24 city pubs to soak up the big UCL match action Only a very lucky few have managed to get tickets to the Champions League final tomorrow.With 170,000 fans expected in Cardiff, there will be plenty of people needing somewhere to watch the big game. Here a
1. Bierkeller Packages: Early bird tickets are £30 each. You have to pick an arrival time between noon and 5pm – if you miss it, your table will be given away.
An oompah band will be on from 6-7pm and a DJ will then follow the game. For that, you get reserved seats, table service, a pretzel, haus stein and Bavarian meal. Opening times: Noon til midnight. Contact details: 0845 302 2674, Stadium Plaza, Wood Street, Cardiff, CF10 1LA, www.thebierkeller.com
2. Y Mochyn Du A traditional Welsh pub just minutes away from the stadium. It serves traditional Welsh beers and food. Deals: There are no special deals on the day and no reservations being taken. Opening times: Noon until midnight (kitchen closes at 9pm). Contact derails: 02920 371599, Y Mochyn Du, Sophia Close, CF11 9HW.
3. The Queens Vaults An award-winning city centre pub which serves classic pub grub and has won cider pub of the year. Deals: There are no special deals and spaces are first come, first serve. It is in the shadows of the National Stadium of Wales aka Principality Stadium, so likely to be exceptionally busy on the day. Opening times: 10am until midnight. Contact details: 02920 227966, 29 Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1EH.
4. The Bunker A rock-cum-sports bar in the heart of the city. It has eight screens. Deals: There are no special packages with spaces available on a first come, first-served basis. Opening times: 10am until 4am. Contact details: 02920 226802, 60-61 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FE.
5. Dirty Martini An exclusive cocktail bar just minutes from the stadium with screens dotted all around showing the game. Deals: Happy hour is suspended for the day, but you do have a choice of the sparkling or beer packages. £50 gets you two sharing platters, a reserved area and table service with either two bottles of Prosecco or 12 bottles of beers. Opening times: 11am until 2.30am. Contact details: 02921 672600, Imperial Gate, St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FA. More at dirtymartini.uk.com
6. Elevens Bar and Grill A swish new sports bar located across from Cardiff Castle. It is owned by Gareth Bale. Expect guest beers (including a Bale Ale), cocktails and wines as well as pizza, salads and burgers. A must-see on the pilgrimage for Real fans. Deals: No bookings or special deals are being offered. Opening hours: 9am to 4am. Contact details: 02920 239253, 15 Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BS.
7. The Prince of Wales A member of the Wetherspoons chain offering great drinks prices and a wide food menu. It is located at the end of one of the city’s busiest streets and the building has plenty of history – it’s a former theatre. Deals: No bookings or deals are on offer and entry is first come, first served. Opening hours: 7am until 1am. Contact details: 029 2064 4449, 81–83 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FA.
8. The Gatekeeper Another Wetherspoons pub with a large capacity and well-priced drinks and food. It is right opposite the National Stadium of Wales (aka Principality Stadium) where the game is being played. Expect it to be very busy. Deals: No bookings or deals plus expect most furniture to be removed from inside tomorrow. Opening hours: 8am until 1am. Contact details: 02920 646020, 9-10 Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DD.
9. Steinbeck & Shaw Funky bar offering locally-sourced food. Deals: There are booths for hire costing £20 per person. That includes a reserved booth in view of a screen, hot dog or burger each, with chips or sweet potato fries, a side and a drink. They are also advertising 50% off drinks between 5pm and 10pm. Opening hours: Noon until 1am. Contact details: 02920 233854, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3DP.
10. Tiger Tiger One of the city’s biggest clubs, it covers a number of floors. They recommend prebooking. Deals: Packages to watch the game are available from £15pp with a view of a TV. There are also post-match drinks packages and private areas – prices are available on request. There is also a chance to buy guaranteed entry and queue jump tickets are £5. Opening hours: Noon until 3am. Contact details: 02920 391944, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AE.
11. DEPOT A warehouse turned into an events space between Cardiff Bay and the city centre – a 10-15 minute walk. Food is on sale from five street food vendors plus cocktails and craft beer. Deals: Standard entry costs £5 but you can book a small table (to seat up to six people) for £15. A large table (for up to 16 people) is £25. Opening hours: 3pm until 11pm. Contact details: 02920 341199, 22 Dumballs Road, Cardiff, CF10 5FE, www. depotcardiff.com
12. The Old Arcade A traditional pub in the city centre. It is owned by historic city brewer Brains and offers good beers and pub food. Deals: There are no booking or packages, furniture will also be removed. Opening hours: 8.30am until 3am. Contact details: 02920 217999, Old Arcade, 14 Church Street, CF10 1BG.
13. O’Neills A newly-renovated city pub which has well-priced drinks and food. It is on the corner of one of the city’s busiest streets, minutes from the stadium. Deals: No deals or bookings are available. Opening hours: 9am until 2am. Contact details: 02920 664103, 85-87 St Mary Street, Cardiff, www.oneills. co.uk 14. The Tramshed
A converted tramshed which contains a gig venue, cinema and event space Deals: Visit www.tramshedcardiff.com more information. Opening hours: To be confirmed. Contact details: 02920 235555, Clare Road, Cardiff, CF11 6QP. 15. The Glassworks A city centre cafe/bar which is just a few minutes from the stadium. Deals: No special deals. Opening hours: 8am until late. Contact details: 02920 222114, 4 Wharton Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AG, www.glassworks-cardiff.co.uk 16. Eli Jenkins A traditional pub in Cardiff Bay. Deals: None. Opening times: 9am till 12.30pm. Contact details: 02920 486195, 7-8 Bute Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 5AN, www.theelijenkinscardiff.co.uk 17. Walkabout Chain pub situated between the Real Madrid fanzone at Callaghan Square and the stadium. Deals: A group of six can prebook a booth in front of one of the HD TV’s or large projector screen. Along with this comes a queue jump, a hot finger food buffet and a drink hostess for the day for £25 per head. Opening times: 10am till 3am. Contact details: 02920 727930, 65-74 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1FA, www.walkaboutbars.co.uk
18. Traders Tavern An authentic pub in the centre of the city near St David’s Shopping Centre.
Deals: No specific packages, however, there will be a BBQ and jugs of cocktails for £10 (subject to change). Opening times: 10am til 12.30pm. Contact details: 02920 238795, 8 David Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EH, www. traderstavernpubcardiff.com 19. The Borough A traditional pub in the heart of the city. Expect well-priced drinks and a crowd of locals. Deals: None. Opening times: 9am til 1am. Contact details: 02920 221343, 8 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AT. 20. Owain Glyndwr A large pub in the city which has a number of screens. Deals: There will be deals on Heineken cans and Rekorderlig and they hope to serve the local beers of both Madrid and Turin. Opening times: 9am til 2am. Contact details: 02920 221980, 10 St John’s Street, Cardiff, CF10 1GL, www. craft-pubs.co.uk/theowainglyndwr 21. Live Lounge A large venue which has made its name for its live music. Deals: Happy hour til 4am. Opening times: 11am until 4am. Contact details: 02921 328159, 9 The Friary, CF10 3FA, www. liveloungecardiff.co.uk 22. The Crockerton A chain pub on a busy street in the city centre. Deals: None. Opening times: 8am til 2.30am. Contact details: 02920 375600, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AD. 23. The Great Western The closest pub to the railway station, so expect it to be busy. Deals: None. Opening times: 8am til 2am. Contact details: 02920 353990, 64 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1FA.
24. Chapel 1877 A converted chapel in the city centre.
Deals: The hospitality package has three menus along with views of the TV. For a two-course meal between 12am and 12.30am it is £39 per head. For a three-course meal between 2.30pm and 7pm it is £49 per head. Then for a three-course meal from 7pm onwards, it is £69 per head. All menus require booking in advance. Opening times: 8am til 2am. Contact details: 02920 222020, Churchill Way, CF10 2WF, www. chapel1877.com