Friday 24 June 2011

The Crofts


Croft Street, Roath [map]



That's a good solid building right there.

Well, apart from the fact that it had to be rebuilt after it was bombed during the second world war. But, aside from that, it really is very solid.


Not a huge selection of beers but, on the bright side, they do have an extensive array of crisps and nuts, along with a full complement of fire extinguishers. Which is always reassuring.


It's looking a bit tired at the moment - even Alex Ferguson appears to be knackered.

But it's in the process of being refurbished, so we're expecting the addition of some much-needed snazz in the coming months.


It's difficult to know what to make of this photo.

There's a dog sitting in a plastic delivery tray, a parrot's cage blocking the door, a couple of sofas half-heartedly swathed in maroon throws, some wholly incongruous party decorations, and a blackboard that reads, "Political correctness prohibited in this place. Twat."

All very confusing.


The Photographer's uncle Joe Mitchell, a one-time regular, has a plaque over the bar. It's what we all aspire to, isn't it?


It's a deceptively sizeable place: round the back is this lounge bar, a skittle alley and a beer garden.


Although the beer garden more closely resembles a timber yard at the moment.


On the way out, we learn that the parrot - which is called Crofty - can say only two words: "Fuck off."

4 comments:

dabigbopper said...

I would invite you to go back to this pub and take a look of some of the changes that has taken place.

The pictures were obviously taken at a very quiet time during the day and does not reflect the true atmosphere of this very lively bar.

This pub now serves quality home style food at affordable prices, renovations have now taken place and includes a large patio door to the lounge to allow for al fresco dining, Potted plants and trees decorating the entire frontage which has improved the image of not just the pub, but the surrounding community as a whole and entertainment by way of Karaoke every sunday evening.

Further to your pictures, i would just like to add at the time of being taken, new owners had just taken on the bar and it do take time and lots of money to make improvements. I would like to take my hat off to Steve and Mark for taking on this project in a time when so many other side streets locals are closing down.

Pint of 45 said...

Hey, thanks for taking the time to comment. Obviously they were still refurbishing the place when we were there, which we mentioned in the original post.

It was unfortunate timing in a way but the idea is that we just provide a snapshot of what a place is like when we visit - they're not meant to be definitive reviews. I'm sure we'll be back at some point though.

In the meantime, feel free to post new pics of the pub on our Facebook page or via Twitter and we can RT them - see top-left for links.

Cheers!

dave said...

shame the people who drink in there and even some staff are unwelcoming, threatening and racist. lovely sign inside too "political correctness is prohibited in this place"

got asked to leave when i questioned what political correctness was and challenging a regular coming out with racist things about "darkies"
disgusting and won't be returning

Pint of 45 said...

Certainly that wasn't our experience but very sorry to hear that – any good pub makes everyone feel welcome and should have no place for those kinds of attitudes and the use of such language.