This real ale bar is the first Rhymney Brewery pub to open
in Cardiff. Rhymney Beers are on draught (Rhymney Bitter, Rhymney Dark, Hobby
Horse, Rhymney Export, Bevan’s Bitter). Ciders, wine and other drinks are
available, but food is pretty much limited to packets of peanuts.
Alcohol licences have become harder to obtain in this area. In
their Premises Licence application (to convert the old Choices Video Store),
Rhymney Brewery stressed that the bar would not be aimed at young people and
that there would be no loud music. They stated that there would be no alcopops and
no pool table, just good beer and good conversation; recreating a good
old-fashioned “local”.
Their stated target audience is the over 50s. This appears
to be based on the age of clientele in three of their existing bars: The
Winchester in Merthyr Tydfil, The Prince of Wales in Aberdare, and the bar at
their new brewery and visitor centre in Blaenafon. However, among the objections
submitted against the application (mainly concerning drink-related anti-social
behaviour in the area), one questioned the likelihood of the over 50s being the
customer base on the Albany Road.
I must admit, as a member of their target audience (just),
this was my sort of bar. The beer is good and the welcome genuine. Children and
U21s are discouraged. The lack of clattering cutlery (and not waiting while
someone makes a complicated food order before you can get a pint) is a pleasant
change.
Will The Andrew Buchan become a good old-fashioned “local”?
In many respects the signs look good. However, the large TV
screens showing Sky news and, presumably, sports, do not correspond with my
memories of good old-fashioned locals; they are certainly not conducive to good
conversation, and the place risks becoming a sports bar. Call me old-fashioned,
but I think a rack of newspapers and some well-chosen background music provides
for a more relaxing drinking experience.
Of course, to be a good old-fashioned local you need to have
locals and also I believe be a focus for some community activity (such as a
village pub has a darts or soccer team). It will be interesting to revisit The
Andrew Buchan in the years to come to see how well it’s carving out such a
niche.The Andrew Buchan, 29 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3LH
See also:
A walk along Albany Road:http://sfnottingham.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/albany-road-cardiff.html
The Andrew Buchan is named after the founder of the original
Rhymney Brewery in Merthyr Tydfil in 1839. By the 1850s, it was the biggest
brewery in Wales. Andrew Buchan died in 1870, aged 77.
Rhymney Brewery:
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