please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Not sure what to call this - a pub it certainly isn't. Drinking barn doesn't seem right either - Yard is probably a good name as it is some kind of open plan drinking space over two levels. It was desolate of a Sunday evening although will give them their due they did do a decent pint of Brains SA. The toilets are akin to some army barracks latrine (with mixed washing facilities - so the girls can't have a natter round the sinks without some hairy arse bloke earwigging.
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Decent Brains city centre pub with an emphasis on food. Beer in fine condition, food was okay.
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My previous visit to the 'Albert' was in the 1970s. What a transformation. I wasn't able to spend long here, as I needed to get a particular train home after my Christmas break. My visit was mostly spent trying to work out where everything used to be when it was the Albert. Certainly much of what we see now used to be the brewery. Still a bit of it downstairs on the way to the washrooms. I think I like this pub - the beer was well kept, and the staff friendly and efficient. But I think I will have to visit at least 3 more times to really make my mind up.
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Brains bar/restaurant that is very handy for Cardiff Central station and opens reasonably early in the morning. The interior is long and fairly narrow, with 2 bars - 1 at the front and 1 further back beyond the open kitchen. The fixtures and fittings are modern. Look up in the gents toilets and you see hundreds of ladies' bottoms! After being hypnotised by this sight, you'll then struggle to find the exit door. The 3 beers on were Bitter, SA & Dark. The latter was very drinkable. Whilst it was very quiet on our visit yesterday morning, this one is worth a try.
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I have to agree with the previous comments. It's a large modern bar in the centre, it serves Brains handpulled ales, but these were in plastic glasses. The live music was a plus however, and the place was friendly enough. Better than O'Neills and the other brand pubs across the road, but not a traditional choice if that is your bag.
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This bar/restaurant was, of course, part of the original Brain's brewery being the brewery tap known as The Albert (there are old pub signs and photos of its previous existence and have a look out the back in the courtyard to see the old brewery layout and the Brain's clock). The Yard is modernistic and a bit brash but the beer was good and we were served quickly. We didn't eat but plenty of other people were so it must be doing something right. Plastic glasses on the day due to a huge concert at the Millenium Stadium (I'm sorry but real ale just does not taste the same from a plastic glass!!). Anyway, the bar is handy for the city centre and is probably the nearest Brain's pub to Central Station.
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A bit soulless, like most modern redevelopments, but has some good points too.
I always frequent the Yard when in Cardiff. Usually when waiting for a train to somewhere else.
Food is consistently good, and prompt, if unsurprisingly pricey.
Decor and atmosphere is pleasant, clean and neutral.
The excellent Brains beers are tasty and in good condition, and the Guinness is top notch and clean.
There is very little to object to in Yard. It may not be a mirror of the Cardiff pubs of yore, but it is clean, quite relaxed and friendly.
Recommended!
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Don't really know why I visited this pub. Over chilled Brains and uncomfortable seating. Beer and food though expensive was run of the mill. Cardiff has better to offer than this.
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I stay in the Cardiff Marriott near here frequently when on business.
I occasionally drift into here for a jar after a bit of shopping. It is pretty soulless, (metal, metal and more metal as another reviewer says) and is the antithesis of pub cosiness. When I was in here last night, there was precious little custom. Signs of the recession perhaps?
Still, devoid of cash, I could pay for my single pint using a card. Progress indeed!
Safe enough, but very city-centre.
jcraf - 21 Jan 2009 19:57 |
Like the Old Arcade, Cottage and City Arms, a pale shadow of its former self - when it was the Albert. Good beer, reasonable staff and punters, but, like most of Plastic City, I mean Cardiff, no soul. Oh for the the Quebec, Custom House, Salutation, York, etc etc.
schaf - 29 Mar 2008 18:13 |
The Yard was formally The Prince Albert which had two bars one down and one upstairs. The upstairs bar was used for functions as well as overspill for downstairs. Many a happy leaving do spent in the upstairs bit.
Todays, The Yard is too pricey and glaringly pretend part of the Old Brewery! Although if my memory serves me right The Albert was sort of the "Front Room " of the Old Brewery.
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Very expensive trendy type pub with lots of metal, metal and even more metal on view. My Brains SA Gold was superb I have to say despite it being chilled and being poured through a sparkler, you'd think an independant brewery like Brains would know better! �1.35 for a small coke is taking the wee-wee somewhat though.
Overall it's OKish though, well on a dinnertime anyway.
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Upmarket-looking Brains flagship (I presume), with very good Dark but uninterested staff. Didn't Mulligans used to be here ? - used to do great oysters.
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Visited The Yard on a match day - Wales against Pacific Islanders, and it was one of the more civilized places to have a pint before the match. Maybe it is soulless the rest of the time, but on match day it was buzzing nicely.
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When are they going to finish it?? :)
Like all Brains pubs these days, horrifically expensive!!!!!!!!!
They want to calm down with their acquisition of real estate and start to concentrate on customer service and pricing.
Brains' expansion plans are hitting customers' pockets, they offer poor value for money these days, which is sad, they were always famous for good, reasonably priced ales..............sigh
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Nice pub, liked the surroundings but was served by a very rude barman. When I asked for small glasses of wine for myself and a friend, I was told they only did large glasses (helps the binge drinking problem in our country - NOT!) We didn't believe him and weren't happy but he wouldn't budge, we were only staying for one drink so had to pay more for something we didn't want.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 13:31 |
Early weekday evening 1730..fairly quiet..began to fill after 1800...we wanted decent beer before getting a train...and for that this fits the bill (all Brains range) but can understand the "soulless" comments
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Gibbering young men, expensive lager, lottery-style bar service (It Could Be You! - But then again, perhaps not). Bar staff are mainly ex prison warders. Go back out onto St Mary Street, turn left and head for Kitty Flynn's.
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Ah, the old Albert, full of incredibly drunk gibbering old men, ridiculously cheap beer, and a highly amusing juke box. All that has gone to be replaced by this modern soulless bar. There are still plenty of proper pubs left in the city centre, give this one a miss.
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Less than friendly staff, not only arrogant but totally ignorant. The bar was really high so not a place for short arses like me. it suked downstairs in the bar area but having finally calmed down after the rudeness of the staff and getting a seat upstairs it seemed to be quite a nice place and interstingly decorated like an industrial warehouse. pretty cool.
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Ultra-modern, cold, soulless monstrosity which replaced the lovely old city-style local that was The Albert. If there's any consolation, you can at least still get proper beer.
Owen - 7 Oct 2004 15:35 |
Cold and not a very welcoming pub. Staff most certainly arrogant.
bowen - 1 Sep 2004 13:31 |
Lively, busy with plenty of atmosphere. The staff can be a little arrogant but still a very enjoyable night out.
Gemma Sherlicker - 5 Jul 2004 01:03 |
Was once the brewery tap - before Brains relocated the brewery. All 3 of Brains regular cask beers are available and in good condition. Visit well recommended
Brian Francis - 6 Apr 2004 20:38 |
Recently refurbished and renamed SA Brains pub in Cardiff City Centre - excellent
Jim MacDonald - 19 Mar 2004 17:45 |
