Dance clubs
Let's not beat about the bush: Cardiff is a serious party spot, where glammed up boys and girls pour in on the weekends to jive to thumping DJ sets in vast, neon-drenched clubs. Here's a couple which party animals shouldn't miss.
A real beast of a nightclub, Pryzm features floor after floor of late night hedonism. The dance floor is always packed, while the VIP suite and leather-clad booths offer nooks to huddle away in, or recover your energy with a drink. Subtle it isn't, but it's the club of choice for anyone after a wild night on the tiles.
Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3DP.
Maddison and DC
Yes, it's on St Mary Street – a thoroughfare notorious for its hectic nightspots which spill out into the streets come the early hours – but Maddison and DC is a far classier affair than its neighbours. That's not to say it doesn't crank up the tunes, though, with DJs plying their trade amid the sleek and contemporary surroundings.
71 – 74 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1FA.
Indie clubs
Cardiff has a big student population, so it's not surprising to see a healthy number of nightspots catering to those of an indie/alternative persuasion. These provide a refreshingly edgy counterbalance to the glitzier clubs. Clwb Ifor Bach
Don't call it Clwb Ifor Bach – do as the Cardiff locals do, and call it the Welsh Club instead. Set over three floors, each with their own bar and dance floor, it's got a reckless punk feel and hosts a range of nights playing everything from reggae to electro, and there are frequent live performances too.
11 Womanby Street, Cardiff CF10 1BR.
Tucked away down an alleyway is this Cardiff institution – an underground refuge for indie kids, guitar heroes and goths. While it's slightly swankier than it used to be, it's still the go-to club if you like grunge, Britpop and metal, with a dance floor to show off your moshing skills.
10 Bakers Row, Cardiff CF10 1AL.
Cinemas
Cardiff's not short on vast cinema-entertainment complexes where you can catch the latest 3D blockbuster after a spot of 10 pin bowling. But if you're after something a bit more special, Cardiff has that covered too.
On the edge of the city centre, Chapter is the hotspot for high culture in the Welsh capital. This arthouse cinema shows indie flicks and European classics, as well as putting on special screenings with guest speakers. There's also a lively bar where you can pick over the film's profundities afterwards.
Market Road, Cardiff CF5 1QE.
Craft beer pubs
Cardiff isn't just about fizzy lagers and brash cocktails – the locals also relish their real ales and craft beers, and there are plenty of drinking spots around the city centre which cater to serious lovers of the frothy stuff.City Arms
Against a landscape of sleek, ritzy nightspots, the City Arms is a proudly old fashioned pub which is crammed to the gills with craft beers of all types. Poured straight from wooden casks, it's the perfect place to try different ales, including some created right down the road at the Brains brewery.
10-12 Quay Street, Cardiff CF10 1EA.
