Qype: The Fat Cat Cafe Bar in Cardiff

Cardiff - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Yes, it is an upmarket bar and yes, it does have atmospheric lighting and velvet drapes, but NO, it doesn't maintain a relaxed feel! Not on a Saturday night when it's rammed with 'beautiful people' and the DJ can't keep his hand off the volume dial. Jebus, my ears were quivering after a couple of hours at Fat Cats.

Went here with a delagation of European youth workers to enjoy a tasty meal, yummy cocktails and even better conversation. I got 2 out of 3. The food was diabolical and the music was so loud, Satan himself would have struggled to make himself heard over the dancemusic din. The cocktails were, however, perfect. Classic Mojito mixed well. Got to give 'em credit for that.

It was sooooo embarrassing though - one of our guests had to order 3 times because they had run out of so many things on the menu. A couple of us had to order twice. Then the food turned up at different times, so some people's food got cold waiting for the other dishes to arrive. My Beef & Ginger with Noodles was apparently 'back by popular demand'. I swear that the chef (yeah, right) just up-ended a bottle of soy sauce over the plate and sent it straight out to the table. It was inedible. The beef was beyond as well. Tough as old boots, yes i think that's the best way of describing it. Some of the other people's food came out of the kitchen stone cold and 'limp'. Really, it wasn't good enough. If they can't cater for groups of 10 people on a Saturday night, they shouldn't take the booking.

Oh yeah, the bouncers were very rude to everyone going in and coming out as far as i could tell. Hey, at least they didn't discriminate!

Having said all that, i'll definitely be popping back for a couple of cocktails after work, but on a week night and in a small group.
Check out my review of The Fat Cat Cafe Bar - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype

Qype: The Fat Cat Cafe Bar in Cardiff

Cardiff - Pubs & Bars - Bars

Yes, it is an upmarket bar and yes, it does have atmospheric lighting and velvet drapes, but NO, it doesn't maintain a relaxed feel! Not on a Saturday night when it's rammed with 'beautiful people' and the DJ can't keep his hand off the volume dial. Jebus, my ears were quivering after a couple of hours at Fat Cats.

Went here with a delagation of European youth workers to enjoy a tasty meal, yummy cocktails and even better conversation. I got 2 out of 3. The food was diabolical and the music was so loud, Satan himself would have struggled to make himself heard over the dancemusic din. The cocktails were, however, perfect. Classic Mojito mixed well. Got to give 'em credit for that.

It was sooooo embarrassing though - one of our guests had to order 3 times because they had run out of so many things on the menu. A couple of us had to order twice. Then the food turned up at different times, so some people's food got cold waiting for the other dishes to arrive. My Beef & Ginger with Noodles was apparently 'back by popular demand'. I swear that the chef (yeah, right) just up-ended a bottle of soy sauce over the plate and sent it straight out to the table. It was inedible. The beef was beyond as well. Tough as old boots, yes i think that's the best way of describing it. Some of the other people's food came out of the kitchen stone cold and 'limp'. Really, it wasn't good enough. If they can't cater for groups of 10 people on a Saturday night, they shouldn't take the booking.

Oh yeah, the bouncers were very rude to everyone going in and coming out as far as i could tell. Hey, at least they didn't discriminate!

Having said all that, i'll definitely be popping back for a couple of cocktails after work, but on a week night and in a small group.
Check out my review of The Fat Cat Cafe Bar - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype

Qype: Splotlands Hotel in Cardiff

Cardiff - Pubs & Bars - Pubs

Oh wow. I've never had quite such a strange experience in a pub as when I visited Splotlands. There was a private function going on in the big back room and a lot of smart-looking people wearing their best Sunday frocks were sat around having a jolly time. Then the Karaoki started.

Wow. That's all I can say. Apart from "If I never hear the song 'if tomorrow never comes' again it will be soon!".

Out the cosy little smoking garden at the back of the pub, four girls were sat chatting in another language (it sounded like Gaelic!) and a very creepy looking guy was stood right behind them just staring at them..and staring...and staring. I was pretty sure he didn't know them.

In the front lounge, a group of old regulars were tucking into sandwiches sent through by the private partygoers, munching and having a conversation in what can only be described as "shout". Then one of them fell asleep, sat upright. His mate didn't seem to notice.

Me and the other half fancied a game of pool, but couldn't get a look in as a bunch of teens were quite posessive of it!

Oh yeah - last but not least. Prepare to get covered in slobber as the pub's dog is very friendly and will eat anything it can find on the floor (she seemed to really like the skittles that one of the teenybopper pool maestros kept slipping her. Hmm - taste the rainbow). She paces up and down the room, checking out new customers and if she finds someone she likes, will sit on them until they scratch her or give her affection.

All this on a Sunday night!
Check out my review of Splotlands Hotel - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype

Qype: Cafe Floyd in Cardiff

Cardiff - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes - Cafes & Coffee Shops

Floyd's a bit like Marmite - you either love it or hate it. Hidden away above a clothing shop (that recently appeared on a popular TV business makeover show, so is enjoying a revamped look and a surge in popularity) it's easy to walk right by Floyds without missing a beat, so keep your eyes peeled for the little billboard they place outside on the pavement. In fact, watch you don't trip over it.

If you find the magical doorway to Narnia and climb the narrow wooden staircase, what can you expect to find?

Well, lots of posh people air-kissing each other on the cheeks, judging by last Saturday night. But enough of that, on to the place itself. Narrow and long, the bar has lots of wood, swish and swanky leather couches and a cafe-style area by the bay window full of tables and chairs. Twinkly little fairy lights curtain the window and elsewhere, low lamps and candles give off a mellow glow.

It's cosy, no doubt about it. If there are more than three people stood at the bar, it can get a bit crushed as it's very narrow. Plus, the drinks are Pri-high-see (expensive, innit but) - me and the other half had a vodka & coke and a bottle of Corona between us and it came to £6.50! SIX POUND FIFTY. That's not cool even if you've got a million quid in the bank and can air-kiss for Britain.

Having said that, Floyds remains popular. I guess it is like Marmite - you'll just have to go along and see if it's to your taste.
Check out my review of Cafe Floyd - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype

Qype: Club Metro in Cardiff

Cardiff - Nightlife - Clubs

If you live in Cardiff, you have an obligation to go to Metros at least once! A pilgrimage to Metros is the story Chaucer never wrote. Honest to God.
It's stinky, it can be smutty, it's sweaty, it's dark and dank and damp, it's either empty or rammed, completely aweful or utterly fantastic - you can either have the best night of your life in here or the worst. Metros sure is individual and quite the experience.
The best nights I had were made up of the following ingredients...bubble machine, strobe lights, smoke machine that smelled of freeze-dried strawberries, heavy metal leading into more popular rock, finishing up with indie and some prodigy, dancing with your drinks, getting in the 'pit' being shoved by some mosher and shoving right back, pogoing to Cyprus Hill and downing shooters at the bar.
Long live Metros. Long may it drive people crazy!
Check out my review of Club Metro - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype

Qype: Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Cardiff

Cardiff

The burgers are great - whoppers in fact, though not to be confused with their Burger King compadre. All the food is cooked fresh and the tastebuds can testify to this.
The choice is grand and you get good food fast.
But, there are a couple of niggles that makes this a place you would go to once in a blue moon and not all the time. So here we go:
It's cold. Not only in terms of decor, but in terms of the air conditioning is turned up way too high! Brrrrr. The staff could be a bit warmer and less brisk too.
It's expensive - you're looking at around £8 for a burger and the bottles of beer are almost a fiver! That's not cool even if you've got a wad of £50s in your pocket.
It's full of people eating burgers with a knife and fork (I ask you!) talking loudly and eating their overpriced food and drinking their overpriced drinks like burgers are the new Beluga. It's a BURGER BAR for crying out loud, not the Savoy. Wise up people!
Check out my review of Gourmet Burger Kitchen - I am Tommowinnie - on Qype