Cardiff’s cocktail scene has scored a major win, with two independent bars earning a place on the prestigious Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for 2025. Lab 22 keeps its long running spot, while newcomer LowKey has made the cut less than six months after opening its doors in Duke Street Arcade.
For anyone in the drinks world, Top 50 Cocktail Bars list is seen as the benchmark for quality and creativity across the UK. Only two Welsh bars made it this year, and both are right here in the city centre and one has only been open 6 months!
LowKey launched with a clear vision. Great drinks, made with care, in a calm and stylish setting designed as the opposite of crowded, noisy nightlife. It is a small, thoughtful space with a menu built around precision and flavour. The fact it has already been recognised on a national level shows how quickly it has made an impact and stunning the drinks are there.
Lab 22, on Caroline Street, is no stranger to the spotlight and remains one of Cardiff’s most celebrated cocktail bars. This marks its eighth appearance on the Top 50 list, thanks to its inventive approach, playful presentation, consistently high standard of service and damn right delightful pours.
Both bars will find out their exact rankings at the Top 50 Cocktail Bars award ceremony next year, but for now it’s a huge achievement for the city. Cardiff’s cocktail scene continues to grow, and this double success proves it can stand proudly alongside the best in the UK.
