New bar hoping for stamp of approval
A NEW micropub has opened in Cardiff and drinkers will be hoping for a first-class pint.
Cathays Beer House has filled the void left in the city’s Crwys Road after the post office at the junction with Dalton Street closed in January 2017.
It will specialise in beer from local brewers and unusual craft ales from other parts of the country.
The brainchild of former City Arms barman Martin Holmes, permission for the change of use was granted in August and the time since has been spent refurbishing the interior.
“We’d originally hoped to be open by October but there was a lot that needed doing, like levelling the floors and soundproofing the party wall, says Martin, who’ll be running the new venture with co-owner and fellow Essex native Mike Ashdown.
Martin – who’ll split his time between the pub and city centre bar Hopbunker – adds that, despite the work required, he saw the building’s potential straight away.
“I live nearby and felt that there wasn’t a huge choice around here for people as far as craft beers or small producers are concerned,” says the 50 year old, who’d previously bought up the boutique Ollies Brewey on Newport Road, which he now intends to re-establish in the new venue’s rear courtyard come the New Year.
“In the meantime we’re going to have several local brewers on tap, such as Grey Trees from Aberdare, Brew Monster from Cwmbran and Velvet Owl from Caerphilly, along with Acardian, Hopcarft and Rival Brewing – all from Cardiff.
“On top of that, there’ll be small range of gins rums whiskies on rotation and a stock of around 50 bottled craft ales and ciders from slightly further afield, like Deviant & Dandy from the East End of London.
Open every day from 10am-10pm, from midday-9pm on Sundays.
With a capacity of just 30, Cathays Beer House has held onto a few items from its postal past to display as souvenirs. While doing the place up we found a bit of post office signage about how to collect your pension, as well as some laminated literature about what to do in a hostage situation – which is a bit odd to say the least,” laughs Martin, who’s put the bar where the old service counter used to be.
“The good news is we’ve had a steady stream of people popping their heads round the door this past few weeks to ask when we’re going to open.
“So I’m excited to finally be able to show them what we’ve been up to.”