Work is underway on the former Yard Bar, St Mary’s Street in Cardiff, which will see it become the UK’s first Proud Mary pub.
The £1.2 m investment by bar and club operator, Rekom, which also chose Cardiff as the first UK location for its popular Heidi’s Bier Bar, will create up to 50 jobs. It's due to open at the end of October in time for Wales’ rugby clash with New Zealand (5 November).
Operating over two floors, with a 950 capacity, Proud Mary Pub will be a relaxed, party pub with the blended fun and festive atmosphere of a German bier hall.
Rekom’s regional director, Graeme Da Silva, said, “We are delighted to continue investing in Cardiff, which is such a vibrant and exciting city. Heidi’s has exceeded all expectations and PRYZM continues to be one of our most successful clubs, so we are confident Proud Mary Pub will prove to be a similar hit.”
Opening at 12noon every day (closing 2am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday), the venue will serve a range of drinks and beer, including two draught ales from Cardiff brewery Tiny Rebel.
Food includes traditional bar snacks and a range of pizzas and burgers. Live sporting action, including football and rugby, will be shown on a dozen TV screens and front row seats can be secured with table bookings and table service, so you don’t have to miss a moment.
Local bands will be given a platform to perform with live music a feature on Friday and Saturday nights, with Music Bingo and quiz nights during the week.
Graeme added, “Whether you want to meet friends for a beer, watch sport, take part in a pub quiz, or enjoy a late night party, Proud Mary Pub delivers. We will be working 24/7 to open in time for when Wales takes on New Zealand – hopefully the result will give us double cause for celebration!”
There are currently six Proud Mary Pubs in Denmark, Finland and Norway, with Cardiff being the first in the UK and the former Idols club, Wind Street, Swansea will be the second due to open early 2023.
Rekom operates over 200 bars, pubs and clubs internationally and 48 in the UK. In addition to Proud Mary Pub, other venues in Wales include a further three in Cardiff - Pryzm, Heidi’s Bier Bar and Steinbeck & Shaw – plus ATIK Wrexham and Fiction Swansea.
Due to expansion and a growing team, Proud Mary Pub, Cardiff will also be Rekom’s first cluster office (in addition to its main base in Milton Keynes) to support local teams.