City guide · Wales
First date ideas in Cardiff: where to meet and how to get home
By The Fling Compass editorial team · Last checked
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Cardiff's centre is small and flat, with the castle at one end and Cardiff Central at the other. You can walk between most bars in a few minutes, which makes it a relaxed city for a first date.
Big event days change everything. When there's a match or a concert at the stadium, the pubs around Westgate Street and Quay Street fill up fast and taxis get scarce. Check what's on before you suggest a Saturday.
If the centre is too busy, Canton and Cardiff Bay are good alternatives. Both have arts centres with proper bars, which are easy places to meet someone new.
Where to go in Cardiff
Westgate Street and Quay Street
Right by the stadium and the castle. Busy, central and a short walk from Cardiff Central.
Church Street and the arcades
The heart of the shopping centre, with old pubs among the arcades off St Mary Street.
Canton
West of the river, more residential and relaxed, and home to the Chapter arts centre.
Cardiff Bay
The waterfront around the Wales Millennium Centre. Open, well lit and calmer than the centre on match days.
Places for a first drink
Busy enough to feel relaxed, quiet enough to talk, and easy to leave. Check opening times on their own sites before you go.
- 01
The Old Arcade
pub · Church Street
A long-standing pub with food in the middle of town. Comfortable on a normal night; on big match days it's packed, so pick somewhere else then.
- 02
The City Arms
pub · Quay Street
A traditional pub on Quay Street with comfy seats and sport on the screens. Easy to find and a few minutes from Cardiff Central.
- 03
Tiny Rebel Cardiff
brewery bar · Westgate Street
The Welsh brewery's city bar on Westgate Street, close to the stadium. Friendly and lively, with a long beer list to talk about.
- 04
Zerodegrees
microbrewery and pizza · Westgate Street
A microbrewery with wood-fired pizza a couple of doors from Tiny Rebel. Roomy and good if the drink turns into food.
- 05
Chapter
arts centre bar · Canton
A bright, spacious bar at the arts centre in Canton, open late, with cinemas and theatres in the same building. Laid back and away from the city-centre crowds.
- 06
Wales Millennium Centre
arts centre bars · Cardiff Bay
The landmark arts centre in Cardiff Bay has places to eat and drink inside. Easy to find and busy on show nights.
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Getting home
Trains run from Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street. Transport for Wales has live departures on its site, which is the quickest way to check your last train home on the night.
If you're relying on a bus, check the last one on your route before you go. Late-evening frequency varies a lot from route to route.
Licensed hackney carriages can be hailed or picked up from a rank. Private hire cars must be booked in advance through an operator, and a car you haven't booked won't be insured to carry you.
Staying safe in Cardiff
- Check the stadium calendar. On big event days the central streets are crowded and taxis are hard to find, so Canton or the Bay may be calmer.
- Licensed drivers carry an ID badge with their photo. If the photo doesn't match the driver, don't get in.
- Arrange to meet inside the venue. 'Outside the castle' on a busy night is not a meeting point.
- If you're in Canton late, book a cab from the bar rather than walking back over the river on your own.
The full list is in our first-date safety checklist.
Get the UK first-date safety checklist
A one-page checklist for the night before, sent to your inbox. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
First dates in Cardiff: questions
Is it a bad idea to have a first date in Cardiff on a match day?
Not a bad idea, just a busy one. Pubs near the stadium fill early and getting a taxi takes longer. Try Cardiff Bay or Canton, or pick another day.
How do I check my last train from Cardiff?
Use the live departures on the Transport for Wales site, or the National Rail page for Cardiff Central.
Can I hail a private hire car in Cardiff?
No. Private hire cars have to be booked through an operator. Only hackney carriages can be hailed or taken from a rank.