For many people, going out to enjoy a game of cricket isn't complete without drinking a refreshing pint or two. Having a few beers while the game is played has long been a traditional part of the sport.
But now, a bar near Llandygai, on the outskirts of Bangor, is looking to mix things up. Mixopoly, a mobile bar that has been working around North Wales for a number of years, has recently taken up residence at Bangor Cricket Club.
The business, focused on making fresh, tasty cocktails, will now be offering its services on a more permanent basis from the building, where cocktail aficionados can go and watch the show. It might not be exactly what you'd expect to find at a cricket club, but it also might be the beginning of a promising future.
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As I glanced through the large glass window I noticed everyone had the same idea as me, pop down and enjoy the sun and try out some of these new cocktails. Much of the outdoor seating had already been taken over, while the maintenance team appeared to be getting the pitch ready for a game.
I was welcomed with a warm and friendly greeting, and the service stayed the same throughout. This is clearly a young business eager to please, and that is by no means a negative, as many businesses lose that personal touch as they grow.
After seating myself in the sun I spent a little while perusing the cocktail menu, unsure which to choose. All the options looked very tempting, and most were variations of traditional cocktails, so I opted for the raspberry mojito, as it seemed the perfect refreshing option for a sunny day.
![The pork belly bites](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article27003779.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Mixopoly-pub-review.jpg)
Bar lovers will be happy to hear that there is still an extensive range of other drinks on the menu, but the focus here is very much on the cocktails, and rightly so if the one I had is anything to go by. My mojito was probably the freshest I've ever had, the ingredients were all crisp and looked freshly picked, and blended together nicely to make the kind of cocktail that can be dangerous, the kind that's so nice you forget you're actually drinking alcohol.
To avoid falling into that trap I opted to pick up one of the freshly introduced meals from the evening menu. I opted for the pork belly bites, which were coated in nice, light sauce and served with a side of chips, a moderately spicy salsa and a hearty helping of coleslaw. It was an ideal meal for relaxing in the sun, and just filling enough to keep you going, without sending you into a food coma.
![Mixopoly at Bangor Cricket Club](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article27003780.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Mixopoly-pub-review.jpg)
The delightful food was even more impressive when the waitress told me it was the first time they were doing them, as they were testing out a new chef in the kitchen. They should probably keep them.
I think to experience this venue in full though you're going to want to plan to come down for a few cocktails, and to assist with that they will be running late evenings on Friday and Saturday for those who fancy trying something different, away from the centre of the city. Personally, I'll be back to try a few more of the cocktails on the menu.
I'm hoping they keep expanding the cocktail menu so I can keep doing just that.
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