The Old Arcade

This is a proper boozer right in the middle of Cardiff, next to the market. Its location means that it can become very busy on weekends.
For great atmosphere it is worth visiting on a match day.
The ho ice if beers are what they are. Nothin fancy needed as this place is a proper pub rather than a bar to be seen in.
Well worth a visit.

A proper old pub that was less busy than I’d expect at the weekend given it’s location. Suited me mind you. Could be because its a rugby pub and thankfully there was no rugby to be seen.
The Brains craft beer Gordian Knott, which is really rather delicious saved the pub from an otherwise fairly boring Brains beer selection.

Being directly on the pedestrian friendly streets of the City Center — I must say that The Old Arcade turned out to be a surprisingly stellar public house and I quite enjoyed my time here.
Great seating with two large separate rooms. When I went in there this afternoon the Celtic-​Rangers game was being broadcast. They front room had more of a eating pub experience while the back room had a rowdy football-​inspired atmosphere about it.
This place really did the job and served its purpose valiantly.

Located just along the pedestrianised lane opposite St John’s Church at the heart of the city centre, this is a great old pub. Although it’s one of the city centre’s more ‘traditional’ pubs, this isn’t a euphemism for ‘tatty’ — it’s actually smart, clean and well-​run. There are tables and chairs out at the front where you can watch the world go by along pedestrianised Church Street, or for smokers in bad weather there’s a covered courtyard.
It has quite a bit of history — having opened its doors to punters way back in 1844 as the ‘Birdcage Inn’. Today it’s known as the Old Arcade, named after the arcade that runs alongside it leading into Cardiff Indoor Market. It attracts a pretty good mix of customers, from office workers to shoppers and a few tourists, giving it a fairly laid-​back atmosphere — until there’s a rugby match on, when the place erupts into a far livelier drinking den full of fans!

The Old Arcade is definitely one of the better pubs in Cardiff’s city centre. When I say better, I mean it’s clean and popular and attracts all walks of life, both tourists and locals alike.
Well-​maintained and boasting all of the charm you’d expect from a traditional British pub, The Old Arcade makes a perfect detour for those planning a shopping excursion in the nearby Cardiff Market (or anywhere else, for that matter).
It’s an unpretentious city centre watering hole, although on days when a rugby game’s broadcast, it can draw a boisterous crowd, but it’s all part of the fun, I reckon. With six plasma screen TVs, you have no excuse for missing the game!
The food here leaves a lot to be desired, as it’s your standard pub grub, but it does the trick when you need to line your stomach in preparation for the onslaught of pints

I like The Old Arcade. It is a good pub that sits on the arcade running into Cardiff’s Indoor Market. It has been serving punters since 1844 when it was The Birdcage Inn. It is a tidy, clean pub lacking the need for a lick of paint or a good polish, unlike many other traditional establishments. With outdoor tables up front and a covered courtyard out back it is a good after-​work summer destination, and, other than match days it is usually a good place if you are after a more intimate conversation with you pal or lover.
Attracting a mixed crowd of office workers, market stall vendors, and tourists it also shows sports, especially rugby. If you are the sort of person who feels conspicuous waiting for friends or dates when sitting in a pub by yourself, this is a good place to choose. I’ve never had any hassle here, and have been left in peace to read a book or daydream until the late person has arrived and I’ve swapped thinking for drinking. Pleasant.

6 Plasma’s Beautiful dark wooden décor throughout, booze, and 3D football played here. I really don’t need to say much else about this amazing pub. Well I’ll give you a little history instead of carrying on my utter devotion for this place.
Built in 1884 The Old Arcade used to be named the Birdcage inn. Later called the Old arcade thanks to be adjacent to the shopping arcade. That is all.

The Old Arcade is very much an old reliable in terms of Cardiff city centre bars: a great everyman fallback perfect for times when your regular first choice is overly full or ever out of action. Not that this place doesn’t get packed out as well, mind, thanks to its big screen sports coverage, one of the few bars in Cardiff to currently offer Sky Sports 3D. Both beer and pub grub is of the simple and steadfastly predictable variety, but in more of a know-what-you’re-getting way than anything unpleasant. If you pop in for a bite to eat and space is scarce, though, try not to get stuck with one of a handful of tables rather too close to the toilets for nasal comfort. Such concerns are no problem in a nice little area out back for smoking, considerately complete with heaters for cold outdoor excursions during winter months, also accessible via a quaint passage down the side of the pub.