Publican Local Focus: Cardiff - a Welsh welcome
A Polish traveller recently arrived in Cardiff and was keen to take a few photos to commemorate his trip.
But instead of snapping tourist attractions such as the Millennium Stadium or Cardiff Castle, he focused on an unfortunate trait that has become associated with the Welsh capital.
Shocked by what was unravelling in front of his eyes, he took photos of the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
National newspapers were quick to pick up on his album of debauchery and reprinted the photos - which included blood-covered men and women falling on the ground wearing next to nothing.
But some argue this is a misrepresentation of a city that has much more to offer than cheap promotions.
Take licensee Gary Corp, for instance. He is Cardiff born and bred and as proud of his home city as they come.
He tells The Publican: "I don't think it is any different now to what it was 25 years ago. Those photographs were taken on a (rugby) international weekend, when there are thousands of extra people in the city. There is no more violence or trouble now, it is just in the public domain more."
He may have a point, because when The Publican visits, on a Thursday night, Cardiff seems slightly sleepy.
Promotions
However, several pubs and bars are trying to attract customers with cut-price promotions. One venue is offering £3 entry, then £1 for any drink all night.
It is this type of offer that infuriates Debbie Richards, owner of traditional city-centre pub the Borough.
"Some places are doing cheap promotions and having happy hours all day," she says. "A lot of people buy drink from the supermarkets beforehand and pubs get the blame."
But Cardiff is doing what it can to improve its reputation. People from around the world visit the Millennium Stadium and are assured of a warm welcome in nearby pubs that thrive on their business.
Council and police-led initiatives are encouraging venues to offer a more 'Continental' style of going out and, according to recent reports, Cardiff is starting to turn the corner with an increase in food-led venues.
Brains
It is also has a 127-year-old brewery to be proud of - Brains. Most pubs have at least one Brains beer on and nearly half the pubs in the city centre are owned by the Wales rugby team sponsor.
But Cardiff is not immune from the problems that other parts of the country face.
Although the city is buoyed by tourism and a large student population, local unemployment levels are creeping up and affecting pubs.
And while development will probably bring benefits long-term, parts of the city centre currently resemble a building site - which is doing little to help trade.
One pub that has felt this more than most is the Vulcan, which after 150 years of trading, is set to be demolished to make way for a car park.
Licensee Liz Smart is still hopeful the traditional pub will survive the cull, as the city modernises.
She says: "Lots of pubs are closing in Cardiff, which I think is so sad, we are a traditional pub and people still need places like us."
• Next stop: Birmingham. If you would like us to visit your pub, email us at news@thepublican.com
Views from the pub
Nick Newman is manager of city-centre Brains pub the Yard, which is based on the old brewery site
How much will a drink cost me?
Brains is £2.45 a pint, Brains 45 lager is £3.15, a pint of Carling is £2.95. House wine is £4.65 for a 250ml glass. Coke is £1.85 for a bottle.
Do you do food?
The wet/dry split is currently about 80/20. We open at 11am and do an all-day breakfast. For main meals we do shared platters from around £7.50, and traditional meals such as fish and chips and burgers are very popular.
Who are your customers?
We are only a minute's walk from the train station, so we get lots of tourists and passing trade. We also get a mix of office workers and our proximity to the Millennium Stadium means that we get a lot of trade from there too.
What attracts people?
The building itself works really well in terms of design and architecture. It is a mixture of contemporary and industrial with the history of the old brewery.
What are the issues affecting trade in Cardiff?
Locally there is also a lot of building work going on in the area which is disruptive now, but will ultimately bring benefits.
Debbie Richards is owner and licensee of the Borough, one of the few freehouses in the city centre
How much will a drink cost me?
Brains bitters are £1.70, Brains Smooth Extra Cold is £2 a pint and a pint of Carling is £2.40. A single serve bottle of wine is £2.50. Coke is £1.
Do you do food?
No, we are 100 per cent wet-led apart from snacks. Ideally I would like to extend and have a steak bar with salad options.
Who are your customers?
We are the only pub that wants the older generation. Every other bar is geared up to a younger crowd. I like to think of us as a community pub in the city centre.
What attracts people?
They just like to talk among themselves, for most people it's a place to meet up. The beer is good quality and if it wasn't the customers would soon tell me!
What are the issues affecting trade in Cardiff?
We are on St Mary Street and the council wants to pedestrianise it, which will affect us. Hopefully we can use it to our advantage and get permission for tables and chairs outside. What affects me is people doing £1 a pint and 'all you can drink' promotions - I thought this was what the government was trying to curb.
Rita Hooper is licensee of the Punch Taverns-owned Bute Dock on waterfront development The Bay
How much will a drink cost me?
A pint of Brains SA is £2.20, as is a pint of Carling. A pint of Stella is £2.50. A 175ml glass of wine is £2.50 and a can of Coke is £1.
Do you do food?
We have just started doing lunch from noon to 2pm and dinner from 6pm to 8pm. Main meals are £2.99. Desserts and starters are just 99p.
Who are your customers?
We are mainly a locals' pub. We are just off the main drag, so we do not get much passing trade. Our customers are mostly elderly people, but we get more youngsters on Fridays.
What attracts people?
It is a traditional pub and one of the oldest pubs down the docks. We do a disco and karaoke as well.
What are the issues affecting trade in Cardiff?
The credit crunch has obviously been a major factor. And when supermarkets charge about £14 for 36 cans of beer it doesn't help.
Gary Corp is manager of Brains' the Old Arcade, an award-winning sports pub near the Millennium Stadium
How much will a drink cost me?
Brains bitters are around £2.30. Foster's is £2.60 and Stella Artois £2.95. Wine is sold by the bottle for around £8.
Do you do food?
We do meals, but are still 95 per cent wet. We do a range of homemade food, around £6 to £7, including lasagne, chilli, and steak and ale pie with Brains beer, as well as lots of fresh fish from the market next door.
Who are your customers?
We get a real mixed bag. It is not a youngsters' pub but we get big crowds in to watch sport. We also attract a slightly older crowd with our discos. The Millennium Stadium provides lots of customers too. When Oasis played, we put on t
