Menai Hotel & Bar

You're heading up Craig Y Don towards the seafront when the Menai pulls you in—the kind of place that's been propping up this stretch for years without needing to shout about it. It's got that lived-in warmth of a proper neighbourhood bar, where the regulars know their usual and the staff remember your face. The vibe is unpretentious: you can grab a drink without feeling like you're performing, settle into a corner with mates, or perch at the bar for a chat with whoever's working. The reviews suggest it's reliable more than revolutionary, which is exactly what Bangor's drinking culture is built on.