please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Agree with Blue Scrumpy. The Castle is now run by yet another holding company and is now only one bar. It seems, from the noise last weekend, that the pool table and juke box have been moved to the kitchen area. For a Saturday night a lot of the regulars were missing and as regards atmosphere there wasn't any. The quiz is still running thanks to the work of the Mel the quizmaster and if it ceases then the pub will surely die. A shame as it was a great pub. Things went downhill when the long standing tenant, Graham, moved to a Cardiff pub a few years ago and it has been run my management companies ever since. Was my local but now it is an occasional visit.
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The Castle Hotel is situated at the top of a hill, outside the centre of Barry. It's a large building. But only part of it appears to be in use right now. In fact, I initially thought it was closed. But an open door was the only invitation I needed. The bar area has a real faded elegance to it, with a grand wooden staircase and plenty of features to occupy your gaze. Sadly the pub has long had its heyday. There were 3 locals and the landlord present. The language was choice. But there were 2 ales - Abbot & SA. Pay it a visit before it closes for good.
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Change of plan from last post. The Castle is being run by holding managers until further notice. A lot of regulars ave ceased attending. You can actually get a seat on the Saturday night quiz if you arrive late
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Shock news. The Castle will close in September 2012. Understand a lot of repairs are needed and the brewery (Brains) have decided to demolish it and build flats instead as it is the cheaper option. What a loss! Where will we all go?
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Barry's best ale pub. Definitely a pub of 2 halfs: spit, sawdust, live music and pool in one and a victorian hotel lounge with all original features and laid back atmosphere in the other. Landlord doing an excellent job of bringing great ales to this backstreet boozer. Off the track but definitely worth a visit - unique.
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Great pub with a great group of regulars.
Real ales are a permanant fixture and beside the static sellers guest ales are on offer and change on a regular basis.
The Castle has won the Vale of Glamorgan Best Pub a couple of years running and 'mine hosts' - Graham & Brenda - continue to maintain the high standard.
Snooker and skittles are available as well as darts and pool. The Folk Club meets every Wednesday and live bands are featured Friday evenings. Quiz night is Saturday and the place is packed. Get there early to play and bag a place to sit.
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