When it comes to cocktails, you are truly spoilt for choice in Cardiff these days. Just take a stroll down the likes of St Mary Street, High Street or Mill Lane and you'll be met with a vast - but classy - selection of cocktail bars to enjoy and indulge in.
Whether you're a fan of the overly sweet and sugary tipples (we're looking at you, pornstar martini) or prefer a more bitter beverage like a negroni - there's something in the city for everyone that's guaranteed to go down far too easily.
From independents to a few more wellknown chains, here's a round up of just some of the places in Cardiff (in no particular order) you must visit to wet your whistle as a cocktail aficionado. If you're in need of some inspiration too, we've added a taste of what you can expect on the menu...you're welcome.
Read more: A riverside bar selling cocktails and bottomless brunches has opened in Haverfordwest
1. The Colour Changing One at The Alchemist
If you're crazy for creative and mind-blowing cocktails that not just taste delicious but put on a show, then you must pay a visit to Cardiff's The Alchemist. Be prepared to be dazzled by the magic of The Colour Changing One.
An adults chemistry experience, this drinks brings together Grey Goose Vodka, Briottet Apple, Soda, Citrus and a touch of Magic.
Where: 117 St Mary Street
Details: here
2. 7emon Deadly Sins at The Libertine
Offering "Cocktails, cheers and a cheeky bit of sin", The Libertine is a classy, 20s style bar which has some artistic cocktails on offer - with creative monikers to match.
Made with Italian liquor made with rose petals, Italicus, Limoncello, lemon, passion fruit and prosecco, this mighty cocktail packs a strong punch that'll transport you to the Amalfi Coast.
Where: 28 High Street
Details: here
3. Kiss From A Rosé at Be At One
If you're up for a beverage and a bit of a boogie, stop off at Be At One for the best of both worlds. With over 100 cocktails to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice. From frozen ones to the bartenders' choice, there will be at least one drink that is the perfect tipple to top off your day.
If you want a taste of summer, the Kiss From A Rosé is a refreshing option. Tanqueray gin and rosé wine topped off with strawberries, cucumber slices, pomegranate and Fever-Tree elderflower tonic.
Where: 60-62 St Mary Street
Details: here
4. Espresso Martini at The Bootlegger
With a theme of prohibition - or lack thereof - this quirky bar takes you back to the days of speakeasys. Offering the classics as well as swanky new creations, their drinks are delicious and slide down your throat far too easily.
Their signature espresso martini is a "drink of legend" with a menu all to itself offering a collection of variations of the drink. For example, their White Chocolate and Mint espresso martini is made with Vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, Cacao blanc, chocolate bitters, Creme De Menthe and topped with shaved white chocolate - our mouths are watering.
Where: 5A Womanby Street
Details: here
5. Ultralight Beam at Pennyroyal
This charismatic cocktail bar is celebrating its fifth birthday this year after landing in Cardiff in 2017. With the bar team priding themselves on being "purveyors of bold, eccentric cocktails & carefully curated spirits", characterful cocktails is what you'll get when visiting this charming establishment.
Named after a Kanye West song - according to the bar's Instagram - this tasty tipple consists of cognac, blanc Quinquina, Banane du Brésil, White Peach and Jasmine Soda and a dash of celery bitters and Absinthe.
Where: 22 High Street
Details: here
6. Honey Bee at Tonight Josephine
This sweet citrusy concoction at Tonight Josephine is one for those with a penchant for whiskey and is described as a 'guilty pleasure'.
Rich and smooth in taste and flavour it has Four Roses bourbon whisky, honey, apple juice, citrus and egg white. Sounds delicious.
Where: 46 Caroline Street
Details: here
7. Rhubarb and Sage Spritz at The Botanist
These cocktails are both delicious and beautifully finished. And with non-alcoholic versions available, you have an abundance of choice.
This fresh and tangy cocktail is made with Portobello Road Gin, rhubarb liqueur, ginger ale, rhubarb and sage cordial. Thirsty yet?
Where: Unit 5, 10 Church Street
Details: here
8. Passion Fruit Martini at Dirty Martini
A flavourful twist on a classic, this London bar opened its first regional venue in Cardiff in 2016 and has brought some quality cocktails with it.
This one is made up of Beefeater gin shaken with Passoa passion fruit liqueur and fresh passion fruit. And if that wasn't enough passion fruit, the drink is topped up with passion fruit juice.
Where: Imperial Gate, St Mary Street
Details: here
9. Martini at Park Plaza
Part of the hotel's classic cocktails menu, this iconic beverage consists of Bombay Sapphire gin or Belvedere Unfiltered vodka with a hint of Dry Vermouth.
Where: Greyfriars Road
Details: here
10. The Lost Bride - Rhys a Meinir at Dead Canary
This 'secret' drinking den, where you have to ring a bell for entry, is renowned for its cocktails.
This particular drink is part of its brand new menu inspired by folklore and superstition and has been created with a backstory of Rhys and Meinir's tragic love and their untimely end. See the menu to learn a bit more.
It is made up of tapario tequila, yellow chartreuse, O.P Anderson organic aquavit, elderflower, lime, honey and mint. Quite the combination.
Where: Barrack Lane
Details: here
11. Mojito at Peppermint
This classic Cuban concoction had to be on the menu of a bar called Peppermint.
It's made with rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint.
Where: 63 St Mary Street
Details: here
12. Mango Collins at Las Iguanas
Along with its food, this place has a bit of a reputation for its great-tasting cocktails - and the Mango Collins is a bit of a customer favourite.
It consists of Absolut Mango Vodka, triple sec, orange, mango and is topped up with refreshing lemonade.
Where: 8 Mill Lane
Details: here
13. Bloody Mary at Nighthawks
It claims it has the best Bloody Mary in town so if this tomatoey, hangover cure is your elixir, then this new wine bar needs to be added to your cocktail itinerary.
While we've not been given intel on the recipe for it, we'll take their word that they're pretty sure it's up there with some of the city's best cocktails.
Where: Castle Arcade
Details: here
14. Strawberry Daiquiri at Mocka Lounge
This city centre cocktail bar prides itself on offering exceptional service and cocktails and their daiquiris are no different.
The strawberry and crushed ice-based cocktail looks fantastic and regulars rave about the taste.
Where: 1-2 Mill Lane
Details: here
15. Glitch | Artificial Intelligence at Lab 22
Tucked away at the top of Chippy Alley, Lab 22 has a great cocktail menu (see their menu here ) which includes an interesting cocktail called Glitch | Artificial Intelligence. An interesting name calls for an interesting recipe of Bacardi 4, Amaro Montenegro, peach liqueur Peche and ginger homebrew.
Why wouldn't you expect cocktail experiments in a bar with 'Lab' in its name.
Where: 22 Caroline Street
Details: here
16. Pumkin Spiced White Russian at Gin & Juice
Now, you can't do a cocktail crawl without paying a visit to Coffee Barker's sister site, Gin & Juice. But if you don't like gin, don't palm it off straight away. Yes it has an abundance of different gins to serve up (over 350 gins to be exact) but its other beverages are equally as delicious.
Embrace the winter chill with a drink that'll really put the pump in pumpkin spice. Made up of Absolut Vanilla vodka, Licor 43, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, pumpkin syrup, cinnamon and double cream, it's a festive special to be remembered.
Where: 2-6 Castle Arcade, High St
Details: here
17. French Martini at Slug and Lettuce
This place does 2-for-1 cocktails all day, every day, so there's no excuse not to sample a few. We recommend the French Martini. Go on, try it for yourself...
Where: The Friary
Details: here
18. Sherry Trifle at Bar 44
It would be rude not to include a sherry cocktail in the line-up - especially this one created by the sherry connossieurs at Bar 44, the fabulous team behind which is behind award-winning new hotel in Cardiff, Parador 44.
A rich and creamy cocktail, the sherry trifle is a unique concoction containing gin, fresh raspberries, Micaela cream sherry, cream and lemon, as per their menu.
Where: 15-23 Westgate Street
Details: here
19. Honey Cwtch at Society Standard
One of the bars and restaurants located in the foodie Mecca that is Whitchurch Road, Society Standard's Honey Cwtch cocktail is a sweet but fiery tipple that has elements of (obviously) honey in its tequila and heat in its ginger beer. It's spruced up with elderflower liqueur and lemon.
Where: 79-81 Whitchurch Road
Details: here
20. Koko Kolada at Turtle Bay
The Caribbean restaurant has a bar as its centrepoint where you can supp a cocktail or two before your meal.
If you like Pina Coladas... you'll probably love this.
It's made of Koko Kanu rum, fresh coconut and zingy pineapple - perfect for bringing a hint of summer to a grey day.
Where: Hodge House, 114-116 St Mary Street
Details: here
21. Southside Royal at The Cocktail Club
Cardiff's latest cocktail bar to grace St Mary Street, The Cocktail Club is, as the name would suggest, a haven for the most fabulous and flavoursome cocktails. Take Southside Royal, for example; this remix of their "legendary Southside" is served with a bit of heat: flamed absinthe mist, as per their menu.
Detailed as "BUBBLES - VANILLA - CLASSY", it consists of Sipsmith gin topped with Prosecco.
If "crisp and complex" is what you're looking for in a cocktail, try this on your first visit.
Where: 75 St Mary St
Details: here
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