Top Bars in Cardiff – Most Viewed (2025)

Tucked into Barrack Lane behind St. David's Centre, The Dead Canary lives up to its secretive reputation. Spot the golden feather outside, ring the bell, and step into a world where mythical cocktails and quiet elegance merge. Inside, the atmosphere hums with attentive intimacy—award-winning bartenders craft each drink using specially prepped ingredients from the upstairs lab. Tin ceilings, warm lighting, and plush furnishings set the scene for an evening where mixology feels like storytelling. The menu is a chapter of fabulous tales—each cocktail evokes mythology and Welsh lore. Try “The King Arthur” with aged Flor de Caña, Calvados, almond syrup, Umeshu, and Fernet Branca (~£10), or the herbal, matcha-tinged “Birds of Rhiannon” at £9. There's also the bold “Red Dragon” (£9), blending bourbon, Malbec, Cynar, Chartreuse, and spicy shrub. Mocktails, sharers, and aperitifs are equally thoughtful—aperitifs start around £4, while cocktails go up to £12; sharing bowls can reach £55. Cocktail masterclasses—gin, rum, or whiskey & beer—are offered (~£40 per person for 2 hours). The vibe flows from intimate to lively with ease—live jazz, folk, or 50s tunes fill the space, creating a cozy, curated soundtrack. Booking ahead is wise—tables only, no standing room. This is Cardiff’s best-kept cocktail secret—a bar that blends imaginative drinks, theatrical design, and genuine hospitality.

Step into NQ64 Cardiff and you’re instantly transported to a vibrant, nostalgic world where video-game history meets nightlife. Located in a basement on Saint Mary Street, the venue is drenched in neon graffiti, filled with colourful interiors and buzzing with energy. It’s a place where classic arcade machines, consoles, and gaming-themed cocktails collide — whether you’re coming for a date, a friends’ night out, or a fun group hangout, NQ64 does not disappoint. Inside, you’ll find dozens of retro arcades and old-school consoles — from coin-op classics to couches with controllers — all ready for pick-up-and-play fun. The gaming side isn’t just background: it’s core. People queue for games like fighting classics, Mario Kart, dancing games, and more. Meanwhile, the bar serves a broad mix of beers (local / craft), wines, spirits and carefully crafted cocktails. The crowd tends to be lively and social — expect laughs, friendly competition, and a lot of nostalgia-fuelled joy. There are evenings when it’s buzzing with big groups, celebrations or casual groups just chillin’ over beers and games. The vibe hits somewhere between a party bar, a gaming lounge, and a retro-arcade club. Plus: NQ64 opens late (often until 2–3 AM on weekends), making it a great option for late-night gaming or drinks. All in all, NQ64 Cardiff isn’t about quiet cocktails or refined dining — it’s about fun, playfulness, flashing lights, and good times. Whether you’re nostalgic for old consoles or just want a wild, quirky night out, it delivers in full.

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.

Tucked into Mill Lane in the heart of Cardiff’s lively city-centre nightlife, Retro Cardiff is all about good times, big parties, and a no-holds-barred throwback vibe. Enter through the door at 7–8 Mill Lane and you’ll find a venue spread across three floors plus an outdoor terrace, designed for nights that stretch until the early hours. Walking in, you’ll be met with flashing lights, pulsing music (think hip-hop, throwback pop, club bangers), and a crowd ready to dance — Retro bills itself as a celebration hub whether you're after karaoke, cocktails, or a wild dance floor. Retro doesn’t just cater to spontaneous nights out: it’s a go-to for celebrations. Hen and stag parties, birthdays, student nights — many groups pick Retro for exactly that reason. There are also packages: cocktail-making classes, VIP booths, and group-friendly deals for drinks. If you want drinks, dancing, and a lively, youthful crowd — maybe with some karaoke or themed events thrown in — Retro delivers. It’s the kind of place where you arrive for one drink and end up staying for hours, bouncing between dance floors, bar areas, terrace seating and your friend group, depending on the mood. That said: Retro isn’t a relaxed lounge or upscale cocktail bar — it’s loud, energetic and party-focused. Think sweat, crowded dancefloors, sticky floors, a booming DJ booth, and an atmosphere that peaks late. It’s part of its charm, but if you’re after calm conversations and cozy vibes, you might want to check elsewhere. All in all, Retro Cardiff is a reminder: some nights are meant to be wild, fun, and unabashedly loud. It’s not for everyone — but for those who love to dance, party, and lose themselves in nostalgia-fuelled anthems, it’s a staple.