There's just a little more flavour at the Farmer's than you get down the road at the Bishops.
Both are good pubs serving the good people of St David's and their annual pilgrims who come to worship cliffs, coastal paths and small waves which carry them back to shore on their body boards.
But the Farmer's has a bit more edge to it. The sort of place that takes a bit more guts to enter. As you open the door, do things go just a little bit quiet? It feels like that as the locals check you out and then carry on with their stories. The ceilings are low and beamed and there are nooks and crannies all over the place making this pub feel like a little smugglers' den. If you can find a place in the teeny weeny mini bar round the side it's a really lovely snug to sit and slowly get drunk. As is the seat built into the wall in the main bar.
Take pictures of the locals and they will frown and mutter. Get served before them and there might be an audible tut. But if you can get over that, this is the place to hunker down and let the sea air and the ale do their thing. Warm them up and you can't stop them talking. By eight the place is usually very lively indeed, all tables for food taken and all snuggly places bagged. But you'll be happy enough standing there in the main bar drinking in the ale and the atmosphere.
Service is quick and friendly. The menu has all the classics, but unlike the Bishop's they do some snazzy specials usually consisting of locally caught fish. It's not cheap but it's very good. A kitchen clearly enjoying doing great things with whatever comes in on the boats.
You are welcome to eat outside in the garden which is more functional than beautiful but has the bonus of an extra bar so you don't have to pick your way through the thronging evening masses and their damp dogs.
Now then. Pluck up some courage to go ask for some change for the pool table.
for more reviews from me of establishments in St Davids do look up...
The Bishop's
Cwytch
St David's Food and Wine.
Oriel y Parc
Sound Cafe
Pebbles Cafe.
saffron
The Cafe at the Refectory.
Gianni's Ice Cream read more