Cardiff visitor - help appreciated

I'm about to make my second trip to Cardiff for the season opening against the Terriers. I'd appreciate some help/advice on a few things. I've been to the city once already by myself, this time I'm travelling with a mate. We're arriving thursday, and leaving on monday.

1. Pubs - is there any Pubs we should visit? The weatherspoons aren't necceserily that interesting, I'm thinking more of any 'hidden gems'. Last time I stuck to St. Mary's street and the Hayes, something out of this area would be brilliant. Also, any tips on pre-game pubs?

2. Brains Brewery - is there a pub or something close to the brewery who have a wide range of beers? Like a 'Factory outlet' or something? I appreciate good beers, so any advice would be great! I like stout beers myself, and if anyone has got any tips on something to try, please go ahead.

3. Blue - I suppose there's no problem wearing blue on matchday..? I've got my blue scarf from last time, and the majority of my clothes are blue anyway. It's sort of dumb to ask this, it should never be a problem wearing blue in Cardiff, but I've heard rumours of some protests or whatever, and I don't want to be involved in any feuds between local supporters. I'm travelling from overseas to see the bluebirds, and don't want any trouble.

4. Any other tips for things to do is appreciated aswell! I'm going to take my masters degree in Aberystwyth this year, so I'm planning on several trips to see the bluebirds this season.

Ill leave the pub advice to those who know the pub scene in town better than me but dont worry about colours. Many will wear blue as a sign of their displeasure and no more than that. There is a planned keep cardiff blue protest planned outside the ground but that should be peaceful. Enjoy the trip and wear blue!

for a few beers before or after the game just head to cowbridge road(east) in canton and take your pick of pubs, plenty there to choose from and that's where most city fans go for a drink and blue will be fine

where you coming from?

Y Mochyn Du near the cricket ground has a few good beers, or the rummer tavern opposite the castle or the cottage. These sell a few different ales, most city fans drink in canton on match days.
Depends how long your here for.. Plenty of decent pubs throughout the area.

First of all, have a great time in Cardiff. Don't worry about blue, or any other colour, loads of us don't wear colours anyway. As for blue, it's still our away kit Somebody mentioned the Rummer and the Mochyn Du, which are both excellent, but to get a real taste of Cardiff, only a traditional Brains pub will really do. Plenty around the city. If you are in town, have breakfast and lunch (dinner) in the central market.

I'll be having a drink in The Ivor Davies before a game, and possibly on to the Corporation!
It's in canton. Nice place

mate. my advice is, you can go where you want, do what you like, but, if away fans draw attention to themselves. and they want trouble. then they will find it, keep yourself to yourself and enjoy yourselfe

where you coming from?

I see Monomachos hasn't come back to you, so here's his profile. One of our recent converts. Love the fact he went to see Man U then us and he is coming back to see US.


The name's Martin!
Hometown - You've-never-heard-of-it, Norway. Currently live in Lillehammer, Norway (know for hosting the winter olympics)
Age - 24
Occupation - Student/Postman
First (and only) Game: Cardiff v Southampton, late september 2011
Favourite Player: Peter Whittingham - what a foot!
Least favourite Club: Man City
Most memorable moment: Kenny Miller x2 vs Southampton, and Cardiff in general.

There might not be a lot of norwegian Cardiff-supporters around, but I'm one. Man Utd have from youth always been my "first pick" (who can blame me - they had plenty of norwegians in the 90's). But thanks to computer games such as CM/FM (where Cardiff has always been my favourite team to play) I've grown to really like Cardiff City, and in september of last year, I took the trip over and watched the Seasiders play So'ton (I've seen Man Utd once, and Cardiff once, and Cardiff is the place I'm planning on returning to). I took the plane from Oslo to London, and from there on the train. The city was beautiful and the weather was great. I took a walk to the bay, hung over, but still fantastic (I envy those of you who live in the city). The game was great - "stop with it, you're 'avin a laugh". Even the walk back to the city was entertaining - chavs fighting at a Texaco, with som loud girls shouting at us for watching the show. That game was my so far only experience with Cardiff City, but I'm strongly considering another game (I'm thinking Peterborough, as mid-week games is easier for me).

As of now it looks like I'm going to take my master's degree in Aberystwyth, which will probably mean I'll be able to catch a lot more games next season. I'll be interested in knowing where the bluebirds-supporters swallow pints before games - last time I ended up in a 80s-karaoke bar on St. Mary's street (Bonnie Tyler will never be the same again). Last time I sat on Ninian stand, and I'd like some advice on if there's any better places to sit - please come with suggestions (I got the impression a lot of the home-supporters stood on the end to my right). Otherwise, I'd love to get a ticket for the Carling Cup-final, but those might be hard to get (even if I'm with the Cardiff supporters) - In the worst case scenario, I'll watch it at home.

Thanks for all the replies, greatly appreciated!

I'm really looking forward to venture out of St Mary's/The Hayes area this time around. I didn't go to cowbridge last time, but I'm deffo gonna do it this time. I've heard it's a decent place for a pub crawl, so who knows.

And yeah, I'm norwegian as Wayne was so kind to clear up, and as I wrote back then - Cardiff is the place I'm coming back to! I'm leaving for Oslo on Wednesday to sleep overnight, and then leave for London early on thursday, then taking the train to Cardiff (as last time). I'm leaving on Monday, so I'm looking forward to staying there over the weekend, last time was during mid-week.

I'm about to make my second trip to Cardiff for the season opening against the Terriers. I'd appreciate some help/advice on a few things. I've been to the city once already by myself, this time I'm travelling with a mate. We're arriving thursday, and leaving on monday.

1. Pubs - is there any Pubs we should visit? The weatherspoons aren't necceserily that interesting, I'm thinking more of any 'hidden gems'. Last time I stuck to St. Mary's street and the Hayes, something out of this area would be brilliant. Also, any tips on pre-game pubs?

2. Brains Brewery - is there a pub or something close to the brewery who have a wide range of beers? Like a 'Factory outlet' or something? I appreciate good beers, so any advice would be great! I like stout beers myself, and if anyone has got any tips on something to try, please go ahead.

3. Blue - I suppose there's no problem wearing blue on matchday..? I've got my blue scarf from last time, and the majority of my clothes are blue anyway. It's sort of dumb to ask this, it should never be a problem wearing blue in Cardiff, but I've heard rumours of some protests or whatever, and I don't want to be involved in any feuds between local supporters. I'm travelling from overseas to see the bluebirds, and don't want any trouble.

4. Any other tips for things to do is appreciated aswell! I'm going to take my masters degree in Aberystwyth this year, so I'm planning on several trips to see the bluebirds this season.

City centre, if you're an ale drinker, head for these:

Goat Major on High Street, City Arms on Quay Street or Old Arcade on Church Street.

Cowbridge Road East in Canton is lively but the pubs are all too full. Best pub on a football match day, in my opinion, is The Cornwall on Cornwall Street in Grangetown.

Don't worry about the colours you wear, you'll be fine.

I don't know if the brewery has any kind of factory outlet shop, sorry. There was one many years ago on St Mary Street but not now.

Monomachos - I think they meant Cowbridge ROAD East, not Cowbridge town, which is about ten miles or so out of the city. Cowbridge Road East is in Canton, close to the ground. Doubt if anybody would confuse the two places though