retiredmartin

June 2026. Kond. Yerevan.

One more bar that last night in Yerevan, and a 20 minute uphill slog to Kond.

We had no idea why Kond was a recommended detour, beyond it being inaccessible. This pic from We Did It Our Way hardly draws you in,

and about all I can tell you about Kond is that it had a kebab takeaway, the only one I saw.

And a shiny basement craft bar called Gargoyle.

If Dors and Targett are homebrew dining pubs, then Ferment and Gargoyle are “authentic” craft bars with a choice of 99 board games,

two dozen Russian imports,

and local craft keg at £4 a pint. The staff here were really welcoming, allowing us each a roll of the dice with a six winning a free beer. We both rolled a one.

Again, close to packed on a Sunday evening when they were still serving vegan food at 9:30, but who needs food when you’ve got tomato gose.

Sadly, Saldens was a thin version with tomato flavourings and black pepper (see also : Targu Mures), so I shall have to brush up on my knowledge of tomato gose before our trip to the ‘Stans.

Mrs RM’s Gargoyle DIPA murk, on the other hand, was both undrinkable and the nectar of the gods, reminding me of the dregs of something I once hated/enjoyed in Leamington Spa.

Or course, Humphrey Smith never bothered with murky beer or dice throwing discounts, he just stuck to the knitting, and I salute him now.

And when I finally get back to England, you’ll see the strength of Humphrey’s legacy is.