Black Lion, Cardiff

A traditional pub with a stand-out black and white facade on the main road through Llandaff. It has been opened up inside into a large open plan bar with a wooden floor and decor that gives it a slightly rustic feel. Guest beers include those from Brains' own craft brewery as well as from breweries elsewhere, including some served from a gravity stillage behind the bar. Of interest in the interior are old brewery signs, loads of beer bottles (not for drinking!) which are secured on shelving in recesses or against the walls. Look up and you can see some beer barrels perched on some ceiling beams. Continuing the beer theme, many pumpclip stickers are dotted around giving an idea of the many ales from Brains and other breweries that have passed this way in recent times, with the ever increasing types of ales from Brains craft brewery being particularly impressive. May close early at night. Around the walls are displayed scenes of Llandaff which share space with a number of framed pen pictures of past Glamorgan County Cricket Club “greats” and a few cricketing cartoons. The bar counter has inlaid Prince of Wales feathers patterns which break up its otherwise plain wooden appearance. Food is popular and the menu offers a good range of pub grub favourite dishes among others.