City Arms image

City Arms

Bar Pub

1880s pub with a big real ale selection, near the Millennium Stadium and frequented by sports fans. People often mention staff, great, Great, friendly, atmosphere, Cardiff, beer, good, beers, city,


Address

Quay St., Cardiff CF10 1EA, United Kingdom

Website

sabrainpubs.com

Contact

+44 29 2064 1913

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), 12 to 11 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 12 to 11 pm
  • Friday: 12 pm to 12 am
  • Saturday: 12 pm to 12 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (20) great (17) Great (17) friendly (15) atmosphere (14) Cardiff (13) beer (13) good (13) beers (11) city (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jeff H. 2 years ago on Google
    Located on Quay Street in Cardiff City centre opposite the main entrance to the iconic Principality Stadium The City Arms is a well established pub and a member of the " S A Brains " family though now taken over by Marston ' s Brewery Recently refurbished with the great addition of a comfortable lounge available for private hire on the first floor Great to see Gary back behind the bar He is genuinely nice guy and prides himself on running a "proper pub " frequented by real pub goers who enjoy quality beers with a great welcome and atmosphere A must visit for real beer drinkers when visiting the city
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 MADELEINE V. 1 year ago on Google
    We hired the function room at city arms on 20th August and we were made very welcome. The buffet food provided was excellent, fresh and plentiful, Indeed we had lots left,it was obvious a lot of time care and attention was put into the buffet. I also have to give praise to the young barman who went out of his way to help us cast a video to the TV screens around the room, you went above and beyond for us. We were made so welcome by everyone especially by the landlord, and the doormen so friendly. The beer was great and a good time was had by all. THANK YOU so much
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 David C. 2 years ago on Google
    I'd like to start by saying the staff were lovely and helpful. However this is a beer pub, plain and simple....a beer pub without any beer. All the key kegs were off and only 2 guest casks were available. So it was that or generic major brand lager available... that's it. Pretty poor showing when the whole gig is based around a good selection of beers. That being said the cask pint I ordered seemed well looked after and was well served. Between that and the staff this moves up from a 1 to a 2 star review
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic bar with a lovely owner and bar staff. We came here as a stag on a Sunday and the owner and bar staff were great craic, took photos of us behind the bar and went out of their way to see that we could watch a sports match. Great pints of peroni, would definitely return as it was one of the highlights of our trip.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Don W. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely drinking man's pub in the city centre with a great range of beers, guest beers, ciders, lagers, etc. Gary and his staff are always welcoming and visiting here is a pleasure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 John W. 1 year ago on Google
    A tradition simple pub selling Brains beers and guest ales. Very busy on Match days etc. Worth a visit for beer choice and good prices for city centre. Friendly helpful boss and staff, well worth a visit (though on match and events days in the Stadium you might not get near!!)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eva K. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a great time, very good ciders and joined such a party feeling that we will definitely be back and will be spreading the word about it. Thank you!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Steven P. 4 years ago on Google
    A must stop for any lovers of real ale. Between six/seven guest ales, along with a permanent Brains selection. Keg offerings, along with some lagers, ciders, spirits etc. Eclectic clientele and friendly staff. Worth a visit for a pint or five.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edith E. 10 months ago on Google
    Great location opposite the stadium in city center. Super nice staff and landlords! Great, fresh tasting beers. Very good place to visit and to leave with a feel-good feeling, nice memories and new friends 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wilkie Y. 4 months ago on Google
    Couldn’t have asked for a greater pub to kick it while visiting Cardiff for a few days. The owner chats up the locals and welcomes the tourists. Definitely drop by for a pint or three.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Simon Lewis (Corporate C. 2 years ago on Google
    Always a good place to start our night out. Nice atmosphere and clientele.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leigh B. 2 years ago on Google
    A fabulous find! Small group of hens from Bristol, the pub was right up our street! Great music, drinks, super friendly staff!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James M. 2 years ago on Google
    Great pub with excellent choice if real ales and decent beer. Old school, proper pub in city centre location opposite gates of principality Stadium.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aimee P. 8 months ago on Google
    Visited here after the Harry Styles concert and what a warm welcome we had! The atmosphere was so welcoming. The doorstaff were so friendly. And the bar Staff equally friendly. I can't recommend this pub enough. Will definitely return on my next trip to Cardiff.

  • 5/5 Peter S. 1 year ago on Google
    Can't possibly get a better pre and post match bar! Never any seats on match days of course, but who wants to sit down when there's an electric atmosphere with classic male voice choirs tingling your spine!

  • 5/5 Michelle P. 3 months ago on Google New
    Just popped in for a beer. Friendly welcome. Good atmosphere. Very clean. Lovely pub.

  • 3/5 DY C. 1 year ago on Google
    one of the oldest established no nonsense traditional watering holes in the city, and close to the Rugby stadium.

  • 5/5 Howard D. 1 year ago on Google
    A proper city pub. Good selection of beers, well served. No nonsense.

  • 3/5 Gareth S. 2 years ago on Google
    Seems to have gone a bit downhill. Was once known for its great selection of craft ale, beers and ciders. Now just serves run of the mill stuff.

  • 5/5 Andy D. 1 year ago on Google
    Friday night and the place was bouncing, great choice of beers, probably the best pints all weekend. Staff very good.

  • 5/5 Diane H. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic place to go. Great bar, fab staff and so friendly. Center of town makes it a perfect place to pop in and enjoy.

  • 4/5 Peter W. 4 months ago on Google
    Tidy city pub, bang in the centre of town. Good service, traditional decor, clean and comfortable. Mixed crowd of locals, students and visitors. Usually busy, but rarely overcrowded, and always friendly. As a Brains house, beer choice is limited, but the quality is excellent. Overall, well worth stopping in.

  • 4/5 steve r. 5 months ago on Google
    It's been tidied up since I was last in there. Only had a pint so can't say even if they do food much less what it's like. It was quite busy but got served quickly. The main downside was it was bloody hot in there so we ended up outside in October.

  • 4/5 Robert H. 11 months ago on Google
    Absolutely heaving with rugby fans, there for the Cardiff v Sale match, inside and out, three deep at the bar. Bar staff excellent, experienced and efficient, hardly any wait for service. Brains bitter on tip top condition, what's not to like? Pity ot was raining outside....

  • 5/5 Scot A. 11 months ago on Google
    Great pub and atmosphere, friendly staff, good pint of Guinness 👏

  • 5/5 Stuart P. 11 months ago on Google
    Great pub for a few beers. great bar staff and close to the sports and concert venues well worth a visit when you are in Cardiff

  • 5/5 Ian J. 9 months ago on Google
    Absolutely Best pub in Cardiff many thanks to Landlord Gary. Bar staff Aled and everyone else your welcome and hospitality is second to none especially as we are not frequent visitors just every couple of months from North Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 But always remembered and looked after thank you 🙏 Diolch yn Fawr

  • 4/5 Matt R. 6 months ago on Google
    A feast of wood, The Bar, floor, tables & chairs, even the half panelled walls, this is a heritage gem.

  • 5/5 lee b. 9 months ago on Google
    We had a Great time before the concert with family and friends, The staff were really quick to serve us considering how busy it was, We couldn't rate food as we didn't eat, Although my Mrs had a packet of crisps 😂 Gary and his wife even had time for a chat with us,

  • 2/5 J L. 11 months ago on Google
    Very disappointed on recent visit. Must have changed owners. The amazing beer selection and atmosphere has gone. Standard pub now.

  • 5/5 Tom H. 2 years ago on Google
    Popped in last night by chance and there was a traditional music session on. It was a magical experience, I will definitely be back and will be spreading the word about this little unknown gem. So wonderful to see a local pub keeping Welsh culture alive. Thank you!

  • 4/5 Darren S. 2 years ago on Google
    I visited this Cardiff real ale pub on Friday 8th October 2021 This pub serves adequate real ales on handpumped and is handy for the millennium stadium A great lively friendly pub to visit when in Cardiff

  • 5/5 Malcolm G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great pub.. Just does what it says on the tin

  • 4/5 Maxime R. 2 years ago on Google
    Decent, very typical pub. All you need really, well placed and a good pint for reasonable price

  • 4/5 Mark R. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice pint of SA Brains and the beef mince pie was great. 10 ale taps on the bar with only 3 in use why?? As I was in Halloween weekend. Use them or remove them. Dog friendly my dog was spoilt rotten. Bartender lovely and attentive.

  • 5/5 bullets 7. 2 years ago on Google
    Great old school city centre pub, friendly and enjoyable night

  • 5/5 David T. 2 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere ahead of wales vs south africa game

  • 5/5 Terry C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to meet up with your friends and family

  • 3/5 Jonathan E. 2 years ago on Google
    Icommensd the pint of San Miguel homely vibe lots of wood surfaces. Makes it comfortable and kinda sleepy

  • 5/5 chris S. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely pub good location good for watching your sports friendly atmosphere

  • 3/5 Sharron W. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice pub, but for a quiet Sunday evening, the music was a bit loud. You couldn't hold a conversation if it was busier it probably would add to the atmosphere

  • 5/5 Martin G. 1 year ago on Google
    A traditional spit-and-sawdust pub in the heart of Cardiff. The atmosphere was very relaxed when I visited, although the 'recently played' list on the jukebox made me wonder if that's always the case. Good selection of beers for a pub of its size, although only one non-alcoholic beer (I think it was heineken 0). The lady behind the bar was very friendly.

  • 4/5 Adrian R. 1 year ago on Google
    The City Arms is a proper pub in the heart of Cardiff with a rich Rugby history. As well as being a real they serve a great selection of ales.

  • 4/5 Robert S. 2 years ago on Google
    Great pub, always visited and love the atmosphere they can create and the excellent service the provide.

  • 5/5 Sharon P. 2 years ago on Google
    Went in two night in a row excerlant it was Sunday night they had karaoke on was welcomed by the locals and staff will be going again when back in Cardiff

  • 5/5 Peter B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great welcome by Gary and Sue. They have made a lot of changes especially upstairs for guests. Still a great pint and at very reasonable prices.good atmosphere.very clean premises.

  • 5/5 Gemma D. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited the city arms a few times and would definitely recommend visiting here.great atmosphere here and the staff are always friendly and helpful.Gary is the landlord and always make you feel welcome and goes out of his way to show it.nice to see one of the older pubs still going

  • 5/5 Simon B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great crafted beer. A really drinkers pub. Still one of the best pubs in Cardiff for Brains Beer.

  • 5/5 Bob M. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great pub with hugely friendly staff and customers. We live in London but are both from North Wales having spent lots of time in Cardiff too. We decided to take a trip there to watch the Wales v England World Cup game. The evening before the match we went to the City Arms for a drink and received a great welcome from Gary and his staff. When we asked whether we could reserve a table for the following evening we were told that reservations were not possible. However, before we left, Gary told us he’d break the rule of a lifetime and keep a table for us to watch the match. True to his word, there was that same table all ready for us when we turned up the next evening! What a great landlord! We had a really good night with lots of banter from the staff and locals……and the beer (Rev James) was superb! Thanks so much to everybody who made us feel so welcome. Just a shame about the result. Bob and Pam.


Call +44 29 2064 1913 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Free water refills
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✗ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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