Usk Vale, Malpas, Newport

Blue Scrumpy left this review about Usk Vale

This place formerly called the Gladiator is a bit of a dump. Reached by a curving lane, it was not immediately obvious where the entrance was. I almost completed a full lap of the pub before finding an open door on one side. It looks like the main entrance used to be up a flight of steps from the outdoor patio area, but these were taped off as presumably there was some kind of health and safety hazard.

The one other customer witnessed departed just before I arrived. So, I was the only person present, apart from the barmaid. Entering via the side door, you arrive into a large area probably used mainly for dining. Another side room had tables made out for dining too. Although there were Christmas crackers on the tables. Whether they haven't been moved since last Christmas or whether they're getting ready for the next one, was unclear.

I headed along a corridor towards the abandoned main entrance into the bar area where a cacophony of noise was being produced by a couple of TVs showing the replay of a previous night's Premier League match which were competing with music. I can understand having the music, but why have the TVs on with sound when nobody is watching them?!

Real ale has long been discontinued here. The keg choice was Glamorgan Ffresh, Strongbow, Old Mout, Inch's, Moretti, Cruzcampo or Amstel.

The barmaid seemed friendly enough, but I'm struggling to find any positives here.

On 5^th February 2024 - rating: 2
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