| OutUK's Adrian Gillan has been to visit the UK's 11th biggest city which is the capital of Wales. He's been busy catching some Welsh rarebit boyos down in Cardiff. | |
| Get off on yummy lads in scrums or strapping miner boys sluicing off their soot? Dream on! Cardiff is in fact Europe's youngest capital, a previous contender for the European City of Culture and has some seriously horny, luscious, lilting stunners with dark hair and eyes, high cheekbones and strong jaws to die upon. |  Cardiff's Millenium Stadium |
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Like all the best British cities there's definitely a gay or gay-friendly street so you can go bar-hopping and
in Cardiff it's Caroline Street. A fun traditional place to start the night proper is
the Golden Cross, which is in a
fine old building, which also boasts wholesome home-cooked grub throughout the
day - especially for a Sunday lunch. Regular strippers, karaoke nights and drag shows including the
outrageously non-pc Kitty Litter. Like the rest of the scene here, it is nicely
mixed: all genders, all ages.
Eagle is one of Cardiff's memorable gay bars and was voted by readers of Boyz magazine the best bar in Wales and the West for real men. It offers a complete contrast to the virtually non stop drag, camp emphasis of the other gay/mixed/gay friendly venues in the capital city of Wales. It's open 7 days a week. Men only after 9pm Fri Sat. Membership is required, but you can join on arrival. Theme nights include Leather/Rubber, Bears, Uniform, and the popular Sports/Construction evening. The Kings is a gay bar which can be found on Churchill Way. It has a chic lounge, a rooftop terrace, a front room with a fireplace and a main bar. Kings is open late, has some cheap drinks and a brilliant atmosphere. The staff and locals are friendly and chatty. Main Stage in St Mary's Street is a Gay cafe-bar by day with cabaret at night, plus DJs, dancing and drinks promotions. Mary's Cardiff is a lively cabaret bar with a warm vibe featuring drag shows, karaoke & a variety of themed events. It's known as one of Cardiff's best bars and clubs for inclusivity! Gay, straight, trans, whoever what ever - welcome is given to all. | |
CLUBBINGDrunk enough to dance? Pulse has really shaken up the Cardiff club scene with it's stylish upper bar where food and drink is available, and downstairs club packed with horny Welsh lads out for a good night. The emphasis is on fun with nights like School Disco and Fannyoke. |
 Mr Gay UK Heat night at Pulse |
GAY SHOPPINGThe Queer Emporium is a social enterprise located on St Mary’s St, Cardiff. This lovely shop in the Royal Arcade is at the heart of the gay community selling a range of goods including books, candles, clothing, plants and a whole range of specialist coffees. Really welcoming space with some amazing things for sale by independent creators. In the evening they stage a range of special events including nights of LGBTQ+ Comedy, Queer Galas and Cabaret shows.Gays Who Wine is well worth a visit if you are a wine lover and gay! They have a whole variety of wines to choose from with decadent flavors that go with brunch, lunch or dinner. All at such a good price too! They can deliver cases of wine in 2 days and include some cute gifts as a thank you. It's a perfect place to shop if you are looking for a gift for a gay friend. | |
PRIDE CYMRUPride Cymru's Big Weekend is Wales's biggest celebration of equality and diversity held annually on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over 3 days, Pride Cymru hosts over 50,000 people in the Welsh capital to raise awareness of equality and diversity and supporting the LGBT+ community. |
 Pride Cymru in Cathays Park by Cardiff City Hall Photo: jax10289 |
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As part of the festival, there are various cabaret performances, funfair rides, live music, bars and food stalls, and a family area. Some great performers have joined the main stage during Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend, ranging from Tina Cousins and Iris Williams to Gok Wan and Charlotte Church.
OUTDOOR LIFEOutdoor cruising means central Castle Park, only a five minute walk away from quarters queer. If you stand facing the main castle gates, turn left and follow the road right along, keeping the castle grounds on your right. Cross the River Taff using the bridge before darting into the castle park through an entrance immediately on your right. The first, but generally least busy, cruising area is a couple of hundred yards down this path. For heavier action, carry on for about half a mile until you cross a footbridge into the main castle grounds. After crossing this bridge turn left for the heavy stuff; turn right for gentler cruising and towards the area where the daytime action happens - though in the daytime, of course, you can enter by the main castle gates, so saving you a twenty minute stroll!BED & BOARDIf you're looking for a place to rest your queer head then highly recommended is gay guesthouse Ty Rosa. | |
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A newly refurbished Victorian terrace house Ty Rosa is run by two very friendly gay guys
Paul and Stuart. They'll point you in the right direction to all of Cardiff's attractions gay or otherwise and they serve a great breakfast too. Reserve early as they get booked up quickly. There are a couple of other gay friendly options too. |
 Bedroom at Ty Rosa. Book online |
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The Courtfield Hotel is an attractive Victorian townhouse,
just ten minute walk from the city centre and bars. The Citrus Hotel which for many years was known as The Big Sleep is a newly
refurbished hotel with light airy rooms right in the city centre and a fun designer feel. This and other hotels
can booked online using the OutUK Booking
service.
Revised January 2022. | |