Lab 22

Tucked away on a narrow side street in the heart of Cardiff, Lab 22 is a cocktail bar with serious ambition. Since its founding in 2012, it has grown from a hidden gem into one of the UK’s most celebrated bars — marrying a speakeasy-style atmosphere with inventive, science-inspired mixology. As you step inside from 22 Caroline Street, you enter a world where drinks are treated like experiments. The décor — moody, intimate lighting, a long polished bar counter, and an under-the-radar vibe — makes Lab 22 feel like a modern parlour-lab more than a typical city bar. The entrance discreetly above a bakery (yes, the bar is located above a Greggs outlet) adds to the sense of discovery. What sets Lab 22 apart is its unwavering dedication to creativity and craftsmanship. Their cocktail menus are not run-of-the-mill — they treat drinks as flavour journeys. Past menus have taken inspiration from science, future themes, culture and nature. Ingredients are locally sourced when possible; bartenders play with texture, smoke, aroma, acidity — turning each drink into a sensory experience rather than just a beverage. For instance, their “Theories + Frontiers” menu offers cocktails like Concrete Daisy (urban-farmed honey, tequila, spruce tips), Point Nemo (smoky, deep-flavoured whisky/liqueur blend), Glitch | Artificial Intelligence (Amaro Montenegro + ginger-homebrew), and Voyager | Space Exploration (pisco, white port, pear, “space mist”) — each conceptually linked to ideas or themes beyond typical drink-making. Staff at Lab 22 are often praised for their knowledge, warmth and service: many reviews highlight how bartenders take time to guide you through the menu, tailor drinks to your tastes (or even craft off-menu cocktails), and make guests — new or returning — feel welcome. Whether you come alone after work, with friends on a night out, on a date, or for a special occasion — Lab 22 manages to be versatile: fit for exploring bold flavours, sparking conversation, celebrating, or simply relaxing over a deliberately crafted drink. And while the bar can get busy — often with a queue — many consider the wait worth it, especially if you appreciate cocktails that push boundaries. In short: Lab 22 doesn’t just serve drinks. It invites you to taste ideas, experiment with flavours, and experience cocktails as a craft — in a bar that feels a bit like a hidden laboratory tucked away from the bustle.