It might not be a topic worthy of The Guardian or The New York Times, but the importance of the many Wetherspoons dotted around Cardiff to its student population cannot be understated. Regardless of where or what you were doing, it’s guaranteed that Wetherspoons has always been a prominent feature of university life. All the other restaurants are booked? Spoons. You’re drunk and in dire need of a sit down? Spoons. Your friend has just been broken up with and is now wailing in the street? Definitely Spoons. Considering the vital role it plays in the city, here is the ultimate guide to Cardiff’s Wetherspoons for prospective or new students — written by an individual who has far too much knowledge about them.
1. The Prince of Wales
We’ve decided to rank this one at number one in terms of its spectacular inside decor. This site is a grade 2 listed building of historical importance, which began its life in 1878, becoming a pub in 1999.
Both a drawback and an advantage is it’s location — its closeness to Cardiff Central train station means that for those who are embarking on a journey back to their homes for reading week or Christmas break have an ideal opportunity for a last goodbye. Last year, my friends and I met here for dinner before the end of year holidays. Yapping over a a couple of drinks and chips is a much better way to send off the year than a rushed and awkward goodbye back at university halls. It’s also a comfort to know that the train station is so close by, so you can draw out leaving as long as possible.
One draw back to be considered is that this location is not as budget friendly as the others — due to its proximity with the stadium and Cardiff central train/bus stations, the alcohol served here can tend to be a little more expensive than usual. But considering that Wetherspoons is quite cheap in the first place, this is a minor issue that can easily be overlooked.
Address: 81–83 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FA
2. The Ernest Willows
A solid favourite, this pub is perhaps most popular with students in their first and second year of university who live in the Cathays area. We highly recommend that during the day time you order a refillable hot drink and sit down with friends to get some work done. At this time, it is quiet and friendly, with hot food ready to go.This is the perfect alternative to those pesky overpriced coffee shops in the city centre that will only let you stay and study for an hour or less.
This spoons has quite possibly the nicest female pub toilets ever seen in Wales; complete with a comfy seating area. The slightly excessive wall to wall mirrors ( which absolutely weren’t installed with drunk women in mind) and the green colour scheme does make it seem like you are in the chamber of secrets.
Address: 2-12 City Road, Plasnewydd, Cardiff, CF24 3DL
3. The Mount Stuart
Coming in hot at number three is the solid choice ‘The mount Stuart’. . Situated in the heart of Cardiff bay, this spoons offers fantastic views of the waterfront. It’s perhaps worth going later in the day when all the lights are on across the water and the surrounding areas, making for a spectacular environment. This pub is also just a short walk away from the millennium centre, ideal for students who are in the bay to see a musical or production.
Address: Landsea House, Stuart Place, Cardiff, CF10 5BU
4. The Central Bar
A favourite among the more clubbing orientated university students, The Central Bar is just a fifteen minute walk away from Cardiff students union. If you feel courageous enough to attempt the infamously long ques to get into ‘yolo’ ( a hectic yet enjoyable Wednesday clubbing night which always reaches capacity limits), it’s a good plan to join the many students who decide to do pre drinks here before the main event.
Bonus points will also be given for this spoons’s dessert menu, particularly the pancakes, which for some reason comes with a larger amount of chocolate sauce than other locations.
Address: 39 Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BW
5. The Gatekeeper
Another brilliant inner city spoons that’s perfect for any night out. The gate keeper is in close proximity to the very popular club ‘Ifor Bach’ (‘Little Ivor’s club’), and other music venues, making it an easily accessible location for those who want to jump between events and places. It’s also worth noting that the staff here are very lenient and will let you take outside food and drink in ( so long as you are not too obvious), which is important considering how hard it is to walk past all the take away options on Caroline street.
Address: 64 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FA
6. The Aneurin Bevan
This one is ranked at number 6 because of its location. Being a first year and living at university halls in Talybont meant that a gruelling 54 minute walk was needed (across two residential areas and the M4) to reach this spoons. However, you can always be guaranteed a table on a Saturday or Sunday night, unlike the more popular city centre Wetherspoons.
This one unfortunately does have to be given credit for its wonderful outside seating area ( complete with fairy lights and candles), which is a nice surprise considering the often grungy and dark smoking areas that are often offered to those who vape or smoke. Overall, perhaps not too friendly for students who value their legs after walking from university halls, but if you can make the journey it’s worth taking a peek.
Address: Caerphilly Road, Cardiff, CF14 4AD
Wetherspoons is clearly a student favourite, and there are more that I could add to this list in and around Cardiff. But these six are the ones I tend to go to the most for the reasons discussed. Let us know your favourite Spoons in the comments!
Authors
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Hi! I'm Ruby and I'm an undergraduate studying English and Journalism at Cardiff University. Outside of lectures, I'm either at the library or on the hunt for a spontaneous sweet treat.
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Aminah is a dedicated content expert and writer at Unifresher, bringing a unique blend of creativity and precision to her work. Her passion for crafting engaging content is complemented by a love for travelling, cooking, and exploring languages. With years spent living in cultural hubs like Barcelona, Sicily, and Rome, Aminah has gained a wealth of experiences that enrich her perspective. Now based back in her hometown of Manchester, she continues to immerse herself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. An enthusiastic Manchester United supporter, Aminah also enjoys delving into psychology and true crime in her spare time.
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Hi! I’m Ruby and I’m an undergraduate studying English and Journalism at Cardiff University. Outside of lectures, I’m either at the library or on the hunt for a spontaneous sweet treat.