A new independent wine bar is opening in one of Cardiff's iconic Victorian arcades. Nighthawks Wine Bar officially opens on Friday, September 2, on the corner of Castle Arcade and says it will be serving up some of "the best wines, charcuterie, grilled cheeses and cocktails" in the city.
The bar, a new addition to Cardiff's growing wine scene - which you can explore with the Cardiff Wine Passport - is being opened by the team behind speakeasy cocktail bar, The Dead Canary, and taco bar, La Pantera - David Adams and Rob Clark. The self-confessed ‘wine obsessives’, it seems, are on a mission to bring great wines to the widest possible audience - starting off with the people of Cardiff.
Overlooking one of the city's most famous monuments, Cardiff Castle, Nighthawks will offer a list of ten to twelve wines that have been carefully handpicked and come from all over the world, including champagne - all served by the glass. The friendly and contemporary wine bar will have a frequently changing list as well as offering cocktails made with sparkling wines, local craft beers and a small plates menu designed for pairing with the wines. You can get more Cardiff news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Of this new venture, David said: “Rob and I have both worked in hospitality for over a decade - Rob as a chef and me as a bartender - but we both have a passion for great wine and champagne. With Nighthawks we’re bringing together our experience from in the kitchen and behind the bar to create a venue that’s not stuffy or intimidating, somewhere that’s down to earth where everyone feels welcome.
“So we’re keeping everything really simple - a stripped back list of only a dozen or so wines that we’ll keep changing up - and really great staff who’ll always offer you the chance to try any of the wines and help you find something you’ll love. We’re taking that simplicity through to our menu too - things that go really well with wine like cheese plates and cure meats - and if you’re with us during the day, we’ll always have great coffee and we’re aiming to offer the best Bloody Mary in Cardiff!”
Bathed in natural light thanks to the large windows surrounding the space, Nighthawks is elegant and intimate and boasts high ceilings, wooden details and colourful artwork and murals by local artist Richard Gaskell. What's more, this quirky new addition to Cardiff isn't just limited to one floor but two. Below the bar, downstairs, you will find "the ultimate wine cellar" - a cosy drinking den which offers carefully curated cocktails and champagne.
Having received the keys to the property at the start of July, according to its social media, Nighthawks opened for a sneak preview on the bank holiday weekend (August 27-29) to test the new establishment's waters before officially opening this weekend.
Now, with its doors swinging wide open for good on Friday, September 2 - after closing for a few days following their preview weekend - and wine bottles at the ready, Nighthawks wrote on its Instagram page: "WE’RE OFFICIALLY OPEN FRIDAY! Thank you so much for all the love you guys showed us over the weekend. Our little trial run went really well and we literally cannot wait to see you guys Friday when it’s actually official! No booking required, just rock on up and see what we’re all about. If you’re after great wine, great company and a great time then swing on by! "
Nighthawks Wine Bar will open from midday to midnight. For more information on the opening, see Nighthawks' social media.
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