CHAPTER
Market Road, Canton, Cardiff

Already Cardiff’s most inviting civilised drinking destination east of the River Taff, Chapter’s newly renovated bar has managed to modernise without losing the lively character that made it so popular. Part of the entire arts centre’s £1.75m redevelopment – including improved theatre, cinema and gallery – the updates lend extra gravitas. Entering through the main building’s beautiful paved forecourt and huge glass frontage into a spacious foyer, the entire package brings Chapter’s red brick former secondary school environs bang up to date.

The first major triumph inside is a bigger bar serving area, instantly remedying a once laborious ordering process, particularly on busy weekends. Chapter’s crowning glory remains its classy catalogue of draught and bottled beverages. The real ale and foreign beer selections are almost unrivalled, overflowing with local and continental brands.

The large seated section is well lit, doubling as the café’s eating area until its kitchen closes at 9.30pm. It’s definitely worth delving into the inexpensive, Welsh produce-packed menu too, featuring genuinely great vegetarian/vegan options to rival anything that carnivorous customers can chow down.

Add a thoughtfully designed outdoor smoking area and the short walk – or brief bus ride – from the city centre is more than justified, whether as a prelude to a film/play/gig or merely to relax in friendly surroundings.

Punters: Arts fans to ale lovers
Drinks: Draught beers £2.20-£3.65 a pint, bottled beers £2.95-£4.50, spirits £1.90-£2.20 a single, wines £2.80-£3.80 a glass, £10-£16.95 a bottle
Ambience: Bustling, cheery and cultured
Contact: 029 2030 4400

THE LIVE LOUNGE
The Friary, Cardiff

It only takes a cursory glance around The Live Lounge to twig this is a very different animal to its predecessor Bar Cuba. The place has been transformed into the midpoint between music venue and pub. Priding themselves on hosting live bands seven days a week, the art adorning all the walls pays homage to one of South Wales’ most successful groups, the Stereophonics.

With local covers bands plus occasional sessions of original music at lunchtimes, fans of almost any genre will find something to satisfy their taste. And even if you don’t, a mezzanine level and restaurant area provide more relaxed retreats for quieter drinks or, from 11am to 9pm, a meal from the affordable menu.

Hitting the town on a budget is painless too, having kept Cuba’s cheap drink lines but expanding the mid-priced range, happy hour savings and wine from £1 per glass are enough to cheer up your bank manager.

The atmosphere is unpretentious, reverting to a coffee shop vibe during the daytime, perfect for escaping the city centre hustle and bustle. Opening until 4am every single night ensures it’s particularly perfect for late-night midweek excursions when almost all Cardiff’s bars have long since shut their doors. Throw in selected big screen sporting events and The Live Lounge is giving numerous bars in the Queen Street/Greyfriars Road locale a run for their money.

Punters: Music lovers of all ages
Drinks: Draught beers £2.50-£2.90 a pint, bottled beers £2.40-£3, spirits £2-£3 a single, wines £1-£2.50 a glass, £5-£10 a bottle, cocktails £4.80
Ambience: As relaxed or loud and lairy as you choose
Contact: www.theliveloungecardiff.co.uk

MR SMITH’S
Woodville Road, Cathays, Cardiff

The latest venture from the successful team behind trendy Cardiff nightspots Buffalo and 10 Feet Tall, Mr Smith’s expands their kitsch vision into the semi-suburbs with applaudable success.

Taking over the premises previously occupied by the original Funky Buddha Lounge, Mr Smith’s is significantly snugger than its sister concerns and thrives off that intimacy. The limited space is chock with more deft design touches than most bars manage in a lifetime, inspired by salvaged items. The all-but-obsolete VHS takes centre stage, the bar counter decorated with a wall of rescued videotapes and food menus presented inside empty video cases. The chic décor doesn’t end there: one table doubles as an operational 1980s arcade game, while reclaimed pub furniture, contemporary art and a public notice-board co-exist in visual harmony.

Exceeding regular bar status, its coffee house/canteen elements offer tasty treats from slices of cake to a satisfying array of food straight from a 1950s New York diner menu, that nostalgic aesthetic completed by a jukebox. The wide range of cocktails make it a splendid pre-town stop-off, with early bird discounts each weekday, though those who prefer to stay in Cathays can often enjoy DJs spinning choice tunes.

Avoiding try-hard hipster status while riding the cutting edge is a mighty complex balance to perfect, but one Mr Smith’s pulls off with inspired aplomb.

Punters: The hip and the hungry
Drinks: Draught beers £2-£2.85 a pint, bottled beers £2.50-£3, spirits £2.50 a single, wines £2-£2.50 a glass, £7-£8 a bottle, cocktails £4.95
Ambience: Cosy yet innovative
Contact: 029 2034 4822

We check out the best boozers around

<<<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