Cardiff’s newest venue, Proud Mary Pub on St Mary’s Street, has announced it will open its doors on Saturday 29 October following a £1.2 million transformation by operators REKOM.
The city has been chosen as the first in the UK to welcome the traditional pub with a modern ‘party’ twist, where you are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome featuring locally brewed beers from Tiny Rebel, freshly prepared food, the latest sporting action and live music at weekends.
Venue manager Mark Simons and his deputy, Paloma de Souza, will be leading a team of 50 to make sure Proud Mary Pub gets off to a great start. Mark has more than 11 years’ experience working with REKOM and joins from late night bar concept, Steinbeck & Shaw, Bristol.
He said: “Our sister venue Heidi’s Bier Bar has been a big hit and I am sure Proud Mary Pub is going to be equally popular. The concept was founded in the Nordics and as part of my training I have visited a Proud Mary Pub in Denmark and I can’t wait to see it open in the UK.
“It has that cosy, traditional feel of a local pub combined with modern appeal. Whether you want a quiet drink after work or are up for a late-night party, Proud Mary delivers.”
Operating over two floors, Proud Mary Pub has a 950 capacity and will open from 12 noon daily (closing 2am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday). There will be a dozen TV screens of various sizes showing key sporting fixtures, where guests can also reserve a booth with its own TV screen and table service, so you don’t miss any of the action.
Mark added: “We know how big rugby and football is in Cardiff, so we will be the place to go for all key fixtures. The fact we will be open when Wales takes on New Zealand in the rugby, hopefully means we will have double cause for celebration!”
Mark and Paloma are now recruiting, full and part time positions – from five to 35 hours a week – for front of house and kitchen staff. “We are not necessarily looking for previous experience, but personality is everything. If you are up for a party and enjoy being part of a team, then we want to hear from you.
“There is a genuine career path too, which our assistant venue manager, Chrissie Constantinides proves. She joined Heidi’s as a host, became shift manager and has been promoted again in under a year,” said Mark.
Applications can be made by sending a CV to [email protected]
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.
