The Robin Hood

I have been there during the Rugby World Cup days. The service is very kind, great bear and you are so lucky to have a sunny day don’t miss to sit down outside

This is a great little pub (even if I do always get lost trying to find it!)
There is something wonderful about seeing the traditional looking frontage from afar as you meader around the Canton/​Pontcanna streets. It looks so inviting and cozy.
Now, this is a pub of many charms. Firstly, it is in Pontcanna and has a real Pontcanna feel about it. But not too much, as it is also Canton. A perfect balance if you ask me.
There are two bars — a lounge and a bar if you will — and everytime I’ve been in there has been something riotous going on. But in a good way. It has always had something of a private party about it, with people that seem to know one another and are happy to include you. There is usually music of some description, either live bands or karaōke, and people unselfconsciously enjoying themselves. There is a kind of merge between indoors and outdoors, and the party spills out into the spacious beer garden.
There are unavoidable references to Ms Church and her gang, but then even these seem quite unselfconscious. You really get the feeling that if there are any ‘celebs’ in, then they’re in for the same reason as you; a drink, a natter and a bit of a night out!

Robin Hood has a lovely welcoming look to it from the outside — its little al fresco seated area nestled in between some peroid properties either side say to the passer by — «come in have a quick pint». So I did — well to be honest it wasn’t a quick pint — it was more a couple of slow ones (and the rest).
I enjoyed my night out here even though it got a little cramped inside — the atmosphere was good and the service fast and warm.
I didn’t sample the food as I went to the Cinnamon Tree up the road but I’d go again because i had a nice evening — and isn’t that what it comes down to?

Nobody has said this yet, so I figured I better. This pub is run by Charlotte Church’s Mam Maria. On Sunday the young singer was there — singing — accompanied on the guitar by her ‘new friend’, the rising star Jonathan Powell. They were at the 30^th birthday party of former Hear’Say star Noël Sullivan and having a fun, noisy time. Myleene Klass was there too.
Millionaire Church was wearing a New Look playsuit and a cowboy hat. If you like your celeb mags like Heat and being able to say you saw them ‘merry’ of a weekend… you could do worse than popping in here. Apart from the celeb clientele, it’s a half decent pub, so you’ll have a decent time whether star struck or not!

The Robin Hood is a little off the beaten track, situated in splendid isolation amid a residential street. This suits me down to the ground! It’s just far enough away from Pontcanna Street and Cowbridge Road East to provide a down to earth respite from the more ‘need to be seen and heard’ bars that these other roads have to offer.
Although the interior is small compared to the usual standards, they have a fair sized, partially canopied terrace out front and a pleasantly aspected garden at the rear. I personally prefer the leafy views from the front, and on a sunny afternoon the terrace is a real suntrap. Glorious!
Inside the main bar is very sparsely furnished, so much so it there’s practically standing room only. Adjacent to this there’s a small snug which features the Welsh ‘Hall of Fame’, (not that any of the people in the pictures have ever been in here, but I guess that this is the impression that they like to gibe out… either that or the landlord is as devoutly patriotic as the next Welshman!!)
For a traditional pub, (with a bit of a bistro look when approached from the front), The Robin Hood does a fine job of mixing it up. The food is both affordable and good, and they have an authentic curry night every Wednesday. Thursdays is quiz night and Saturday sees the Karaōke crew descend on the place, (and me leave via the fire exit!) They do occasionally have live music, which is more up my street!
The beers are excellent, and some of the specials are well worth investing in; a 10oz Welsh Black Sirloin is only £8.95!

Less trying than most of Pontcanna’s bars, the tiny Robin Hood pub is small and cosy. Although it sees its fair share of locals lining the bar, it isn’t too cliquey and even if you’re not a regular you can happily enjoy a drink (or a meal) without feeling like an invader!
I wouldn’t say it’s one of the cooler pubs in the area, but it attracts a good range of people which creates a laid-​back atmosphere without any attitude.
It’s split into two areas — a comfortable lounge /​restaurant area on one side, and a bar area on the other. There are also decent seating areas both at the front and the back of the pub for sunny afternoons or balmy evenings, and if you’re into pub quizzes they hold a good one on Thursday evenings!

I love the Canton area and places like this make me like it more. Its not full of all the posing types you find in the city centre and its just a real sort of community vibe.
Its a tiny little place, so can feel quite atmospheric even when there aren’t many people there. It’s also another pub with good outside spaces and I was told that you could play French Boules out in the back garden, though the rain put an end to that idea.
Big screen for sport and the locals are welcoming to all.

This is a small local pub in the Canton area. If you go during the day, then you will be welcomed by the locals that frequent there, and you can have a quiet drink with friends; a wide variety of people are attracted. They have a good selection of food available every day, and the prices are all reasonable.
There is a seating area outside, just off the not-​too-​busy street, pleasantly shaded under trees. There is also a back area which can cater to the playing of French Boules, which can certainly be a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Classic pub activities can also be enjoyed, including quiz nights and occasional live music, which pack out the place to give it more a raucous atmosphere.
This is an accommodating place, known for its banter and friendliness, rather than their selection of cocktails or food. Go for a comfortable evening out.