The Globe

Been here several times and always had a good evening watching great live entertainment. A great place for a group of people to go too.

BRING BACK THE OLD MANAGEMENT!!! I have been enjoying live music at The globe, cardiff since Allan Jones (of Amen Corner fame) opened it in 2008 and always raved about what a great venue it is. They always had an over 14’s policy for gigs and my son started going too. I recently purchased tickets online in advance for my son and his girlfriend to attend a gig at The Globe. It seems the new management have changed the policy to over 18’s now. Fair enough, but this new change to their policy was not advertised anywhere on the website when purchasing the tickets. I went along to the venue to enquire about getting a refund for the tickets, as they were now useless. The over-​sized, intimidating bouncer was incredibly unhelpful, impolite and obstructive. He refused to get me anyone to speak to about a refund, told me I’d have to wait over an hour if I wanted to see the manager, and to top it all made me wait out on the street in the wind and rain. As I had just popped out in the car I was wearing flip-​flops and didn’t have a coat with me, I tried to appeal to his better nature and asked him would he please be gentlemanly and allow me to wait in the doorway, his response was it’s too busy in here. The only other people inside at that point were two other members of staff! I was so shoked by the absolute rudeness of the guy that I left in dismay feeling asif I’d just been treated like an undignified scum-​bag. The up-​shot is I haven’t received a refund and none of the advertised phone numbers for The Globe even exist any more. It seems impossible to talk to anyone except for the uncooperative and down-​right rude doorman. This would never have happened in the Allan Jones days, he’d be stood on the door himself, over-​seeing everything and welcoming each one of his guests. Sorry, new management but you’ve lost me for one. I wonder about the longevity of one of Cardiff’s finest live music venues now, with the terrible staff and their terrible attitude :(

The realy cool places in Cardiff are not wheelchair accessible. A 23 year old is denied a normal like and great nights out in buffalo bar and the globe due to the law not being worth a toss and managers and ownvers couldnt care less about the the disabled neither could anyone else as they keep going ensuring that the owners make enough money not to care.

a great place and long may it continue.

I’ve been to many great evenings at the Globe (and a few less good, but that’s live music for you). Love the atmosphere and how close you can get to great bands. If there’s a band or evening you fancy, go along, though it can be a bit expensive.
It won’t get 5 stars until they get better choice of drinks including, crucially for me, some decent draft real ale (and not some freezing cold bottled stuff or lager) — we go somewhere else for a drink beforehand so they are losing out. Also, please answer emails — though i did get a call back a day or two after my last message on the answer phone. And have clearer pricing and the ability to buy online without excessive fees. For a while they did use an online agency but that seems to have stopped. And the one time I used it because even with fee it was going to be a couple of pounds cheaper than the ‘on the door’ price, the actual price on the night was less than I paid. The reverse has also happened, when the on-​the-​door price has been more than advertised. Sort out these little things and we’ll look at the fifth star, because I do like you!

First and foremost The Globe is a wonderful venue. I would describe the décor as baroque if I knew what that meant, instead I’ll just say it’s nice in a dark and brooding kind of way. The bar has some unusually beers and is reasonably priced. The mezzanine slash balcony thing is inspired, giving short arses like me a great view with getting squashed at the front. And The Globe actually smells nice. The Barfly stank of poo and closed. The Globe smells of incense and stayed open. There’s a lesson there. The thirty grand sound-​proofing job might have also had a small part to play in this too.
So now The Globe has safely sailed through the trials and tribulations caused by some of the narky neighbours, what of its future? A quick scan of its over-​elaborate website reveals plenty of listings for the coming months. But there’s nothing that really grabs me. While in the past they’ve had NME tours and bands like the Black Lips rock up, now it seems The Globe is solely focussing on the dad rock brigade with cover bands a go-​go and reformed dinosaurs from the 70s.
And while I can see this as a lucrative market, I imagine they spend more and are less trouble than a younger, more fickle audience and one only really served by St David’s Hall, I’d like an excuse to pop along and see a gig every once in a while.

What a venue, I first visited the Globe to attend my friend’s album launch and I’m so glad I did. The venue is really easy to find and feels a bit like you are entering a cinema as you climb the stairs to the ticket desk. The staff there were very helpful, I had purchased my ticket online only an hour prior to my arrival and although I wasn’t on the list they had they were kind enough to take my confirmation number and let me in to the gig.
Then, I had more stairs to climb then until I reached the hall which was most definitely worth the small effort. This is another one of those intimate venues. The stage appears to be a nice large size and you feel really close to the bands performing. They had a good light show there too. I thought the sound was brilliant here and from what I can remember about the bar, the prices were fairly reasonable. I took a peak at the sound desk and it just so happened I knew the sound engineer from years ago, along with a few other old friends I saw that evening this and the discovery of a venue I had fallen in love with made my night one of the best I’ve had for a long, long time.

Cardiff is sorely missing more mid size venues like the Globe. As a treasure in the centre of the student area, the Globe has been a life saver for up and coming groups, alternative nights and those who appreciate live music.
Inside is a quirky interior — apparently used to be a Chinese cinema — and the proscenium arch frames the new stage perfectly. With a projector for some modern VJ type backdrops, incense burning, lush fabrics and, psychedelic murals this place is bohemian without being pretentious.
The bands are generally good quality and a good mix, although there are a few too many tribute bands, and mixes local bands with big name acts. The door prices fluctuate, but the bar is reasonable and the staff are friendly. It is unfortunate that the shape of the building means feedback can be a problem, and when busy it is really, really hot — big coat to walk there and then just a vest underneath! — but it is well worth keeping an eye on the listings. You never know, your favourite band might be on this month!

I have recently learned that the vast sums of money spent on The Globe in recent months (£30k) was used to sound proof the building, and was not the sum spent on the air conditioning units that they have here. The sound-​proofing issue was the most pressing problem owing to the fact that the venue had to close until the sound levels emanating from the building were addressed. Hopefully the air con will be dealt with shortly!

Had been out all night with friends to places on/​around Albany Rd and we decided, rather drunkenly, to pop in the Globe to catch the end of the Bob Marley night. Really glad we did (even though it was £10 each to get in). The venue is brilliant (converted cinema) and you can get really close to the bands. There’s a decent size bar with lots of staff at hand to serve you. Music wasn’t so loud that it pops your ears (bonus) and the guy on the door was brilliant (he let 6 of us in for £40 because it was quite late!). Really glad that the soundproofing of this venue went to plan and they got their licence back. Had a fab time and will defo go again (but will get there earlier next time!).

From jazz trios and hip hop ensembles to tribute or cover bands, this great live music venue in Roath has a packed line-​up of gigs for the summer ahead.
The venue had its licence taken away due to noise complaints from neighbours in what is a predominantly residential area of Cardiff, but after some significant sound-​proofing work it’s recently had the licence reinstated.
The Globe has always managed to create a friendly atmosphere, and it’s a vital part of Cardiff’s live music scene, so it’s good to see it open its doors once again. Their website advertises the gigs coming up, and you can buy tickets for the gigs at several websites online, or in person from Spillers record shop and TicketlineUK in Cardiff, Diverse Records in Newport, or Derek’s Records in Swansea.

The Globe is up and running again after having its previous license removed after getting sound complaints. It has plenty of new soundproofing so hopefully that’ll keep neighbors happy.
Anyway its good news for the Cardiff music scene, the more places the better I say. They haven’t wasted time either, there’s plenty of events filling up their calender. Its a great venue, with a great atmosphere. Haven’t been seen it reopened but its set it what must be an old theatre so it has an upstairs area to view from if you don’t fancy the pit and its just a really cool place.

I saw Dreadzone here a few weeks ago on The Globe’s opening night. What a great place! This was made even better by the fact that you don’t have to go into town and suffer the hoards of drunk people anymore. This is what roath has been waiting for! It wasn’t quite finished when i went as it was the opening night, things like there being no mirrors in the loos, the stink of paint but these were only minor things. Dreadzone were amazing and pulled a great crowd. The sound was great too. There is a massive dance floor so loads of room to jump around and dance. There was definitely a lack of seating when i went but this may have been sorted now. Then again it is a place to watch gigs and dance so it’s not too problematic. Also the cloakroom gets full really quickly and there is no where to sling your coat which is a pain. All in all tho I can see this being a great place and will definitely be frequenting this place more often in the future!