AS PARENTS, we all know how rare it is to actually sit down and enjoy a hot drink while it’s still hot when you’re out with little ones.
After spending the previous day at Venue Cymru covering the Senedd Bangor Conwy Môn count, I decided to return the next day with the boys and my husband to try the café situated near the main ticket desk - Catlin's Café Bar.
At first glance, it’s probably not somewhere that instantly catches your eye. It’s fairly simple, clean, and has a decent selection of toasties, cakes and pre-packaged snacks - but then the boys spotted something that completely changed the experience for us.
Tucked away in the corner was a lovely little children’s play area featuring a brightly coloured tent, a large selection of books, blocks, an abacus, wooden puzzles, colouring sheets themed around upcoming shows like Bluey and 2026/27 pantomime Sleeping Beauty, along with little stools and tables perfectly sized for children.
I’d say it’s ideal for under 5s. Sebastian and Elijah were absolutely delighted and immediately ran laughing into the tent.
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And honestly... my immediate thought was: why do we not know about this place? Why has nobody mentioned it? Catlin's should be shouting about this!
We kept an eye on the boys while we ordered our food.
We ordered three ham and cheese toasties and asked for one to be cut in half for the boys to share, which the server said was no trouble at all.
We also added two cupcakes, a pre-packaged Blas Fwyd caramel slice, and my husband chose a fruit scone with butter. For drinks, the boys had milk and a forest fruit carton, while my husband had a Coke and I had a tea.
We sat in the corner opposite the children’s area, at a glass table with old show and theatre memorabilia on display.
The boys were fully in view and happily played while we waited for the food, which we collected ourselves from the counter. The server was on her own and, although she was friendly and helpful, did seem a little under pressure.
The only thing I’d perhaps mention - not as a criticism - is that the taller tables and chairs closest to the play area aren’t the most practical for families with young children who want to sit nearby.
What stood out most was that the café genuinely felt welcoming to families. It also has a nice history.
The café bar is named in memory of Will Catlin, theatrical impresario and performer who in 1907 first brought his Pierrot Troupe of entertainers to Llandudno. They would perform up to three shows per day on the beach and promenade.
Over the next 46 years, Will Catlin entertained visitors to Llandudno. In 1915, he took a lease on the first theatre on the Venue Cymru site, the Arcadia.
All the pictures and show bills on the café walls were either salvaged when the Arcadia Theatre closed or were donated to Venue Cymru by Will Catlin's family and collectors.
The toasties were really nice - warm, fresh and not overly filled - and came with crisps. The boys loved their cupcakes, while my Blas Fwyd caramel slice was delicious, and my husband enjoyed his scone.
It may not be the flashiest café from the outside, but for families with young children this honestly felt like such a lovely find inside Venue Cymru.
We’ll definitely be returning!
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