Cardiff pubs outside the city centre
There are a huge number of pubs in Cardiff, from the homely old-mans pub to the brash, loud football fans hang-out. These are a selected few that are worth visiting for one reason or another, and all of them sell good beer. Most pubs are quiet during the week but incredibly busy on Friday and Saturday nights, especially those in the City Centre.
See the city centre pubs page for the best pubs in Cardiff's city centre.
Cardiff pubs outside the city centre
Roath, Cathays and that side of town
Albany Hotel, Donald Street, Roath - largeish, old-fashioned Brains pub providing a good alternative to the chrome-plated cattle markets of many student pubs in the area.
The Flora, Cathays Terrace - recently renovated to be a student-orientated pub, it's lost a lot of its old character along with its open fire. Described by its brewery Brains as a 'hybrid' pub. ie. it's not really one thing or the other. Does have a pool 'area' though.
Roath Park, City Road - a curious old man's pub in the heart of the ghetto of older students and graduates. Pool room, cheaper drinks.
The Claude, Albany Road - large pub with something of a dodgy reputation, the Claude caters for a section of Roath's population not normally encountered by the many students of the area. Karaoke, police sirens and shouting are just some of the aural pleasures of the area.
Poets Corner (was the Tut and Shive), City Road - Sky Sports. A stop off on the way into town for a night out or one for a game of pool. Interesting maze-like arrangement of floor levels and banisters. Make sure you find the toilets before you get too drunk and don't expect to be able to hold a conversation over the loud music.
Woodville, Cathays Terrace - (pictured above). Sky Sports and many, many, many students, consequently dead during the summer.
The Gower, Gwennyth St, Cathays - apparently the only pub in Cardiff with a snooker table (not including the University Union then). Definitely a 'local' pub it also has a pool table, a skittle alley, a ghost and is frequented by judges.
Royal Oak, Broadway, Splott - reputedly unchanged since the sixties, this legendary pub has a still-functioning boxing gym upstairs, and its walls are adorned with pugilists of yesteryear. Its clientele is a mix of young and old, all in an easy-going atmosphere at odds with the controlled violence of its premises.
Canton, Pontcanna, Riverside and the other side of town
Millers Tavern, Lower Cathedral Road, Riverside - a locals pub with a changing range of real ales. Actually has 5 rooms to rent if you need to put your parents up when they visit (although the Travel Inn might be a better bet).
The Cornwall, Cornwall St., Grangetown - good beer but another Cardiff City fan hang-out.
The Neville, Clare St., Grangetown - sport-orientated pub and in particular Cardiff City fan-orientated. Refurbished and modern, was called Poets Corner from 2000 to 2005 when it returned to its original name.
Cayo Arms, Cathedral Road, Pontcanna - as the Mochyn Du but smaller, they serve honest, basic pub food in front of their huge Sky Sports screen.
Halfway, Cathedral Road, Pontcanna - good beer and amazingly cheap but great pub food.
Y Mochyn Du, Sophia Place, Pontcanna - freqented by Pontcanna's Welsh speakers, Sky Sports and reasonable food, along with a Cardiff rarity - a proper beer garden.
The Conway, Conway Road, Pontcanna - popular locals pub in a leafy Pontcanna street.
Chapter Arts Centre, Market Street, Canton - fabulous range of beer and ciders and with the occasional festival on the same subject, always worth an evening out. Busy at the weekends, but not overly so. Usually fluctuates before and after film showings and shows in the theatre
Victoria Park Hotel, Cowbridge Road East (the other end), Canton - 'friendly' local pub (but they still like to have a good look at newcomers), open plan but cosy, good food and good prices.