Bunkhouse and bar is proving to be a great success
AN HISTORIC former townhouse and gallery in Caernarfon that was transformed into bunkhouse, cocktail bar and cafe has proved a massive success since opening.
The Grade II Listed Ty Glyndwr, on Stryd Fawr, was bought by Outlook Expeditions founder Rhys Davies last summer. Rhys, who sold his stake in Outlook last year, opened the bar in October after a major renovation.
Despite being out of the main tourism season they have already had more than 80 guests from around the world and the bar has been packed on weekends.
He now believes the concept can work in other Welsh towns and he is exploring other sites.
Rhys (pictured) said: “We have done double the trade we had projected, it has been an amazing start and this has been over October and November.
“There are queues down the street to get in on Saturday night and people tell is it’s the fan- tastic atmosphere here that people love.
“This is not something that would have worked in Caernarfon 10 years ago but the town has changed. Who would have thought then that a bar here could sell 20 bottles of gin in a night, premium stuff as well.”
While they have space for a kitchen they deliberately chose to only serve alcohol, coffee, and cake so that visitors would go out and spend in the area.
He said: “We want to ‘spread the jam’ so that the whole town benefits.”
Rhys has been committed to supporting local drink producers – giving visitors a real flavour of Wales
He added: “That is what people want when they come to Wales. I have been working to increase the amount of locally sourced drinks we have here.
“It is not just about supporting local firms, it is because these are now among the best beers and gins in the world now.”