Golden Lion Inn, Llangynhafal, Denbigh

The Golden Lion is the only pub in the village of Llangynhafal and was our last pub of the day in Denbighshire. There were a number of people in tented areas in the garden beyond the car park at the rear of the pub. We suspected that this would be another pub where indoor drinking was banned. On approach to the entrance, we also noticed a blackboard inviting customers to take a seat outside and text their drinks orders to the landlord. Covid has certainly brought about a few new (and strange) practices, but this was a new one on me. How are you supposed to order by text, if you don't know what's on. We continued undeterred to the front entrance and were glad to see other people inside the pub both drinking and eating. 3 handpulls were clipped with 2 Facer's beers - Golden Lion Ale & Abbey Blonde Ale, alongside Dee Richard's Sweet Cider. I ordered half of the Sweet Cider, only to be given Thatcher's Gold. I did say that I'd ordered the Sweet Cider, but was told that they were both sweet and I needed to specify flat or fizzy. That's another new one on me! Another lady dining adjacent to the bar chipped in and recommended the Thatcher's Gold. I politely declined the recommendation to sample the fizzy sweet cider and the landlord was kind enough to replace it with the flat sweet cider. A bit of a palaver, but we got there in the end. The interior has a couple of rooms, spread over an l-shape. The one on the left of the bar seems mainly for diners, whilst the one alongside the front of the pub is more for drinkers. Despite the drinks confusion here and the rather strange (but novel) rules set up for Covid, this seems to be a good solid village local.

Excellent village local but welcoming to all. Separate Bar and Lounge/Restaurant areas. Real Ales from Holts (rare in this area - landlord collects from the brewery) plus other guest beers. Accommodation and camping available. Closed all day Monday and weekday lunchtime.

Official site of the Golden Lion - www.thegoldenlioninn.com

Official site of the Golden Lion - www.thegoldenlioninn.com