• Added: 26th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Stations and Transport

Cardiff CF10 2FY
0845 748 4950

graceycakes said
Trains
Well, as far as train stations go I'm no major fan or enthusiast. As much as Arriva Trains can fill me with rage, I appreciate that they are my quick link into the town centre and I should be grateful. Queen Street is your station for getting down the bay, or for any of the Valleys Line services. I am not sure why anyone would need a review of a train station, but for a visitor to the city it is probably important to know the difference between Queen Street and Central. If there are notices advising of engineering works and bus links, my advice would be to pay very careful attention to avoid getting stranded in town.

• Added: 26th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Cardiff CF10 1DA

graceycakes said
Sporting royalty
This is a proper pub. Rugby memorabilia everywhere, loads of pool tables and happy hour Brains beer. It is just opposite the stadium and is a real shrine to Welsh rugby. When matches aren't on, it's still a decent, spacious place to grab a pint or two, and a good alternative to the Gatekeeper just down the road. Smokers tables outside are nice on a warm evening. Close to St Mary's Street for later on in the evening, and also not far at all from the train and bus station. It's somewhere that always seems welcoming and friendly, and whenever I've been there the bar staff have always been good fun.

* It's actually on Westgate street in the centre, not down in the docks as the map here seems to show.

• Added: 26th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Cardiff CF10 1AT

graceycakes said
St Mary Street classic?
To be fair I think I've only been here once, so maybe I am being a bit hasty with this review. But this wasn't the sort of place that I found particularly welcoming or would ever want to go back to. It seems like a "scary regulars only" type of place. I do remember it seeming quite aggressive and not welcoming, and having really loud awful music. Still, as it is on St Mary's Street I suppose that they don't have to make any effort as it is such a good location. Unless you are actually one of the regulars that put me and my friends off, I wouldn't recommend it.

• Added: 26th of August 2008
• Area: Bath
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bath BA1 2EB

graceycakes said
Vodka everywhere
Well, it's part of the Revolution chain. It just can't make it's mind up what kind of bar it wants to be. Go there in the day/early evening/weekdays and it's laid back, chilled out, sophisticated serves nice food and delicious cocktails, and a wide selection of vodkas, of course. However, on Friday and Saturday nights, it is packed and loud, full of idiots and you might never actually get served. Still, I suppose those are the nights where it makes its money. There is some outdoor seating, but you are right by the road which isn't always pleasant, even in such a lovely city as Bath.

• Added: 26th of August 2008
• Area: Bath
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bath BA1 5DX

graceycakes said
Camper than a row of tents...with drag queens in!
At the door there is a sign saying that you need your "rainbow card"* for entry, it's upholstered in leopardprint and they serve some seriously good but mad cocktails; 2 for 1 on Fridays I believe! They serve one in particular that I remember well and have dragged people in here purely to experience; the Curly Wurly, which is a chocolatey milky cocktail with a Curly Wurly for stirring. The music is cheesy, the bar staff are friendly, and they have a drinks trolley for when you just can't quite be bothered or are unable to still walk to the bar.

*you don't actually need a rainbow card. That's just to keep the ruffians out :-)

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Cardiff CF10 1FA

graceycakes said
A Wetherspoons, but aiming for class.
The Prince of Wales is in what used to be a theatre, and it is grand looking. Especially if you are on the top floor, it is pretty spectacular looking from the inside, with lots of gold and red velvet and you can see where the stage and the curtains used to be. But before I get carried away and talk it up too much, it is a Wetherspoons. As a recent graduate I think it's fair to say that their low prices and deals on food and drink have been kind to me and my wallet throughout my student days. The Prince of Wales is well situated for starting a night out as it is just round the corner from Cardiff Central train station which makes it a good first port of call. Can get rowdy at weekends, but this is normal at most of the big city centre pubs and clubs.

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Bath
• Category: Food and Drink

Bath BA1 1NG
01225 330121

graceycakes said
Ice Cream heaven
Some of my best Bath moments have been sitting in the warm sun on a bench outside the Abbey, happily eating some of the most delicious ice cream I have ever tasted from the Real Italian Ice Cream Co. They have a massive choice of flavours, and it is all freshly made. The double waffle cone is a particular favourite of mine, meaning you can try out all sorts of combinations. There are a few ice cream places around the Abbey, but in my opinion this one is the best by far. Yum yum yum! It looks like the ownres have recently opened an Italian pizza place next door which looks to be of the same high standards as this ice cream place.

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Bath
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bath BA1 2EN
01225 333448

graceycakes said
Pub heaven
A great selection of real ales and vegetarian food so damn good that even the most meat loving person is going to love it. The nachos and wedges are fantastic, proper portions and great flavours, and both work incredibly well soaking up a few pints or more. Downstairs you can catch acoustic sets, comedy, DJs and all manner of local Bath "celebrities". As far as pubs go, I'm pretty convinced that you could live in Porter quite happily. It is laid back and unpretentious, and a great place to while away an afternoon. They show sport on a projection screen, so you can avoid the soul-less chav hole of the Litten tree over the road. There are tables outside for smokers, and on a sunny day, with a fresh pint of Bath Ales Gem in hand, Porter's is just ace.

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Arts and Culture

Cardiff CF5 1QE
029 2030 4400

graceycakes said
Cultural Centre
Cinema, Gallery, Theatre, Cafe, Bar, Shop.

I could easily write about each one of these sections of Chapter and give each one a glowing review. The cinema often shows films that you won't get in the bigger cinema's in town and seeing films here can be very eye-opening. The gallery feels modern and fresh, and has changing work often. To be honest, I don't think I've checked out the theatre before, but the cafe and bar are excellent. Chapter has a beer festival every year which is well worth a look, and the food at the cafe is great. The shop stocks a lot of quirky and cool things that you won't find just anywhere. As a creative hub in Cardiff, Chapter is doing everything right.

At the moment it is undergoing a lot of building work, but I wouldn't let that put you off, and I'm sure that the re-opening party will be pretty good fun!

• Added: 25th of August 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Cardiff CF10 1AF
029 2039 8764

graceycakes said
Coffee heaven
If you seriously love your real coffee then get to The Plan immediately! Not the sort of place that serves milky, over-sweetened, cream-smothered excuses for a caffeine hit; at The Plan you can choose between various Columbian, Arabica, Kenyan and many other coffees, that taste amazing and are served in a generous cafetiere and will wake anyone up. This is complemented by a good selection of food, much of it vegetarian I believe, and a lot of it sourced locally. There have been many times where a pot of coffee and a cheese toastie from here has revitalised me after a heavy night, or even just as a break in a days busy shopping. They also serve a wide variety of teas. The Plan is inside the arcade a little way, and has an upstairs seating area where you can watch the other people in the cafe through the square in the centre, or watch the arcade through the gently aged wooden framed windows. This place has atmosphere and character, and is a hidden secret of Cardiff's arcades.