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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Wednesday, 20th December 2023
With picture contributions to 5179 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Blue Bell, Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 1PU
Served areas
Reviews of Blue Bell (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about Blue Bell
A traditional looking and fairly narrow fronted pub more or less opposite the castle, it’s quite small inside as well and all seats were taken on our recent Wednesday evening visit.
Internally it’s an upside-down L shape, with the rear area extending slightly further around to the left. Décor wise it’s quite traditional too with sanded wooden boards on most of the floor with some coloured tiling adjacent to the bar counter, and much of the ceiling having some attractive pale woodwork with inlaid dark green panelling which lent it something of an elegant air. Elsewhere the ceiling was a more familiar nicotine yellow whilst the top part of the walls were painted mauve. Much dark wood panelling was in evidence though, forming the bar counter, a large fireplace, moulded sections above the benches with inlaid mirrors and blackboards and in some cases extending out from the walls to form partitions inlaid with etched glass. Seating was a mixture of dark green fitted banquettes around the permitter, along with regular chairs elsewhere and some stools at the bar. A TV screen was showing a darts match which seemed a little out of place perhaps, but fortunately the volume was off so this was not too intrusive.
Beers on tap were their own Blue Bird Ale along with Butty Bach, Santa’s Little Belter and Jemima’s Pitchfork. Two further pumps appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Strongbow, Strongbow Dark Fruit and Inch’s Medium. Overall, a pretty decent little pub, and I’d happily pop in again if in the area.
On 23rd December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Goat Major
My only previous visit to this pub was back in the 1990s when I recall it having a very thick pile carpet. The L shaped room now has tiled and wooden flooring with comfortable green leather furnishings and wood panelled walls. A TV was showing subtitled news. It was fairly quiet on my Wednesday afternoon visit.
There are seven hand pumps which had one unused that seemed strange as the SA one was isolated further down the bar. The other five Brains beers were Dark, Bitter, Rev James, Cafe Phoenix and Bragging Rights. The latter two are from their "Craft" brewery. The Bragging Rights (£3.45) was not that crafty but was in good nick. I enjoyed visiting here and would return.
On 3rd December 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Goat Major
Well well well, what a let-down. Whilst the interior and range of Brains ales remain the same, there were a number of major downers this time. The stink of egg inside. The loud fan that made a regular and loud ‘clack’ every few seconds. The broken toilet seat in the ladies. The Brains Dark which was as flat as a pancake. Exchanged after a protracted kerfuffle but not taken off. Very disappointed by that, this is meant to be Brains' main ale showcase outlet?? At least its replacement (Gordian) was decent. Oh dear, an embarrassment - has the old Goat gone to the dogs?
June 2009
A laid-back Brains pub by the castle walls, with an inviting mock-Tudor façade. The unusual name is in homage to the handler of the Welsh Guards mascot, a goat; the handler being referred to, of course, as the Goat Major. Three Brains ales on - nothing too exciting mind, just the core range but kept and served in excellent condition. The interior is cosy and kept well with a fairly ornate bar, brass fittings, wood panelling, tiled flooring and plush leather armchairs. There are plenty of items of military and goat memorabilia to keep you amused. An enjoyable place to sup your beer, this was my favourite Cardiff pub on my recent trip and I’d make sure to visit again. Rated 8
On 10th October 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
View more reviews of Blue Bell (11)
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- Official site of Blue Bell - www.bluebellcardiff.co.uk
- Facebook page of Blue Bell - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Blue Bell - whatpub.com
Cardiff Queen Street, 0.51 miles, 9 min walk (show)
Cathays, 0.7 miles, 13 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Beer Garden : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Car Park : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Darts : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Function Room : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Hot Food : Yes - afternoons - last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Jukebox : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Karaoke : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Micropub : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Cider : No last updated 10 October 2014 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .
- WiFi : Yes last updated 25 November 2018 by Aqualung .