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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
David Prince

The long lost Cardiff nightclubs from the noughties where we spent our weekends

Cardiff's nightlife is varied to say the least and there are dozens of clubs and bars across the city to suit all tastes. While it often feels like our favourite spots have also been there, plenty of much-loved venues have come and gone over the years.

We've taken a look in the archives to find all the best clubs from the naughties that you loved to spend your weekends at. These clubs were 'the' place to be seen dancing and rocking the night away and were some of the best clubs at the time no matter what music you loved there was something for everyone.

Let us know which clubs you loved that might not be on this list, as we love reading about your memories.

READ MORE: The lost venues that were once in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium Plaza

Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen

Situated on Friary Walk was the Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen was the go-to place to meet up and get some pre-drinks in you before the big night ahead.

Bar Risa/Surfers/Jumpin Jaks

The Millennium Plaza In Cardiff which houses Jumpin Jaks and many more in 2003 (Rob Norman/Media Wales)

Over the years the Millennium Plaza has had loads of bars and clubs inside - such as Bar Risa, Surfers, Jumpin Jaks and many more. The plaza was a great central place to end the night with the bus station and taxi rank, then opposite the venue.

Barfly

The Barfly in Cardiff (Media Wales)

A later entry but nonetheless missed greatly by our readers is the Barfly club that opened in 2001 and was closed down in 2010. The venue cemented its place in rock history with many stars playing there on their way up such as The Darkness, Amy Winehouse and Melanie C.

Bar Cuba

Bar Cuba (Via Lizzie/BigCardiff.co.uk)

Another great place to start or end your evening. If you started the evening early there you saw the happy hour turned into a packed dance after 11pm. Bar Cuba is now the Live Lounge.

Emporium

video grabs taken for the Emporium night club (copyright unknown)

The dance mecca club was immortalised in the movie Human Traffic, which documented the city's club scene introducing us to the acting talents of John Simm and Danny Dyer. The club closed for good in 2004 and is greatly missed by those who danced and partied there.

Sugar

When Sugar opened in 2004 and with three levels and a laid-back vibe, the club was the height of nightclub sophistication on Womanby Street. However, it closed in 2008.

Lava Lounge

At its height, the queues for Lava Lounge would snake from the middle of the Brewery Quarter right out onto St Mary Street. It was one of the most popular places to party in the city in 2005.

Moloko

Moloko was a pretty great dance nightclub at the right time - with some amazing DJ sets over the years.

Hard Rock Cafe

The Hard Rock Cafe was seen as a great place to meet up before big gigs and clubbing into the night.

The day before it was due to celebrate seven years in Cardiff, Hard Rock Cafe stunned staff by suddenly closing in 2010. It had been part of the whole Brewery Quarter revolution but despite the chain's worldwide fame, didn't last.

Evolution

Evolution nightclub, Cardiff Bay (Simon Ridgway 2006 / 07973 442527)

The Cardiff Bay nightclub took over the Cardiff dance scene when the Hippo Club closed.

This is what some of our readers said about Evolution: "It was all about the RnB and garage music."

"So many memories from all of the selected venues. Met lots of life-long friends and had the privilege to DJ at a number of them."

Oceana/Zeus

The Oceana venue has been a club staple in Cardiff's nightlife for decades.

This is what some of our readers had to said about the club that is now Pryzm: "I've had some of the best times of my life Oceana. Good music. Good times and just a great night out."

Berlins

Berlins (Malcolm Morgan/Media Wales)

When Berlins was open, Church Street was Cardiff's most violent place, according to the police. When it closed in 2004, police said assaults in the vicinity "virtually petered out". That said - our readers loved the place and it featured quite heavily in your replies.

Liquid/Life

These two clubbing meccas were at the heart of Cardiff’s clubbing scene for a decade before they closed in 2010.

This is what you had to say about these clubs "Great nights out guaranteed with your mates, great times with amazing music."

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