please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Excellent beer and friendly pub. Now a bistro pub but keeping a lot of its old atmosphere.
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The Old Arcade is another city centre Brains pub that has quite a nice, traditional interior with a couple of bars and at least 2 rooms. Being in the middle of the shopping area, it was very busy during the daytime yesterday (Saturday). Ales on were Boilermaker, SA, SA Gold, Bitter, Rev James & Dark. We tried the Boilermaker from the new Brains craft brewery. This was fine.
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Visited on a Thursday mid evening and the pub was very quiet. Beer quality very good but totally lacking in atmosphere.
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Ummm, that should be 'well appointed'
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Was getting quite wet and cold in downtown Cardiff before discovered this place - good beer, the food looked tasty and it was generally we'll appointed.
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The Old Vaults may not have bags of character but it's well managed with friendly and helpful bar staff. Clientele are all sorts but generally from the respectable end of the populace.
The food is pleasant enough, if unexciting. The Brains SA and Dark were in excellent order on my last visit.
A good pub to watch the rugby in.
Recommended.
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This is a terrific pub. Just been to Cardiff for the first time and in a city full of theme pubs this was a true oasis. The regulars and staff were very friendly, the food was great and the pints of Brains 45 that I drunk were awesome. Watching the England World Cup match here was a great experience. If only this was my local!
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Rugby-themed pub in City Centre selling good quality Brains beer. Dark Mild on top form and friends Gold also excellent. Good to find a decent pint in such a central location. A good place to go whilst the wives are shopping.
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big but quiet when visited. the brains dark was magnificent though, 8/10
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Cleaner than before, with prompt service and beer which was tasty. SA Gold was excellent. Same old Brains pub grub which is just boring really.
Nice smoking area and I loved the outside TV screen.
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Very enjoyable and welcoming pub. Beer good, plenty of sports on tap, terrace for smoking. Watch out for rodeo man in the toilets, could have your eye out with that swinging hand...
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Legendary boozer which has lost much of its atmosphere since the refurb. The beer is still very good, unlike in many Brains pubs in the centre. Good SA Gold and SA.
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Decent enough pub by city centre standards. Good range of Brains beers (including the ever rarer cask version of Dark) and friendly atmosphere, one of the last traditional pubs left in the area.
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Try to forget the Old A as you once knew and loved it and this is a tolerable city centre watering hole. Usual food thing going on though - as if you weren't in the middle of pasta valley. Former (much missed) clients of this pub (and of the dear-departed Albert can probably now be found in The Vulcan, opposite Cardiff Jail).
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Not a bad pub, but not the best in Cardiff. Nice Brains beers on tap. Students don't appear to be welcome in here, which means that this is probably one to avoid if you're an undergrad, but not a bad place for a few pints if you're in your mid-twenties or over.
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They may have changed the decor, but the Brains is as well kept and good as ever.
Always friendly and the atmosphere is fantastic when there is a match on.
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Heavy emphasis on OKish food, but Brain's beers are excellent. Great on rugby days, best of all it's a friendly place with a good atmosphere when busy. Some interesting rugby memorabilia on walls etc, very handy for both Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park.
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One of the last, and best, traditional pubs around when all others are being turned into wine bars. Of course it's changed, everything does, but it's still kept its character. Always full on the weekends with a 25+ age group who appreciate quality beer at "real" prices. For those who hark on about the past, get a time machine or accept it. Old Arcade is a quality boozer.
Daniel - 22 Apr 2004 09:39 |
I agree they've destroyedone of the best pubs in central cardiff. Every intenational rugby match filled the Old A to bursting and now that' lost.
mark - 20 Feb 2004 13:41 |
They wrecked it! USed to be an old spit & sawdust place, full of locals & students with some ye olde rugby memorbilia around. Now its just same old same old "food pub" with no character...
Jon - 20 Feb 2004 12:30 |
Large and vibrant pub in the centre of Cardiff. Can get very busy in the evenings - especially Fridays - but atmosphere is friendly. Karoake some nights. Food available most of the time. Brains beers are well kept. It's also open all day on Sunday which you don't always get in Cardiff.
Graham - 10 Sep 2003 13:05 |
