Live Music — Pubs in Cardiff

Birchgrove

1-3 Brchgrove Road, Cardiff CF14 1RR

Busy suburban community pub in a prominent position at a major crossroads. Built in Arts and Crafts style but modernised in recent years, it has retained original features including wood panelling in the public bar and two red-brick fireplaces. A large range of Brains beers is served including seasonals. During the summer months a changing guest cider is also available on handpump. The pub has a traditional skittle alley. Darts, Sunday quiz.

Chapter Arts Centre

Market Road, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1QE

Former school, now a bright, attractive arts centre with a fantastic bar. One section of the long bar counter is dedicated to fine, good-value food. The other section has up to six real ales, half from the Marstons stable and the others from interesting independents. There is also a good range of continental beers including some from smaller German breweries. Contemporary art adorns the walls.

Deri Inn

Heol-y-Deri, Cardiff CF14 6UH

A large suburban pub on the northern outskirts of Cardiff which has been much modernised over the years. Popular and busy, it has a large lounge bar, stylishly furnished and divided into several distinct areas. The five regular ales are from regional breweries all over the UK. Two quiz evenings are hosted each week. There is a large car park, outside seating areas and covered smoking area.

Royal George

1-5 Mackintosh Place, Cardiff CF24 4RJ

Triangular pub on an acute-angled junction where five roads meet. Formerly multi-roomed, it has now been knocked through but retains separate distinct drinking areas. Caters for students but also locals in this student area. Possibly further cask ales being added spoon.

Varsity

199-201 Richmond Road, Cardiff CF24 3BT

"Party pub" catering largely for the local student population. Entry charge applies at certain times.

City Arms

10-12 Quay Street, Cardiff CF10 1EA

Very popular pub in the heart of Cardiff's top beer and cider area. The two rooms are served by a central bar featuring real ales, "craft keg" beers and traditional ciders mainly pumped up from the cellar using air pressure. Though a Brains house now run by Marstons, it offers a range of guest beers from almost anywhere in the U.K. incl. the Marston's range. Very busy when events take place at the at the adjacent Millennium Stadium and Arms Park.

Packet

95 Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5AB

One of the last remaining "dock" pubs in the Bay. One of Brains' wide range of pubs, described by them as a "community pub". The venue no longer serves food and has an "old man" style character. "Drugs free" posters prominently displayed.

Salt

Unit 4-6, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ

Salt - the essential ingredient, sits on the fantastic waterside development of Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay and we hold a central point to the quayside where you can enjoy al fresco drinking and dining with unspoilt views across Cardiff Bay.

Admiral Napier

239 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AL

Sports oriented bar

Butchers Arms

29 Llandaff Road, Cardiff CF11 9NG

A fine example of an old fashioned street corner local. It has a bright, friendly corner public bar plus a separate lounge bar to the rear. The public bar has sports TV with volume usually turned down to enable a juke box also to figure. The stained-glass pointed-top windows are also a feature. Limited Lunch time bar food & Spice nights. Occasional live music Guest ales and cider currently discontinued

Cornwall

92 Cornwall Street, Cardiff CF11 6SR

Elevens

15 Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 1BS

Golden Cross

282 Hayes Bridge Road, Cardiff CF10 1GH

Built in 1903, this is the most spectacularly decorated pub in Wales and is famous for its ceramics by Craven Dunnill of Jackfield, Shropshire. It contains two original tiled panels, one depicting Cardiff Castle and the other Cardiff's old Town Hall. Unfortunately, for such a fine pub, the beer choice nowadays is rather limited. Part of Cardiff's gay scene.

Old Arcade

14 Church Street, Cardiff CF10 1BG

Busy city centre pub with lots of welsh rugby connections.

Royal Oak

200 Broadway, Cardiff CF24 1QJ

Late nineteenth century pub. Walls covered in boxing memorabillia. Reopened in November 2016 following an extensive refurbishment with its original features and memorabilia restored,

Yard Bar & Kitchen

42-43 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1AD

When Brains used to brew in St Mary Street, the brewery tap was called the Albert, with the brewery itself just behind. In 1999, the brewery moved to its present location and, on the former site, the "Brewery Quarter" was created. Centrepiece of the development is a rebuilt and expanded Albert now called the "Yard Bar and Kitchen". The pub extends over two floors and is industrial in style, a reminder of the site's industrial heritage.

Clifton

1 Clifton Street, Cardiff CF24 1PW

Heath

2 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3LW

Retreat

Maelfa, Cardiff CF23 9PL

Pendragon

Excalibur Drive, Cardiff CF14 9BB

Royal Exchange

Ty Mawr Road, Cardiff CF14 2FQ

Tucked away in a side street near to the railway station (no direct access), a smart looking facade draws you into what is a traditional pub with public bar, lounge and a sports bar in an annex. The bar has some character with a “Rock Around The Clock” clock delivering the time of day alongside framed Brains beers pumpclips either side of it fixed above the bar counter. Around the walls are iconic pictures of famous Hollywood stars and there is evidence of indoor sports success with some polished trophies of past triumphs. The lounge is partly split level offering a comfortable environment for a drink and a chat. Off the lounge is access to a small (planned) patio for outdoor drinking. Near the public bar is a “charity wall” capturing the pub clientele’s charity fund-raising feats with framed certificates of thanks recognising their achievements of raising substantial amounts of cash. The adjoining sports room with skittles alley and pool table is adaptable an d doubles as a function room when required. Sport features highly on the agenda here with six skittles teams and two darts and pool teams. Throughout the decor is of complimentary shades of grey giving a light effect to the interior, colours which are reflected outside. Access is via flights of steps, while there is a garden and patio for use in fine weather. Live music every other weekend alternating with karaoke. Sunday evenings (9pm) there is a quiz with proceeds going to charity. While meals may not be on the menu there are bar snacks if you feel a bit peckish.

Three Horseshoes

Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF14 1DL

Focused on serving the local community. Regular hold charity functions.Sky Sports Food has won awards (Food Pub of the Year in the South Wales 2007 awards, and a finalist in the 2008 awards) . Monday darts league.

Wolf's Castle

Wolf's Castle Road, Cardiff CF14 5JS

Food-Sunday lunch only. al public bar with pool table, dartboard and skittle alley.Fuction room available. Regular weekend live music/karaoke

Romilly

69-71 Romilly Crescent, Cardiff CF11 9NQ

An attractive, comfortable local with a variety of interconnecting rooms served by a single bar. This includes a darts area towards the front. The pub has a front forecourt plus a larger garden at the rear. Antique-style prints adorn the walls. There is live music on Tuesdays and a quiz on Sundays.

Victoria Park

422 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF5 1JL

Claude

140 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3RW

Clive Arms

360 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF5 1HE

Head of Steam

18-19 Church Street, Cardiff CF10 1BG

A welcome addition to Cardiff's "pub mile", good selection of cask and craft ales. A selection of bottled Belgian/German beers adds further choice. A central island bar with seating spread around it, booths down one side and various table sizes down the other. Upstairs seating also available.

Old Market Tavern

20-21 Trinity Street, Cardiff CF10 1BH

Comfortable, traditional pub next door to Cardiff Market.

O'Neill's

85-87 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1DW

Irish theme pub occupying part of the ground floor of the Central Hotel building.

Hollybush

Glyn Coed Road, Cardiff CF23 7DX

10 Feet Tall

11-12 Church Street, Cardiff CF10 1BG

Church Inn

Newport Road, Cardiff CF3 5UN

Some of the original features date back over 200 years. Weekend entertainment disco & karaoke.

Main Stage

11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY

LGBTQ+ Cabaret Bar

Canton Cross Vaults

1 Leckwith Road, Cardiff CF11 8HJ

Kongs

114/116 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1DY

Multi level venue with extensive range of arcade games & table football. Good range of Craft Keg Ales,

Church Inn

Ty Glas Road, Cardiff CF14 5EH

Lively pub, but with a quiet room. Skittle alley Children only allowed while dining Dogs allowed in garden area Regular ales occasionally replaced by guest ales

Clwb Ifor Bach

Womanby Street, Cardiff CF10 1BR

A well known music venue, Clwb Ifor Bach is often referred to a The Welsh Club. Live acts perform most nights and there is an admission charge for these. On other nights, known as clubnights, admission is generally free until 2330. The top floor bar, where acts perform serves a Tiny Rebel beer on handpump plus some interesting bottled beers including from the local Pipes Brewery.

Earl Haig Club (Royal British Legion)

23/25 Penlline Road, Cardiff CF14 2AA

Gwdihw

6 Guildford Crescent, Cardiff CF10 2HJ

Cafe bar. Only serves bottled ale.

Bar 105

105 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff CF24 4HU

Mischiefs

34-36 James Street, Cardiff CF10 5EY

Bottled real ale occasionally served. Street tables This Docks pub has upgraded itself to keep up with modern needs of the old bay area. With regular live music and one of the best chicken curries 1/2 and 1/2 in the bay, its a quiet pace for a well priced lunchtime meet

Owain Glyndwr

10 St John Street, Cardiff CF10 1GL

This pub near the Castle with a circular exterior has had a refurbishment which has seen the cask ale offering increase. Five handpumps now dispense beers from mainly Welsh micros such as Boss and Brecon. A large bar is located on the left hand side with plenty of seating in other areas. There is an outdoor seating area at the front of the pub and there is a function room upstairs Live bands play on Friday and Saturday and several TVs show the latest sporting action It gets particularly busy here in here when Wales are playing.

Pen & Wig

1 Park Grove, Cardiff CF10 3BJ

Converted from a large Victorian terraced house in the quiet north eastern corner of the city centre, the Pen and Wig has a single bar with distinct seating areas plus a large garden. It is popular with younger people looking for a quiet drink. and the legal profession which has a number of offices in the location. Up to nine real ales available, mainly from the larger breweries, plus a cider, providing good value for money. Serves food till 10pm and has live music every Saturday evening

Pineapple

39 Station Road, Cardiff CF14 2FB

Sometimes a Wickwar seasonal beer is served in place of BOB. Meal times: Sun 12-3 Number of guest beers: 1 Description: A pleasant pub on the main road through Llandaff North with a comfortable public bar and lounge. The former seems to bring in a steady stream of regulars through the day while the latter offers comfortable surroundings and doubles as a dining room. Dotted around the lounge are scenes of European cities and a view of the long spacious garden and children’s play area. The garden runs alongside the skittles alley which apart from hosting league skittles can also be hired for functions when not in use. Food is only served at Sunday lunch time but this may extend to other times of the week when business picks up. There is occasional live music on weekends and weekly karaoke on Monday evenings. Sharp's Doom Bar and Wickwar BOB are regular ales although one may occasionally give way to a guest.

Mary's

89 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1DW

Premium Gay Bar open 7 days per week, offering dazzling cabaret shows, great drink offers, premium cocktails and extended range of Gins. No Ale

Revolucion de Cuba

The Friary, Cardiff CF10 3FA

St David's Hall

The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1GN

Well known city centre concert hall with various catering operations. The main bar is on Level 3 and seems to be open to the public. Open from 1½ hours before shows and on selected other days for events at the Principality Stadium.

Voco St David's

Havannah Street, Cardiff CF10 5SD

Chapel 1877

42 Churchill Way, Cardiff CF10 2WF

An unusually ornate chapel, built in 1877 and superbly renovated and converted into a pub/restaurant plus a nightclub in the vaults below. The interior is blend of Portland stone, patterned brickwork in three colours and an abundance of carved woodwork. It is impossible to enter this building without glancing upward to admire the handiwork. The main bar/restaurant extends over two floors and there is a south-facing terrace outside. Member experience from visit on 4 Nov 2015 . Two beers from Brains as of April 2016