Favourite North Wales community pubs

Osian Gwynn, Arts Director of our brilliant local arts centre Pontio, is a font of knowledge when it comes to music and theatre, as you’d expect. He’s also an expert on local pubs, so we asked if he’d mind highlighting a handful of his favourite community pubs in North Wales.

A community pub – as it sounds – is a pub that is owned and run by its community, with members having a say in how it is run. Membership is usually voluntary, affordable, and open to anyone in the community, and members have one vote each. This structure allows the pub to adapt and serve the needs of the community, which can lead to its longevity.

1) Tafarn y Vic – Llithfaen – Y Vic is claimed to be the oldest community pub in Europe! The rehearsal venue for local male voice choir, Côr Meibion Carnguwch and just a stone’s throw from Welsh Language centre, Nant Gwrtheyrn.

2) Tafarn y Plu – Llanystumdwy – Situated in the village that was the former home of David Lloyd George. The outside space was renovated as part of the popular S4C series, Project Pum Mil.

3) Yr Heliwr – Nefyn – A community hub, in its true sense, as home to many local groups and societies, including Welsh learner’s social evenings and sporting memories club.

4) Iorwerth Arms – Bryngwran – An important music venue for the area, staging local and national tours and covers bands. Also serves traditional pub grub!

5) Y Madryn – Chwilog – Award winning Y Madryn, was a community endeavour started by 5 five friends who live in the locality. Also serves an extensive food menu and has a spacious beer garden. Special mention to Povey’s butcher, which is less than 50 yards away!

6) Tŷ’n Llan – Llandwrog – Located near the beautiful Dinas Dinlle beach and also a community shop. This community pub has recently closed for a significant refurb. I’ll look forward to visiting once it re-opens and sitting in the beautifully kept beer garden.