What a time it's been for the hospitality industry.
And while sadly the coronavirus pandemic has led to many businesses closing in Swansea, which you can read about here, other bars and restaurants have opened their doors in recent months - and there are also more on the way.
Here are the places that have opened in Swansea in 2021 if you fancy trying somewhere new to eat or drink. There's everything from tapas, Mexican and of course amazing cocktails to try.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell opened its first restaurant in Swansea in February. At first it was just doing takeaways but the Mexican restaurant in Oxford Street is now fully open to diners.
There's everything here including tacos, quesadillas, burritos, with a choice of fillings, nachos, vegetarian dishes and lots more.
Some of the chain's most popular choices on the menu include the Crunchwrap Supreme and, of course, crunchy and soft tacos.
It also offers a quesadilla stuffed with three different types of cheese, a spicy "volcano burrito" and fries smothered in nacho-cheese sauce, beef, sour cream and salsa.
ORB Bars Tapas & cocktails
ORB Bars Tapas & cocktails is one of many bright new brands helping to revitalise Swansea High Street. As its name suggests, it serves tapas and cocktails.
ORB Bar and Ball Pit on High Street also has a fun ball pit for grown-ups - although this has not opened yet. It's the first venue of its kind in Wales, with just four others across the UK. The ball pit will be a separate area of the venue, featuring mirrored walls and bold lighting, providing the perfect backdrop for an Instagram post.
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Positano at the Penthouse
Situated above Italian restaurant Positano Express, Positano at the Penthouse opened in May and offers brilliant cocktails and beautiful interiors.
This bar has panoramic views of the Castle and Castle Gardens.
The Little Wind Street Pop Up
The Little Wind Street Pop Up - located in the same location as its name - opened in the city on April 30 and will be there until July.
The event has come as part of a "collaborative effort to provide a new alfresco dining experience while creating unique opportunities for small, independent, local businesses to showcase their exquisite street food-style menus in a Covid-safe space".
The bars and restaurants due to open soon:
Double Zero
Swansea's Parc Tawe Retail Park is about to get a brand new restaurant with the opening of Double Zero.
Signs have been put up at one of the retail park's long-time empty units opposite Plantasia for the restaurant, along with the words 'coming soon'. It promises to serve up coffee, ice cream, milkshakes, paninis and much more.
Gin & Juice
Gin & Juice in Mumbles will finally be opening its doors to the public on Monday, August 16. The business is currently recruiting staff and will create around 70 to 90 jobs.
The bar and restaurant will have a 'secret garden' and it will be open from 8.30am until 1am every day serving breakfast, brunch and lunch into the evening for supper with more than 450 curated gins on the rooftop.
There will also be a Rum & Fizz Bar on the mezzanine serving cocktails in a 'secret garden' as well as a Coffee Barker espresso bar on the street serving organic coffee and hand made cakes.
'Founders & Co'
The now vacant home of the old Revolution, which traded at 24 Wind Street for decades before closing in 2019 and becoming Liberate, which itself then closed, is about to undergo a dramatic transformation compared to the way most of us once knew it.
A new concept is now set to open called 'Founders & Co' which will bring together an eclectic mix of independent food vendors, makers, sellers, and creators all under one roof. It is set to open in June.
The line-up so far includes a mix of local food vendors made up of Bangin’ Burger, Tokyo Nights, Tukka Tuk, Dusty’s Pizza, The Little Man Coffee Company and Chilled & Tannin.
