The
Drunk
Monk
Voted regularly the leading independent bar in Wrexham. Last week we sat down with one of the founders, Kieran - to understand a bit more about their journey to date and what’s now planned in the (beer) pipeline.
How it
all started
Originally from Birmingham, Kieran moved to Wrexham just over 10 years ago to study at Wrexham University and now lives in nearby Coedpoeth with wife Dannii and their growing young family. Graduating with a Sport Science Degree Kieran initially set his sights on a career in coaching and teaching, but the pandemic put paid to that as everything was moving remote and online – not exactly fitting his energy and training. So instead, he reset his focus on something more exciting that he could do well – having ran a couple of bars across town during his uni days. His initial vision was to open a brewery, but the perfect bar venue came up just as Wrexham High Street was re-awakening from its pandemic slumber, and the team grabbed the opportunity.
The Perfect
Location
Finding the perfect location was key to its success. Located at the end of Overton Arcade, just off the High Street, in the centre of town and immediately set back from the gardens surrounding the imposing 14th Century St Giles Church next door. The name is very apt and we think pays homage to some of the historic local clergy in the distant past that may well have stumbled their way around the alleyways leading up from the church to the many pubs located up and down the bustling High Street. Who, we'd like to imagine, in between their services, reminded local patrons the great importance and virtues of consuming real ale and beer.
Keeping The
Beer Flowing
After naming the pub and settling on site selection, Kieran’s business plans and dreams came true after a lot of hard work and The Drunk Monk bar first opened its doors in July 2021. It's led by husband and wife team Kieran and Dannii and supported by a new range of faces in their rapidly growing team. Dannii does a lot of the work in the background, running the back office and liaising with suppliers and is also the driving force and beating heart of the place. She also is key to recruiting and organising their popular events, content for socials and helping make the bar one of the top go to destinations in Wrexham.
A Family
Business
Kieran’s brother Gerard has also lent a hand in its success in the past and still can be called upon to move a full barrel or two, or step back in behind the bar as well when crowds descend at busy peaks. Admitting he is more of a self-confessed regular nowadays, he is always happy to educate customers on the choice brews that regularly change on tap and insights into the finest ales available to mankind, and on offer to all.
Going From
Good to Great
When they first opened Kieran said they initially went through smaller wholesalers for stock but that meant margins were tight. So, they decided to approach selected brewers directly who initially declined their enquiries but after their reputation grew the brewers then started calling them. Today, they order direct from the likes of Tiny Rebel, Snowdon Craft Beer, Brew York and Wrexham Lager – and by doing so allows them to bring the savings they negotiate to the customers looking for premium choice and refreshment, at the best possible prices across town. Kieran explained that with over 100 beers, ciders, ales, gins and local spirits available they are always keen to foster relationships with local purveyors and brewers wherever possible.
All Are
Welcome
With so much choice there is always something for everyone, looking for a friendly welcoming environment, and being dog friendly, it means it’s always able to cater for all customers and backgrounds looking for good ales, good times and good music.
Key to the ongoing success are their events – they offer a monthly folk night with Andy Hickey, who has played at Focus Wales, and this night brings a lot of the creative sector and ‘thinker drinkers’ to the pub from across the town.
Official
Festival
Bar
In addition, it's sister bar, based in Ty Pawb serves as the official festival and events bar for Focus Wales and other live events and festivals hosted in town.
The Drunk Monk has been voted regularly the leading independent bar in Wrexham, and it has won North Wales Pub of the Year 2025 and has been nominated again in 2026.
Future
Plans
With it's recent sister site opening up in nearby Ty Pawb, which is currently known as the Square Bar, but will shortly be renamed The Cheesy Blinders (by order of), which will be inspired by Kieran’s favourite show based from his original hometown. More of an events and theme bar, it has just had a kitchen refit and will be offering premium freshly prepared and cooked pizzas and a perfect pint. The Cheesy Blinders will be great secondary site to the growing business, and we look forward to covering their events and updates planned throughout the rest of the year.
Buy Your
Tickets
With a packed calendar of events starting with Focus Wales festival 8-10 May, Boots and Brews planned 16 May and later in the summer Battle of the Welsh Bands and their now famous BeerFest pencilled in for November again, called The Brewed Awakening. This means they now have a packed calendar.
We look forward to supporting the Drunk Monk and its new sister site The Cheesy Blinders with all their news and developments, and most of all slowly working our way through their vast selection of real ales and beers.