Booked tickets to see Avatar in 4DX at the Cardiff cinema today. Upon arriving and taking my seat I…read morefound that it was absolutely soaking and I couldn't sit in it. When I spoke to the manager I was told it wasn't the cinema's fault that the seat was wet and my only option was to wait for a later showing or get a refund. I would have been OK with just receiving the refund if the manager wasn't so confrontational about how Ciniworld were not a fault and it was somehow my fault for booking a seat in advance. So lesson is don't expect to get a prebooked seat and as such i would book somewhere else.

The Cineworld cinema in Cardiff has the unusual distinction of being one of the marks of the…read morelandscape. You see, it's an owl. I don't mean a literal owl. I mean the architect, for some unfathomable, no doubt drug-fueled reason, saw he had to design a building for a cinema and said to himself "What best represents the cinematic experience? I know! AN OWL! With a beak! AND EYEBROWS! I'm a genius. Where's the vodka gone?" Dubious structural design aside, the Cineworld is the middle-child in the Cardiff cinema trifecta. Not as vast and all-encompassing as the Odeon down the Bay, and not as scummy and as chav infested as Vue next to the Stadium, Cineworld is instead, just a cinema. The venue of the unassuming cinephile. The Odeon is where you go if you are treating yourself to an IMAX screening, and the Vue is normally the place to go if you've just stabbed someone for a fiver and need an alibi and a place to lay low for a bit, but the Cineworld is the place to go to just watch a movie. With its twelve screens and large auditoriums, the complex is in no way small, and competes with the more expensive Odeon on everything apart from the iMax experience. It also provides monthly viewings of classic films where the true cinephiles come out. It's one hell of an experience to watch Withnail and I on the big screen, you and all your friends (and everyone else, for that matter) surreptitiously sipping on sneaked-in wine you brought just for the event, and I heartily recommend it should you be given the chance. (Note: Yelp does not condone sneaking wine in cinemas. It is a naughty and potentially awesome thing to do in the right circumstances and should not be attempted by anyone.)

For someone, like me, who commutes in and out of Cardiff every day on the train, Vue is in the…read moreideal location. Admittedly it's more out of the way than Cineworld, but I would choose to go to Vue any day. My reasons are: 1) This cinema, despite being mainstream, is quieter than many, and I much prefer seeing a popular new release with 30 other people than 250. Don't know about you. 2) Unlike Cineworld and Odeon, there are far fewer annoying teenagers at this venue who blow raspberries during death scenes (poor Cedric Diggory). 3) The screens here are huge; as tall as two double-decker buses, according to the publicity when it opened. Other screens in Cardiff are as big, but they generally go along with more seats, so cancelling out the largeness. 4) The staff here have always been lovely, as opposed to Cineworld staff who snorted at me in disdain when I complained someone was smoking during the film. 5) I'm very particular about sound, and I've noticed that in both Cineworld and Odeon you can hear the cinema next to you through the walls. This has never happened in Vue. Conclusion: If you want a mainstream cinema, then this cinema in the centre of Cardiff is just as good as any of the others. Cineworld was once just as much out of the way, but now the new St David's Shopping Centre has brought it into the fold. I hope the new bus station does the same for Vue once again.

This is my favourite cinema in Cardiff purely because it's always been dead whenever I've been…read morethere. I don't like watching a film in a crowded cinema which is why I always come here. I don't know how many floors there are but it's about 5 or so. It seems endless and a little eery as you ascend the escalator in a massive, empty building. There's bars and things inside which I think have long since closed down due to lack of business and there also used to be a Jongleur's comedy club here which also closed a few years ago further highlighting how unpopular this cinema is. There's one typically overpriced snack counter (around £3 for a regular coke) and 13 screens. The screens are huge and the seats are comfy with lots of leg room. It seems they are losing money though as I don't think they put the heating on. I've felt cold in every screen I've been in here. The toilets aren't very well maintained either and maybe they can't afford regular cleaning staff. Still, if you want a screen mostly to yourself and don't mind keeping your coat on it's not that bad. Try and avoid the toilets though so if you're thinking of going to see any 3 hour long, Lord of the Rings style epics, maybe take the trip to Cineworld instead.

Chapter isn't just a cinema, its a centre for arts of all kinds in Cardiff. It has quirky art…read moredisplays, great theatre and dance performances, comedy nights and hosts lectures and debates, not to mention scrabble Sunday. I wish there were more places like this in Cardiff, places that work with community and offer up something less mainstream that provides the arts scene in city a really good base. Defiantly think its worth checking out their brochure and find out whats going on, and get down there and support the place.

Chapter Art Centre, as a single entity, offers one of the most comprehensive programme of events to…read morebe seen outside of London. Comprised of a cinema, gallery, theatre, café-bar, dance studios, workshop spaces and bookshop, it is, quite literally, an all singing, all dancing, creative hub. It also happens to be one of my most loved havens in Cardiff. I spent the best part of Monday there, (which wasn't my intention... it's just a very difficult place to leave!) I regularly ensconce myself in the newly refurbed café, lunching out whilst taking advantage of the extremely quick wifi they provide. These days there are plenty of sockets so that everyone who wants to can plug-in, (in the bad old days I have had to queue to get to a socket when I ran out of juice... there just weren't enough to go round). The facilities have improved across the board since vast sums of money have been spent modernising the space. There are two schools of thought regarding the refurbishments, with the old guard firmly protesting the changes, and people like me, who think that it has lost nothing of its charm, and are grateful for the improvements that have been made. I guess not everyone appreciates change. Oh well, done now!

avoid this cinema at all costs if you're actually interested in watching a film. I brought my two…read moreyoung cousins to see moana couple of weeks ago. I had to complain four times before anything was done. the three children that were supposed to be sat behind us were running up and down the aisle to the screen, fighting on the floor, shouting, swinging on the end of my seat in my face for forty minutes. lots of other kids shouting throughout the film and another lady complained as kids were throwing sweets at her. there was a queue of people complaining and asking for refunds because the film was ruined. we had to leave after 40 minutes because we barely had seen any of the film because of the disruption. I come to your cinema very often, almost weekly sometime twice a week, I've spent £300 on tickets alone on tickets this year and I've never in my life seen anything like it. I've been put off ever going to a first showing of a film to avoid this experience again. we now have to wait a few days to avoid this type of behaviour but will have to go and watch again as they were so disappointed. I've wasted my time and money and has left me with a sour taste in my mouth that people can behave so atrociously. there should have been more done to stop this behaviour and all I got from your company was an email saying you show videos at the start of the film to tell people how to behave. Please avoid this cinema if you're an actual movie enthusiast.

As far as all the Cinemas in Cardiff go, this is the best! It has everything a cinema should have:…read moreLots of screens, an IMAX cinema, sweets, popcorn and drinks. If you are ever stuck for something to do down Cardiff Bay and a film your desperate to see is out then go there and enjoy a nice cinema experience. I visit on multiple occasions because I like the whole look and atmosphere of the cinema. Some of the employees who work there are very lovely and do not mind going out of there way to help you. I have been in a number of situations where the service comes out top every time. However, it can get very pricey in there. They do offer student discount providing you have your card or they have certain discounts depending on what day. If you have their loyalty card it's 25% off Tuesdays and they offer 'Orange Wednesday's' too. It can get extremely busy in there too with big releases so you should always book in advance if you want a good seat. You can also select you seat if you're willing to pay £1 extra, if you do then that seat is reserved for you and you can arrive for your film whenever you want. Odeon is a wonderful cinema to visit. With their IMAX screen it remains to be the most popular cinema in Cardiff. If you really want to treat yourself then pay for the V.I.P area upstairs (over 18's only) and receive the ultimate experience. Unlimited nachos, soft drinks and popcorn? Yes Please!

I went to Buffalo Bar on the spur of the moment, with four of my housemates. We were all sitting…read morearound, struggling with the idea that a long evening of bad television stretched before us but unsure what to do instead. Suddenly, one of them said 'Well, we could go to Buffalo. It's free before 11!" And on that great recommendation did we embark. Actually, it was a really good night. The downstairs bar was compeltely rammed with people having a drink after work and I felt quite out of place. However, that's not to say that there was any hostile atmosphere against the small number of students there (as can sometimes be the case). Going upstairs, we found that there was a DJ playing - a mix of the best of old-school and more modern indie music. The drinks were a little dear for my poor old purse but I wasn't drinking alcohol so I wasn't hit too hard by it! All night we danced, making friends with people all along the way, as we swapped dance moves. Brilliant!

If you're after nice but pricey cocktails and a lively but ever-so-slightly pretentious bar,…read moreBuffalo is amongst Cardiff's best - although it does get overcrowded and the bar sometimes seems a bit understaffed. With refreshing Pimms served up on some days in the summer, and mulled wine in the winter, they often offer something special to fit the season or the weather. The décor is stylish but comfortable, with a retro/vintage feel and hanging chandeliers, and you can see why it attracts an arty kind of a crowd. As this bar is in a former house, there's a great 'secret' beer garden out the back for when it's sunny or warm - and there's an upstairs where bands play. They serve lunch (though I haven't tried the food there myself), but it's also always open late.

Cardiff is sorely missing more mid size venues like the Globe. As a treasure in the centre of the…read morestudent 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!

The Globe is up and running again after having its previous license removed after getting sound…read morecomplaints. 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.

who wouldn't enjoy a bacon and egg roll with a pork snag thrown in for good measure all enjoyed on…read morea beautiful victorian Pier? My dad calls Pork Snags, Snorkers... I don;t know wether he is enlightened or demented.

Want to see Boy Zone? Take That? West Life? Enrique Iglesias? Pink? Then this is the best place in…read moreCardiff to go, when these and other pop stars come to Wales. I long for Britney Spears to come and sing here. I've seen her in London, but it is not the same as it would be to be able to see her here. I really enjoyed the Boy Zone concert it was amazing, they were on roller skates and they performed scenes from the Movie Grease. This was back in their early years. It ended with fireworks and started with fireworks. Spectacular! I saw Busted there as well that was another awesome concert! I'd never had such fun in a long while, before I had been to that concert. I didn't even really care about how loud it all was, which I often do. I recommend it for all; especially teenagers, the older the better I feel. It's near Cineworld cinema, in the town centre.

This is a really good arena. I've never been to it to see any sports (I don't even know if they do…read moredo sports there - sometimes places really surprise you and you realise that they have an ice rink under the floor and things!) but only music. It's a fantastic venue to see a concert. There is always a really atmosphere - and although part of that will obviously be my own excitement, a bad venue can hinder a gig. There's a good amount of seating and of standing room and the prices are always reasonable. I just wish there were more loos! That's always the problem!