Red Dragon Centre

I don’t mind the Red Dragon Centre, although I do think that it can be a lot better given its prime location in Cardiff Bay. Despite making frequent visits to the bay as I live close by, I never really find that the Red Dragon Centre offers anything special to me that isn’t available at Mermaid Quay or the city centre.
~ Atmosphere:
The main downside. The Red Dragon Centre just feels so boring. It’s a large and open space, but feels so empty on the inside given that there are barely any people really. Visiting the Red Dragon Centre always feels so eerie as it’s almost a ghost town. They definitely need to do something more exciting to liven the place up.
~ Variety:
There’s quite a variety of things to do, but the restaurants aren’t too great here. For food, I’d much rather walk over to Mermaid Quay where there are amazing restaurants aplenty. One thing I do appreciate though is that the Red Dragon Centre hosts Cardiff’s Chinese New Year celebrations — as a Chinese person, I’m glad that someone’s making the effort.
—
Basically, I think what the Red Dragon Centre needs is some sort of stronger identity but at the moment, it has no idea what direction it wants to go. From its namesake, you would think that it’s big on Chinese culture, but it really isn’t — the Chinese restaurants here are average at best and it isn’t at all authentic either. Head to the main city for that. When it comes to more traditional options, you’d want to go to Mermaid Quay. If there was something unique about the Red Dragon Centre, I’d definitely fall in love. However, at the moment there’s plenty of other things to do in Cardiff that scratches my itch.
3 stars because it’s definitely not bad. It just has a long way to go before being a beloved attraction in Cardiff to me.

I always think these big places are a bit soul less. This is modern living and consumerism at their most evident.
Situated out in the newly developed Cardiff Bay area, this is a drive and park jobby, and the car park is massive and generally full. Not a good sign.
As you walk past the great hulking mass that was once Evolution, there is a huge vestibule leading into a covered courtyard area.
The sad irony is that on the wall they have recreated the beautiful historic streets that they evidently knocked down to build the centre.
Our main reason to go is usually the cinema. I’m not really sure why, but that seems to be the one we go to! They have screens and films, overpriced pop corn and a few times we’ve had to walk out because other people in the audience were so noisy. Not much more that I can say about it really.
Oh, I do like the massage chairs, but I’m not sure how I feel about people being able to watch you be ‘jiggled’!

Do you want somewhere undercover with lots to do? Well, what you waiting for, get yourself down to the Red Dragon Centre. SItuated in Cardiff Bay, it is next to the Millennium centre, so always a good place to go before or after a show. There is a lot to choose from here, the Doctor Who exhibition, bowling alley, cinema and a bundle of restaurants.
The cinema hosts one of the closest IMAX screens for hundreds of miles, but always good to watch a standard flick. Hollywood bowl is a huge venue with loads of alleys, fruit machines and video games. There are restaurants of all cuisines, so you will be absolutely spoilt for choice.
They even have a casino here if you want to get your gamble on after a hard day of film watching, eating and Daleks.
This is a great venue, aptly named as it is the home of Red Dragon radio, you will remain dry as a bone and you will be entertained to the max, it’s all good, what are you waiting for!

This centre is sometimes over looked due to Mermaid quay’s reputation shining a little brighter in the world of attractions for visitors to Cardiff Bay and yet its only 5 minutes walk away.
You can watch a film do some bowling and eat and drink to your hearts content, whether it be Chinese, Italian or plain old pub food. It also undercover, which in our Welsh climate can sometimes make the all the difference between a happy day and a cold miserable day. Parking also costs nothing as long as you patronise one of the establishments within the centre. Why wouldn’t you want to go there?

It’s raining. There is nothing to do and you’re stuck home completely bored out of your mind. What do you do? No no no you can clean up your house another time. You must go and see the Red Dragon Centre that has a wide variety of places all under one big glass roof.
Where do I start? There’s an Odeon cinema with an IMAX screen, an arcade with a bowling alley, three restaurants, two bars with alcohol, an ice cream and coffee bar in the middle and an exhibition viewing of the famous television show ‘Doctor Who’ and you can even see behind the scenes of Red Dragon radio. This centre does hold something for everyone. It is especially good for families who want to have a nice day out. Bare in mind though you have to be prepared, as the prices can get a little heavy.
No matter where you go there will be a price tag on it, and the Red Dragon is no exception. Bowling can be costly depending what time you go. If you go during the day then it’s off peak that can be very cheap. If you attend in the evening there is an unlimited games offer for £9. That is worth taking if you’re in a big group. The cinema can get pricey as can the doctor who exhibition. But if you’re not too fussy about the price then it is definitely worth doing.
The Red Dragon Centre is an area that holds something for everyone. Just be prepared to spend a few of those pennies you have been saving!

Bowling, Cinema, Coffee bar, Restaurants, Bars and even a Dr Who exhibition all under one roof… What more can you want?!
This centre has something for everyone.
For me I tend to visit the chinese buffet followed by a drink or two before heading into the cinema to sleep it off ;-)… The cinema has a great selection of treats and I tend to spend far to much time and money in the pick and mix selection. (If only I had deeper pockets)
This centre is great for a night out as a couple or for a jolly within a group.

Superb! the only imax screen in wales, bowling, bar with pool tables, plenty of places to eat and drink, dr who exhibition (if you’re into that, personally im not) and with a nice open coffee shop area right in the centre. dont forget to validate your parking too!

It’s not the first place I’d visit if I had time to spare, but with the unpredictable weather Wales is known for, the Red Dragon Centre is undoubtedly a welcomed respite from the drizzly winters and occasional balmy summers (I am not a hot-​house flower and sought the RDC for its air-​conditioned cinema back in June).
The Red Dragon Centre does cater to families, especially if those with young children. Make that young, bored children. It’s got a bowling alley, Dr Who exhibition, and cinema (check out the IMAX screen, and you’ll find it hard to watch a film on anything else), among a wash of restaurants and bars.
The best part is free parking! Although at peak times, it can be difficult to find a space, so plan accordingly if you’ve got a film to catch (or a hot date).
Check out the RDC website to find out more about forthcoming events like live jazz, workshops and exhibitions.

This is an indoor entertainment complex packing in all the elements you’d expect from a place like this, such as a cinema, a bowling alley and lots of restaurants — plus it’s also home to one of South Wales’s best-​established radio stations, Red Dragon FM.
It’s located just a short walk from the main Mermaid Quay area of Cardiff Bay, and offers a warm refuge from the harsh weather that often hits that part of the city in the winter.
It’s open seven days a week and is home to Wales’ only IMAX cinema screen (within the Odeon cinema), plus the 26-​lane Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Grosvenor Casino, the Doctor Who ‘Up Close’ exhibition, and lots of restaurants — including big chains such as Bella Italia and Chiquito. There’s also a Cadwaladers ice cream parlour, an Indian and a Chinese restaurant, and a family sports bar with loads of screens and pool tables called R Bar.
Overall it aims to offer a variety of things to do, all in a dry, indoor environment. It’s not a particularly exciting venue, but on a wet and windy day it’s an easy place to park up for free and take your family for some entertainment or food. Sometimes — particularly during school holidays — they have special events such as craft workshops, live jazz, or even anti-​bullying workshops.

This entertainment Centre situated a stones throw away from the main Cardiff Bay area is great to keep you occupied for a few hours on a miserable day. The Odeon Cinema has recently added the luxury of an Imax experience theatre offering great quality and another dimension of watching films. The Centre also offers the opportunity to visit the Dr. Who exhibition and get a little more info on how the hit TV programme is made. Hollywood bowl is also another popular attraction this Centre holds with great offers on birthday party deals and family days out. This venue also holds a series of chain restaurants including Chinese, Italian, Indian and a trendy bar the entrance. There used to be a popular nightclub here called Evolution or to the locals «Evo». I think it’s still open on certain nights but I’m not 100% sure since more popular venues were opened in Cardiff Central such as Oceana. The centre is well sign posted and easy to find and parking is free if you use the cinema or bowling venue. A great day out for family and friends!

This is a great little complexe with bowling, food and cinema.

A expensive but good place to visit on a rainy day.
From cinema, restaurants, bowling and even a casino the red dragon center as something for everyone.
It is pretty expensive but worth it if your willing to pay.
Bowling is the big attraction and booking is a must!
Parking is free if you use one of the many outlets.

This centre has a range of different restaurants, pubs, cand clubs as well as a bowling alley & cinema. From chinese food to bbq food & thai. Plenty to do for all the family including a doctor who exhibition.