10 Most Iconic Pubs in Cardiff

Pen and Wig is a Cardiff hot spot that’s proud of its real ales and has been featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for some time. Located in the heart of the city, close to Cardiff University’s campus, this place has a relaxed feel that’s reminiscent of a country pub.

Stocking locally brewed beers, craft beers and the usual wines and spirits, Pen and Wig also serves up a hearty Sunday roast that’s a big seller. Enjoy your drinks on the pleasant outdoor terrace or in the cute courtyard if you fancy a spot of people-watching.

The Rummer Tavern is a Cardiff pub that does a good job of looking Tudor in style, with its black and white timber frontage and leaded windows. However, it only dates back to the 1700s, which is admittedly still pretty old.

Situated directly opposite Cardiff Castle, the location is second to none. And with well-priced real ales, decent pub grub, and a friendly atmosphere, it’s no surprise this pub has topped many ‘best of’ pub charts in Cardiff. It’s great for watching sports too, with loads of screens showing all the big matches.

The Cambrian Tap is a revamped pub in Cardiff with bare brick walls and retro diner-style booths. It’s where traditional meets modern. The pub offers beers from Brains brewery as well as an impressive selection of craft brews. Some of the more interesting beers are made by Brains as part of their craft brewery initiative, to keep this longstanding Welsh brewer relevant to 20-something drinkers who demand innovative beers.

Slap bang in the middle of the St Mary’s Road drinking hub, the Cambrian Tap is an ideal spot for a couple of pints served alongside a tasty pie from the extensive selection all served up with mash, peas and gravy.

The Albany occupies a corner spot on a residential street in the district of Roath but is easily accessible on foot from Cardiff. It’s a classic boozer with the bonus of a lovely flower-filled beer garden out back – great for those summer evenings catching up with friends and sampling the latest beery offerings.

Dogs are welcome in the bar and beer garden, and football matches are shown in the back room. It’s a great place to go for an authentic Cardiff pub experience.

Porter’s is a great local pub and a Cardiff institution. Not only does it have that all-important outdoor drinking space, but it also hosts regular live music as well as quizzes, open mics and comedy shows. It was previously voted as the ‘Best Place to Drink’ in Wales, with good reason.

It’s a dimly lit bolt hole, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Relax with some beers in a comfy wingback chair, or arrive later ready to sing along at the evening gig. Maybe try the third string to Porter’s bow – The Other Room – an innovative pub theatre supporting the best in Welsh acting talent.

Tiny Rebel Cardiff is a truly modern Cardiff pub housed in a not-so-modern (but still very lovely) redbrick building. It is directly opposite the Principality Stadium – home of Welsh rugby. The place is buzzing and always packed at night. Visit during the day for a beer flight and some belly-busting food.

Tiny Rebel is one of Wales’s most popular breweries, with an extensive range of dark, light, sour and fruited beers to choose from. Popular with a young crowd, but also true beer aficionados, Tiny Rebel is always one of Cardiff’s best nights out.

Duke of Wellington is a Cardiff pub housed inside a striking building that dates back to the 1880s. Once the city’s Post Office, this grand redbrick is now one of central Cardiff’s most popular places to pick an outside seat and settle in for some serious people-watching.

Inside, the pub is contemporary, but still maintains its characterful wooden bar and cast-iron radiators. As well as Brains beers and a selection of wines and cocktails, there’s also a crowd-pleasing menu of pub fayre that’s decently priced and tasty. Known for its friendly welcome, it’s worth noting the Duke of Wellington isn’t only for human patrons – they’ll also provide water and treats for your 4-legged friend.

St Canna’s Alehouse may only have opened in 2017, but the pub made quite an impression on Cardiff’s beer fans. One of the city’s few micropubs, St Canna’s is petite in size but regularly hosts events, including TV screenings, open mics and board game sessions. You can even stick a few records on the turntable at their weekly vinyl nights. 

The beers on offer are of the craft variety and regularly change, so there will always be something new to try on your next visit. And while the inside is small, there’s a surprisingly generous beer garden to be enjoyed if your visit coincides with the sun shining.

The Packet is a classic Cardiff pub with a stained-glass name in the windows and a wood-clad interior. Fun fact: The Packet is named after an old shipping service that would deliver mail in ‘packets’ to outposts and British embassies. It’s recognised as one of Cardiff’s few remaining traditional pubs.

At the Packet, you can expect a friendly welcome from the landlord and a steady stream of Brains beers from the taps. The pub doesn’t serve food, but this leaves the focus firmly on the beer, which is a rarity these days.

The Traders Tavern is a popular stopping-off point on the way to Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, which is just a stone’s throw away. And while this pub won’t win any prizes for beautiful decor, it will offer you somewhere you can relax, sink a few pints, and be among friendly and like-minded patrons.

Prices in Cardiff’s city centre can be steep, but the Traders Tavern is refreshingly reasonable. Enjoy a couple of pints alongside a curry from the unfussy food menu, and you’ll still have money left for the taxi ride home.