It’s been transformed from ‘an empty white box’ to a buzzing tavern
There’s a new pub you should add to your list in Cardiff especially if you’re a fan of a cosy pint or a good whisky. The latest venture by the team behind the city’s Barker outlets is something new they say perfectly blends a traditional pub experience with a more elevated vibe.
Wander down Castle Arcade in Cardiff and you’ll find Barkers Tavern, created by the team behind Gin & Juice, Rum & Fizz, and Coffee Barker. You’ll immediately see the attention to detail this company is famous for, in its other outlets in the same arcade.
With wife Charlotte, owner Stephen Barker saw a chance to transform the recently vacated Wally’s premium off licence unit and turn it into something that extended, but also diversified, their brand offering. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
The couple decided on an elevated pub experience. Stephen says: “Leaning into a pub vibe, it’s a place where there’s great beer, amazing Guinness – we’ve done a lot of work with training the staff to do a perfect pour – but with amazing cocktails too.
“It has given us the opportunity to say what beers we want to do, the selection is wonderful, and we can do things like offer space invader crisps and pork scratchings and all the kind of things we love about a pub – a pork pie if you wish, but we’re also going to do oysters which elevates it – Guinness and oysters is a lovely thing and also some amazing toasties as a hot food nibble with your pint as well as a lovely wine list.”
One aspect of Barkers Tavern that Stephen believes is unique to the capital city is the large range of around 140 whiskies from around the world to choose from, as well as research on the best ways to serve them.
He says: “I don’t know anywhere in Cardiff that offers trying premium whiskies from all over the world ranging from base level to really expensive, rare, old vintage whiskies. I believe it will be the largest whisky selection in Cardiff.”
Anyone who has been to the other Barker outlets will know that the ambience of the place is born out of the eclectic and visually engaging interior, from furniture to lighting, fixtures and fittings to added curios and treasures.
This aspect of the brand is inspired by the building and the age of the Victorian arcade itself and so with the tavern it was a case of sourcing items that promoted the feeling that the pub was original.
Stephen said: “What we tend to do is buy vintage items. When we see something that is precious and good we scoop it up and store them – it’s a bit like an addiction though, in the past I’ve bought an entire inside of a church – some of which we’ve now used inside the bar area of the pub.
“The bar itself is from an Italian wine establishment that was being knocked down. We like to use things that have an illustrious history and a past and they bring in the energy, we like to fill the space with energy from beautiful things, if you put them together tastefully they create such a welcoming and unique vibe.
“We worked really hard on the interior of the tavern, we tend to go a bit to town on our fitouts, and every details matters to us but this one we’ve made it so when people are walking in there they are wondering if it is all original – it was a white box when we started but we wanted it to look like it’s been there for years.”
Inside, the tavern’s design includes a stage with a baby grand piano and will be a hub for live music, especially blues and jazz, promoting the vibe that is casual and relaxed but elevated above a standard pub.
They want this pub to keep the arcade’s legacy going. “We’ve been here since 1982 and we want to protect what we have here, which is a unique destination of various businesses,” said Stephen.
“Our vision for the arcade matches the landlord’s vision for the arcade. We’ve chatted many times and talked about how these old arcades really lend themselves to quality hospitality where people feel safe and building a good, premium environment is a shared vision that we have.
“Our neighbours are fantastic – it’s great to have a symbiotic relationship with their customers which are also our customers, whether you’re going to Pasture for a lovely supper and coming to us for a drink at Barkers Tavern maybe before or afterwards – we’re all a part of the Castle Quarter, that part of the city, that whole area that is so lovely.
“These arcades are unique and we need to lean into our heritage, having something that is from a time that is long gone and making them somewhere that is strong and healthy for the future really matters.”
