Bank Vault, Aberystwyth

Blue Scrumpy left this review about Bank Vault

Originally, I'd planned to make the Ship & Castle my final pub of the night in Aberystwyth. However, I walked in there to find nothing I particularly fancied and nobody behind the bar who particularly fancied serving me. I decided to try the Bank Vault out instead.

Similar service problems were evident in the Bank Vault, where a group of bar blockers meant that it was impossible to get to the bar itself which is awkwardly situated in the rear left-hand corner of the room. With one barman free to serve, he decided to have a drink himself and then disappear to look for glasses. Another couple of girls who had walked in after me managed to find some space at the bar as some of the blockers moved on, leaving me waiting longer for the one remaining barman to serve me.

I had arrived on a live music night. The act called Tractorbator were luckily just finishing their last track as I arrived and they wasted no time in packing up and leaving. With seats at a premium on the ground floor level, I found a mezzanine level also with all tables taken. Luckily with the band on their way out, most were also drinking up and starting to leave too, allowing me to secure a table. Unfortunately, the bar staff also decided they were going to shut up shop early. They say that they open until midnight, but rang the bell at 11:15.

This is primarily a craft beer bar. Beers are listed on a tablet which can be found on the bar. Perhaps they have plans to fit a TV screen, but for now this slightly unique way of listing beers (there are no pumpclips anywhere) makes it a little difficult to work out what you want to order, especially with the bar blocker issue.

Anyhow, I finally established that the beer choice was Geiper Pilsner, Below Wild Juice Chase, Bluestone Carnigli, Brass Castle Vast Dreams, Unity One For The Cameras, Phantom Feeling This & Somewhere City, Polly's Simcoe Maverick, Beer Riff Sharp Dressed, Tiny Rebel Pineapple Express & Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout.

In addition, there were 3 real ciders fetched from casks to the rear of the bar - Tricky UFO, Broadoak Vintage & Watergull Orchards Strawberry Cider.

Probably driven by the student population of the town, craft beer demand appears to have increased markedly in Aberystwyth. This pub is a sister pub to the Bottle & Barrel. The owners certainly seem to have found a decent market for their product. However, whilst they both specialise in craft beers, they are also quite different, with the Bottle & Barrel being a much quieter venue also offering real ales, whilst the Bank Vault seems to specialise in live music.

The Bank Vault is certainly another interesting addition to Aberystwyth and service issues aside, it was a decent end to my Saturday evening.

On 10^th June 2024 - rating: 6
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