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?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

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?

Cardiff's Top 10 Student Venues

Face 11

students in cardiff

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

students in cardiff

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

students in cardiff

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

students in 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

students in cardiff

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

students in cardiff

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

students in cardiff

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

students in 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

students in cardiff

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

students in cardiff

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

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