Ad | Cabaret in Cardiff has a brand new venue at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Here you can see the very best in drag, comedy, burlesque, live music and cabaret shows.
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What is Cabaret?
Cabaret is a form of theatre featuring music, song, gig theatre, dance or drama. It can include scandalous humour, high glamour and elaborate staging. Even though burlesque is a well-established art form in itself, it is often put under the cabaret banner.
Cardiff Cabaret Club
In what used to be Ffresh Restaurant is the brand new cabaret bar. The venue seats around 120 people. However, I suggest sitting in the front row or the high poser tables at the back. My view was slightly restricted, sitting in the middle row. Cabaret also has its own bar, serving your drink of choice and light snacks. You can see the menu and order using the QR code on the tables. Our drinks took way too long to arrive, 40 minutes! But it was opening night, so I’m sure these teething problems can be fixed.
As well as their own shows, upcoming performances include collaborations from Glitter Cymru, The Queer Emporium and Big Band Burlesque. Cwm Rag, an LGBT Welsh performance group, will also treat us to a bilingual comedy night – Welsh language.
Grandmother’s Closet Review
I had the pure pleasure of watching Grandmother’s Closet following its multi-award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
It’s Luke Hereford’s story of their relationship with their nan. The one-person show has fabulous outfits – which I learnt from speaking to them afterwards; some were her stunning pieces, and singing along to divas like Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Kate Bush. As the story develops, you quickly realise the tears will soon be falling. But still, take you by surprise when they start to run. However, they are both happy and bittersweet.
The set is minimalist but natural, functioning as a closet and a bedroom. Everything looks real and organised, as you’d expect your nan’s bedroom to be. The intimate coming-out story covers Luke’s first Pride event, taking on misinformed family members and how their relationship with Nan was their grounding during this time. Her support was everything!
The performance is creative, honest, authentic and relatable. The lace, satin and glitter are just the icing on the cake.
If this is the level we have to look forward to for cabaret and burlesque shows at Cabaret in Cardiff, I know where all my spare cash will be going!
A Community Space – Everyone is Welcome!
What makes WMC Cabaret different is that it is also branding itself as a safe space for everyone to express themselves freely. As well as enjoying themselves. It is accessible, and there are gender-neutral facilities. However, they do need a full-length mirror!
Things to do in Cardiff Bay
With attractions, activities, food and drink, there are plenty of things to do in Cardiff Bay. If you are looking to explore, eat or drink before watching cabaret in Cardiff, then you won’t be disappointed.
Getting around Cardiff has never been easier
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, two in the city centre – Queen Street and Cardiff Central – plus Cardiff Bay – which is less than a 5-minute walk to the Wales Millennium Centre. And who doesn’t want to save money?
Pre-book your parking and save
Prefer to drive? No problem! NCP Park Pass is an easy way to save money on parking. Not only do you access special parking deals, but you also don’t need to remember where you put the ticket collected at the barrier – mine always gets lost in the handbag. As payment is contact-free and cashless, you do it on your phone.
You can always pre-book your parking online and save money if that’s not your thing. Find a car park, choose your date and time, enter your details and make your payment. Once you’ve booked your parking online, you will receive a booking confirmation email detailing your booking and how to enter and exit the car park.
Stay the Night
The official hotel partner for the Wales Millennium Centre is Future Inns. If you have tickets to an event, you can get 20% off bed and breakfast. Ask the WMC box office team for the discount code, and book online or by phone. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from The Centre and has large spacious bedrooms that can sleep up to four guests. Plus, you get free parking, free WiFi, free gym access and many other perks.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, the budget hotel has en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Radisson Cardiff
The Radisson Blue Hotel Cardiff is in the city centre. The 4-star hotel has smart TVs in the bedrooms, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, laptop-compatible safes, and limited onsite parking.
Radisson Hotel Discount Code
Get 15% off 3 or 4-night stays, 20% off 5 or 6-night stays, or 25% off for 7 or more nights in luxury rooms and suites. When you use the Radisson Hotel Promo Code LONGER, you’ll also receive complimentary high-speed WiFi on unlimited devices. More information
Dog friendly hotels in Cardiff
Your perfect dog-friendly escape in Cardiff awaits! Before I had my rescue dog, Ivan, I didn’t think Cardiff was very dog friendly. How wrong was I? The dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
The Copthorne
The Copthorne, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. You can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
The surrounding areas
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff either. Search Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
Cottages and Houses
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Eat Out Before the Performance
Cardiff is a foodie’s delight. From the quality of the produce to the level of cooking, at both the casual and cheap eats, Cardiff is staking a serious claim to being one of the most exciting places to eat in the UK.
- Afternoon tea in Cardiff
- Bottomless brunch in Cardiff
- Steak restaurants in Cardiff
- Vegan restaurants in Cardiff
- Thai restaurants in Cardiff
- Japanese restaurants in Cardiff
- Caribbean restaurants in Cardiff
- Chinese restaurants in Cardiff
- Burger restaurants in Cardiff
- Street food in Cardiff
- Welsh food in Cardiff
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
We all need to refuel and rehydrate. If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 90-day free trial here:
Drinks Before The Show
Whether looking for an after-work drink with colleagues, a boy’s or girls’ night out surrounded by cocktails, or a date night spot, you’re always close to the best bars in Cardiff Bay, the city centre and the neighbourhoods.
- Rooftop Bars in Cardiff
- Cocktail Bars in Cardiff
- Wetherspoons in Cardiff
- Flight Club Cardiff
- Tonight Josephine Cardiff
- Quiz Nights in Cardiff
- Dog friendly pubs in Cardiff
Disclaimer: I was invited by River and Bear to the opening night of Cabaret in Cardiff at the Wales Millennium Centre. I had no obligation to write about my experience. My feedback is my honest, unbiased review.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
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