The Clifton

I went here once for a pint with a few mates and straight way you are struck, not only by the interior but the exterior too, by how much of a traditional pub this is.
There is no chance this place will ever become a trendy gastro-​bar, if it did then you could say goodbye to the locals who seem nailed to their usual seats.
I only went here because a friend lived local and we popped in before heading into town. It’s not the type of pub you would travel to as frankly its not that special and parking is limited because its on very busy intersection but if you’re ever in the area you could do a lot worse if youre looking for a decent pint at a reasonable price.

A dying breed of no-​frills local boozer, The Clifton is something of an incongruous gateway into the multicultural working class community surrounding Clifton Street. Just off Newport Road, it’s sufficiently out of the way that passing trade isn’t hugely significant. In fact, it can prove the sort of pub where the locals all put down their punts and turn to stare at any strangers walking in the door. But that’s countered by an ordinarily relaxed atmosphere that’s more reminiscent of a country village drinking hole than somewhere barely 10 minutes walk from a capital city centre. And if you reside in the immediate area it’s certainly your best option as a feel-​at-​home local where you might end up spending more nights than is probably healthy for your liver.

Thank heavens for The Clifton! It’s a small mercy that this pub is doing okay, despite the fact that the new one way system, implemented by the council about a year ago, is dramatically negatively impacting most of the businesses on Clifton Street. The Clifton is growing in importance considering the fate of most of the pubs in Adamstown and Splott. The Cardiff Arms closed down a couple of weeks ago in Splott, and is a loss that will be hard felt in the area.
Luckily The Clifton is a local favourite and is large enough to accommodate the increasing number of people who are being displaced by the loss of their locals. It serves Brain’s beers, which is always a winner as far as I am concerned, and I know that a lot of people feel the same way. They also have a pool table and the place has a genuine feel to it. It’s an old pub, dating back to the late eighteen hundreds, and a lot of the original character of the place remains. Going to The Clifton may mean a bit more of a walk for those who used to frequent The Cardiff Arms, but I’m sure most will agree that it’s well worth it!

Apparently The Clifton is haunted and is believed to have a wooden leg buried in the cellar. Built in 1886 the pub still stands strong. The demographic I’d say is similar to the building is a fairly localised pub.
They have a pool table which is always a bonus if you ask me. The beer here is fairly priced as well and can’t complain on sue £3 cider these days.
Lots of traditional dark work dominates the décor here and gives it a nice warm feeling during the winter months. All in all, not a bad place to visit if your gasping.

every evening, between 5ish and half past six, there is a guy stood at the bar in the back room of The Clifton with a home made sign that reads ‘gone for a fag’ and everytime he nips out the front for a ciggie, he props it against his pint of bitter. Just for that, you’ve got to love The Clifton.
There’s a big front lounge, with flat screen TVs and a jukebox and some brown leather sofas, but we usually congregate out the back room where there’s a pool table with LOADS OF ROOM around it, meaning you don’t have to keep sayibg ‘excuse me’ or angling your cue at 45 degrees to take your shot. It’s 50p a game, which is much cheaper than most places in Cardiff and the table is decent. So are the cues come to think of it.
The back room leads off to a smoking area with undercover seating and those really bright orange lukewarm heater light. Motly they stay switched off, thankfully.
If you go early in the evening, the TV out the backroom will be switched on really loud and you will see the following: wales today followed by either Emmerdale or Corrie. After that, it’s anyone’s game and you can either switch it off or put some sport on — they are your two choices.
There are usually some very drunk people patronising The Clifton of an evening, but usually they are funny and friendly and not aggresive and intrusive. You can earwig on some genuinely genius conversations if you sit out back and have a fag. If you don’t have a Cardiff accent, you will be immediately accosted and asked ‘you’re not from around here are you?’. You will say no and then you will be told ‘no, i didn’t think so, not withthat accent’! It’s brilliant. Often, people who have said this to you before were so drunk at the time that they can’t remember and you go through the whole rigmarole again. Wonderful.
Top tip: don’t play the bar manager at pool, he’s a demon, and don’t turn the TV off in the middle of a saop.
Abide by these rules and you’re golden.