rated 8
On 5th December 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5589 recommendations about 5570 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Pen & Wig
Looks like a terraced house, long thin room that is separated by a wall at the end. One side has high benches. Long bar on one side, picture gallery in bottom area. Dark wood panelling and a lot of real ale choice.
On 23rd November 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1556 recommendations about 1533 pubs]