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
Powys
Like any good village pub, the Neuadd Arms is a focal point for the community. There's an interesting menu (mains £9 to £11), bed-and-breakfast rooms …
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…
Powys
This tiny 16th-century inn, just over the bridge to Cwmdauddwr (the village adjoining Rhayader), is the pick of the local places to drink. It's so small…
Powys
Delightfully situated on a verdant hillside below the Pen y Garreg dam, these traditional Welsh tearooms are definitely worth a stop when driving in the…
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…
Cardiff
For spectacle, atmosphere and boozy fun, The Alchemist is a guaranteed hit. Its speciality is molecular cocktails that smoke, fizz, change colour and…
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,…
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…
Powys
A haven for lovers of real ale and cider, this snug, welcoming little taproom with hop-festooned, baby-blue walls is easily the best house of refreshment…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Ceredigion
Spacious, simple and welcoming to all comers, the Horse makes the most of its plum crossroads location with its open, modern feel and picture windows for…
Llŷn Peninsula
The local pub has been given a Hamptons-style, bleached-wood makeover. Don't despair: it still plays sports on big TVs and welcomes dogs, only now it has…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
For over 600 years drinkers have been sipping their ales within these walls and beneath these low ceilings. Join this venerable throng and while you're at…
Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
Toby jugs and nauticalia line the walls of this atmospheric whitewashed pub (1740), which serves hearty pub grub (mains £7 to £15), local ales and nearly…
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…
