The Best Cardiff Student Hangouts

Cardiff's Best Student Hangouts

Cardiff is a fantastic place to be a student with all the benefits of a capital city but none of the crazy price tags attached to studying in London.

We’ve put together this ultimate guide for students so you can get out exploring and enjoying the best that this amazing city has to offer and save you stumbling upon these gems a week before you graduate!

Read below to find our recommendations of the best cafes, bars and hidden spots that will fast become your favourites!

What is Welsh Games?

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Cardiff's Top 10 Student Venues

Face 11

This laid-back bar and restaurant channels the après-ski vibe perfectly. The wooden cladding and wall-mounted snowboards transport you to an alpine hut in the mountains. Situated in the heart of Cardiff’s ‘Studentville’ AKA Cathays, this is the perfect place for pre-town drinks.

You can take advantage of the 2 for 1 cocktail list and student discounts too. If you are into your music or you’re budding musician, there are also weekly open mic nights at the bar on Thursdays and A&R record company talent scouting nights. If that isn’t enough, the bar also hosts regular comedy nights run by ‘piste off comedy.’

Gwdihw Café Bar

A quirky venue outside and in, that feels like you are in a cosy yet kooky living room. By day, this is a great little hide away in the centre of Cardiff to go for a coffee or grab some lunch with friends and relax on the comfy sofas or the picnic tables outside.

There is also free WiFi, so bring your laptop and pretend to do some of those uni assignments! By night, the bar really comes alive.

You will always find a good DJ or band playing and there is even a great heated outside space to chill out in when you need a break from the dance floor! The drink prices seal the deal for us with student offers such as 4 cans for £10 and house spirits and mixers for £2.50.

Vulcan Lounge

This cosy pub on Wyverne Road is a great place to kick back and relax with your mates and enjoy a pint. This excellent drinking establishment has friendly bar staff and a great atmosphere.

Head here for the great pool room or to watch those big matches on their giant projector screen. There’s also a heated beer garden so you can hang out outside as long as you want! There are great students deals available day and night and regular open mic nights.

Breakout Cardiff

If you’re looking for something a bit different to do then this may be the place for you. Breakout is Cardiff’s new escape room games and is located in the popular Brewery Quarter in the city centre.

You can compete in a group of between two to five people and have up to 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles and escape one of the breakout rooms. Each room has a different theme and unique story. It’s the perfect activity to celebrate a birthday or bond with your new housemates! Do you have what it takes to breakout?!

The Little Man Coffee Shop

This new little independent coffee shop which is a great place to chill with friends or hide away and do some work. Staff are always friendly and the coffee and food are both great. The venue has a really cool retro feel with comfy armchairs and sofas.

There’s also regular quirky theatre events and if you need to find your zen after some busy nights out or some revision stress there’s also regular yoga breakfast mornings.

The Dead Canary

This cool secret cocktail bar located on Barrack Lane, Cardiff (but I didn’t tell you that!) is perfect for a night out with friends or perhaps a first date with that special someone. There’s a cool retro ‘speak easy’ feel to the bar, a great atmosphere and great drinks.

The venue hosts some great event nights including live music nights and cocktail making masterclasses if you fancy learning how to make cocktail yourself! Why not go along to the bar’s ‘Taith-Tiki Thursdays’ and try out their Thursdays special cocktail menu based around their Tiki cocktail creations!

Rose Street Flea Market

Rose Street Flea market in Roath is one of Cardiff’s best hidden gems. If you’re into your vintage clothing and cool vintage furniture this is the place to uncover those hidden treasures! This is the coolest and most legit ‘junk shop’ you can expect to go to, plus everything is reasonably priced so you’re sure to pick up a bargain.

Once you’re visited once I can guarantee you’ll become a regular at getting lost in the weird and wonderful land that this place is… and have the coolest retro student flat going!

Porters Cardiff

Ran by self-proclaimed failed actor Dan Porter, Porters Bar is a great place to go for live music, comedy and theatre nights and is also host to Cardiff’s first pub theatre, ‘The Other Rooms.’ There’s always a great live band playing on Friday and Saturday nights and a packed dance floor.

There’s also a big beer garden outside with comfy retro cinema seats. As well as a great night out, the venue also hosts ‘come down Sundays’, where you can watch two free films in the bar, chill out and play some board games, and listen to some vinyl plus an evening pub quiz…. hair of the dog it is!

Infinity Trampoline Park

This is great fun and such a laugh with friends! A whole room filled with trampolines and foam pits to jump away to your hearts content and let the kid inside you out…who said you had to grow up when you went to uni!

Try and go on a weekday or later in the evening if you can to avoid busy periods and have more bounce space to yourself.

Outpost Coffee

A cool and quirky independent pop up coffee and vinyl music shop always on the move, making an appearance at events and festivals in Cardiff and offering great student deals…

A great place for coffee and music lovers! To keep up to date with where Out Post will be popping up next follow them on twitter: @OutpostCardiff

The Ultimate Best Mans Guide

The Ultimate Best Man’s Guide

You knew it might be coming, you just didn’t know when. So you your best mate has kindly asked you to be his Best Man for the wedding, and now expects you to arrange an all-guns-blazing stag do that will give him the time of his life on his last night of freedom. No pressure then.

Fear not, our Ultimate Best Man’s Guide will help navigate your way through the mother of all to do lists and set you up for the greatest stag do known to man or beast.

What is Welsh Games?

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Finding your feet

A good sit down session in the pub with the groom always makes a good start. Try to glean as much information as possible. What dates suit his availability and are a safe distance before the wedding (remember, eye brows need some time to grow back)? How long does he want to be away for? What style of weekend is he expecting? What sort of activities would he like to do?

You will also need to know who on the invite list are his best friends and must be accommodated to ensure attendance. Therefore, it’s always best to find out two or three weekends you are both free to attend the stag.

Remember, you will always want to keep plenty up your sleeve for the weekend, so this is an information finding process only. It’s always a lot more fun to keep the destination secret, but this may not suit him so find out his expectations during the chat.

You will also need a full invite list (with email addresses and phone numbers).

Who’s coming then?

It’s now time to fire off an email to find out who is available and willing to attend. You need some firm commitment from the group to make things easier for the organisation that will come later, so you may want to consider your wording to ensure you do not receive too many “maybe” responses. It may be worth offering two or three dates and going with the majority.

Time constraints, Budget & Destination

You will need to consider the group’s likely budget and time constraints. There’s no point in organising a week-long trip to Vegas if only 4 from 20 people sign up. So it may be worth proposing a first option and see who is keen to attend, before then re-evaluating if necessary.

But whatever you do, don’t give the group too many options or you’ll get just as many wide ranging opinions in reply. Many people who have organised these things before will tell you: keep it simple!

When considering destination, always think of logistics for each attendee. You won’t be a popular man if a large number of the stag’s mates cannot attend because they are too far from the proposed destination.

Accommodation

Once you’ve decided on your destination, it’s now time to organise some suitable accommodation. You might want to consider hotels, cottages, glamping, camping. Hotels are often the easiest option.

If people drop out over the coming months then it’s a lot easier to reduce the number of hotel rooms than to ask the whole group to contribute more towards a 14 bed cottage when only 10 can attend come final payment.

Activity

Once you’ve nailed the destination and accommodation, it now time to turn your attention to a Saturday activity. The expectation on most stag weekends is to take part in some form of fun filled activity.

It’s important to consider an activity that is likely to appeal to most people, and to do something that people have not done before. Paintballing is good fun, but may be a bit dull if 80% of your group have already done it on another stag do. So be original and you’ll make it a weekend to remember.

Packages

To take the pressure off, you may want to organise the entire weekend as a package through another company. The benefits of booking a package are plentiful when you think of all these inclusions:

Allocation on hotels meaning instant confirmation upon booking
Individual payment system – this means that you don’t need to collect money from the group, they just pay their share directly saving you all that annoying chasing
VIP nightclub entryLap dance club entry
Additional activities – add on a second activity you may not have thought of yourself
Private dining
Restaurants suitable to groups
VIP Casino entry
Only a £50 deposit to pay initially

Final Thoughts

So just to recap, here is your Best Man’s Stag Weekend to do list. Don’t be too overwhelmed by being the Best Man, after all it’s a real honour of the lasting friendship you’ve made!

To Do List

Speak to the Stag and find out who he wants to attend, what he expects from the stag weekend and potential dates.
Find out how many people will be on the stag do and their level of commitment
Decide on a destination based on time restraints, budget and logistics
Ensure everything is booked for the stag do from, accommodation to activities.
Book as a package through an outside company if you’re short on time and want to take the pressure off yourself. Try and do this as early on as possible to get the best deals and availability
Look after the stag over the course of the weekend – remember you’ll have the Bride to answer to if you really mess things up!
Enjoy your best mate’s last night of freedom!

Cardiff Firework Display Guide

Cardiff Firework Displays - Our best pick of firework displays in and around Cardiff

Remember, remember the fifth of November… for gunpowder, treason and CWTCH! Spending bonfire night at a great Cardiff firework display is a great excuse for a trip away!

Where better to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night than the Welsh capital? There’s plenty to see and do during the day and the skies are lit up with colour at night, so make a weekend of it and enjoy all that the city has to offer.

It is worth noting that sadly, a lot of the big fireworks displays in the area are not running again this year and have not been since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. If you’re here looking for details on Sparks in the Park at Bute Park, the fireworks show at Celtic Manor or the fireworks display at Caerphilly Castle, we’re sorry to break the news to you that they are not on in 2022.

Our fingers are crossed that these will go ahead next year, but in the meantime, why not try out one of the great alternatives we have listed below.

What is Welsh Games?

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Here is our Cardiff firework display guide for 2022

Cardiff Bay – Saturday 5th November 2022

Fireworks and water always make a stunning combination, delivering all those beautiful reflections as well as a great view from all around.

Make your way to Cardiff Bay for this spectacular show! If you fancy a great seat along with food and drinks for all the family, Lo Lounge are hosting a special night.

Offering delicious hot chocolates, cocktails and s’mores you can really enjoy the show with a fuzzy warm feeling! They also have a selection of board games so you can hunker down and enjoy this cosy time of year.

Saturday 5th November 2022
19:00 - 21:00
Lo Lounge, Porth Teigr Way, Cardiff, CF10 4GA
£19.75 – adults, £6.20 children

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The Pontcanna Inn – Saturday 5th November 2022

For a lovely local feel, pop on your hats, gloves and scarves an take a trip to Pontcanna Inn.

Grab a drink from the bar then join the excited crowd outside in the car park where you can take in all the beautiful firework displays exploding across the skies of Cardiff. You’ll soon get stuck in conversation with the friendly locals as you point out the bangs and fizzes taking place all around you!

The Inn is bringing a variety of great food trucks to cater the event. Don’t forget to treat yourself (and your new friends) to a delicious s’more.

Saturday 5th November 2022
TBC
36 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LL
TBC

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Barry Island Fireworks - Saturday 29th October 2022

It’s definitely worth the trip out of Cardiff to Barry Island to experience this exceptional firework show. A real community event, enjoy some great street entertainment as well as a fantastic display made all the more fabulous by the reflections in the water as the fireworks explode overhead.

This year it’s been brought forward one week to coincide with halloween so make sure to make the most of the free ghost train rides on offer! The fun kicks off at 16:00 with the start of the live music and the fireworks launch will be at 19:30. The display is run by Barry Rotary Club and entry is by voluntary donation.

Saturday 29th October 2022
16:00pm – 20:30pm
Barry Island, CF62
Free / voluntary donation

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Cardiff Harlequins RFC– Sunday 6th November 2022

Support Cardiff Harlequins and enjoy a fabulous firework display to boot (pardon the pun!) This is a great option for families, particularly with their generous offer of under 12s attending for free.

There will be food and drink available to purchase so make sure you don’t miss out on a traditional bonfire night hotdog.

Sunday 6th November 2022
18:30
Diamond Sports Ground, Whitchurch, Cardiff
£5 adults, £5 children (over 12s), under 12 free

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Whitchurch Golf Club - Friday 4th November 2022

A great local display with something for all the family. This is one for those looking to celebrate on the bonfire night itself.

The fireworks display starts at 19:30. Ensure you buy your tickets in advance as they sell out!

Friday 4th November 2022
19:00pm
Whitchurch Golf Club, 76 Pantmawr Road, CF14 7TD
£9 adults, £6 children (12 and under), £22 family

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Penarth Bonfire Night – Friday 4th November 2022

Make a short trip around the other side of the Bay to lovely Penarth where the Lawn Tennis Club are once again putting on a great fireworks display.

There will be a traditional bonfire to keep everyone toasty, and plenty of bars serving drinks and hot food to keep the whole family happy. Take the opportunity to sink your first mulled wine of the year and surround yourself with your loved ones for a wholesome, festive experience.

Friday 4th November 2022
18:00
Penarth Lawn Tennis Club, Rectory Rd, Rectory Road, Penarth, CF64 3AN
£5.27 adults, £3.16 children, under 3 free

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SophiaWorks - Friday 4th November 2022

Rounding up the events for the year, Sophia Works may be the last in our list but it is by no means the least! For a fabulous fireworks display right in the heart of Cardiff, you can’t get much better than the show at Glamorgan Cricket Ground.

Arrive early to enjoy all the family entertainment, including cricket skills, funfair rides, and plenty of food and drink stalls.

The fireworks start at 19:15pm. Buy your tickets early to get early bird prices.

Friday 4th November 2022
17:30 - 21:30
Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Sophia Walk, Cardiff, CF11 9XR
£12 adults, £8 children, under 2 free

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Bonfire Night in Cardiff

In case you didn’t already know it: the Welsh love a party. As a result, they go all out for occasions, and bonfire night in Cardiff is no different!

OK, so Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the House of Lords in London and not in Wales… but that’s a long way to go, and Cardiff is the capital of Wales after all.

You can enjoy firework displays in Cardiff without having to navigate overpriced places to stay, complicated public transport or notoriously unfriendly locals. It’s a capital city without the hassle or the haste.

Top 3 Biggest Firework Displays in Cardiff

On Saturday 29th October, a whole week before Guy Fawkes night, Barry Island Fireworks will light up the sky and the sea with their beautiful coastal display. Open to all, with no ticketing, this might just be the perfect choice for a cash strapped year. Of course, being an early event, you can still celebrate bonfire night in Cardiff on the 5^th as well!

The champion of firework displays in Cardiff this year must go to Sophia Works over at the Glamorgan Cricket Ground. Taking place on Friday 4th November, it strikes a good balance between feeling like a family friendly, community event but with no compromises on the huge fireworks they let off! With funfair rides, games and food and drink stalls there is plenty of entertainment to last the whole evening.

To celebrate bonfire night in Cardiff on the night itself, head over to Cardiff Bay where Lo Lounge are hosting a wonderful evening with fantastic views of the fireworks over the Bay. Although there will be cocktails on offer, this truly is a family event with board games, hot chocolate and s'mores to warm even the grumpiest teenager!

Whatever you’re looking for from spending bonfire night in Cardiff, you’ll find it. From small intimate gatherings to lavish large spectacles, this city knows how to light up the night and dazzle the crowds. Cardiff is considerably cheaper than lots of the UK’s other cities and the Welsh hospitality is unbeatable – you’ll ‘ymserchasai’ with the country, even if not the language!

Top 10 Pick of Things To Do in Cardiff

Things to do in Cardiff

Wales’ largest city and the capital of the country, Cardiff is growing in popularity as a tourist destination for both staycationers and holidaymakers alike! As a result there are plenty of things to do in Cardiff, as well as to experience, see, eat and drink; no matter your occasion, budget or trip type.

Cardiff has seen a great degree of regeneration since the 1980s and enjoys a fantastic contrast between new and old as a result. This includes the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay waterside areas, the development of the BBC Drama Village and the construction of the Cardiff International Sports Village, as well as refurbishment of city centre and more commercial areas.

What is Welsh Games?

Play Video

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Our Top 10 Pick of Things To Do in Cardiff

This guide will cover both things to do in Cardiff and things to do in Cardiff Bay, and as much as we’d love to write about everything, we just can’t fit it all in… so here’s our top ten, and anything else, you’ll have to explore and discover yourself while on your travels!

1. Enter into the crazy world of The Welsh Games

welsh games fun things to do near cardiff

Welsh Games are a great activity suitable for groups of all shapes, sizes and sporting abilities… and however you perform, we promise you won’t forget them anytime soon! Nestled in the beautiful greenery of the Welsh countryside, each member of the group takes part in nine games, all of which are Welsh themed.

Think sheep shenanigans, dragon racing & the rugby run, and jaw-aching laughter for hours on end. The Welsh Games are regularly ranked as the #1 activity to try in Cardiff. The reviews really do speak for themselves.

2. Explore Cardiff’s historical heart at Cardiff Castle

Beautiful Cardiff Castle is a stunning medieval castle and Victorian gothic revival mansion located slap bang in the city centre. Now run as a tourist attraction and museum, there’s lots to see and do within the Castle and an ever-changing schedule of exhibitions within.

The Castle also plays home to a range of events and even gigs; in recent years including the likes of Tom Jones, the Stereophonics and Green Day, attracting over 10,000 people to each! It’s one of the most popular things to do in Cardiff for tourists and residents get hefty discounts, so it need not stay just the domain of visitors.

3. Sail the seas (ish) with Cardiff Bay Boat Tour

Describing itself as the ultimate thrill, Cardiff Bay Boat Tour is one of the more adventurous and fun things to do in Cardiff.

These aren’t your standard guided boat tours that serenely glide along a river with a monotonous commentary on history and architecture but instead operate high-speed motorboats to show you the sights… speedily!

The standard trips are so quick they last just fifteen minutes, but there’s also 90 min coastal tours available if you’d like to take your time to look about.

4. Take tea at the Penarth Pavilion

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Cardiff this weekend, visiting the Penarth Pavilion doesn’t need any advance booking and can be done at any time of the day. The iconic pier looks out across the Bristol Channel and on a clear day, you can see England!

The café on the pier stocks a wide variety of teas and coffees and is open daily 9-5 for your caffeine (or decaffeinated) fix. Some of the other activities we list here may be quite heavy, so this one can sit on your list for chilled and easy things to do in Cardiff Bay.

5. Dance on the bar at the Coyote Ugly Saloon

OK, so this one isn’t for everyone, but you could be surprised at who from your party gets up for a good… drop! The Coyote Ugly Saloon is an incredible themed bar with branches across the globe, and two in Wales: in Cardiff and Swansea. Eat great food (the portions are American-sized, so make sure you’re hungry!), enjoy fantastic drinks packages and get up and dance with the Coyotes themselves.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Cardiff, this should be top of the list – even if you’re not drinking alcohol, you’ll get swept away with the spirit.

6. Rave in a bank vault with Cellar Door

cellar door fun events cardiff for adults

Wales’ biggest house and techno club event, Cellar Door is an event company hosting club nights all over the city; and occasionally further afield across Swansea and the Valleys too.

The most interesting venue they frequent is undoubtedly The Vaults, an ex-bank vault that was built in the 1920s and decommissioned in the 1970s. It’s completely underground and makes for a unique clubbing experience that you won’t find anywhere else. True trance fans travel from all over the UK to rave here.

7. Catch a game at the Millennium Stadium (now the Principality Stadium)

The Principality stadium is something to add to your list of things to do in Cardiff this weekend, as you don’t need a ticket to nip in; providing a game isn’t on.

If you can get hold of a ticket, check out the Wales national rugby team play in their home ground, but if not, take a tour and nip to the shop of the country’s national stadium.

8. Learn a new skill at the NoFit State Circus

nofit state circus fun things to do in cardiff

The NoFit State Circus is the UK’s leading contemporary circus company and as well as being a great place to catch a show, they also host community classes and workshops in circus skills.

These make for a really memorable experience for visitors, but also the ideal afternoon-filler for parties! Get in contact with the team there to discuss options and rest assured, they’ll be able to cater for all abilities and ages.

9. Do good and eat good at The Clink

A restaurant like no other, The Clink is one of the most fun things to do in Cardiff and one of the most rewarding! Based within Cardiff prison, the food is created and dished up by serving prisoners who are training to be chefs.

Aiming to reduce reoffending rates through rehabilitation and skills training, The Clink offers those incarcerated opportunities they may never have had before through their restaurant programme.

The food served is kept to a really high standard as it’s all quality controlled by City & Guilds qualification staff, so you can enjoy social gastronomy alongside the more traditional culinary variety.

10. Experience some Welsh culture at St Fagan’s Natural Museum Of History

Wales’ most visited tourist attraction, St Fagan’s isn’t as stingy as the name may suggest! It stands in the grounds of St Fagan’s Castle and has been recently refurbished and redeveloped. New buildings and galleries have opened in the last year and the museum now plays home to a variety of both static and changing exhibitions. Catch up with what’s on during your stay in the capital online and let them know if you have any access requirements; they’ll always do their best to accommodate you!

Booking Up Your Cardiff Itinerary

Whilst many of us plan ahead when booking group trips to London or other big cities, somehow Cardiff is often underestimated and so people have a tendency to ‘play it by ear’ when they arrive. This is a rookie error – we always recommend scheduling ahead!

You don’t need to map out exactly what your group will be doing hour-by-hour, but pre-booking a good variety of activities gives people the ability to choose what they’d like to and what they can afford to; without the potential disappointment of turning up and not being able to get a space.

The Welsh are traditionally very accommodating and friendly, so be upfront about any dietary, ability or access requirements, and they’ll do whatever they can to suit their activities or venues to your needs.

The laws around access are the same as elsewhere in the UK and are very stringent, so there’s no need to be concerned about anyone having to miss out on anything. All publicly available written materials in Wales must appear (by law) in English and Welsh, so there’s no language barrier to worry about either; it’s very rare that you’d meet anyone who didn’t speak perfect English, particularly in the country’s capital.

Why Visit Cardiff?

Cardiff is a beautiful city and somehow still remains an unvisited one amongst many elsewhere in Great Britain.

Edinburgh and London both have their own appeal, but Cardiff has bags of potential too. Prep your group by tuning them to old episodes of Gavin and Stacey and rugby games, and you could even download a Welsh language app to hone your skills. Go all out and you’ll be captivated by wonderful Wales – there’s so much to do, see and enjoy!

Discover more things to do in Cardiff.