Cardiff’s Top 10 Student Secrets

By Student Cribs | July 3, 2023 | Reading Time: 7 minutes

Cardiff is an incredible city, with over 30,000 students it is bursting with young people and thousands of things to do and places to go. Three years just definitely isn’t enough time to do everything so we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 Student Secrets – the must dos while at University and the hidden gems of the city.

1.       Rose Street Flea Market

Located in Roath, the Rose Street Flea Market is definitely one of our favourite places from the list. It’s cool and quirky and if you’re into vintage clothing and furniture, this place will be your heaven. It’s the best ‘junk shop’ you’ll ever find and you’re sure to get something for a bargain. So, head down there as soon as you can because it is weird and wonderful and you’ll never want to leave.

2.       Porter’s Cardiff

Created and run by Dan Porter (a self-proclaimed failed actor), Porters Bar is the best place to go if you want a guaranteed entertaining evening. Friday and Saturday nights welcome in amazing live bands, there’s a big beer garden with retro cinema seats and on ‘come down Sundays’ you can watch free films in the bar, play board games and join in with the pub quiz. Porters also hosts comedy and theatre nights, so there is literally something for everyone.

3.       Canal Walk at Forest Farm

Every now and again a trip away from the busy hustle and bustle of the city will be very much needed. If you head down to this nature reserve in Whitchurch, you’ll find the perfect place to relax, walk, run, even swim, and enjoy everything that nature has to offer.

4.       Infinity Trampoline Park

This is a great activity for clearing your mind of work, stress and University and literally bouncing your troubles away! The whole room is filled with trampolines and foam pits to jump into. Definitely try to go on a week day or later in the evening when it is less busy and you’ll have more room to bounce to your hearts content.

5.       Breakout Cardiff

Breakout Cardiff is Cardiff’s newest escape room, located in the popular Brewery Quarter in the city centre. You can compete in groups of 2-5 people and have up to 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and make your escape, so do you have what it takes? Each room has a different theme, so if this really is your cup of tea, you can come back and try all the different rooms.

6.       Face 11

This amazing apres ski style bar and restaurant is located in Cardiff’s studentville aka Cathays and is a great hangout spot for you and your friends. The wooden cladding and wall mounted snowboards will transport you to the mountains (after a few drinks), where you can listen to live music, get 2 for 1 cocktails and even take part in the open mic nights or enjoy the ‘piste off comedy’ nights.

7.       Gwdihw Café Bar

This cosy and quirky café is a great place to come for a coffee during the day, or bring down your laptop and make the most of the free wifi and get some work done away from campus. When the evening arrives, so do the incredible drinks prices, such as four cans for £10 and mixers for £2.50, the cafe turns into a bar and the fun begins!

8.       The Secret Garden at St Fagans

St Fagans is a school trip staple, but everyone always seems to over look the stunning gardens. The perfect place to comes with friends in the summer for a picnic or just to relax, or even just a wonderful place to relax and wonder around if you need to clear your head of the thought or work or revision.

9.       Pipes Brewery

If you’ve been living in Cardiff for a while, then you’ve definitely already sampled this Pontcanna based brewery’s beers, as they are simply the best! However, what you might not know is that once a month they open their bar in a back lane in Pontcanna. Their events are fun, friendly, rain proof and free!

10.   The Dead Canary

As usual, we’ve saved the best till last and this secret cocktail bar in seriously cool. Located on Barrack Lane, this speak-easy themed bar has a great atmosphere and even better drinks. The venue also hosts live music nights, cocktail making masterclasses and ‘Taith-Tiki Thursdays’ with all Tiki inspired cocktails!

No matter who you are or what sort of things you like to do, Cardiff has something for everyone so make sure you experience it! This is only a list of our top ten student secrets but there are many more, so go out and discover them for yourselves, keep busy and make the most of this fantastic city.

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