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The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon), Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 1DD
Pub Type
J D WetherspoonReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
A good sized Wetherspoon’s pub located just around the corner from the stadium and housed in what looks like an old warehouse unit of some sort from the back, although it does have rather more of a grander entrance at the front, perhaps being a cinema in a former life.
Internally it’s split across two floors with a full height atrium at the centre. It’s instantly recognisable as a ‘Spoons, and whilst it might not have much in the way of character it looks freshy decorated and is not at all unpleasant. There’s not really much of any note, although the curved bar counter was perhaps a bit of a feature, and the glass balustrade around the edge of the upper floor looked as though it might be a good spot to sit, and there was also a smaller bar counter on this level. Paintwork was inoffensive, with a white ceiling, taupe on much of the walls with some maroon elsewhere, and grey on the supporting pillars. Some large and colourful local artwork was on the walls, and the usual Wetherspoon’s carpet covered much of the floor area, with some tiling around by the bar.
Beers on tap were Greene King IPA, Doom Bar, Abbot Ale, Cardiff Arms 1876, Exmoor Exmas, Rudgate Evil Elf and Rhymney Xport. Ciders meanwhile were Black Dragon, Old Rosie, Strongbow in both the regular and Dark Fruit varieties, Stowford Press and Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime. I was disappointed not to see Thatcher’s Gold on which you tend to get more often than not in a Wetherspoon’s, but the friendly barman said they had taken that off in favour of Strongbow. He seemed just as disappointed as I was.
On 22nd December 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
Seems to have become the default first pub when I arrive in Cardiff. Five guest ales plus loads of cider (must have been about 10 in all?). My Mumbles Oyster Stout was in good nick. We all ate breakfast here and the food was fine.
October 2014
Revisit. Not much change to the large and cavernous interior bar - some wear and tear as well as some of the furnishings becoming shot. The bar area is decent but was less keen on the dingy window seats at the rear. As noted below, layout is Lloyds-esque and there are few tables available for groups of 4 or over. Loads of cider (evidently more than the usual Spoons standards) and also a good selection of local ales at the bar - my Celt was in extremely good nick. Still just about a 7.
June 2009
Large JDW with an entrance on either side of the building and close to the Millennium Stadium. The split-level interior is a bit more contemporary than their usual city centre offerings. A good range of ale with a distinctly Welsh slant. My early afternoon pint was in very good shape. Too cold inside, someone had been over-zealous with the aircon. I imagine this place gets rammed in the evenings and on match days, but it’s a bit better than the average Spoons and is worth a stop when quiet. Rated 7
On 23rd November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a medium sized Spoons, well certainly compared to the two down near the Central station. Inside it's a single large room with a raised area on the right, the bar on the left and another level above the raised area. There is a lift between the three levels which is a big plus as inevitably the toilets are right at the top.
The bar has three sets of five hand pumps, one of which was devoted to the usual offerings, one to some interesting ciders and the last one had just Locale beers. These were Boss Brave, Mad Dog Barking Like a Dog, Borough Pithead Porter, Tomos Watkin's OSB and Celt Experience Dark Age. I went for the Boss Brave (£2.50) which was an excellent pint.
I thought this was easily the best of the three Spoons that form a line between the station and the castle and could easily have stayed for a few.
On 16th June 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
Large multi levelled Wetherspoons very close to Arms Park, its quite cavernous with many standard Spoons fittings. But the light space and stepped levels somehow make up for what could be failings. Proudly showcasing local beers and coders and there are Welsh classics on the menu.
All ok and with friendly service, though do soeem short on staff. The beer is kept very well.
On 8th May 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Gatekeeper (JD Wetherspoon)
Large two floor Wetherspoons pub situated in between the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park and Cardiff Castle. The interior has a very modern feel, reminiscent of the Lloyds No 1 bars, with stacks of seating on the split level ground floor, yet ample space for standing on busy match days. Large screens throughout the ground floor were showing Sky Sports News and live FA Cup football without sound.
Good beer selection available including Brains SA and Bread of Heaven and Rhymney Dark and Bevan's Bitter, the latter of which was in excellent condition. The other guests all seemed to be local Welsh brews, which I thought was very encouraging.
Service was a bit slow on Sunday afternoon considering the lack of customers, but otherwise this seemed a decent enough, if somewhat uninspiring, Wetherspoons outlet.
On 10th March 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John McLaren left this review about The Gatekeeper
One of six Wetherspoon pubs in the city centre, this is situated between the entrances to the Millenium Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park so heaving on match days and stadium events. Cheaper than it's closest cousin the Prince of Wales at the end of the road
On 27th March 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4 recommendations about 4 pubs]