Sometimes a pint just ain’t going to cut it, what you really need is hard liquor, hard liquor that’s been shaken and stirred to create an incredible cocktail. While our city might be small, it’s certainly not suffering from a lack of cocktail spots. From sexy speakeasies decked out in vintage wares through to an incredible old church, Cardiff’s cocktail bars are quirky dens that serve a hot selection of tipples.
The Dead Canary
It’s worth the extra bit of effort required to find this secret Cardiff cocktail bar. Located in a numberless place on Barrack Lane, The Dead Canary is a dark den inspired by Wales’ industrial history with low lighting, dark walls and leather booths. Cocktails are taken very seriously as the bar team muddle up original concoctions based on anything from a single spirit through to your favourite song.
Secret bar The Dead Canary has a cool speakeasy vibe and is a no-standing bar, meaning bookings are recommended.
10 Feet Tall
Spread across three floors, 10 Feet Tall is an amazing cocktail bar in Cardiff. From a multi-coloured circus tent room complete with disco ball through to a cavernous space filled with vintage chandeliers and exposed brick, the venue is as amazing as the cocktails. There is a cracking roster of live music and a delicious food menu which includes goodies such as a bacon and cheddar cheese burger (£7.95) and a cheese board (£4) - perfect accompaniments to a night of cocktail drinking.
Set across three floors, 10 Feet Tall has a variety of differently themed rooms and puts on great live music nights.
Chapel 1877
Starting life as a place of worship, Chapel 1877 is one of the most amazing places in Cardiff for cocktails thanks to its gorgeous interiors. Sip one of their classic concoctions against a backdrop that includes high-vaulted ceilings, exposed brickwork and stained glass windows. If you want to add a side of swank to your drinking, head to the upstairs restaurant for fine dining that use fresh and seasonal produce.
Gorgeous old church Chapel 1877 has a great menu of classic cocktails.
Dirty Martini Cardiff
This futuristic and seriously sleek Cardiff cocktail bar has a bit of a one track mind when it comes to mixing. The clue’s in the name as Dirty Martini whip up a total of 15 different martini variations using ingredients such as elderberry, chocolate and dragon fruit. Don’t worry about splashing out the big bucks, this venue has one of the city’s hottest happy hours with at least six hours of cut-price drinks every day.
Dirty Martini Cardiff is a slick and modern venue with an absolutely amazing happy hour.
Lab 22
Taking a scientific approach to their concoctions, Lab 22 gets our vote as one of the best cocktail bars in Cardiff. Find the venue on Caroline Street and discover a menu based on the Periodic Table with the preparation of drinks being just as important as the taste. Tipples include Spanish 43 which includes tartaric acid and prosecco and Bramley No.22 with alcoholic meringue foam.
Putting the science into their cocktails, Lab 22 makes unique and original mixes.
