Que Pasa
Taking over from the Old Toad in Trinity Street was never going to be the
most enviable position to be in for Que Pasa, especially with the former
club’s awful mix of punters and horrendous approach to hygiene, but
it’s rung the changes with dramatic results. Gone is the awful décor
of faded walls and ghastly fittings, replaced by an array of prominent reds
and stylish furniture. The staff really put an effort in to making you feel
welcome and the choice of drinks on offer surpasses a great deal of chain
bars in Cardiff.
Laguna Bar
Laguna Bar has been open for nearly two years, but for the unacquainted,
you’ll find it down on Cardiff’s new golden strip, Greyfriars
Road. Indeed Laguna is part of the Park Plaza Hotel, the recent winner of
the AA’s Best Hotel in Wales Award. When we visited, they were celebrating
their win, playing host to the beautiful people of Wales (they do exist).
Laguna’s unassuming entrance belies its sophistication. There’s
an Edward Hopper feel to the main artery with high backed settees offset
with low-slung lamps hovering over the tables. Towards the rear of the bar
is where the main mingling goes on, low benches with wall mounted leather
backs and designer easy chairs. The music is as chilled as the beer (four
on draught but plenty of bottles to choose from) but more importantly, the
atmosphere is as easy as a Sunday morning in bed.
Lava Lounge
The third and largest Lava Lounge in the UK opened in Swansea in September 2005.
Since then its retro decor, 70s and 80s music and wallet-welcoming prices have
been keeping it packed with locals and students alike, at least at weekends and
term times. Check out the leopard print carpet and zebra arm chairs, Pop Art
paintings, large dance floor and dangerous cocktail menu. Not only that but,
as an over 21’s venue it attracts a slightly older crowd of stylish office
workers letting their weekend hair down and hence plenty of pretty pulling opportunities.
It also boasts two giant screens and six plasma TVs, making it a perfect place
to lounge and watch the big matches. I turned up at 10pm on a Tuesday, and as
the Welsh weekend tends to run from Wednesday to Sunday it was fairly quiet,
unsurprisingly. That said, those there were having a blast, belting out karaoke
and downing £2 Slippery Nipples.
Read the full reviews in the current issue of RedHanded.
The drinks are on us! (OK, just kidding)
