17 BEST Things To Do in Cardiff at Night

When the sun sets, the streets of Cardiff come alive with a captivating energy. There's something for everyone, no matter what your taste, from pulsating bars and clubs to mini golf and ghost tours.

Having lived in Cardiff for several years, I've put together this ultimate guide to my favourite things to do in Cardiff at night.

1. Go on a bar crawl down St Mary's Street

Let’s start with the obvious night-time activity; a bar crawl. The best place for anyone visiting the city to immerse themselves in the evening antics of Cardiff is St Mary’s Street, the city's nightlife hub.

There are bars, clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes, but here are a few of my favourites:

Kongs has live music, craft beer and vintage arcade games, including a photo booth. It has a grungier feel but it is a must on any bar crawl in the area.
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The Alchemist is one of my favourite cocktail bars, with an upmarket feel and bewitching cocktails that come served in unique ways. The food here is really good too.
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Coyote Ugly is the best all-round club in Cardiff, a great place to end the night. Expect a busy dance floor, a lively DJ, and the staff getting up to dance on the bar.
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The Cocktail Club is a three-floor cocktail bar where each floor has a different theme and separate bar.
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Lab 22 is an award-winning cocktail bar that strives to push the boundaries of mixology. Once crowned the best cocktail bar in the UK.

2. Go on a ghost tour of St Fagans Museum

St Fagans National Museum of History is one of the best museums in Cardiff, if not Wales as a whole. But it's also harbouring some ghostly tales as you can discover on their ghost tour.

With after-dark access to the open-air museum, you'll be led around the historic buildings which have been constructed here and hear some of the stories about unexplainable events that have happened over the years. If you're a fan of the paranormal, this will be right up your street.

The tours usually run on Fridays at 9.30pm and are ticketed events that can sell out in advance. Find out about upcoming tours here.

3. Play board games at Chance and Counters

Set up by three friends, Chance and Counters is a stone's throw from the castle in a Victorian Building. The entrance isn't immediately obvious but there is usually a sign outside when it's open.

This wonderful board game hub hosts over 500 games to choose from, six draught beer and cider lines, including two dedicated lines from the fantastic Tiny Rebel, that serves wings, loaded fries and burgers.

Whether you're looking for something to do in Cardiff on a rainy day, or somewhere to spend your evening, there's a good chance this place will keep you occupied for many hours.

4. Catch a show at one of Cardiff's top performance venues

Being the capital city, Cardiff has some of the country's best theatres and arenas hosting every kind of performance from musicals to the biggest names in the music industry. So, whether you want to laugh, cry, or dance the night away, there's something for everyone. The best place to start is with one of these venues:

St David’s Hall – The most iconic venue in Cardiff, right in the heart of the city centre. They regularly host comedians, pantomimes, singers, and more. St David’s Hall was rated in the top 10 of best-sounding concert halls (source: Royal Welsh College of Drama and Music). (check listings here)
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The New Theatre – Cardiff's oldest theatre hosting big names and tribute bands. (check listings here)
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Utilita Arena Cardiff (previously the Cardiff International Arena) – This is where most artists and big comedians perform. Everyone from Westlife to Ellie Goulding have graced the stage. They also host big sports events such as darts and wrestling. (check listings here)
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Wales Millennium Centre - Cardiff Bay's most iconic building. This is the country's national performing arts venue hosting ballet, opera, comedy, and plays. (check listings here)

5. Get competitive at Boom Battle Bar

Boom Battle Bar is one of the newest nightlife venues in Cardiff after success in other UK cities. As you can guess from the name, it's all about battles, with competitive games including pool, electric darts, shuffleboard, ping pong, and more.

They also have one of the most interesting crazy golf courses I've seen, I won't spoil it for you but I will say that some of the holes don't even require the use of a golf club.

Plus, they have a bar and no limits on where you can and can't drink, so you can happily wander the crazy golf course with a drink, alcoholic or otherwise, in hand.

A top tip, from my visit, when you enter, all of the prices are for a full hour and can seem expensive at first, but they are able to offer half-hour slots too which makes it more affordable.

6. Enjoy live music across the city centre

Cardiff has a growing live music scene, from intimate jazz clubs to lively concert venues. Womanby Street is the self-proclaimed 'music quarter' of Cardiff but here are a few other places to check out:

Brewhouse - A vibrant sports bar with regular live music in the Brewery Quarter. They do accept walk-ins, but I recommend that you book a table online ahead of your visit to guarantee a seat with stage view. They also show major sporting events such as golf, F1, and more.
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Fuel Rock Club - Located on Womanby Street, Fuel Rock Club hosts rock and metal gigs throughout the week.
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Flute and Tankard - This is a small and intimate space that's featured multiple times in CAMRA's Cardiff pub of the year competition. Upstairs, they hold regular live music events which are usually jazz but you may find other genres too. Check their listings for upcoming gigs.
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Live Lounge - Live Lounge is a staple of nightlife in Cardiff. It's a fun and lively bar that's open until 4am, however, if you visit earlier on in the evening, you will be able to catch live music most nights.

You can also check this Facebook group where people post about upcoming live music in Cardiff.

7. Play bingo like never before with Bingo Lingo

Hosted in Depot, one of Cardiff's newest events venues, Bingo Lingo provides way more than your average bingo game.

This is bingo with club vibes. There is music, fog machines, lasers, pyrotechnics, dress-up, dancing … basically everything you wouldn’t expect from bingo. I wouldn't recommend bringing your granny along, although it wouldn't be completely unheard of.

It's high energy and breathes a new lease of life into what has become not a very trendy game. It's a ticketed event, run most Friday nights. Check the Bingo Lingo Cardiff listing for upcoming events.

8. Embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes at Cardiff Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are one of my favourite ways to spend an evening with friends. If you're not familiar with an escape room, you and your team are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles to find out how to escape before time runs out.

The themes vary and can include anything from zombies to space. One game typically lasts around an hour and requires intense thinking and logic if you want to be successful. Here are some of the escape rooms in Cardiff:

Escape Rooms Cardiff - They have 7 immersive experiences to choose from including one themed around Cardiff Castle and a Sherlock Holmes escape room. They are based on St Mary's Street and also open the latest of all the escape rooms.
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Escape Reality - Located on St John Street, Escape Reality has six rooms with themes including Alcatraz, Heist, and Jungala.
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Play at Pins (formerly City Mazes)- If you're going with a bigger group, Play at Pins escape rooms are all suitable for 2-10 people. They are located in The Hayes and themes include hostage hotel and cold war.

9. Check out Cardiff's craft beer scene

Cardiff has a thriving craft beer scene with a range of micro-breweries and tap rooms that will keep any pale ale proponents happy.

Of course, you have to begin at Zerodegrees which was one of the original microbreweries to open back when I lived in Cardiff and one of my favourite spots for a beer and a wood-fired pizza (the Calzone is delicious!). The industrial-chic venue has two floors and you can see the brewing equipment around you while you dine.

Mad Dog is another must-visit brewery and tap room, located right in the heart of the city centre. The Welsh brand is fast growing and if you've not heard of them yet, you really need to.

Another brewer in South Wales is Tiny Rebel whose brewery is located over in Newport. They have also opened a tap room in Cardiff where you can try their iconic Clwb Tropica among others.

Other taprooms to check out in Cardiff include Brew Monster and Scaredy Cats Bar and Cafe. If you prefer cask ales or ciders, you might want to check out The City Arms which is a traditional pub in the city centre with a huge range of drinks on tap from across the world.

10. Play some retro arcade games at NQ64

NQ64 is an arcade game bar on St Mary's Street offering cocktails, craft beer, and classic video gaming.

From Pacman to Time Crisis, this bar has all your favourite arcade games as well as video games such as PS1s and Nintendos for a spot of Mario Kart or James Bond Golden Eye, it brings out my inner child just to think about.

You'll need to purchase tokens from the bar to use the arcade games and they have some good deals if you buy tokens and drinks together. The video games are free to play if you've already bought a drink.

11. Visit Mermaid Quay at Cardiff Bay

If you fancy a change from the city centre, head over to Cardiff Bay.

The area is home to many of the city's most recognisable buildings and landmarks such as the Giant Wheel, a huge 33m tall Ferris wheel. It operates until 11pm, giving you incredible views across the city at night.

You'll also find Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay's shopping and leisure complex which boasts lots of bars and restaurants allowing you to dine with waterfront views.

A relatively new addition to Cardiff Bay is Tiger Yard, a giant street food area made from shipping containers. I've not visited myself yet but it looks incredible if you're a foodie!

Also Read: More Things To Do at Cardiff Bay

12. Throw axes like a Viking at Lumberjack Axe Throwing

Fancy doing something different? Axe throwing might sound like a bizarre activity but the satisfying thud of the axe hitting the target coupled with the competitive spirit make it a fun activity to enjoy on an evening in Cardiff.

Of course, you'll be in a safe environment with the help of the fully trained staff who will keep everyone in check.

Although there are a few providers offering axe throwing in Cardiff, only Lumberjack Axe Throwing allow you to book it as an evening activity. They are located at St Catherines Park which is about 10-15 minutes from the city centre by car.

There are a maximum of 6 participants and the last booking is at 8pm for a 90-minute slot.

13. See up-and-coming comedians at The Glee Club

Cardiff is a great place to enjoy stand-up comedy from up-and-coming comedians. The likes of Jo Brand, Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, and John Bishop have all graced the stages in Cardiff during their rise to fame, so you never know which future star you might be sitting in front of.

The best dedicated venue for comedy is The Glee Club which is located down at Cardiff Bay. Performances take place from Thursday to Sunday most weeks with prices usually between £10-20 per person.

As well as standard tickets, you can also book a ticket with a meal and drinks included for the full experience. Check out their website for all upcoming events and booking information.

14. Get behind the bar with a cocktail masterclass

Most of us are pretty good at drinking cocktails, but how are you at making them? Well you can find out for yourself by booking onto one of cocktail masterclasses in Cardiff and grabbing a shaker for yourself.

There are several places you take a masterclass including Dirty Martini, The Botanist, and the Slug and Lettuce. I recommend checking this full guide to find out about all the options and the differences between the different packages.

Keep in mind that these are private classes, so you'll usually need to have a minimum number of 6 people to book.

15. Head for the terrace at one of Cardiff's rooftop bars

Cardiff might not be known for its city skyline, but that hasn't stopped a range of rooftop bars from popping up across the capital. These are particularly great during the summer months when you can enjoy your favourite evening beverage whilst still enjoying those longer evenings.

There are several rooftop bars in Cardiff so I recommend checking out this guide for the full list. But, here are some of my favourite picks:

The Botanist - If the excellent range of cocktails at The Botanist wasn't enough, you can enjoy them from the comfort of their fairy-lit rooftop terrace.
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The Admiral - Located within the 5-star hotel Voco St David's, The Admrial is a bar and restaurant with a terrace that looks out across Cardiff Bay and Penarth Marina. It's worth visiting for a drink but you can also stay here and enjoy the beautiful views throughout your visit.

16. Enjoy Oktoberfest year-round at Heidi's

Imagine an après-ski bar crossed with Oktoberfest that you can visit year-round. Well, that's exactly what you can expect from Heidi's Bier Bar on Mill Lane.

A visit to Heidi's is likely to include extremely large beers, dancing on tables, and staff dressed the part so you'll feel just like you're in the middle of Bavaria. Of course, you can don your lederhosen or dirndl too if you really want to feel the part.

Open until 3am most days of the week, this is a great place to party the night away. If you are visiting as a group, I would recommend booking a table ahead of time as it gets very busy. It only costs £5 to book and can be don easily online.

17. Aim for a hole-in-one at Treetop Adventure Golf

If you want to get a little competitive, Treetop Adventure Golf is the crazy mini-golf course you need. It's suitable for all the family or makes a great trip with friends. Plus, there's an onsite bar and restaurant too.

There are two courses to choose from, the Ancient Explorer course that's like stepping back into an ancient cloud village the Tropical Trail with a jungle theme. Both courses are 18-holes. It is possible to do both courses but it can get a little exhausting so I recommend just choosing one at a time.

Closing times vary throughout the week any time between 7pm and 11pm so check their website for details.

Where To Stay in Cardiff

Voco St. David's Cardiff (£££) - Set within an iconic building of Cardiff, Voco St. David's offers a top-class stay, with on-site amenities such as a pool, spa, and fitness room overlooking the Cardiff skyline.

The Coal Exchange Hotel (££) - The Coal Exchange is an iconic building from Cardiff Bay's past that's now been converted into a beautiful hotel. It doesn't have the stunning views like Voco St David's has, but it's also a bit more affordable.

See my full guide on where to stay in Cardiff for more picks.

Is Cardiff Safe At Night?

Yes, Cardiff is a relatively safe place for a night out as every venue has bouncers on the doors and there is a strong police presence on busier nights. However, like any typical UK city with a nightlife scene, you still need to keep your wits about you as hoards of drunk people can result in fighting and disorderly behaviour, especially on St Mary's Street and Queen Street.

Does Cardiff Have Good Nightlife?

Yes, Cardiff has a really high-spirited, energetic feel to it in the evening, helped by the fact that the Welsh are some of the nicest and friendliest people you could ever meet.

The city has something for everyone from classy bars like the Libertine Cocktail Bar which claims to have the most Instagrammable toilets in Wales, to POP world, a club that plays all the cheesy tunes of the past. There is so much to do outside of pubs and clubs at night as well like taking part in trivia night at the Cardiff Barfly.