Anglesey & the North Coast
Born out of a collaboration between four Welsh craft breweries (Purple Moose, Conwy, Nant and Great Orme), this heritage-listed 1920s boozer is a serious…
Must-see nightlife in Wales
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Swansea (Abertawe)
Once frequented by Dylan Thomas (it appears as the Wine Vaults in his story 'The Followers'), the No Sign stands out as the only vaguely traditional bar…
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Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
In a 15th-century cobbler's home now lives Barmouth's most characterful pub, full of inglenooks, old ship timber and other eclectic nautical memorabilia…
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Cardiff
For spectacle, atmosphere and boozy fun, The Alchemist is a guaranteed hit. Its speciality is molecular cocktails that smoke, fizz, change colour and…
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Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
The eponymous Dylan Rowlands knows how to pair tasty little plates with wine, and demonstrates this ably here, in Dolgellau's best wine bar. Cheeses,…
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Cardiff
Owned by a self-confessed 'failed actor', this friendly, attitude-free bar has something on most nights, whether it's a quiz, live music, comedy, theatre…
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Snowdonia & the Llŷn
In 2012 this unassuming little place became the first Welsh pub to win the coveted Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub-of-the-year award. Run by the…
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Anglesey & the North Coast
What started out as a North Coast–plying coffee van has found a more permanent home in this wonderful thimble-sized cafe. You may well find yourself…
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Cardiff
Inspired by prohibition-era bars, this swanky speakeasy is hidden behind a narrow lane in the city centre. Find the bell with a feather painted nearby (it…
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Cardiff
With charmingly scruffy rooms sprawling around a central bar painted racing green and festooned with hops, the Lansdowne is esteemed for its food (mains …
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Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog
Originally crowd-funded into being by the lads at Brecon Brewing, the Tap is a treasure trove of craft beer, traditional cider, estate wines and locally…
Cardiff
With a name originating from the optimum temperature for coffee roasting, this place is all about coffee perfection. Their coffee beans are ethically…
Cardiff
The award-winning craft brewery Tiny Rebel from neighbouring city Newport has quickly made a name for itself among microbrewery fans. Its first pub is…
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Swansea (Abertawe)
Slink down a side lane from Wind St, give a knowing nod to the bouncer lurking in the shadows, enter the corridor, push back the bookcase and enter an…
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Cardiff
Latin legal phrases are printed on the walls of this solidly traditional pub (a nod to the many patrons from the legal fraternity), but there's nothing…
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Cardiff
Right by SWALEC Stadium, this outpost of the UK-wide Brewhouse and Kitchen chain is in pole position for thirsty cricket-lovers. There's an on-site…
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Cardiff
A haven for cool kids about town, the Buffalo features retro furniture, tasty food, life-affirming cocktails and alternative tunes. There's a small beer…
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North Pembrokeshire
This hip hub includes an interesting gallery (the streetside West Wales Art Centre), an excellent restaurant, a peaceful terrace area and an inviting…
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Swansea (Abertawe)
Hidden down the hill from Wind St, cool Kon-Tiki offers all the requisite elements for a tropical-beach fantasy: faux Polynesian statues, cocktails served…
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Cardiff
A cute little bar with an electric-rainbow exterior, Gwdihŵ has an eclectic line-up of entertainment (comedy, DJs, quiz nights and lots of live music,…
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Cardiff
A bastion for blokiness, the Eagle has a gay-men-only policy after 9pm at weekends, enabled by a membership system (£3 annually). There's no DJ, drag or…
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Swansea, The Gower & Carmarthenshire
The best of Newton Rd's wine bars, Jones buzzes with 40-somethings giving the chintzy fittings competition in the bling stakes. There's Ali, Bowie and…
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Swansea (Abertawe)
A former Thomas hang-out, Uplands still serves a quiet daytime pint in the 'Dylan Thomas' snug, and is painted a sober dark green. Come nightfall it turns…
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North Pembrokeshire
If the step-back-in-time feel of Cwm Gwaun isn't visceral enough, drop into the Dyffryn Arms. Better known as Bessie's after its legendary octogenarian…
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Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
Attached to the grander Royal Oak, and doing a roaring trade in lasagne, curries and pints for weary walkers, the Stables (Y Stablau) is the only pub per…
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St Davids (Tyddewi)
Even though St Davids is a bit of a tourist trap, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more authentic, gregarious locals' pub. There's real ale and Guinness on…
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Llandudno
Dating from the late 18th century, Llandudno's oldest pub is a great place for a quiet pint or a hearty meal (£11 to £16), especially if you've just…
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Swansea (Abertawe)
Arguably the classiest spot on Swansea's trashiest strip, the Perch swizzles up moreish cocktails and a good selection of wine and boutique beer. Graffiti…
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Southeast Wales
Every spare wall of this large hip-looking cafe/bar is covered in vintage mirrors, murals and kooky framed pictures (we particularly like the young Tom…
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Cardiff
Cardiff's main brewery's unlikely contribution to the craft-beer revolution, this charming old-style corner pub serves 18 draught taps and a rotating…
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North Pembrokeshire
This tremendously snug and convivial little 250-year-old pub has an open fire in winter and walls covered in memorabilia, including photos of Richard…
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Swansea, The Gower & Carmarthenshire
Pop into the slate-floored Joiners for a pint from the pub's own on-site microbrewery. A drop of the hoppy Three Cliffs Gold Ale is the one to try. It…
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Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
Real ales, real ciders and plenty of locals catching up under the low, twisted roof-beams of this 18th-century pub in the narrow-laned heart of Dol…
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Anglesey & the North Coast
If you're after a pint, this converted 18th-century waterfront customs house is your best bet. In summer, grab a seat outside; it's a great spot for…
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Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog
If you need to escape the festival crush for a quiet glass in an unfussy rural pub, the Baskerville in Clyro, just a mile from Hay, fits the bill. Known…
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Swansea, The Gower & Carmarthenshire
The centre of Llangennith's social life is the 16th-century King's Head, which serves real ales – some courtesy of the Gower Brewery in nearby Oldwalls –…
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Southeast Wales
Almost a tourist attraction in its own right, the Robin Hood has been providing sustenance for weary travellers since medieval times. The door itself…
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Cardiff
Affectionately known in these parts as an 'old man's pub' – despite it attracting just as many young folk – the City Arms is an unpretentious kind of…
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South Pembrokeshire
Warm and welcoming but rough around the edges, this 15th-century cottage pub sits at the end of a deeply rutted road, looking out over the water and…
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North Pembrokeshire
If you're a lover of village pubs, this solid stone tavern in the hilltop village of Mathry, 5 miles east of Porthgain, is well worth seeking out. There's…
