Blue Bell, Conwy

The Blue Bell is situated nextdoor to the recently re-opened George & Dragon, the only pub I didn't bother to visit on my recent trip to Conwy. The interior was dark and despite being reasonably quiet when I arrived, the barman was struggling to cope with an influx of new arrivals, including myself. The real ale range has deteriorated to just Welsh Pride & HPA. Not as good as I was hoping.

As this is a Punch Taverns pub my expectations were low. Inside it's a single roughly square room which was obviously once two bars but all that's left now is a half partition. I turned up here on a Sunday afternoon and it was quiet apart from an acoustic folkish sort of group playing on the stage to the right. Their instruments sounded good but I doubt that vocally they would even make it to the comedy part of the X Factor. I was tempted to ask the barman if I should call for an ambulance. The bar has four hand pumps which had a cider and unusually three fixed beer options. These were Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Titanic Plum Porter and Conwy Welsh Pride. I went for the Titanic (£3.70) which was in excellent condition. I enjoyed this one much more than I had anticipated.

Reasonable town pub with a remodelled interior and refurbished furniture / decor in several seating areas around the central bar. Also has a pool table to one side. However, if the weather permits, the rear split-level decking beer garden is probably the best spot. A bank of four handpumps on the bar counter offer the local Conwy Welsh Pride (£3.20) plus Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and a cider.

The pub's a bit sterile inside and it's not the best pub in Conwy but decent enough.

I'd put this in the bar rather than pub category, they've clearly had a recent refurbishment and it's all a bit new and manufactured. Decor is bright and clean with a number of mirrors and photos dotted around. Popular for real ale I imagine, four hand pumps one was unused but the others had Black Sheep, Ringwood Boondoggle and an excellent Bath Barnstormer. I'd recommend a visit for the beer but not the atmosphere.