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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Botanist, Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 5BZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 3½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about Botanist
Visited 28/01/25. Visited previously as Club House on 14/02/24.
No cask. Keg offering of Pravha , Madri, Victoria Malaga, Guinness, Aspall cider and a quaff from Salt that I couldn't make out on the tap.
The venue looks like a Botanist crossed with a yacht club. The bar counter is against the rear wall from the entrance and has a rather extensive tiled area in front thereof. A large banquette facing the bar looks like it was intended for the deck of a cruise ship with some tall round tables in front thereof. A small upright piano occupies the space at the right-hand edge of the bar counter. Nothing about this place is regular seating, and there is a fire feature in the centre of the floor space between entrance and bar counter. A lively first floor bar area was on my radar only because of the noise. All told this is an interesting venue for people watching but sadly not for the quaffing options.
On 18th March 2025
- rating: 4
[User has posted 631 recommendations about 631 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Salt
Located practically next door to Terra Nova, this is another Brains venture, but not so much in the pub mould. Another vast modern building accommodates this relaxed bar which turns into a loud nightclub in the evenings. Unfortunately I visited late on a Friday night, so I’m not sure I saw the place in the best light and looking now at pictures on the venue’s website, I barely recognise it from the dark, crowded bar I remember. Split across two levels with bars and dancefloor areas on each, the most remarkable thing was the almost clinical approach to decor, with virtually no decoration of note on the plain white walls. The curved staircase connecting the two levels was perhaps the most eye catching feature, which just about says it all.
No cask ale is sold here, much to my disappointment, so I had to make do with keg Brains Black, which was thankfully quite drinkable. Brains Smooth was also available alongside Tiger and a few other mainstream products.
I was a bit let down by this place which looked quite pleasant when we passed it earlier in the day. It may well be a lot more appealing during the day and I don’t doubt that I saw it at a low point, but based on my visit, it scores pretty poorly.
On 27th June 2013
- rating: 3
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]