Gay Cardiff
Nightlife
Cardiff is well known for its lively nightlife. The gay scene is focused around Charles Street – with all bars around ten minutes walk from each other.
Golden Cross Pub (www.thegolden.co.uk)
Originally a girlie-bar for sailors in the 19th century coal boom, the Golden Cross is now one of Cardiff's most popular gay venues. Regular entertainment includes local and international drag acts, strippers and a traditional pub quiz. Food is served until early evening in generous quantities - the good value Sunday roast has become a Welsh gay family institution. 283 Hayes Bridge Road, Tel: +44 29 2034 3129
The Kings Cross (www.kxcardiff.co.uk)
A popular gay bar on the corner of the city's café quarter. The large ground floor bar serves snacks and light meals and regular events include stand up comedy, karaoke and live DJ's. 25 Caroline Street Tel: +44 29 2064 9891.
Exit Club
A pub club with a large beer garden in the heart of the city's gay area. Live music, regular club nights and a friendly, attitude-free atmosphere. 48 Charles Street Tel: +44 29 2064 0102
Club X (www.club-x-cardiff.com)
The largest gay and gay-friendly venue in Cardiff has been fully refurbished following a fire in late 2004. The club features two dance floors, three bars, a games rooms and a covered garden terrace. Fusion room plays hard-house, dance and pop, or the Camp room plays disco classics and party music. Karaoke and drag queens add to the entertainment. 35 - 39 Charles Street, Tel: +44 29 2040 0876
Minskys
Cardiff's only cabaret bar that specialises in drag queen shows. Shows are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but the bar and lunchtime restaurant is open all week. Cathedral Walk, Tel: +44 29 2023 3128
Bar Icon (www.iconcardiff.com)
Often referred to as 'the swishest gay bar outside London', Icon has two floors, the busier downstairs bar or a more intimate lounge area upstairs.
Pulse (www.pulsecardiff.com)
With three floors, this is one of Cardiff's newest and largest nightclubs. Chill out on the leather sofas on the ground floor, or go to the first floor that overlooks all the entertainment that's happening on the ground floor. The basement is the main dancefloor and on Sundays the Cabaret Club takes over.