
Quick info
About Old Arcade
Old Arcade is a pub on Church St in Cardiff with an enormous collection of rugby memorabilia and international flags on display, enough to make it a tourist destination in its own right. Screens show football, rugby and darts, and several sporting events can run at once. The pub gets busy on match days, and Wales matches are shown without music on. During other rugby matches, music plays loudly in another part of the pub. Brains Dark and Rev James are both served on draught. The food menu includes fish and chips and a cheeseburger with fries. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom, seating
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention brains dark on draft, cheeseburger with fries, fish and chips and rugby match screenings.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention brains dark on draft, cheeseburger with fries, fish and chips and rugby match screenings.
Customer Review Summary
The complaints come from longtime regulars. One says that since the pub changed hands, four fish and chips arrived on what the table called children's plates, the mushy peas were dried out with a hard surface, and the Rev James was not good. Another left at half time during Argentina v England because loud music from the other part of the pub drowned out the commentary, though they say Wales matches are played without music. One reviewer notes 10% off drinks ordered online.
Customer Review Summary
The complaints come from longtime regulars. One says that since the pub changed hands, four fish and chips arrived on what the table called children's plates, the mushy peas were dried out with a hard surface, and the Rev James was not good. Another left at half time during Argentina v England because loud music from the other part of the pub drowned out the commentary, though they say Wales matches are played without music. One reviewer notes 10% off drinks ordered online.
Featured reviews
- Ivan Fisher
“We stopped for a drink in the afternoon and ended up staying for another drink and dinner. It was great as you could order food anytime. The young lady showed me a pint as I was curious of the size and shape of the glass. I was quite chuffed. One of the oldest pubs in Cardiff. Highly recommend for tourists like ourselves.”
- D Burns
“I remember when this used to be a great pub to watch rugby but it has gone severely downhill now. I went last Saturday to watch the Argentina v England rugby match and although it was on the TV the music from the other part was so loud that it was impossible to hear the commentary. It was so bad that we left at half time and ended up watching the second half in the Owain Glyndŵr. The old arcade is still a good pub, and it's good to watch Wales matches there because they don't have the music on. But for any other rugby it's no good any more”
- Ellie Bolton
“This bar has a great atmosphere, it’s busy and has multiple sporting events on at all times. The food was good and the prices where fair. If your order drinks online you get 10% off your order which was great.”
- Iain Noakes
“First weekend down in Cardiff combining a University Open Day with the Metallica gig. Was introduced to the Old Arcade by a mum in our uni visiting group who was after Brains Dark. Enjoyed the Saturday afternoon and also Sunday afternoon with my son there watching sports, grabbing some food before heading to the gig. Staff were awesome.”
- Nell Moore
“Lovely classic pub in the heart of Cardiff. Molly was so lovely and attentive, will defo be back. Nice pint of Dark, nice to see it on draft”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“THE OLD ARCADE IS PERFECT FOR THE BIG MATCH INTERNATIONAL DAY EXPERIENCES. Probably the most famous pub in Cardiff and one of the world’s premier rugby venues the atmosphere in the Old Arcade is unbeatable on big match days. However, it’s a great venue for the rest of the year too, offering a warm welcome, a great range of beers and classic pub fare. Visitors are frequently drawn to its enormous collection of rugby memorabilia making it a tourist destination in its own right!”
- Great beer selection
- Live performances
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Cozy
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Food
- Free water refills
- Live performances
- Sports
- Solo dining
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Crowd· 4
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
Location
Bars near Old Arcade
- The Head of Steam Cardiff4.41,5190 mi
craft and cask beer selection, gourmet burgers, loaded fries
- Flight Club Cardiff4.61,9280 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
darts booths, rooftop terrace, cocktails
- The Owain Glyndwr4.13,3850 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
big TV screens for football, mac n cheese bites, welsh craft beer range
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old ArcadeWheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi | 4.61,689 | — | £10–20 | brains dark on draft, cheeseburger with fries, fish and chips |
| The Head of Steam Cardiff | 4.41,519 | 0 mi | — | craft and cask beer selection, gourmet burgers, loaded fries |
| Flight Club CardiffReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.61,928 | 0 mi | £20–30 | darts booths, rooftop terrace, cocktails |
| The Owain GlyndwrReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.13,385 | 0 mi | £10–20 | big TV screens for football, mac n cheese bites, welsh craft beer range |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in Cardiff

65 places
Bars in Cardiff
Photo: Tiny Rebel Cardiff · 4.5 · 3,717 Google reviews
See all 65 bars in Cardiff
4.7 · Bonnie Rogues CardiffPubs
40 places
4.8 · Turtle Bay CardiffRestaurants
110 places
4.5 · Bru Coffee and moreCafes
61 places






