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The Open Hearth — Bars in Pontypool

The Open Hearth

BarsPontypool, WLS

4.4 out of 5 stars4.4(1,017 reviews)

Quick info

+44 1495 763752
Wern Rd, Sebastopol, Pontypool NP4 5DR, United Kingdom
£10–20

About The Open Hearth

The Open Hearth is a pub on Wern Rd in Pontypool, set beside the Brecon canal at Sebastopol. It has a beer garden on the canal bank, and dogs are welcome there as well as in the bar. Inside, separate lounge and bar areas are set aside for eating, and a downstairs room adds more space. The kitchen makes its food home made, and the menu runs to burgers, including a lamb and goat cheese burger with sweet onion chutney, alongside steak dishes and a beef dinner. At the bar, ales, lagers and beers are on tap, with a gin selection for those who prefer it. The pub also hosts live music.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids

Reviews

4.4/5
1,017 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention canal-side beer garden, dog-friendly bar, steak dishes and lamb goat cheese burger.

5★
652
4★
231
3★
78
2★
29
1★
27

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers most often point to the seating beside the canal, where a decked garden lets diners watch barges and wildlife over a pint or a meal, and dogs are welcome in the bar and garden. Food comes close behind, with the steak called tender, the steak melt cooked medium rare, and the lamb and goat cheese burgers with sweet onion chutney praised as filling. Several describe the dishes as freshly made and homemade, and the staff are repeatedly called friendly and attentive, even when busy. The complaints are about the setting and small details. One reviewer calls the place tired, says the 80s seats are uncomfortable, and describes the music in the lounge as a horrendous noise for people eating. The same reviewer was brought a larger pint instead of the IPA they ordered. Another found too much BBQ sauce on the gammon and wished for Welsh beers and spirits in place of Canadian beer and a bland gin. One notes the inside is small. A wedding party shared duck bon-bons as starters and finished with a lemon meringue sundae.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “Food was absolutely fantastic, had steak, beautiful, tasty and so tender! Staff were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. Looking forward to our next visit. Definitely 5*”
  • Google user
    “One of the best pubs around especially in the summer. You can sit outside on the canal, watch the barges and wildlife whilst enjoying a lovely drink or great food!”
  • Google user
    “Great atmosphere with live music. All good deemed freshly made not shop bought frozen. Staff attentive and helpful. What more could you want?”
  • Google user
    “This area is a desert, which makes the Open a god send. Staff are very friendly, food was good. (Poss too much BBQ sauce on my gammon). The burgers looks AWESOME. The beer was well kept , but it is such a shamecthat a pub in wales is serving Canadian beers (Sharps). Surely there is a market for LOCSL Welsh beers in Wales? The gin selection was also national with the very bland Gilbey Whitnall. Wales has a superb distillery in ABER FALLS, why not stock a selection of welsh spirits?”
  • Google user
    “Called in spur of the moment today (saturday afternoon) so glad we did its the first time but will now make it place to go to We went in the bar because had our dogs with us. The staff were friendly and helpful The food was absolutely delicious and hone made. Situated next to.the canal i cant wait for weather to warm up for a meal.alfresco !”

Highlights

  • Great beer selection
  • Great wine list
  • Live music
  • Live performances
  • Popular for solo dining

Amenities

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Accepts reservations
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
  • Dine-in
  • Good for kids
Show more amenities
  • Food at bar
  • Cozy
  • Beer
  • Food
  • Table service
  • Live music
Offerings· 4
  • Alcohol
  • Cocktails
  • Hard liquor
  • Wine
Popular for· 1
  • Solo dining
Atmosphere· 2
  • Casual
  • Romantic
Facilities· 1
  • Restroom
Crowd· 2
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Parking· 4
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Paid parking lot
  • Usually plenty of parking
Dining options· 2
  • Outside food allowed
  • Seating
Highlights· 3
  • Great beer selection
  • Great wine list
  • Live performances
Accessibility· 2
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Location

Bars near The Open Hearth

The Open Hearth
£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
4.41,017
  • Greenhouse4.42,325
    3.5 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids

    sunday roast, beer garden with play area, pigs in blankets

  • 4.3 mi

    sunday lunch, generous portion sizes, lamb dish

  • 6 mi awayWheelchair accessible

    sunday roast dinner, beef and lamb roast, ship burger

The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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