The Promised Land

This bar in central Cardiff has been many things over the years, but The Promised Land seems to fit the location and venue perfectly.
It has an emphasis on all things Welsh — food, beer, language — but not exclusively so.
My latest experience there was for a Café Go Go night, which was a bit of a mixed bag. The two bars were open, one upstairs and one downstairs, but sadly understaffed. The bar was jam packed so the wait wasn’t welcome, and neither were the prices when you did get a pint. However, the Welsh real ales were worth the money and the wait.
The music was good, although the venue upstairs was a little small for a band and a dance floor — cosy to say the least — and for the size and the wait at the bar £5 entry was too much.
All that being said, the clientelle were adult and friendly and you could do worse that spend an evening in The Promised Land on a Cardiff Saturday Night.

The Promise Land is bar that is at the heart of the best of Welsh culture (hence the name). As you enter you will witness, hanging on the walls, the association this bar has had with those legends that have had a hand in forming that culture.
It’s owned by local couple Nick and Bev who try very hard (and I think succeed) to create a friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy a couple of drinks.
If there is a big event happening in town, epsecially a music event, then its worth checking to see what these guys have organised. I have been here for plenty of concert pre-​drinks and post drinks for amongst others The Sterophonics, The Kings of Leon and Oasis. Its a good idea that manages to see the Promise Land host to a alot of like minded people and their excitement pre and anecdotes post gig.
They also do some lovely food and host lots of local bands in the room uhpstairs. Its one of those bars that you feel you’ve discovered and want to tell everyone else about — so check it out!

A group of us went here recently for the first time and I had the best night!
We arrived here about 8pm and it was a little quiet. Steadily more and more people arrived and by ten the place was rocking!
It’s run by a local guy called Nick and he really does do anything and everything to ensure his guests have a great night.
The atmosphere in this bar is so friendly and even though I was a newbie there I felt like I had been there a million times before!
The bar itself is dressed head to toe in music memorabilia which is fascinating to stop and look at.
I had a superb time here and danced the night away… before I knew it, it was 2am and I was in the taxi heading home!
Thanks Nick!

The Promised Land is a cool little bar situated across the road from the Central Bar Weatherspoons. It’s quite small but has a pretty cool upstairs area. We came here to see a gig and there were a couple of bands on upstairs. There’s a pretty chilled out vibe in here on the whole and the drinks were pretty reasonable as it was Happy Hour (or something equivalent). The staff were friendly and kindly pointed out some cheaper alternatives when we did order drinks. There’s a strong Welsh vibe and I’ve heard that the Promised Land does get very busy on match days so booking a table would probably be recommended if you were looking to eat here. The menu has a traditional Welsh feel to it also and there’s lots of local produce. You’ve got dishes like Carmarthenshire Ham, Caribbean Curry and Faggots and Peas for an example of the «Welshness» of the place. Food is reasonably priced too at between £5 and £7 a dish on average.
I’d recommend the Promised Land for a chilled out mid-​week drink as the atmosphere is relaxing and cosy and the staff here really are great.

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to two soirées here, one was an engagement party, the other a 30^th birthday celebration, and I’ve gotta say, The Promised Land is a great venue for a laid-​back but lively atmosphere, especially if your party is particularly modest (about 40 people or less).
It’s the room upstairs that’s available for private bookings, which comes standard with a full bar and your own personal bartender as well (where you’d pay per drink, as normal).
We even enjoyed live music at the engagement party — nothing too fancy, just a talented man and his guitar, a scene which later turned into impromptu dancing between the pushed-​back tables.
For my mate’s birthday, she was encouraged to create her own celebration mix (which appeals to the music snob in many of us, I assume!), but when she didn’t manage it, the set list was no issue for the DJ to throw together at the last minute.
The Promised Land is definitely worth looking into if you’re on the hunt for party venues!

Well it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Its far smaller than I thought it was going to be, and the food was surprisingly good. It is actually a Welsh restaurant with pretty much everything on the menu using local produce or traditional recipes.
Its a really enjoyable sort of place to eat, its cosy and we’ve always been treated really well. When they got my order wrong they offered me a complimentary drink which is good service, and also because its small there’s always a good atmosphere. Food wise i’d recommend the cheese platter if you like cheese, its a really yummy selection of welsh cheese.
A friend of mine just had a party here too, sadly I couldn’t make it but she did report that it was a great venue with good buffet and space to dance.

I shouldn’t write a review of this place whilst feeling so hungry. I took my lovely here a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the place.
It is very much part of the new, Metropolitan Cardiff. The Promise land, Fairly busy at the weekends, but you can walk straight in generally without a reservation.
Quietly hearing my wallet panicking in my pocket I thought I was in for a sting. Much to my relief upon looking at the menu, prices are very reasonable. Your looking at a price range of something like a Weatherspoon’s. The most for anything on the main course is about £7.
What is on the menu though Jamie, well let me tell you (Insert your name here) It is quite localised with the likes of Welsh ale battered fish and chips and Welsh faggots featuring best.
I had the less traditional Caribbean chicken curry. It was fairly mild dispassionately as I’m a man who likes to set his mouth on fire via spices. However it was very tasty and throughly enjoyed.
Finally, the service was fine. Very helpful, sweet staff who were very informative of what was on offer and served well. It will defiantly be visited again if my lovely behaves and we go out for food.

This bar is just gorgeous but, oh my, is it expensive.
Cosy little place though it is, it is definitely not a place for students to regularly frequent to drink. It is actually a little bit odd because the food is really quite cheap for what it is (£6.50 for vegetarian sausage and chips).
It’s the drinks… Even singles are far too expensive for broke things like myself. We went there to watch one of the Six Nations matches. There was a good atmosphere but I’m not entirely sure that this wasn’t more to do with everyone’s excitement at the game than the bar itself.
It is inviting, though, and quite a beautiful building, in its own style. So if you’re looking for a place to celebrate something — something big, like you’ve just got engaged — and want to spend a lot of money, The Promised Land is the place for you.

I followed up on a review of this place in a copy of Redhanded (the magazine for men in Wales). The place came highly recommended so I thought it was worth a visit.
The bar is situated in Park Place, a stones throw away from the Capital Shopping Centre. The bar has a small plain frontage and is quite small & narrow inside.
However the menu offered is quite impressive — ranging from Vegetrarian Mezze, Caribbean Chicken Curry, Black Mountain Smoked Duck, Carmarthenshire Ham etc.
As you may gather the menu has a distinctive Welsh flavour with a lot of local produce inclusive. Meals are roughly £6.50 to £7 and sharer platters slightly more, with sandwiches for a fiver. The bar also has a good wine selection too.
I would however recommend booking a table on the day of a Wales rugby match as space is limited, other than that it is OK to turn up on spec.
The atmosphere is warm & inviting and very cosy, the staff are friendly and helpful too (they were keen to point out special offers whilst ordering.)
Well worth checking out and would definately go back for a return visit soon.

Called in for an early tea before the Take That concert. The place was recommended and lived up to the billing. Food excellent and service (by the owner) was even better. She was witty and entertaining and attentive all afternoon. There was a lot of two way banter which added to the enjoyment. Overall a wonderful eating spot with brilliant staff and owners.
Oh and the chips. if you go have the chips!!!

This bar is my new found home. I love it here. The food is amazing. Welsh produce cooked to good old fashioned comfort recipes like faggots n peas, chicken casserole and sausage and mash. Or, choose from sharing platters with ingredients to die for!
We had our xmas party here and have subsequently been guests for rugby hospitality. Every time the food has been amazing and the service second to none.
I intend to book my next party in their upstairs vip bar which is just perfect for dancing and drinking with great friends.

I visitted the Promised Land on FRiday ¹⁹⁄₁₂ with some colleagues for our Xmas party.
it cost £22 per head, paid in advance,
We were promised a buffet, live band, crackers, a party atmosphere with all the trimmings!
we received 2 small tables with some pizza slices and chicken drumsticks!!!
NO LIVE band, not a decoration in sight, basically it cost £22 per head to stand in a pub!
a very disapointing night for all who attended, i lstayed an hour thn left.
will not be returning next xmas or any time soon!