With a dozen and one pubs to choose from, what happens when you fancy something a little bit different, a little more stylish, a different range of drinks or just something away from the ordinary. Well fortunately, a vibrant new wine bar has opened in Caernarfon in recent weeks, creating an altogether unique space within the walls of the town.
Tucked a little way off Y Maes in the town centre, you'll find a Y Segontiwm an art atelier(studio/workshop) and members bar, though they're keen to stress anyone is welcome, members or not. The idea behind this new bar came from Dewi Arfon Jones and Sara McKee, with the principle notion being to attract people who are interested in art and discussion to get together for a glass of wine.
While I'm not artist myself, I am a great lover of art and all creative pursuits, so when I heard about this new bar opening I was keen to get down and check it out for myself. Currently the bar is only open Thursday to Saturday evenings, so I had to wait a couple days before popping down Thursday evening.
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I arrived shortly after opening, strolling down to find myself the first one in for the evening, not that I minded - it gave me a good opportunity to have a nosey around. The bar sits just across from the Albert pub, but at the same time couldn't be more different than it, offering a brightly coloured interior, cosy little nooks and great decoration with some of the art pieces on sale.
Another advantage of being first through the door was the extraordinary service I received from the two ladies behind the bar, who were both friendly, warm and inviting - chatting away with me about the new business. After a bit I settled in the bar's main room, which comes with a large inviting sofa to sit on, right next to the window, ideal to catch the summer breeze.
There's plenty of other spots as well, along with a selection of board games and books for those looking to keep their minds engaged while they drink. Speaking of which, as the bar is first and foremost a wine bar, I had to go for one of the options they had available, opting for a glass of the house red.
Regretfully I was so busy enjoying it, I forgot to note down what the name of the red was, but it was a vibrant and juicy flavour and certainly an exemplary choice for the house red. Cocktails are also big on the menu, though I didn't get a chance to try one myself, they certainly looked perfectly made.
Part way through my glass I decided to go for a nosey upstairs, to the atelier, labelled as an ideal open space to let your creativity go wild. That certainly seems to be the case, as the space is already a haven for art supplies and painting, I could certainly imagine a few workshops and artsy events happening here.
After a good nosey I finished my drink with a pleasant chat in the sun, learning about where the business is hoping to go from here. The good news is they've certainly got some great plans for the venue, and this looks to be the beginning of something really unique for the town.
Y Segontiwm is a promising up-and-coming business, that really brings some fresh new ideas to Caernarfon. I'd recommend visiting as soon as you can and enjoying a drink outside, or exploring the indoor space, I may have only visited briefly, but I'm already planning when I'll next be back.