Clwb Ifor Bach

cracking venue! great for local and bigger acts @secretaffair79

One of the best venues I’ve ever been in.

This is fast becoming one of the most popular venues for a night out in Cardiff, as well as becoming one of the top places to catch a good gig (particularly with the closure of the Cardiff Bar Fly on the other side of town). If you’re lost, ask someone for ‘The Welsh Club’, or if you’re more adventurous try and pronounce it anyway, through my short time on this earth I’ve found people to generally be alright.
It could be said that Clwb Ifor Bach offers an ‘alternative’ night, even though this is certainly true when compared with the likes of Oceana and Walkabout, it isn’t so far into the ‘alternative’ realms to put people off. It can play mainstream stuff, you just might have to go hunting around its three floors to locate the music that’s more to your liking.

I’ve never really had the best nights out in Welsh Club. I certainly like the place, no doubt about that, but it always seems like the night is missing out on something.
Maybe it’s because there are always going to be two more floors where you could be, probably with DJs playing better music than the floor you’re on. Perhaps it’s because unless you’ve just invented a rival to Microsoft, all you’re going to splash out on is Fosters. It could be because you’re cooped up on a dancerfloor where the only opportunity to make eye contact is when your wild dance moves cause someone nearby to glare at you.
Clwb often have some pretty good gigs though, and seem surprisingly open to quirkier bands although indie does dominate their listings. It’s always nice to see an old favourite cult classic film in the background, and it does certainly give me a rush of delight to see Look Around You playing.
URBAN CHALLENGE: Bring your favourite childhood film on DVD and see if they’ll play it

All the locals will always know Clwb Ifor Bach as the ‘Welsh Club’. This fun and vibrant club comes alive at night with the range of music they play with their themed nights. They also have live music playing from time to time. Clwb Ifor Bach remains to be one of the top clubs in Cardiff.
I have been there on numerous occasions. Granted I can’t remember some of those occasions but I do remember there being a lot of dancing. With plenty of dancing space on the first floor you are guaranteed to make a fool of yourself dancing the night away whilst waiting for your next drink. What I like most about this club is the enjoyment you can have there. It has that sense of fun about it that you won’t get in other clubs. There are so many floors to this club that they play different music on each floor, so have a look and see which floor suits you best! You do have to pay on the door after a certain time. Depending on the night it usually costs around £4 to get in, but that doesn’t matter, as the drinks are pretty cheap and there is even a smoking garden
If you want to enjoy a good night out dancing the night away then go down to Clwb Ifor Bach and have a great time. Explore the different floors to find your musical taste. Have fun!

Clwb Ifor Bach or Welsh club to the non-​welsh Unilocalers out there is quite frankly the best club in Cardiff for me. It has 3 immense floors of complete musical diversity. You will often find gigs happening on the top floor and when the people get dancing, wow can you feel the floor bouncing.
The 2^nd floor will often play music of the motown variety with quirky cartoons playing along to the tunes. The ground floor is where the most mainstream music is played, including many a dance track to get you going. The 3^rd floor is generally used for gigs and also this is where they play a lot of indie and rock music. It really is a place for everyone, you will feel spoilt for choice with its music offerings.
The one problem with this club is the prices can be a little steep. I’m a wine drinker and this can cost me £4 a glass, however if you are a fosters drinker, bottles can often be £1. Try to get yourself a Welsh club loyalty card, I was lucky enough to be queueing one night back in September and someone was signing people up, unfortunately I don’t know how to get it otherwise. It will get you discounted entry and drinks.
Go to Welsh club, go now!

I have only been to Clwb Ifor Bach for two things… well three really, but the last is dependent on what precedes it! That being some epic live music and some dirty drum n bass. The last thing on my list is ‘a jolly spiffing time’, which is not an oft repeated term in reference to this altogether Welsh venue /​club. I cite the Globe as being the best indie music venue in Cardiff, but Clwb Ifor Bach offers some stiff competition. If it were to specialise more in the live music stakes, it would definitely tip the balance in its favour. I like my gigs up close and personal, and the small stage that they have here means that the moshers are likely to get wet with a little bit more than just sweat! On the other hand, I have to applaud The Globe. By comparison it has a mammoth stage, that is elevated way above the crowd. This must be a joy to play if you are in a band. It is a rare thing inded to see such a large stage in a smallish venue, and so for a lot of local bands, this will be the most luxurious stage that they ever get to play on.
The sound engineers at the Ifor are really good, but the same applies to the amazing guy at The Globe. I hate to admit it, but I have forgotten his name… nevertheless, I will never forget the level of his finesse!
The Ifor puts on other club nights, offering things like indie rock… and altough this isn’t my cup of tea… all credit has to go to them for mixing things up and keeping it fresh!

Welsh Club is simply one of the greatest clubs in all of Cardiff, the various floor and diversity in music put clubs like Oceana to shame.
Another hotspot that can’t be missed and if you’re visiting go as soon as you can and if you live in Cardiff why you haven’t gone yet? The club is spread over several floors offering a different musical genre which can be absolutely anything! I can’t remember what I expected the first time I stepped inside but I’ve never looked back and I always seem to have a good night as the drinks are cheap, the people are friendly and it so easy to spend most if not all of your night here. The bottom floor I must say I like a little too much with cheesy party music being played quite often, go up a level and there is quite regularly a DJ playing which for some reason I always remember for having old Mickey Mouse cartoons on the screen behind the decks (and I’m pretty sure that actually happened once or twice).
Welsh Club is certainly THE venue for any new Cardiff partygoer and will forever be the gem in the Cardiff nightlife crown.

Clwb Ifor Bach is one of the best clubs in Cardiff. They cater for everyones musical tastes, have plenty of room inside and have really good prices too.
I was here recently for a friends 25^th birthday and was slightly worried due to an increasingly unhealthy bank balance. No need to fret though as bottles of Foster’s were just £1.50! Sorted. Although there is a £5 fee on the door on the busier nights and normally about 5 or 10 minutes of queueing.
There’s a good vibe in Clwb («The Welsh Club» to some) and I’ve never really seen any trouble here. There’s different floors, playing different music for different tastes so everyone tends to have a quick look in each at the start of the night, pick their favourite and stay there most of the night. They also have live music here from time to time.
Clwb is one of my favourite places in town and gives you a good night, whilst still being able to cater to your own musical tastes to some extent. It’s been around since the 70s so retains a sense of history and inherent Welsh-​ness which gives it another interesting angle. The prices are very decent too and there’s enough room for you not to get too crushed at any point.

Despite a few issues, Clwb consistently maintains its status as possibly the best nightspot in Cardiff. Where other clubs rise and fall, Clwb remains, playing the role of the alternative Oceana to the slightly less rude boy crowd.
The reason for this seems to be because whilst other clubs have a niche that slowly dwindles over time, Clwb has enough room and enough nights to cover all the bases. Every week they cater to the drum and bass crowd, to the indie boys and girls, to the hipsters, to the RnB fans and even to those among us who dig a little (or a lot of) soul. On top of this, you have the regular gigs from international, national and local bands that bring in the crowds as well as sets from world-​famous DJs such as Grooverider and you have a club that everybody loves for one reason or another.
Unfortunately, the problem a lot of people have with Clwb is the pretentiousness that goes with it. Whilst the staff and the club itself remain relatively grounded, it seems the status as one of the top clubs has definitely gone to a lot of the regular’s heads. This snobbish atmosphere and poseur attitude puts a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, but if you can get passed the douchebags wearing sun glasses and leather jackets in a night club, it is one of the best nights in Cardiff.

This Cardiff club, tucked away along a narrow alley opposite the castle, is often referred to by English speakers simply as ‘the Welsh Club’. It’s always had a loyal following amongst Welsh language speakers, but is also popular amongst Cardiff’s many non-​Welsh speakers, including plenty of English university students.
Its enduring popularity is probably mainly thanks to its combination of popular themed club nights and live gigs that showcase local bands as well as up and coming touring groups. The atmosphere at gigs is generally really supportive and enthusiastic, and with just a small stage the crowd is right up close to the band, creating a great live atmosphere.
The club looks something and nothing from the outside, and is far from glitzy once you’re on the inside too (in fact it’s a bit of a dive), but it still has a cool that lots of other alternative clubs find hard to acquire. If you’re into indie, rock or live gigs, at some point you’ll end up here — and even if you’re into cheesy disco, they’ll probably have a club night sometime during the week that will suit your tastes.

I had some great times in this club when I was younger
A proper dirty dive full of alternatives… and some great music, live acts and DJ’s afterwards
Prices were very good and so was the atmosphere! Pity there arent more clubs like this!!!

Defiantly one of the best nightclubs in Cardiff, it offers up something for everyone and keeps its prices nice and low too. Been there for gigs and just on nights out and it never fails to disappoint me. Its got a kind of cave like feeling to it and set over 3 floors playing different stuff there;s a good chance of finding what you like. I especially enjoy the funk nights and the cheese stuff they do is somehow superior to anywhere else.
The crowd of people who go here seem to be a much nicer mix than you’ll find in the likes of Oceana. Price depends on whats going on, but they have plenty of drinks deals like £1 bottles of beer and £1.50 for VK’s.

The Welsh Club is without a doubt one of the best spots of nightlife in Cardiff. It has a bit of something for everyone, the tone and atmosphere in the place is always one of positive partying, and this has never turned sour while I’ve been on the premises.
Most night see different events happening on different floors, music styles varying between Indie and… other stuff… ahem. There is an outdoor area available to everyone, and the atmosphere both inside and out has a tendency to be very friendly and jovial.
The drinks are cheap and the nights and events are very well run. I recently went along to a Drum and Bass night here, which really isn’t my kind of thing at all. But by the end of it I was feeling the music and had my hands up in the air along with everyone else.
Thoroughly recommended to locals and visitors alike; it’s worth the door charge.

I LOVE the Welsh club for its diversity, commitment to greatness and miniscule drinks prices.
This is a venue that is steeped in Welsh history, showcasing pedigree indie acts just on the brink of stardom as well as alternative music and DJ’s.
Clwb has seen me through just about every phases I’ve had. From watching metal bands and club nights during the goth days to dubstep today. Even the most niche tastes are catered for.
Check the website for events and availability because you never know what you’ll find.

Also known as the Welsh club to all the English speakers out there. Clwb Ifor Bach is easily my favourite club in Cardiff. Coming from London originally and spending all my time in Camden, it’s hard to find anything else in the country that comes close to there for alternative clubs.
Infact, I’ve been very disappointed with a lot of the alternative clubs here that all feel inclined to adhere to the 15 year old NME readers. Clwb isn’t like this.
Consisting of 3 floors, all of which are different themes depending on what night you go. Generally the bottom floor has anything from the 60’s to present all night and have even heard the likes of Devo etc in there. That pleases me!
The middle floor can be closed at weekends, but if you go on a wednesday it’s the funk room. I’ve walked in before to see the whole dance floor playing limbo in there and have funked it up royally in there many a time.
Upstairs on a wednesday plays NME hit list… Though the odd good choon does escape from the speakers. On a saturday it becomes the drum and bass room. For that you have to specify your going to that room, otherwise you will pay twice to go in downstairs and then upstairs. Confused? So am I.
Drinks are dirt cheap in here and I can’t remember a time I’ve paid more than £1.50 for a bottle of fosters and shots are of a similar price if your looking to drown your woes in the satan’s liquids.
There also a load of gigs happening here all the time and suggest you go to the website to see who’s playing. The list is very diverse as I’ve seen people like Rueben to Will Haven here personally.
All in all I am very fond of this place and celebrated my graduation here as I would not go anywhere else if I want a great night out.

Wow! This has been one of the venues that I read that has been thoroughly reviewed! That says a lot of it! I went there on a Tuesday night to watch the Shortwave Set and I really enjoyed it. It isn’t something fancy but has its own soul. I felt good in there. The fact that its identity and feeling is pure Welsh adds to the place! It really feels like a Welsh institution!
The venue comprises of three floors, I was on the top most and unfortunately I didn’t manage to see the rest, apparently the ground floor acts as a club, for what I’ve heard it is pretty nice there. The other two floors are for exhibitions and concerts. The club opened in 1983 and so far it has housed people like Roni Size, Scratch Perverts and Dj Shadow among a few well known people.
What really drawn me to the Clwb was its strong poster designs, that got me curious and I really did not regret to go to this at first bland but cozy hall! I will go there again without any doubt!

Excellent club.
I like the atmosphere downstaird on a Saturday, not sure what happened to the Raggae night though.

Clwb Ifor Bach is the best night club for live music in Cardiff. Situated in the centre it attracts a wide range of people from all age groups.
The club mainly specialises in Rock and Indie with local bands being encoursged to show their talent when ever they can. IT is very Welsh based with the idea being there that to be a member you should want to increase the welsh language. However, if you’re not welsh just an understanding is required and there is no problem in becoming a member.
Prices vary depending on which bands are playing, with £6.00 being the usual for quite well known bands, such as, My Vitriol who played there recently.
Theres student night on Thursdays along with drinks promotions, and with three different floors most tastes in music are catered for.
Go there. TONIGHT!!!

One of the best clubs in Cardiff for live music and alternative music.
Also caters for those who enjoy cheesy pop and welsh music on certain nights.
Lots of great drinks offers too

Walisischer Club, wo walisischsprachige Bands auftreten. Man wird Mitglied, wenn man ein paar Sätze auf Walisisch spricht und sich für Wales interessiert. Abends ist hier immer sehr viel los.
Sehr gute Live Konzerte, muss ich schon sagen!!!
Fußboden klebt vom vielen Bier, das getrunken wird. Die pints werden ja immer so voll geschenkt ;-))
Sehr gute Website:

Heute abend tritt Dead Meadow auf. Yeahh!!!

Ich mag diese Band, z.B. das Lied At her open door. Check it out, guys.
Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, das hat ‘was, ist Szene!

Un des bastions de la fête à Cardiff et sa région, les gens viennent pour de la bonne musique (Drum & Bass, hip hop, garage, rock…), et se retrouver entre connaisseurs!!! De nombreux artistes internationaux se produisent là bas…
ambiance assurée!!!Personne n’en sortira déçu même si votre portefeuille fumera un peu après 22h