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Not everyone knows this bar exists where you can drink cocktails with Cardiff's best view

This Cardiff Bay bar might have never crossed your mind to pop into for a drink

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Who wouldn't want to sit here for hours (and be left alone to drink cocktails or a coffee?)(Image: Kathryn Williams)

There's a place down Cardiff Bay where the view from the bar takes my breath away each time I visit. You can witness the view across the water, all the way to Penarth through a huge picture window in one lounge area and in others sit in front of open and breezy tall French doors in another.

And if you've never paid a visit to the Everyman Cinema at Mermaid Quay you might be missing out on these fantastic places to chill out in total comfort with a cocktail (or hot dog) in hand.

Open since 2019, Everyman is a luxury cinema chain but you don't have to book a film to take advantage of their bougie but beautiful bar and views. That being said, if you've currently got the kids through the school holidays, or fancy a break, sitting in the dark watching a movie, the daytime prices at Everyman are a bargain.

For watching a film in comfort you can book for an adult and child for 18.60 (plus a booking fee of 2.50), or for a family of four it's 33.90 (two adults and two kids) plus that pesky booking fee. Food and drink can be ordered to the seats - lush - and you can curl up on an armchair-style seat, or sofa with your nearest and dearest.

[Everyman cinema is a strong option]

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Cosy seats, great snacks, big movies!(Image: CambridgeshireLive)

Back to the bar, with the Everyman in Cardiff Bay located on the upstairs corner of the main Mermaid Quay block the views are unrivalled. From bright mornings with the water reflecting the sun across the barrage to a vista of twinkly lights at the night, it feels like you could be at a coastal Californian spot. The huge picture window lounge is a place where you could spend hours gazing at the view thanks to the cosy, plush sofas.

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People watch to your heart's content

If you fancy a bit of fresh air with the view, the main bar has the tall French windows with tables for two directly in front of them, giving you a front row seat again across the Cardiff Bay Barrage to Penarth. There's a side bar too, and that looks over Roald Dahl Plass and that looks over to the impressive, red brick Pierhead Building, built in 1897 and home to the Bute Dock Company, Cardiff Railway Company in its time - now it belongs to the Senedd's Estate.

Enough of the view, what can you imbibe or eat while you kick back and relax? The well-stocked cocktail list has your usual suspects on there, espresso martini, old fashioneds, pina coladas as well as a coconutty twist on a margarita. They serve wine, beers and ciders, too.

As expected at a cinema there are snacks like hot dogs, popcorn and sweets, but you can also treat yourself to one of the Spielburgers from the menu. Dry-aged beef, Korean chicken, double smash cheeseburgers - you're spoilt for choise as there's pizza and fries on the menu, too. If you're eating these in the dark - make sure you get plenty of serviettes!

As you can probably tell, Everyman is one of my favourite places to watch a film - they do events like Toddler Club, Throwback Seasons, where I've seen things like Clueless, Aliens and Shaun of the Dead and special previews for members. But I love the cosy vibe all around the venue that feels a little bit fancy but is open to everyone whether they book a film or not.

It's a sweet place to escape the sometime hubub of the Bay and people watch all day, if you like! For more on Cardiff's Everyman Cinema, click here.

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