Our final pub of the evening was the Gatekeeper, a JD Wetherspoon venue which is also listed in the Good Beer Guide. In terms of the pub name, the chain notes:
“This pub is near the site of one of the five gateways through the medieval city walls. Originally called Wales Gate, it became known as Blounts Gate after a former gatekeeper. A blue plaque nearby indicates the location of the gateway to the Town Quay. Although the nearest water is now more than 200m away, until 150 years ago, the Taff flowed along what is now Westgate Street and, until the end of the 18th century, the quay was Cardiff’s main outlet to the sea.”
They don’t mention that the building was originally constructed as a theatre and it was more recently used as an auction house.
I was pleased to see that the Plum Porter from Titanic was on, but this was apparently unavailable, as was the Old Peculier from Theakston. I wasn’t entirely sure that I understood why they didn’t turn the pump clips around.
I instead went for the Time Travelling Taxi from Brew York, a competent pale ale which was hazy, juicy, fluffy and entirely acceptable.
My obligatory carpet photo. The online reviews are in keeping with the national chain’s average and I always feel the need to have a little look at them. I never claimed to be interesting…..
“got kicked out for no reason, abit ridiculous really, no warning loads of us kicked out for no reason? wouldn’t recommend. Wheelchair accessibility Not available no space no help or support”
The venue is accessible, but I wonder how I’ve never been thrown out of any pub but some people get kicked out for “no reason”, it’s a mystery….
“Absolute moronic decision by the so called “manager” to change channels on all TVs on Saturday 9th November from Liverpool vs Aston Villa to the hugely representative France vs Japan Rugby game (must have been 1 French supporter in the whole of the pub) – the bar staff had promised the game would be on but old incompetent “manager” decided to take a unilateral decision to satisfy one person.”
I think this is why some venues just decide not to show sports at all…..
“Watched some guy complain about women using the men’s toilets from what I gather nothing was getting resolved and he protested by entering the women’s toilet found this quite interesting as within seconds there were doormen there to throw him out not very professional run place and not very considerate as women should not be using the men’s as that guy was right. The man actually complained to a member of staff cleaning the gents at the time who did nothing to resolve it very untrained staff and the managers attitude was he didn’t care very rude staff all doormen the same attitude I felt like saying that the guy who got thrown out had a point because there were women in the men’s toilet on several occasions even a female member of staff at one point to sign the check board don’t think I’d like it if my partner had to do that or my daughter as part of her job role.”
I’m not sure entering the female toilets as part of a protest was perhaps the best thing to do here….
“Manager gave away our table and stole our drinks because we didnt tell every staff member we were going out for a cig, told two obviously not enough refused to give is a refund or a new drink.”
Hide them behind a menu, job done.
“Ripping people off yesterday with big price hikes just because the Foo Fighters were playing Cardiff. The place was packed , they would have made plenty of money anyway”
A couple of people have noted this, I wasn’t aware that JD Wetherspoon were engaged with hiking prices for certain events but that feels a little underhanded if true. Unless there’s some minimum pricing required for certain events which might explain it.
“Never got to enter as it’s impossible to park your car anywhere sensible”
I’m not sure that’s entirely fair on the venue to leave them 1/5 for not being able to park.
Anyway, I liked it here although I’d rather they turned the pump clip around to show what beers they didn’t have. The service was friendly, the venue was pretty clean and it felt safe and welcoming, so all really rather lovely.
With that, it was off back to the hotel via an Uber booked by Richard. A really rather lovely day.