The Southgate, Swansea

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Steve of N21 left this review about The Southgate

in 1928 and still privately owned by them, to solve the problem that the Swansea area village of Southgate was a village without a pub the Southgate County Club obtained a pub licence and it now functions as both a club for locals ( who get the benefit of 50p off a pint) or a pub for all. According to its own web site it has had a bit of a chequered history, including a time in the 1950s when seamen coming ashore in Swansea for rest and relaxation came to the Club, which earned it the sobriquet of "Bucket of Blood".
It’s all a lot more civilised nowadays however with Swansea seamen replaced by more placid locals and tourist visiting this part of the Gower Peninsula.
Internally it’s two separate rooms with a bar area to the left and more of a lounge room to the right. But on a fine weather day the best spot is the outside patio area to the front where there are about a dozen tables under large umbrellas separated from the road by glass screens.
The Lounge room part of the bar has three ale hand pumps and although one of these is the club house ale of Doom bar, the other two are usually local ales and for my visit these were Gower Brewery Gold and Power and both of there were very well kept. Due to current Covid restrictions they were not doing food during mid week so cannot comment on this but the welcome was very warm and the Ales were chilled to the correct level and well-kept
The village of Southgate is situated at the start of the Gower coast path encompassing the scenic Pobbles bay, 3 cliffs bay, and the vast sands of Oxwich Bay, all of which become accessible at shore level during low tide.And after strolling along the expansive sands and returning to Southgate via the cliff top path with its stunning vistas, The Southgate bar does literally appear as an oasis appearing from the desert as you return to the NationalTrust car park at the southernmost point of the village.

On 15^th June 2021 - rating: 8
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