PIATTO
Giovanni’s newest opening is the best place to head before a show at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay. The pasta house sits directly opposite the venue providing you with the best opportunity to grab a bite to eat and some drinks before heading in. The menu caters for everyone from meat eaters to vegans, and promise your food within 30 minutes of ordering. They’ve catered for some of the biggest names in Wales, and if it’s good enough for Sir Tom Jones, it’s good enough for us.
DEAD CANARY
The illusive Cardiff hot-spot is a great place for your evening – if you can find it. Housed on Barrack Lane, you need to look out for the golden feather to identify the entrance, to the right you’ll see a bell you ring to gain entrance to the speakeasy-style cocktail bar. Inside you’ll find cocktails inspired by Welsh heroes like Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey. Amy Holmes, reservations manager of the bar says “It’s our small table service, live music and overall ambience” which makes The Dead Canary the perfect destination for your evening.
SLUG AND LETTUCE
We all love to get a photo for the ‘gram on our nights out, so why not head to Slug and Lettuce for your evening? The recently-opened venue has the perfect blossom-adorned booths to give you the influencer-style feed we all aspire to. Their offer of 241 cocktails on all cocktails all day every day is hard to beat, and they also offer cocktail masterclasses for an extra special evening.
TRADERS BAR
Located in Llandaff, this cafe by day and bar by night is the perfect place to get away from it all. Their drinks menu is inspired by the owners travels around the world. The bamboo adorned bar and aesthetic will transport you across the world without the expense and give you the short escape you need. The menu is inspired by gin and rum-based cocktails, and if you’re really lucky you might get to try the 90-year-old rum they have stocked behind the bar.
BREWHOUSE
If you love live music then look no further than Brewhouse. Located on St Mary’s Street the bar is renowned for its showcasing of live music. Brewhouse showcase the best of Welsh talent every weekday evening, with a happy hour deal to go with it. You can also catch live music all day every Saturday. The best night to visit is a Thursday for ‘Thursday Night Live’ which features an extended happy hour and £1 tapas.
GIN & JUICE
This bar is ideal to get all the girls together for a drink and a catch-up. The ever-growing gin menu has now surpassed 200, with no intention of stopping. Knowledgeable staff are on hand for recommendations suitable for beginner gin drinkers and the experts. By day, expect to find light and delicious breakfasts and light bites to see you through the day. Be sure to check out the unique interior which is adorned with framed pictures from floor to ceiling.
JUNO LOUNGE
This gem in Roath is a go-to spot when the sun is shining. The cafe/bar’s corner spot means you’re surrounded by windows for a fresh and open atmosphere. For a fresher and more-open atmosphere check out the hidden roof terrace out the back. They serve a range of cocktail, including the dreamy slushy cocktails for those relaxing summer days.
PENNYROYAL
Pennyroyal is an ideal venue for a first date – the variety of drinks here will provide you with easy conversation to get past the awkwardness we all dread. The dark and cosy interior paired with the apothecary-style drinks provides the perfect opportunity to shake up your drinking experience. Just be careful you don’t end up with a chilli in your drink…
REVOLUCION DE CUBA
Inspired by Cuba, this bar will provide you with the drinks and the music to get your hips moving for a night of dancing. The bar provides plenty of space to dance as well as plenty of seats for when your feet inevitably start to ache. In the heart of Cardiff, this venue is the perfect place to begin your night, and who knows, you might even get to try out some salsa moves with the pros.
Etc
Sometimes you don’t fancy the busy streets and four deep bars you can find in Cardiff, in this case, you should try ETC in Penarth. Oozing with drama, the theatre-inspired restaurant and bar serves up an exciting evening. Be sure to check out their smoke infused cocktails for something to really to truly set your night apart.
