Cardiff’s best bars

The 10 best places for a night out in Cardiff

Calling all you silly freshers, 

Whether you’re looking for a pub with a big screen and cheap beers to watch the rugby, a classy cocktail evening with the girls, or simply some ambiance for a chilled drink with friends, Cardiff city centre has it all. You’re pretty much spoilt for choice and there’s something to suit everyone!

One thing is guaranteed: every venue on this list offers the ultimate uni boozing experience!

 Tip: It’s always best to check the opening times/ the happy hours of these places before you go!

 So, in no particular order… 

Cocktails with the girls!

Slug and Lettuce

84-86 St Mary’s Street
Cardiff City Centre
CF10 1FA

Located on St Mary’s Street, this is the perfect venue for getting that ‘pic for the gram’ with its stylish, luxurious interior adorned with lots fairy lights! Answering all students’ prayers, they offer 2 4 1 on cocktails, all day every day, meaning your cocktail drinking doesn’t have to just be an evening thing! This also makes it a great (but cheap) first date option too! Due to Coronavirus, they have recently launched an app so you can order drinks from the very comfort of your seat. They also offer a cocktail master class experience so be sure to bag yourself a spot and impress your flat mates with your mixologist skills!

Revolution de Cuba     
The Friary 
CF10 3FA

 Not only do you taste the cocktails, but you also taste the Cuban culture in Revolution de Cuba. From Margarita’s to Mojito’s, these cocktails are bursting with fiery and passionate infusions which will be sure to inspire a Latin adventure…

There’s also a large dancefloor which provides plenty of space for you to get those hips moving and salsa the night away! 

Grab your amigo’s and check out the fiesta vibes for yourself. 

Gin and Juice
Castle Arcade 
CF10, 1BU. 

Tucked away on the edge of the High Street Arcade, this hidden gem oozes sophistication and authenticity. By day, its ambient lighting makes it a snug spot to catch up with friends. By night, it transforms into romantic cosy spot. The gin menu boasts an impressive 200 gin choices, with no intention of stopping. The gins they have to offer are incredibly enticing and are all served by knowledgeable, friendly staff. It is dangerously easy to spend a fortune in here so perhaps best to try it out once the student loan drops or for friend’s birthdays!

Get competitive in these sports bars…

Queens vault Cardiff 
29 Westgate St
Cardiff
CF10 1EH

 If you’re looking for a great atmosphere but want to escape the uni bubble, Queens Vault is definitely one to check out. Located in the heart of the city centre, this gives you a true Cardiff pub feel, making it a perfect choice for a day drinking session and some chilled evening drinks. With plenty of space inside for a guaranteed seat, a *large* pool table (where you don’t have to bust out some aerobics just to take a shot), as well as slot machines to play with, this’ll help you max out that overdraft asap. OOPS!

 Depot (Bingo Lingo) 

Depot Cardiff
Williams Way
Curran Embankment
Cardiff
CF10 5DY

For those of you who may scoff and think: how can playing bingo really be that amazing? Boy, have you been missing out! 

There’s nowhere else you can dance on tables to absolute classics, drink 

four-pint pitchers (Steins) all whilst playing a fun game of bingo. The prizes for winning 

are crazy. Sometimes you can win something random like a toy cat or a packet of Walkers, but other times you can win a car. Yes, you read it right- a bloody car. But, win or lose, its guaranteed good vibes all night long. Who knows, you might become the proud new owner of that Aston Martin very soon…

PS: Whatever you do, don’t make a false bingo call or you’ll be called a “silly bitch” on stage. 

Depot is also great for game day as it offers two large screens for viewing and can fit over 1200 people. If you want the stadium atmosphere, without the ticket price costs, Depot is the place to watch it. 

The Woodville ‘Woody’  

1-5 Woodville Rd
Cardiff
CF24 4DW

Now, if you’re not living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Woody. For all you silly freshers, it’s the staple pub full of Cardiff students (and we mean *full*), looking to get away from their next assignment. The woody has a great beer garden, two pool tables so you never have to wait too long, great music played at the perfect level so you can hear your mates talk (yeah, we’re looking at you Gassy’s) and can be quite cheap- especially on a Monday. You can also get a MORE card (ask for it at bar) which will get you even more discount on drinks. They also have ‘Pancake Tuesday’ ‘Wing Wednesdays’ which are a must.

It’s…game day!

 Prince of Wales
81-83 St Mary Street
CF10 1FA. 

Did someone say “Spoons?”

The large pitchers, cheap drinks, and the classic spoons breakfast makes The Price of Wales Weatherspoons unbeatable student venue for watching the games! With their newly developed app, there’s even more discount for even more spending from the ease of your seat. Note: it gets so busy so make sure you get there early to save yourself the disappointment of being turned away!

Eleven’s bar and grill

15 Cardiff Street, Cardiff, 

CF10 1BS. 

Owned by the man of the hour himself: Gareth Bale, this sports spar offers great facilities to watch rugby and other popular sports. They also offer private room hire for big groups.

The Taf

Cardiff University Students' Union, Park Pl,
CF10 3QN

 Located at the centre of student life, Cardiff’s Student Union, you can’t go wrong with watching the game at The Taf. The Taf boasts several screens to make sure you can see the action from all around the pub. This Union pub offers a super chill environment, so don’t be afraid to come in your comfies, or your favourite team’s shirt. Well aware of the student struggles, The Taf offers a tonne of deals, including 2 for 1 on cocktails and pizzas on Tuesdays, 50% off a selection of drinks on ‘Friyay’ and super cheap drinks, especially cider, all week long. Come on Wales!

Last but not by any means least (personal fave!)

Pop World
96 St. Mary’s Street 
CF10 1DX. 

 How can you say no to a bit of the Spice girls and S Club 7?

It’s no secret Pop-World is the Queen of cheese, but this doesn’t mean that it isn’t guaranteed fun and laughter. It’s perfect for breaking the ice with your new house/flat mates as everyone will be sure to know these POP-tastic hits! Tip: Request the table in the middle of the dance floor and it’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the party, despite the Corona guidelines! Here’s hoping they open the karaoke booth up very soon…