Tourism in Pontypridd
“A few beers, some ribs, and a dead hooker...yep, lots of fond memories from Ponty Pubs.”
Their are several fine eating and drinking venues in Pontypridd. Whilst most are clustered around the centre of Pontypridd proper, aka Ponty Town, some can be found in outlying areas such as Treforest.
Ponty Town[edit | edit source]
This is the hub of the Pontypridd area. Christ it's noble. Like a fackin' national institution, that's what it is.
Alfreds Bar and Grill[edit | edit source]
No one is really sure how this place came about but wise people (those with jobs) say that one morning a glowing green rock appeared upon the Common high above the town. A man called Inkpen put this stone in his pocket and made his way towards The Market Tav. Then whilst Inkpen was chatting to the resident Druid the rock flew out of his pocket and hit a chap known as Didds smack upon the forehead.
From this point onwards Didds, along with his society of forward-looking birds, have entertained the very strange notion that Ponty is better than everyone else knows it's not. The Druid group—Inkpen, Didds, Lambert, and Whorter—bought shares in supermarket groups (but not JS Sanghera's supermarkets, as they are evil and owned entirely by rotters).
As a tax dodge the Druids started Alfreds Bar and Grill. It is a pub, and they have a grill upon which they cook kidneys, leeks, chips, and battered dog's puds.
Lan' Over[edit | edit source]
This pub sports smoke-crusted rafters, dirty varnish, and a lighting scheme straight from the Caves of Cunmarragagh. Generations of drunken patrons have carved their names on the underside of the bar.
Your grandad will love it. Your dad will like it. You will think its OK. Your Mum will die.
The Spoons[edit | edit source]
This is a holding area for Rhondda visitors. Tourist coaches arrive 12:00 sharp and passengers receive five pints of watery piss for £2 and a punch in the crutch. Those over 120 years old drink free.
Clwb Y Bont (trans: The place upon the sacred ground of watered plenty)[edit | edit source]
This is the only place in town to be if you do not want to be a fashion poser. Cheap is the bear as is the beer and the decor. Friday is the best night if you not a Student then thats Thursday doubles for the price of the ice and that sort of stuff with production of NUS card or just cash. Live bands at the weekends, dead bands on Tues and Thurs, zombie undead bands on Fri midnight. This place is very dark and dingy but very student-friendly. One problem: no weak cider is served and they seem to think lager (unless Stella) is for wimps. A bottle of wine costs £7 thats all!
Interesting facts concerning the Clwb Y Bont:
- Paul Hewson (Bono of U2) is known to pop in for a pint on Wednesday evenings, not so frequent is David Bowie who always tries to catch you for a pint. The other U2 member to drink here is Adam Clayton (Jones) - Shamrock - the plot thickens. But only if it is raining.
- This is the place that Bob Dylan first met Leonard Cohen in the winter of 1962 whilst the building was still in New York. And thats how Tom Jones went to America it, was a straight swap.
- Cllr Powell has been known to frequent this place although others are employed in the upkeep of the heating system. This came as a great disappointment to the followers of the late great Michael Hutchence who were keen to use the club for their chosen pastimes.
- Tom Jones was born in the upstairs meeting room whilst his mother was on a Shamrock Shopper day out and thats why he latter chose the name Jones. Blood on the carpet and ceilings still visible.
- Second Tues of every month Jesus appears in a damp patch in the function room he is Welsh speaker and looks like the copper from Twin Town the movie.
The Criterion[edit | edit source]
This is the gay pub of Pontypridd. It's also known as Ponty Pride, or the Ponty Poker Ride, or the Pointy Pecker Slide. The backroom is a creche; the basement holds the remains of the 1918 Wolverhampton Wanderers footy team nicely packed in dry ice.
Angharads[edit | edit source]
Bit like the gay pub but for slightly older children. Over 12's only; no gingers; playing through on Thursdays; all Wickingham and Bishops Stoat please pass.
Worldly Pigs Feet[edit | edit source]
Some say it has been there for years other say just under a year. In reality it's a mushroom. Other than that, who knows? But for sure don't tell your mates because we like it just the way it is.
Busy BB's[edit | edit source]
Busy BB's is an Internet café in the Indoor Market in Pontypridd town centre. It is known for its excellent service to customers who use computers, particularly those who access bulletin boards—hence the "BB" in the name.
However, Scotland Yard have uncovered a Viagra-doping scheme which used an internet virus originating at Busy BB's to give Parliament's members whopping great—well, you know. Oddly the most affected was Gwyneth Dunwoody who got a woody the size of the Tower.
Treforest Area[edit | edit source]
This is the general area in and around Treforest.
The Otley Arms[edit | edit source]
Recently rebuilt following the Tânmawr, this pub is currently the center of the vast Otley empire.
The Richard Arms[edit | edit source]
Just like the Otley, John Keats once puked here, a fact noted by Marcel Proust in Dubliners.
The Richard Arms does in fact have the armbones of King Richard III nailed to the wall behind the Tizer taps. They also have Cromwell's kidneystones in a jar by the till.
The Bunch of Grapes[edit | edit source]
The best pub in Treforest