The Old Arcade, Cardiff

This place is something of a Cardiff institution that I've been to more than once before but not for well over thirty years. It's a shrine to Welsh Rugby and I wouldn't care to visit it when there was Rugby or any other event on at the nearby stadium. The wide two bar layout has been well described below and I stuck to the front bar which had a fair crowd in. The six hand pumps had one unused, Brains Dark, Bitter, SA, SA Gold & Rev James. I went for the Dark (£2.70) which was first class. It's well worth a look especially now there is competition next to it.

Decent old Brain's pub, retaining two bars - both very traditional, with the front one having slightly lighter decor and open windows above the pavement tables having a wider clientele than the back bar being fuller of rugby memorabilia and older blokes. Behind this, there is also a small designated patio smoking area. The six handpumps in each bar are entirely devoted to the brewery's own beers, from which selection I went for the 'house' Festival Ale (£3.45).

Another Brains outlet (there are so many in the area). This one has an unremarkable interior (bar the nice servery), reminiscent perhaps of an older JDW. Full Brains range plus one of their craft offerings. My Brains Dark was in fair condition but tasted tinny. Kudos to the barman who found us with a delayed drink order in a busy pub. Not one I’d make an effort to re-do, really.