Gelert's Bar in Gwynedd

Coffee was thrown in from the door...ordered a latte which was a huge glass but sadly could not taste a hint of coffee....my sister had a cappuccino and the same thing....diabolical...I could not drink mine...it was just warm milk really

Had a great pint of local cask ale in the bar here. Really nice decor and very good service too. Thanks.

We visited during Wales lockdown and everything was very safe and we had our temperature taken etc. We chose from the set menu and the food was superb. the Welsh Lamb Rump was the best and the presentation of the meals was also really superb. I would recommend the Stick Toffee Pudding!

Lovely food - would very much recommend this restaurant - it was excellent - I'd recommend the lamb! Delicious meals and standard prices - was lucky enough to eat on the patio outdoors. Staff also very friendly and covid compliant.

We just popped in for a night cap as we were staying at the hotel. It was full with drinkers and diners.

Let us begin this tale with a brief analogy: step-forward Donald Gennaro. Not ringing-a-bell? I bet you know him: he's the "blood-sucking lawyer" from 'Jurassic Park' - you know, the one who is unfortunate enough to be devoured by the T-Rex whilst he is sat on the toilet. Yep, him. What a roller coaster of emotions he must have felt during those couple of days he resided on that island: overjoyed with greedy excitement at the prospect of dollar bills dancing their way into his pockets, swiftly shifting to the realisation that his imminent final resting place would be in several chewed-up chunks in the belly of a should-be-dead dino. Commiserations, Donald. For years I have been able to take comfort from the fact that I have never had to endure such a deluge of disappointment...until the grave goings-on of a recent bright, but brutal, August Monday. I want to be clear: our (my partner and I) experience eating in Gelert's Bar was ok; average; tolerable - choose your synonym - but, in comparison to subsequent scoffs there, it was like having pernicious prehistoric teeth plunged through your heart. #Anyway, let's get back on scedule, I mean schedule. My partner and I ALWAYS ensure that we visit Gelert's Bar for lunch every time we are in Porthmadog (at least twice a year) and we ALWAYS order the same thing; 'Fish Finger Butty'. Oh you should see it: brilliantly breaded goujons, swishing with flavour; tantalising tartar sauce charging onto your taste buds like a herd of gallivanting Gallimimus ("They're flocking this way!"); hand-crafted loaf, sliced lovingly into affectionate triangles; and thrice-cooked homemade chips, which provoke the predatory instinct like a potato fairly should. A tumultuation of flavour, fabric and fun. “So, who’s hungry?” exclaimed my partner. “Clever girl!” I replied with a twinkle, brimming with expectation on the first day (no less!) of our recent voyage to Porthmadog. Wasting no time, I took flight from the base of our balcony, proceeding to spring along the coastal corridor before me, pausing only briefly to receive a wink from a scaly local in the cove below. “Must go faster,” I thought, as hopes floated hopelessly high in the summer canvas overhead – alas: a solitary cloud began to grow…“Two Fish Finger Butties, please.” I ordered directly as we entered the bar, and we positioned ourselves with enough room to ensure we could salivate inappropriately in anticipation of our lunch. After an enjoyable, yet exasperating, interval – it seemed like 65 million years! – I felt a vibration. The water in my glass pulsed, disseminating in a shiver from middle to edge. Then another tremor, and I turned to see that our feast arrived. I knew straight away something was wrong: the usual slate serving plates (a subtle addition) were absent, replaced by some archaic crockery akin to the café in Corrie. A nervous glance at the food, and I felt a wrench in my stomach, as if I’d been slashed across the belly with a six-inch retractable claw. It was far too beige. What an earth were these chips? Triple-cooked? Nope. McCain’s? Maybe. The bread: lacking the granary gusto of its predecessor. The overall presentation and pride in the dish seemed extinct. “Jen – Freeze!” I cried, as she placed the first chip onto her palate. But it was too late. The saving grace of the meal was, thank goodness, the key component itself: the goujons were still gorgeous and the tartar remained tasty. Nevertheless, in comparison to our many excellent previous visits, the rest of the meal was poor. I wonder has there been a change in the kitchen? I hope it’s not a cost-cutting consequence. Having already parted with our cash, we ate-up and, after shooting a sinister side-glance at the six-foot turkey stood at the till, I trudged out of Gelert’s Bar to be greeted by what was now a much more violent vista. There may as well have been a meteor hurtling towards me, such was my mood. Donald, I empathise.Fond memories do persevere and, for them, we will return again, hoping that this visit was a mere hiccup. Three stars out of loyalty. Maybe it was coupon day, or something.

I am a very easygoing person but the attitude of the barman was by far the worst service I have had in a long time. We ordered two beers and were planning to eat in the bar . The beers were clearly off and we asked for a replacement. The barman was extremely sarcastic and tried to charge us for another set of beers. This wasn't service it was punishment from somebody of advanced years who should have known better Needless to say we didn't stay for a meal!

A small hotel bar with no atmosphere and unfriendlybarperson. We visited this bar on a Tuesday evening about 9pm and there were only about 9 people there. It has a television but that was all, no background music. Bar is dull and the barperson just didn't want to chat. We left after 2 drinks.

We visited for a drink on a sunny afternoon. The only other people there were a group of locals who were loud and using a lot of bad language, definitely not a family pub due to the nature of topics being discussed which did make us feel a little uncomfortable. Drinks were expensive but barman was nice and food menu looked very extensive and a lot of good locally sourced options.

Short on atmosphere but friendly staff. TV dominated the bar and very loud and intrusive. Good real ale on offer - Purple Moose

We chose to eat dinner in the bar and the staff were friendly and the food was great. We felt very welcome as we were traveling from overseas.

What a fabulous choice of menu. We both had steak in ciabatta and it was excellent. Bar staff was very attentive and friendly too. Lovely welcome for us and the dog.

This is by far the best bar in the town, the range of drinks is superb and the food is the best around

We popped in for a drink as it is part of the hotel where we were staying. Enjoyed the fact that it is part of the community,not a gloomy 'hotel bar'. Roaring real fire, TV on with some match, the place was full of families. Certainly comfortable and well run! Great staff.

Fantastic lunch. We all had the burger and chips. Kids had children's meal and were stuffed. Massive portions of tasty, hot food. Reasonably priced. Barman was really friendly and our dog was welcome too.

We visit Wales for a week-or-so every Easter and summer, and never fail to visit the Royal Sportsman for lunch. The lunch menu takes place in Gelert's Bar. We always get the Fish Finger Butty: coated fish goujons with insane tartare sauce on sublime granary bread - all homemade. Chips: off the scale. All the other food looks of a similar standard to this, if not better. Sensational food; excellent service; good beer. You will not be disappointed.

Nuestra primera noche en la ciudad y decidimos comer aquí, ya que no tapas y no queríamos una enorme comida. Cerveza en handpump y aunque la comida no estaba mal, nos pareció que era sólo un poco de aceite de oliva en demasiado los platos. La habitación en sí es bastante aburrida y un poco rígido, así que tuvimos nuestra comida y bebida y luego cambiaron.

Este establecimiento fue recomendado a mí mientras camina en la high Street. Yo tenía a mi perro conmigo y estaba buscando algo que podríamos comer y llevar a mi perro conmigo. El personal era muy amable y el servicio era genial. Me ofrecieron un tazón de agua para mi perro. Yo opté por el club sándwich que venía con patatas fritas. El sándwich era presentada en un plato de pizarra. Leer el menú, podría parecer un poco caro, pero la comida es de calidad y una comida bastante grande para el precio y en realidad no es más caro que otros restaurantes de la zona.

6 of us were staying at the hotel whilst doing the Lon Las Cymru bike route so we were very hungry. We had a meal in the restaurant and the food was truly lovely and there was plenty of it. Can thoroughly recommend.

Good bar selection of beers and spirits. Local characters add to the atmosphere with some singing. Food available in the bar when the restaurant is full Dogs allowed in the bar.

Friendly bar staff, excellent food, lovely fire. You don't usually get asked how you want your steak cooking for a steak sandwich, cooked beautifully and plenty of it. Would definitely recommend and they're dog friendly.

Stopped in for lunch, very friendly staff. Lunch was superb, i would highly recommend. Dog friendly too.

Encantador pub tradicional galés. Sirve cervezas locales por el personal amable y servicial y un fuego de leña!

El personal era amable y atento. Hay un menú de comida disponible si no quieres comer en el restaurante del hotel y las porciones son bastante generosas.

Friendly, helpful & cheerful, good ales & great food. Nice courtyard area with tables and seating outside the back. Very good atmosphere & relaxing.

We had dinner there one night and on another night popped in for a few drinks. The staff were very friendly and the locals were too.

If you want a "pub" with no atmosphere, plastic interior and unfriendly service - you've found it. Beer was OK, however this is defiantly a pub where locals come first, and they only seem to grudgingly accept visitors. This is a short review as we did not stay long and we did not eat there.

Be prepared to wait until all the locals get served first no matter if you have been there ten minutes.Prices are ok, and the little court yard out side is nice

As a party of 12 , it was quite tricky to find somewhere to fit us all in, but they welcomed us in, children, pram , no problem. The food was tasty and it was a varied menu, which as a group we sampled many dishes. The bar staff were friendly. The prices were similar to other places we had been. Would go back again, if in the area

It's just so old fashioned, & not in a good way!!Everything is old, they need a complete refurb to bring this place out of Victorian times.Slow service, uneducated staff, dingy bathrooms, etc, etc!!

A very pleasant watering hole to meet a lot of local people and other tourists! They sell a lot of good ales!

Stayed at this hotel, it was ok, I thought it was a bit expensive for what it was, small double bed, although it was comfortable. Bathroom and shower ok, décor.....hmmmm ?? ok.... The food was a bit on the expensive side for what it was. Staff were friendly. The Bar area was a little noisy and one night we could hear the entertainment from our room.

Good food but a little expensive. The staff was welcoming and we were able to take our dog in which was great for us. Comfortable and clean place to eat.

Very expensive drinks by English standards but all of North wales seems to charge too much for drinks. The food looked good but again was expensive by English standards.

The Hotel - an old coaching inn - still seemed to be in that era. The food - whilst good was very expensive - but the lass behind the bar worked her socks off!

Just wanted a sandwich type lunch and my husband had the club sandwich with home cut chips,whilst I had the steak and caramelised onion chiabatta and chips.Well cooked and well presented. The next table had scones and tea and the scones were amazing. Very nice, well done.

Had three excellent dinners here the lamb is so tasty and the desserts are brilliant will be back again and again.

Good choice of good quality food at reasonable prices. And they allow well behaved dogs in. The 'Pie of the day' was so good I had it again 2 days later. The lamb shoulder was cold for some reason, but they cooked another (and yes they did cook a fresh one) and it was superb. So 5* to the staff.

Called in here for an afternoon meal. The decor in the bar is very tired, and the afternoon menu quite limited. My wife and I had perfectly reasonable steak ciabatta sandwiches with a side salad that consisted of lettuce and a bit more lettuce, but the children's menu was a complete rip off. A tomato pasta that contained about 6 fusilli followed by a single, very small scoop of ice cream. There was no music on, and several people sitting around in bored silence. Won't be returning there, and that to my mind rules out the hotel and the a la carte restaurant because it belies the level of care in the establishment generally

We rarely give a poor review and if you look at my previous reviews, we always try to focus on the positive but we visited here after reading the blurb in the tourist information guide to the area, and we intended eating in the much advertised "award winning restaurant" - we didnt!Having ordered a drink in the bar we were interrupted by a loud rude person - who we now know to be, the owner. He simply walked in, cut across us, blocking the drinks which were on the bar, for him to embark in a lengthy bossy conversation with the hapless barman about future shifts and that the member of staff must bring in ID. We sat down without paying for the drinks waiting for him to finish. How rude. We then got up to pay for the drinks when he had finished his tirade and vacated the room .... But he came back to promptly interrupt again! The owner is rude, we did not stay and will not return! There are too many lovely welcoming places to visit - spend your money elsewhere!

Good place for a quick meal and a drink. The "pie of the day" is recommended but only if you are very hungry! Quick friendly service plus the bonus of local "Purple Moose" beer on draft !

I have stayed at the Royal Sportsman, the hotel of which this is the bar, a few times and eaten here too. The atmosphere is traditional pub but the food is usually very good and priced for a restaurant experience. On this occasion I was with my husband who was visiting for the first time and he really wondered why I had taken him here. The welcome was distant, to be generous and the atmosphere on a Sunday was dull. My dinner was ok but his was really a disappointment - soggy chips and poorly cooked asparagus. Not sure I'd bother again.

We were on a day trip to Porthmadog looking for some lunch with large dog. We were warmly welcomed into "Gelerts Bar" and provided with bowl of water for our dog companion. The service was excellent and so was the food.

Great friendly barman... but I do wish that he would turn the volume of the telly down, as due to the design of the lounge the sound carries every where... please please turn the volume down !!!!!!