St. Canna's Ale House

Why we love it

Blessed with an aged exterior of red brick, straddling Gray Street's imagined Canton-Pontcanna meridian line and with a heavy-set wrought iron and hardwood sign swaying calmly above the heads of all who stroll in, St Canna's Ale House is - despite its recent opening on Llandaff Road - already enshrined with a sense of time-tested belonging to the hinterland between two of Cardiff's most iconic districts.

Through the opening of this idiosyncratic micro pub, James - a Baptist chaplain extraordinaire by day and landlord, owner and reverend of the taps by night - has happily combined a few of his enduring loves: awesome Welsh real ales & craft beers, making new friends and helping to build community spirit.

At St. Canna's, it's as much about promoting (and enjoying) great local beer as it is about fostering a welcoming vibe, chilling out and enjoying each other's company. You'll never find mass-produced lager, cheap food, fruit machines or Sky Sports - instead, background music lilts out from a well-loved piano in the corner (and the odd live band), fresh pizza is freshly delivered from Dusty Knuckle (with pop-ups like The Cheese Pantry or Mr Croquewich rocking up every now and then) and a scattering of board games peek out from wall-mounted crates... perfect for those who like a hint of good-natured competition with their conversation.

Seating is purposefully placed so you're sat at eye level and huddled snugly around handmade furniture, and each week's liquid craft refreshments are keenly displayed in casks behind the bar for all to see. Properly accessible and with a sense of place that extends as much to the ale served as it does to the folks enjoying their pints, this is a public house in the truest sense of the word. Welcome to Cardiff. Welcome to St. Canna's.