Y Fuwch Goch
Womanby Street, Cardiff

With the lions share of the capital’s night spots transmogrifying into soulless and interchangeable dens for the narrow-minded, it’s invigorating to see a return to more traditional fare. OK, so none of us can appreciate the first coming of Y Fuwch Goch (The Red Cow) back in the 18th century, but the owners of iconic music haunt Clwb Ifor Bach have reopened the historic public house and kept true to its Welsh-speaking, Welsh-themed ideology.

We’re unlikely to see the swashbuckling antics of yesteryear where historical accounts recall hefty fisticuffs between travelling sailors and irksome locals, but this is clearly for the best. Instead, punters range between amiable professionals and excitable gig goers warming up for the night ahead.

The décor is minimalist but smart with varnished Welsh oak juxtaposed between sangria coloured walls. Familiar ales, such as Brains and 45, fly the native flag but there’s also an extensive range of fine wines on offer - throw in some neat shots and tasty cocktails and the evening is getting blearier by the minute.

With the influence of Clwb Ifor Bach the tunes are always razor sharp; switching effortlessly between the nihilistic alt-rock of The Pixies to saccharine indie-pop of Welsh language band The Poppies. Y Fuwch Goch is the ideal venue to start any night and makes a welcome return to Womanby Street, even if it has been delayed by the odd century.

Ambience: Amiable professionals interspersed with excitable gig goers - both Welsh and non-Welsh speakers
Drinks: Ales, premium lagers and cider, wine and cocktails
Contact: 029 202 32199 (Clwb Ifor Bach)
Keith Carey

Cocoloco@Sodabar
Mill Lane, Cardiff

After closing its doors early last year, Sodabar moved from its basement room on the infamous St Mary Street to the much sleeker surroundings of Mill Lane. The change of address has undoubtedly paid dividends - giving the owners a greater expansion on their clubbing ideology. Myself and a few friends headed to the club on a Thursday night for Cocoloco - a party designed for those eager to impress clients and make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The tagline said it offered a weekend vibe with weekday prices, which to be fair was a fairly astute assessment.

After just taking a couple of strides into the club we’re greeted by a nubile young woman whom dutifully whisks us to a table. With one quick look around Sodabar’s new abode it’s apparent they’ve maintained their imaginative style with a glowing Moose’s head hung amongst flawless furnishings and huge white drapes stretching across the club.

The dance floor has grown in stature too - allowing for more live acts and DJ’s to take to the converted stage. After a cracking bottle of Moet and Chandon, we move onto a series of deadly spirits with an endless list of malt whisky’s leaving us a little wide-eyed.

For those with a more sensible pallet, the bar is suitably stocked with an excellent choice of exported beers and fine wines. By the end of the night we’re all up for a dance, shaking to a hybrid of funky sounds that flitter from house, reggae and ska. In short, if you like partying with the great and good of Cardiff, then Sodabar is your ideal destination.

Punters: Dapper clientele rubbing shoulders with celebrities.
Ambience: Relaxed discussion one end, all out party at the other.
Drinks: £2 red stripe; £2 smirnoff ice; £2 tequila; £2 black sambuka
Contact: 07960788100; sian@Cocolocouk.com
Keith Carey

Gwdihw
Guildford Crescent, Cardiff

A stone’s throw from Queen Street train station, just off Churchill Way, brand spanking café bar Gwdih^wwˆ (pronounced Goody Hoo, it translates to ‘night owl’) is a homely addition to Cardiff’s drinking destinations. Packed with comfy retro furniture and enough kitsch decorations to keep eyes entertained for ages – from random family photographs to an imposing stag’s head – the vibe approximates strolling into a particularly welcoming sitting room circa 1973, stone fireplace included. Modernity is behind just about every other facet, however, with a big screen/projector nodding to regular film nights and a kooky DJ booth betraying the fact most evenings Gwdih^wwˆ lets its hair down with all manner of dance-catalysing left-of-centre tunes. The food is original, appetising and affordable, replacing standard bar fodder with imaginative light bites like grilled halloumi and Welsh cawl (standard menu options are £5-£6, with even cheaper specials). The liquid lunches are lent a local touch, meanwhile: we heartily recommend supping a Helles lager, a moreish brew from Cardiff’s own architects of ale, Artisan. A cockles-warming hidden treasure for quiet post-work drinks and owl-hour fun alike, it’s open seven days a week with plans for Sunday roasts in the works. And with a small artificial grass-embellished back garden on the cards in the future, Gwdih^wwˆ could become the perfect balmy summer’s evening retreat to boot.

Punters: Anybody looking to leave Cardiff’s beaten track; hipsters to nine-to-fivers
Drinks: Cocktails £6.95, Draught £3.50 a pint, Bottles/cans £2-£3.50, Spirits £2.75 a single, £3.75 a double (mixers 75p), Shooters £2.50, Wines £3-£4 a glass.

Ambience: A funky front room
Contact: 029 2039 7933
Adam Kennedy

Drinking up time

<<<BACK This venue on Westgate Street has struggled to find its feet and establish an identity since long-standing incumbent Bar M closed its doors over four years ago. From a Moroccan themed club to R’n’B haunt it has taken on many different guises. Now with brand new owners, brand new management and a totally new personality the current manifestation Tabu seems to have hit a chord, and is bringing in a totally new crowd. This seems to be done by emphasising a slick quality that pumps through this club’s very sinews. Now encompassing the whole ground floor and basement, the first thing that strikes you about the interior is the attention to detail. That attention is also extended into everything from the vast cocktail list through to the service. Knowledgeable baristas are fast becoming a dying breed in South Wales so it’s good to know you’re stepping into an environment where such traditional values are still respected. Step downstairs and you can’t help but notice the striking illuminated crucifix, which lights up the whole corner adding an extra touch of cool as it contrasts with the plush black surroundings. The music is deliberately eclectic, with a quality control on good music meaning that all genres seem to be catered for as long as they pass the quality test. Mani, the ex-Stone Roses and current Primal Scream bassist, was the guest DJ for the launch, and according to my sources expect a lot of the same calibre guest DJ’s in future. Like Mani himself, Tabu oozes an understated cool with a fun, mischievous streak.
Punters: Style conscious music lovers
Drinks: The best in cocktails
Ambience: Understated cool
Contact: 029 2039 9400
Jo Roberts