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We had to go down to Aberystwyth for the weekend and we stayed on a campsite which is about ten minutes walk from the town centre.
This was a great place to park the camper for the weekend as usually when we go out at night I’m the designated driver due to not being a heavy drinker.
In fact I’m a bit of a light weight when it comes to drinking, unless a party atmosphere presents itself or a lively pub or club is visited when I know I don’t have to drive home.
So, we park up and head into the town looking for a suitable place to chill out at.
We used to live in Wales near Aberystwyth about nine years ago and were walking around the town having a reminisce about what used to be where and which pubs had closed down, or the shops that had changed and the one’s which were still there after all this time.
When we walked down one of the streets and saw that a Varsity Bar had opened.
It was getting near to dinner time and you could see through the glass windows that this bar sold food. So, in me and my partner go to check it out.
THE BAR
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The first thing I noticed about the place was that there were a lot of people in the bar, it wasn’t too packed but because it was a large building it had lots of space and tables for people to sit and chill out.
There were tables and chairs all along the window area’s and also a bench seating area if you wanted a quite cosy spot on a sofa.
All the tables were clean and tidy with clean ashtrays on them for those who wanted to smoke.
I always judge a bar by the cleanliness and ashtrays full of dimped out fags is a real put off for me. I always think, if this is what the tables are like what is the kitchen going to be like.
So, we find ourselves a nice table by a window then we can people watch, as you do when your on holiday and my other half goes to the bar.
I’m sat at the table gazing around the room which is nicely decorated with posters and advertisements for forthcoming events at the varsity bar. There are wine, drinks and food menu’s on the table and I pick one up to look at what’s on offer.
The menu is printed out in bright colours and is on a plastic coated large leaflet, the choice of food is really good.
THE FOOD
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One page is buy two meal for Five pounds and you get a choice of chicken, burgers, curry and other dishes. The other page is the vegetarian choices and the lighter bites, the make your own choice of food i.e. bucket of chips for two and Indian dips .
The regular menu is at the bottom of this page. I was quite impressed with the menu, the choice was brilliant you could make your own choices up, have meals to share with your mates, order from the set menu or get two meals for two people for a fiver.
The desserts were good too, chocolate brownies with ice-cream or cream. Banana splits, chocolate fudge cake and other nice treats.
The cost of the meals were £5 for two and between £4.65 to £5.65 depending on what you ordered.
We orders one Tuna wraps with side salad and chips and one Indian chicken wrap with side salad and chips, which cost us £4.65 for the Indian wrap and £3.65 for the Tuna wrap.
Now, you’d expect a small meal from the lighter bits menu wouldn’t you ?
Well, let me tell you I was really surprised at the standard and quantity that arrived on our plates that meal.
It was delicious and the staff served you with a smile, then came round to clear the table when you’d finished and asked if everything was alright with your meal.
No complaints from me I can assure you.
THE VARSITY CARD
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So, as if things couldn’t get better.
When my other half went to the bar to order drinks, he was asked if he wanted a varsity card.
He said he didn’t because we were on holiday and didn’t go in there often, but the barman said “well, you might as well, because you get 25% of all your drinks and there are varsity bars around the country where you can use your card as well as this bar“.
Not being one to turn down a good deal my other half got a card.
You have to pay £1 for your card at the bars but can use it straight away, it looks like a credit card and is a trendy green colour.
The drinks we ordered were.
Coca-cola = normal price £1.30 varsity card price 97p
Guinness - normal price £2.65 varsity card price £1.99 so my other half decided there and them this was a great bar and that after dinner we would go back to the campsite and chill out then go back into town to the varsity bar to have drinks.
Later on in that night we got ready and walked the ten minute walk into town, it was a nice night and we headed straight for the varsity bar and it was really lively. The bar was full of young people and a few older one’s too. We didn’t feel out of place here as everyone was in a happy mood and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed. There is only two gambling machines in the place, one was a who wants to be a millionaire and the other one was a platform game machine of golf, so these were placed in the room at alcoves where they wouldn’t be in the way and also they were the type of machines which didn’t have bright flashing lights and there’s nothing worse than going to the pub to have top sit opposite a fruit machine which has lights flashing and hurts your eyes after a few minutes, it only makes you want to get up and go out.
The music was playing at an acceptable level and the C.D which was on was a compilation of the summers hits, this was good for all age groups and much better than having to get up and go to a jukebox.
All the staff wear the same uniform with black trousers and varsity t-shirts, which is very up to date and smart at the same time. Again the place was clean and tidy and the lights were low and not too bright.
The staff are all young and friendly.
There isn’t a dress code at the varsity bars and so you feel comfortable in jeans or skirt. When we were in there that night three girls from a hen party came in waiting to meet the others from the group and when the others came in the room livened up a bit. It was fun to be out in a good bar with lots of people and still be able to get to the bar without having to wait too long to get served.
The bar was quite big with three bar staff serving at any one time, there were other staff waiting on tables and others clearing the plates away.
There was a good stock of alcohol in the bar with all the usual bottles of WKD and Bacardi Breezers as well as all the hand pump beers and juices.
THE OFFERS
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2 for the price of 1 on bacardi breezer, Corona extra and Corky’s Smoothie when you present one of the tokens you get with your varsity card.
2 meals from the menu for £5.
Jugs of Beer which hold four pints £6.50
Screamers, Archers, Tequila, Sambuca and Corky’s are all £1
Jug of Vodka and Red Bull £7.95 for 6 shots of vodka and two cans.
Double Vodka and Red bull £2.95
Two large glasses of any wine and you get the rest of the bottle free.
These are great offers and along with this you can use your varsity card to get money off the other drinks.
VARSITY PRICES
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Kronenbourg £1.95
Carling £1.87
Fosters £1.91
John Smiths £1.80
Worthington £1.72
Guinness £1.99
Dry Blackthorn £1.95
Stella £2.14
WKD £2.29
Reef £2.25
Pitcher of Woo Woo £5.96
Malibu & Cranberry £1.87
Southern comfort and lemonade/coke £1.87
Coke/Lemonade 97p
WHERE THEY ARE
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There are lots of varsity bars all over the UK and if your in a town or city where there’s a university then there’s sure to be one.
It’s a great idea for students to save money when they are out partying but it isn’t just for students as everyone is made to feel welcome. There are 26 places where these bars are :-
Aberystwyth , Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Durham, Huddersfield, Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield, Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea, Walsall, Warwick, Wolverhampton and York.
For anyone who is still paying attention and reading this, there are two varsity bars in both Leicester and Sheffield.
THE WEB SITE
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To find out where your nearest varsity bar is and what promotions it is holding then you can log on to www.varsitybars.com where you can read all about the bars, the offers, the food and you can contact them with any queries.
Its an excellent bar to visit, so if there’s one near you go and have a look .......you’ll love it.
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