Mr Smiths in Cathays

So a new bar has opened in Cathays. Recently in Cardiff a few new things have been happening and changing the landscape of things to do and see in and around town. The Coal exchange is re opening, the owners of milgi and london’s lock tavern have opened Cardiff Arts Institute. Which by the way also run Start the Bus in Bristol which is a personal favourite of mine if you are in and around Brizzle. Thanks to a number of decent promoters floating around, the nightlife in Cardiff seems to be picking up after a dull few years…
So it was friday night, didn’t fancy going ‘out out’ so thought I’d take the short walk to check out Mr Smiths (formally the funky buddha).  Now for the people that dont know, this place is run by the same people who own Buffalo and 10 feet tall. You would expect the same sort of thing, long waits at the bar while at least 3 or 4 people in front of you are ordering the really really good cocktails (little annoying when all you want is a beer) but hey. Old/shabby/vintage decor and a good selection of good food.
Now a few people i’ve spoken to did have reservations about this place, why Cathays? wont the place just been over run by ‘ra ra’ students? (you know the ones, with big blonde hair, silly jack wills clothing that look like pyjamas and dependant on sex, you’ve got your flip flop/ugg boots all year round..)
A place in Cathays competing with all the other drinking holes with the same prices as buff and 10 feet. Surely this wouldnt work?
It was raining outside when we entered so a cig outside on the bar benches was out of the question as I didnt fancy braving the elements with no cover. Inside however, the place was close to being full with most of the chairs inside being full. You notice that the bar has moved from where it was before which in my opinion makes the place look a lot bigger and the space works well. You still have the same quirky feel that you have from the other two bars without it feeling like too much. So far so good, sat down and went to look at the menu for food but all I found was a VHS box. I opened it up to find the menu! this is a clever idea and it worked really well. On the menu you had a wide selection available ranging from your all day brunches through to organic porridge which were all resonably priced.
To the bar, ordered my standard of a g&t and small glass of red to be told that I would have to buy something else as it didnt meet the £5 card limit.  Certainly not the same as those town prices, I upgraded to a large glass and sat back down.
Mr Smiths is a much needed breath of fresh air that Cathays has needed for a while, just a bar you can sit and
chat without having to fight the volume of music for conversation with decent range of food on offer with drinks that are affordable. As long as the group of pub golfers dont become a regular thing im sure i’ll be back.

http://www.myspace.com/magpiegallery