Pub Guide
The infamous Ponty pub guide as devised by that bloke who can't get served in half the town's pubs anymore (we wonder why?). Tip for the top - never tell the truth!
So go on tell the world when you get served a crap pint or vote for your favourite pub here and tell us where you drink. Remember if you don't complain when you get treated badly no-one else will do it for you! You pay good money for a pint so expect to be served a decent one.
P.S. - If sarcasm and honesty aren't your thing best you don't read on...
Town centre
The 'middle to bottom' of town seems to be the place to head for at
the moment if you fancy an armchair and some drinkable beer with the
'top' of town still mostly, but not exclusively, catering for the
underage, 'valley heads', slappers and 'roiders' - shit! Who said
that!? A shame we don't attract many students from Treforest but
with the swirling vortex buffer zone at the top and Cardiff a short
train ride away south who can blame them. There's good live music at CYB
& the District Club, great real ale at the 'Wonky'
bar, the 'Llan' and
the 'Bunch'.
Bunch of Grapes - 01443 402934
www.bunchofgrapes.org.uk
Tucked away just out of town down the far end of Ynysangharad Rd. Beautiful old pub with lovely
fireplace & stone walls. A Freehouse that serves a few decent real
ales
as well as vastly over priced bottle lagers from as far away as
Macro. Used to be an excellent eatery, not the usual plastic rubbish
most pubs do but a proper menu with real food on it, but often let
themselves down by trying to cram more people in than the room will
allow - it's not the bloody Tardis in there is it! They also serve the award
winning 'Gwynt Y Ddraig' - wicked strength cider made locally. Don't
drive after one of these, and we do mean one! Hang out of teachers,
councillors, businessmen, journalists and drunks - so a pretty mixed bag.
Llanover Arms - 01443 403215
The best pub in town surely? At least that's what Hal Griffiths
says. Always good beer, a guest real ale every week or so and loads more
choices as it's another Freehouse. The 'Llan' still retains that old
run-down charm, just visit the toilets and you'll soon be using the
word 'quaint' in conversations, although having said that probably
the cleanest toilets of any pub in town. Recent
additions include a wood burning stove and cushions on the old
church pews - luxury, pure bloody luxury! Big TV screen too if you
fancy the rugby. Just need to mend the
broken benches in the back room and we'll be quids in. The beer
garden with matching A470 view has had some restoration work,
probably sparked off by the visit of old layabout Tom Jones a few
years back. Alcoholics, actors, millionaires, property moguls, playwrights,
builders, poets, rock stars and rugby teams drink here - usually all
at once. Tom Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Davies... they've all had
a few pints at the Llanover. Also the meeting place for various
community groups that do sterling work in the community - the recently formed K.W.S. (Pontypridd branch), Ponty Curry Club (as
featured on the BBC's 'I Love Wales' with Iolo Williams, but don't
worry we won't mention all those girls from Corwen you know). Also
assorted Fat Boys, Vikings, Chisum and company. A legendary place!
Globetrotters Bar - 01443 407744
Upstairs at the back of the Llanover is 'Dan's place' - easily the
most trendy, laid back bar in town and suitable for all ages. Wooden
floors and old brickwork, a couple of big screens for films &
sports, comfy settees and a small cosy little bar area, although the
bogs are minging late on. Great music, such as Santana, Gypsy Kings,
Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens (hint, hint). It's a veritable Buena Vista
Social Club. Wheat beer and
Stella on tap as well as the usual Whoosh but unfortunately no real
ales. Open until 1am ish on
weekends. Hang-out of such famous faces as Darth Vader (Star Wars), Jamie Baulsh (Olympic athlete)
and Andrew Davies (The Gallowbirds) to name just a few of the
celebrities that frequent this late night bar. Downstairs is
restaurant.
Grills Steakhouse
Downstairs in Globetrotters at the
back of the Llanover Arms, free car parking
www.grillssteakhouse.co.uk
Maltsters - 01443 403550
Recently been done out but you wouldn't notice it, apart from the
tables in the way of the bar and the toilets. Used to be famous for
not having any drinkable beer and recently been changing hands like
a parcel in Iraq. If they could start selling some decent beers and
if you ignore the riverside rats this place could be fantastic, like
in the glory days of yesteryear. Sky
Sports make it popular with the football supporters although rugby
matches are also shown on the big pull-down screen. Lost its way a
bit recently but nice cosy cellar bar for the youngsters and beer
garden at back in summer (watch out for Roland!), plus a karaoke
night may be starting to pull people back. Do meals but
haven't sampled recently.
Muni Arts Centre - 01443 485934
Events venue owned and run by RCT council. Ponty's only cinema has a nice quiet little bar.
Many people
would not even think of going here, and many do not even know it
exists. But they do serve beer (if you
can call it that!) Good if there's a film on, often get council do's
here like Christmas 'joiner' parties... Used to have
good bands like 'Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band' etc. but haven't
seen anything decent for ages. All part of RCT's master plan to
close their county town down completely or am I being too cynical?
They used to do breakfasts and there is a nice art gallery upstairs that
is always shut whenever you try to visit.
The Patriot - 01443 407915
The 'Wonky Bar' is the place to be if you like real ale. Opposite
Iceland in Taff St. Great place for a bar, much needed and true beer
fans are most welcome! Small bar area which we hear is getting a
makeover in New Year. Great place to catch up on local gossip,
especially as it's open 10am in the morning. Beer is so
fantastic it has won several national awards. Friendly barmaids,
great landlord and a superb jukebox
which tells you what was No 1 the week (day) you were born. Mine was
'Paperback Writer' - The Beatles, so let's hope that's an omen! :)
The Rhymney Dark 4% and Export 5% don't half hit the spot - nice
relaxed atmosphere and plenty of good banter. Easily the best beer
in Ponty and great prices too! Eric the Relic used to drink here as
do a host of other local characters but unfortunately Johnny Wride is now
banned from going here thanks to the very potent ale and the
subsequent problem getting the key in the front door. Rumoured to be
getting a makeover and extension soon...
Blueberry - 01443 485331
www.blueberryhotel.com
... or should that be 'Muffin's' or 'Raspberries'. Whilst not
wanting to sound negative the 'feng shui' which spoiled the old Market Tavern is
still all wrong! Very expensive looking bricks, tiles, slates,
copper, stone, wood etc. etc. and there lies the problem - too much
of everything! Looks a bit Harry Potter but not really gothic
enough, not really anything and that's the problem. It certainly wouldn't
win any awards on Grand Designs! Maybe Grand cock-ups? Food place looks very nice, although
basically pub grub with restaurant prices. Owned by the Market
Company who own Alfreds. Upstairs is a sort of Roman orgy / French chic type thing
- an interesting concept in Ponty
- not sure it works. Downstairs is a trendy hangout for WWF / Save
the Polar Bear types with not bad Amstel lager. Usually a
paying nightclub. Pretty awful beer elsewhere. Hotel upstairs too.
Alfreds - 01443 404060
www.alfreds-bar-and-grill-pontypridd.co.uk
Grab a granny bar at night but nice laid back coffee place in
day. Looks like the set from 'Friends' or
'Coupling'. Nice city feel to the place, beer is pretty rubbish and
way too expensive although the food upstairs is pretty good,
although also quite expensive. Run by
the Market Company who own half the properties in town and seems to cater for the older generation
(think that's us nowadays), which is nice. Used to be plenty of
life in there on a Saturday although gone downhill recently with
many people opting for the 'Dog' and 'Soul Suite' it seems.
Clwb-Y-Bont - 01443 491424 / 408438
www.clwbybont.net
Welsh club and live music venue down by the river. Siarad Cymraeg
used to ensure free entry but now open to all and very friendly
place with great staff. Good pub, good pint (often do real ales) and pool table. Don't be put off by the
cans of 4 Star outside, they're just for show (joke mun!). Home to
Stinky, Barney, El Presidente and Lil Rich to name but a few. You
can also learn Welsh here and they have excellent bands most
weekends. You can hire the back room for events at very reasonable
rates. They also do 'Literature'
classes with famous Welsh writer
John Evans and family rooms for 6
Nations as well as a host of other functions. They quite often have a
couple of guitars and a sing-song on Friday nights which is
well worth a visit if you're passing through. Sometimes involved in the Full
Ponty fringe events too. The biggest big screen in the whole world, if not in RCT - ideal for
rugby matches. Not as many students as you'd expect but this is
changing as the more adventurous ones do eventually find their way here. Personally I'd like to see the place market itself as an
African theme pub but I'm kinda weird like that. Seems to alternate
between being completely empty and rammed full. Choose wisely and
visit for a few pints... otherwise some scumbag local businessmen
may buy the place and ruin it! You have been warned. Find out if
world renowned computer hacker 'Warlock'
ever drank here...
Celtic Club - 01443 402001
Down the end of Mill Street. Members only and men only, the Celtic has a long waiting list for
members. What a relief it is to find a club that isn't afraid to
stand up for men in this age of political correctness and
inequality. Great club and very good cheap beer. The perfect hiding
place from 'er indoors. Sky Sports of course, loads of quality
full size snooker tables and great
service. The toilets overlook the River Rhondda and main road so if you're
walking past ladies you can check he's in there by looking across
the river at the gents. Haunt of the 'Fat Boys' on a Saturday before
and after the rugby at Sardis Road.
Tratoria's - 01443 404443
www.trattoriarestaurant.com
Good Italian eatery & bar - need to visit soon to update this
hopeless review. Maybe they could give us a free meal to do so? Wife
has been there lots (ah, that's where my wages go) and says it's
lovely...
Morgan Tavern - 01443 492921 / 408459
Former 'Celtic Pride'. Always full on the weekends with a mix of
ages under 20, and always full for a few days after 'dole day'. Used to be
'The Criterion' gay bar but don't think it is now. Music's usually too loud (or maybe we're
too old?). Pay to get in on weekends. One of the best buildings in
town although it needs a lot of work from Griff Rhys Jones and the
BBC Restoration team. In fact a bit surprised it's not listed? We like
this pub but such a shame the kids fighting, girls peeing in the street,
windows being put through
and all the sick and rubbish on the floor outside ruin it sometimes.
Regular haunt for those on probation according to the owner - I
wonder why?!
Soul Suite - 01443 400059
The old 'White Hart'
hotel and 'Flix' has had a makeover and certainly plenty of
room in here now. They sometimes have a happy hour with 3 or 4 drinks for £2 so well worth it
if you can manage to keep it down! The old bar area
has been knocked through to provide a dance floor and a disco. Nice
comfy leather settees too. Live bands on a Saturday and hear it's
the new place to be. Get in before 9pm to avoid paying. Lots of
pictures of James Brown and other ex-Ponty residents on the walls.
The Skinny Dog
The old Greyhound has been re-branded, not that you'd notice and
still serves undrinkable beer. Long gone are the pickled eggs and
old men, dead or singing in the corner. Quite trendy now, in a
valleys sort of way. Could take over as the 'rugby' pub on a
Saturday as it's near the ground. Have taken out the annoying
stairs in the middle of
the pub which makes a huge difference. We do
miss the bar snacks and sweaty, old, toothless men crooning mind
you. Come back Mark Davies! A bit expensive though and often give you
crappy plastic glasses but always full on weekend so we kind of put
up with that.
The Tumble - 01443 486274
www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-tumble-inn
The JD Wetherspoons/Lloyds pub where the old post office was.
Like stepping into the Tardis. When it opened it was like being
transported to a first world country, leaving third world Ponty
behind, but now as with all Wetherspoons pubs it's starting to look
a bit worn and rough around the edges. Limited selection of real ales, e.g. Abbott
etc. are never
stored/served properly. Could be the beer is near its sell-by date
or just lack of turnover means it's lying around in pipes when it
should be being drunk... Not as cheap as it could be especially if
you want to drink drinkable beer as you need to buy bottled Becks,
Stella, Polish stuff, cider etc. Two meals for £5.75 menu is so bad if you
want to end a relationship - take her here. After initial excitement, huge crowds, fights, police presence,
headline news we've noticed that it's settled down a bit
again. Still a
great place to spot the 'steroid abusers' with their bald heads,
suntans, tattoos and skimpy tops. Always full on
weekends though as they now have a dance floor and music screens. Open
'till 1am. OK to spot valley talent before it heads to Kudos, Alfreds or alleyway.
Kudos - 01443 408290
Late night club/drinking hole. Free entry before 9pm ish? and
Guinness Extra Cold was quite cheap when we ventured in on Friday,
2009.
Supposed to cater for over 21's which is nice, but we saw mostly
kids in there, probably due to the funky house music. Bit of a studenty feel with idiots dancing with their parka's still on. A
long place with an 80's nightclub look and wine bar type bar. OK and
quite smart we suppose, although a lot of trouble from youngsters
fighting and seems to have gone downhill since opening. Should
really venture in again just to update this but can't say the idea
is appealing...
Ponty RFC - 01443 405006
www.ponty.net
The 'House of Pain' is exactly that when it came to getting
served. Most estimates have 5 people walking past the clubhouse for
every one that pops in. Just started serving Doom Bar which is an OK pint
and being a club it is quite cheap. Shame the crowds at home games
have dropped from 5000 to 2000 after the Muppet era
but at least we still get more fans than the Blues or Turks get at away games. Literally
hundreds of thirsty people walk straight past and into town to get a
pint every weekend as the service is still really slow. Rolls and
pasties, pie and chips, crisps available sometimes, but don't depend
on it. The clubhouse is dirty and sticky and the toilets dirty and
stickier but that's just kind of cute I guess. At least Leicester
fans used to tell us this ten years ago. The banter and sporting knowledge is first class, as long as you agree
with who you're talking to of course, and whilst having one-eye
ensures entry into the middle of the terrace it still doesn't make
you a peg salesman! The clubhouse does need a bit of a
makeover though, like a very large bulldozer and a completely new clubhouse but
at least no-one has painted it pink & orange. Who said that?!
Pontypridd Ex-Servicemens Club
'Duffys' or the ex-servicemens club above Sardis Rd in Maesycoed is a small,
very cheap place for a beer and a show. Well worth a visit before or
after the game.
Graigwen Club - 01443 402550
The District club is the premier music venue in Pontypridd. Very good beer and could well be the cheapest on the planet outside Zimbabwe. In fact the beer is so cheap that visitors from England think they've just paid for a pint when in fact they've just got a huge round in. Big hall upstairs where they have excellent bands on the weekends and a few other places to hide downstairs too. Anyone with a taste in real music should come here. Anyone who likes reality TV, X-Factor or soaps can stay away. Much under-used drinking hole and should be visited more often, just a shame it's not on the flat. Haunt of all the old rockers in town - great stuff!
Trallwng
Trallwng and Coedpenmaen don't have many pubs to write home
about which is just as well
judging by the standard but here goes anyway... Trallwng has
absolutely tremendous pubs, every one a veritable feast of brewers fair! My
god I'm fluent! OK, I'm being silly, there are a few nice enough
boozers, although less than the used to be like all areas slightly
out of town centres these days.
The Royal Oak
The pub itself gets more custom these days because the 'Bassett' is
shut and there's nothing until Clifynydd or Central Square. Quiz on Thursday's. Good
night out and of course the Chinese is next door!
The Newbridge
The oldest pub in Pontypridd and from outside looks wonderful. The
place has seen some improvements recently and so fingers crossed
it'll turn into a good pub soon. They do have a pool table but the
largest beer garden in the world has been sold off for housing -
what a waste of lawn. Got banned once for trying to walk in with
shorts. So funny. Used to be the police after hours hang out but not
so sure now...
Trallwn Club
Don't go there so hard to say but everyone you talk to says its very
good, especially half time entertainment on match days (say no
more). Quiet in the week but great venue for kiddies parties if
anyone is considering it. Also used for local Karate club which is
great.
The Central Hotel
Part of the 'Specks' growing empire of property, been done out with a new Indian restaurant - must pay a visit soon. The pool room used to be where the real men like John Chisum and Thor hung out, but now been knocked through to create a small stage and a long bar area - much better actually and often rammed on weekends which is great for this end of town. Beer is usual brewery rubbish though.
New curry house opened at back of old lounge - 'Bollywood Masala' - no really! Will check out food in New Year but hear it is very nice.
Cilfynydd
The centre of the
known Universe has very little to offer in the way of pubs
unfortunately, but fortunately in Cilfynydd international opening
hours do apply. If you fancy a pint at 7:30am on a Sunday or at half
past tomorrow then don't
panic there's always Cilfynydd. Rivals Hopkinstown and Hawthorn as
the Ronnie Barker of the pub world... and if any police 'type' men
are reading, we are of course joking! Horray!
The Cil Inn
Up for sale - what a crime if this pub shuts! What would the old miners say? This pub used to be the best! Not sure what's happening at the moment though. Mind you the smoking ban must have affected trade. If you need a plasterer then you'll find one in here. A short stroll from the 'Albion' Kebab house too - a place of the utmost quality for discerning gentlemen, black-tie only. Full breakfast every morning, open 26 hours a day (sometimes), Sunday dinners, drunken kebabs and burgers on the weekend - you name it - the Albion's got it!
'The Spite'
The Commercial Hotel is a huge pub with function room upstairs that
needs a wedding party or a roofers and builders Christmas do to fill
it! Full size snooker tables here! Wednesday night used to be
'kiddies' disco but I think its shut now? If you fancy a beer with
Noggin or Trigger this is the place for you.
The Con Club
Beer fairly cheap but not compared to other clubs in the area.
Visited the other day and it was just the same as it always was.
Good rugby or mining chat. Pool table and big screen TV. Did make a profit when Terry was in
charge but not sure whose running it now! Bingo on weekends.
Cilfynydd Rugby Club
A shadow of it's former self, although the boys are coming back slowly. Great location, over by the Cwm. Good on international days. Fantastic 100 year+ history. Beer is good and very cheap. Lovely lounge, but pool room needs a bit of work ... and Ian Johnson said thanks for his cap although it was a bit late, while Mark Davies said that he wasn't offside that much, just misunderstood. Come back Chris Johns! Oh has he?
Treforest
Students have taken over and changed the old Treforest but have
also added a new lease of life. It could be worse though, at least Tom
Jones doesn't sing here anymore. Fresh vomit, stringy kebab lettuce
and carrots can be found on the pavements every night now, not just
like in the old days when it was only there on the weekends. A good
alternative from Ponty for a night out although thanks to the
University of Glamorgan and the Students Union the opposite isn't
true. Also scene of the most gruesome murder ever to take place in
the valleys when Adam Roberts got... well, just
read here to find
out.
The 'Cot'
The Forest may be turned into a Wetherspoons pub although it is closed
at the moment. Another rumour said it may get converted into flats?
The Bridge
Just down from 'The Cot' was a typical student pub last time we went
but someone told me its not that bad now. Must have taken more trade
since the Cot has closed. Need to return to check.
The Otley Arms
By the station. Good real ales although a bit hit or miss. The
Otley own brew is OK though if you are stuck for choice. Mixed crowd
with plenty of locals but can also be quite studenty (you decide if that's good or bad). Monday night it's the
meeting place for the Ghost Society. Honest! We have e-mailed them to
add a link but they haven't replied - probably scared we were
zombies or they're too busy floating in ether somewhere and can't get an
internet connection to grace us with a reply. Great place to see
Steve the pirate dance a Scottish jig to the bagpipes (yes, has to
be seen to be believed!). Fishing Club also meet here as well. Often
have beer festivals too plus the odd bit of live music.
Flagstones
Often called the 'Tapas Bar' with Spanish music, TV, guitars, red wine, trendy beers
for people who wouldn't know anything about proper beer at
extortionate prices. Cushions for floor sitters. Excellent food,
nice mix of ages and very reasonable apart from the weird beers and
wines which you'll need a second mortgage for. Also a good idea to
count your change 'cos students work here and as we all know most of
today's undergraduates can't do sums. Used to be one of the best places in Treforest
but losing out to the Otley empire we fear. Often full of loud students
talking bollocks in
fancy dress with bargy shoulders. Could become another temporary home of the
Ponty Curry Club but we'll have to wait and see...
The Rickards
Good pub. Good beers. Much better real ales than the Otley in
fact, although the same owners. Nice little cavern/barrel effect that the
Beatles would be proud of with a pool table. Not quite up to Oporto's wine lodge
standards but nevertheless a great pub this one! Lots of little
nooks and crannies, very cute. We also hear
the Sunday lunch is pretty good. They also do a curry night and
breakfasts. The breakfasts are in the morning in case you were
wondering.
Empire Lounge
Nice Indian but closed again...
Mr Snooker
Kindly reminded that you can get beer in here but haven't been in
for about 100 years so not sure what else to write...
The Pick and Shovel
The old 'Crown' is quite good, nice mix of locals and students, but
a little bit expensive. Good on St Paddy's Day but not sure about St David's
Day - why is this? Recently been done up on the back of all that student money no
doubt! Quite lively most days.
Barini's
New bar, next door to student Tesco. Large open plan area, nice
decor, could do with some of Dave's great photos on the wall maybe?
Had a pint of Hobgoblin which was nice. Food upstairs.
The Social Club
On the broadway there's the excellent social club with good cheap
beer as you'd expect.
The Railway
No real change in decor from old place, bit studenty, but in a
nice way. That is the students were pierced, tattooed, wore heavy
metal tees and seemed nice enough, like old students used to be, and
very unlike the tarted up brand you sometimes get these days. Rev
James was disgusting, yeast infection, dirty pipes maybe? Tomos
Watkin on pull was quite nice though. Will go again.
The 5th Welch
This place should be on someone's 'Things To Do Before You Die'
list. I blame Cheryl Cole (who?) for the lack of bars like this. Not quite
as wide as our front room, but then most of us only live in a small, mid
terrace. Bloody great! More people outside than in since the smoking
ban. If you're passing by then why not pop in for a pint. It might
cost you nearly £2 but hey! you can afford it. If it closes then its
your fault for not going in for a beer. Please give them your trade
- it can make a difference! Think cute puppies, starving children in
Africa and other adverts with slow music about being driven home. Oh,
and bingo on a weekend.
Treforest AFC
Community club with a host of teams from 6yrs up to seniors. Two bars and great facilities. Also popular with students.
Rhydyfelin & Hawthorn
What can you say about this quaint little hamlet that hasn't
appeared in the South Wales police gazette? Only kidding, 'top site'
is tidy now and the helicopters are just chasing sheep these days.
Used to be twinned with Soweto but not anymore. Now it's Tehran. I'm
kidding mun!
Rhydyfelin Rugby Club
Have spent a lot of money upgrading the club in the past couple of
years and not only run senior rugby sides but also a near full
junior/mini section as well as darts and pool teams (for women as
well as men). The club has refurbished the bar, lounge and upstairs
kitchen. CCTV cameras throughout the club and also one of few venues
with SKY TV. Open from 12pm.
Non-Political Club
Ken goes here in the week for a couple. Good club, great place to
top up the Viagra supply (says Ken) or hear what the DSS panel has
to say.
The Griffin
OK locals pub at the bottom of the hill.
Jamil
The old Jubilee (older Duffryn) Rhydyfelin's cosmopolitan bistro bar
is now an Indian which is very brave (or silly) of the owners as
it's across from the rugby club. Time will tell but the food is
excellent.
Labour Club
After Iraq, Kosovo, Rwanda, Afghanistan, New York and Sierra Leone
we're still waiting for our intrepid reporter to emerge from this
one with a report... in other words we're still waiting for Geraint
to do this bit... Still
waiting for Don McCuillin for the photo's :) We do hear it's a good
place to be interviewed by the panel on the pros and cons of benefit
fraud but recently noticed the roof had fallen in...
The Hawthorn
Used to be international drinking hours and the place to be at all
hours of the day and night but changed owners a few times recently. Now open-plan which is
marginally better. Good meeting place on rugby days with a magic taxi outside. Sunday
dinners good if you like tons of gravy drowning your food.
Hawthorn Leisure Centre
Big hall often has wedding do's and Richard & Ceri's parties with
busty exotic dancers. Nice quiet bar with never enough bar staff
serving and big dance hall. Cheap beer and a good night out. Always
reminds us of school or your cousins weddings. Expensive gym and
sauna downstairs unless you have a dole card.
The Upper Boat
Just off the roundabout by the Estate, a decent enough pub with
'Harvester' type food. Good place to take her for an illicit
rendezvous 'cos no-one much goes here. They do a reasonable
Sunday lunch which is OK if you can't be bothered with the dishes
one weekend. Huge queues though!
The Pottery
Used to be called the 'Estate Restaurant' and always full of workers
on Friday afternoons from all the factories. Then the Tories closed
all the factories down and they turned it into a 'kiddies
playground' type pub with no atmosphere. Haven't been for a while
but seeing as there's less factories now and Nantgarw has a plastic
pub too (Frankie & Johnny's?) I doubt it's doing booming trade. Will
have to pop down one night.
The Green Rooms
Small very friendly live band venue down Trefforest Industrial Estate. Very cheap beer, £1.70 a bottle and great bands. Worth a taxi. Bring some friends and the place will be rammed!
Hopkinstown
Just out of town heading towards Porth.
The Merlin
Beautiful
old and still lovely looking pub with a statue of a woman on the front. Cracking pub to
visit before the rugby and the nearest one to the north end of the
ground, as opposed to Duffys at teh south end. Typical
valley brewery pub inside with pool tables etc. and nice big open
plan areas. Few regulars there and some
fairly good real ale.
Good pub on match days.
Hopkinstown Cricket Club
24 hour drinking den (so we're told). OK, if you like cricket or
beer and it's not full of alcoholic Indians.
Ty Mawr
Lovely pub just up the hill on Pantygraigwen Road. Regular with Porth boys from the '70's.
The Graig
Up the hill under the station bridge is a million miles away to some
people but that's a shame because there is a hidden gem just a short
walk up the hill...
Rose and Crown
An excellent pub and one of the best in Ponty! Free pool on a Wednesday, great photos of Nepal and
Himalayas all over the walls, great beer, been extended lately and
now has large areas for big crowds as well as loads of huge big
screens for the rugby and all other sports. Hear it's going to be
extended again, which should make it the same size as Dewi Sant
hospital. Lots of rugby, football, cricket etc. memorabilia on the
walls too. Sky Sports. Best pub up the Graig by a mile!
The Maritime Arms
Up for sale. Used to be The Globe and was great with 'grab a granny' night but it
has since been very quiet. Worth a visit though as it's opposite the
Rose and Crown. Last we heard Year 8 pupils were calling it a
kiddies pub!??? Up for auction at the moment I think.
The Graig Hotel
We loved this one, but then it shut. Up the hill and stinking dirty.
Have heard it's been bought and being done up, will have to check
this out.
Morning Star
As the name suggests this pub has a proud socialist history. Need to pay another visit as someone said there's a great Chinese meal here now, although I'm guessing it's just a down and outs / probation place now. Maybe the Jungle Jim has gone? If so let us know eh.
Curry club
The famous Ponty Curry Club was founded in 1378, about 400
years or less before the town was invented. Cleverly disguised
as a group of young men (now very old) who used to drink for a
living both here in Wales and overseas, who after a few too many
succumbed to the curry gland's call and headed to the nearest
Asian emporium to be satiated in the most extreme way - usually
by a Madras or Vindaloo. Anyway, centuries past and the whole sorry gang stepped out of
the space ship once and for all, settled in the Llanover Arms or
CYB (whichever has clean toilet paper on the night) and now
embark on seasonal interludes of frantic ingestion and vigorous
mastication much to the amazement of their Muslim onlookers.
Origins...
Recent history might be said to have started with the filming
and subsequent screening of Iolo Williams' BBC Wales outing 'I
Love Wales'. However, one female member reminisces about the
time a certain founder member wandered around a Brecon Tandoori
au-natural, whilst the Minex branch will often extol the virtues
of elastic plate glass windows in Woodville Road as Warren (Penclawdd
branch) tried to get his curry back after being forcibly ejected
for swimming in the fish tank - ahh happy days! And who can
forget the famous under the table adventures of Pussy Galore as
the famous TV presenter's shorts grew tighter and tighter... due
to his Ghurkha Masala we're told. A tight-knit group, but always open to offers.
Another famous episode occurred when our favourite Bangladeshi
proprietor; the late, great Mohammed, offered us an all you can eat
for £7 if we'd turn up and get filmed again by the Asian media. This
we did and were pleased to find there weren't any speaking parts like Dave & Sue had
in Ooty a few years back! Madras Modelling Agency my bottom, I
thought they were going to kidnap us not give us a director's
chair and some veggie curry and a couple of rupees. Phew! Close
shave that one.
Committee
Membership to this special band of curry aficionados is by
invitation only of course and subsequent vetting by the
committee (as all great things in Wales).
Viva el Presidente - Dave
Hon Sec. - Mike
Press & Marketing Officer - Deborah
Treasurer - Linda
Entertainment - Bobby
Drinking Coordinator - Sue
Polish Labour Force - Derek
International Playboy - Enam
Hire Cars - Welsh Assembly
Pub Venue Manager - Dewi
How To Be Late - Mark Davies
Cute waiter - Abdul
Real Ale Supplier - Marcus
Witty Remarks - Geraint
Chick Magnet/Rock Star - Davis
Youth Wing - Greg
Religion - Eric
Drugs - Bod
Good looking one - Bev
Stain Remover - Aled
Baby Delivery - Gosia, Pat & Andrea
Tinsel Coordinator - Debbie D
Computer Networks - Mark W
Accounts - Leon
Eric's friend - Ryan
Rhondda Race Relations Committee - Pies & Karen
Andrea's next victim - Arik
Cardiff City fan - 'Young' David
Jamesons & Vodka - The Polish Army
Other important positions are yet to be elected...
Curry Houses We Have Visited:
Everest - Pontypridd, Wales
Mister Cato's - Calangute beach, Goa, India
Indo-Cymru - Canton, Cardiff, Wales
Balti Cuisine - Cathays, Cardiff, Wales
The Jaipur - Esplanade, Porthcawl, Wales
Juboraj - Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales
Veggie Heaven - Ooty, India (whilst relaxing in our director's
chair during the filming of our one and only
Bollywood movie to date, 'Jodie' - a Tamil production)
The Tamarind, A470, Wales
Indica, Pontypridd, Wales
Bombay Blue, Nantgarw
India Gate, Whitchurch, Cardiff
Little India, Nelson, New Zealand
Anand Sharma, Auckland, New Zealand
Vegetarian Kitchen, Penarth Rd, Cardiff
Kazana, Whitchurch, Cardiff
King Coconut, Negombo, Sri Lanka
RedIndigo, Hay-on-Wye
Spice Connoisseur, Taffs Well
Jamil, Rhydyfelin
Bollywood Masala - coming soon...
Many more to be added when I can remember the names of them...
Local author runner-up in Rhys Davies award
Local writer Dave Lewis won a runner-up spot in the 2009/2010 competition with his short story - Onions, based on the antics of a group of local characters in a valleys curry house. This story appears in Dave's second book - Urban Birdsong, available from Amazon and direct from the author.