Tuesday 19 April 2011

The Albany


105 Donald Street, Roath [map]



Now that's what a pub should look like, isn't it?


We could live without the lava lamp but, otherwise, this has everything you want from a bar: a selection of cold lagers, some freshly polished brass (er, that sounds odder than it's meant to), a few bags of peanuts, and an emetic line-up of garishly coloured concoctions on the top shelf.


"Buy 9 pints get 1 free," reads the sign. In the circumstances, it seems like the sensible thing to do.

Admittedly, buying one-and-a-quarter gallons of beer at a time is rather excessive. But, hey, we're thirsty.


The place is decorated in pretty much every shade of brown you'd expect to find in a Pantone colour chart. As, indeed, all proper boozers should be.


Through a corridor to the lounge, where there's some serious telly watching going on.

You've rarely seen a group of blokes so rapt in the EastEnders omnibus.


Amazingly, The Albany's beer garden does actually constitute being referred to as a garden. You can't beat a nice bit of foliage with your pint.


In contrast, the smokers' area is somewhat less inviting.


We definitely didn't spend our time here sitting in front of this sign without even realising it, and anyone who says we did is lying.

7 comments:

GB said...

Smashing pub, smashing website! Keep up the good work chaps!

Pint of 45 said...

Thanks mate. We've been to a few - shall we say - interesting places recently, so keep an eye out for those over the coming weeks.

Unknown said...

Good review lads, The Albany is my local pub and a good one at that. It's a particularly good place to watch the rugby when it's on, although I haven't had chance to sample the beer garden yet - as only recently moved to the area.

Ed

Pint of 45 said...

Thanks Ed. Pretty decent place to have as your local.

Owen said...

The last time I was there I was a bit put off by the clipping from the South Wales Echo, proudly displayed on the wall at the bar, that the The Albany is the Go Compare 'opera' singer's favourite pub.

Anonymous said...

A brilliant locals pub with a great selection of ales. Keep up the good work with the reviews boys. Here's my own about The Albany http://cardiffdrinks.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/the-albany-review/

Pint of 45 said...

Cheers Will. We're enjoying reading Cardiff Drinks.