There’s something about rooftop drinks in the sunshine that instantly makes Cardiff feel like it’s on holiday mode. And while there are plenty of places to grab a cocktail in the city centre, one spot that still feels slightly underrated is the terrace at Flight Club Cardiff.
Tucked away above the lively fairground-inspired bar on St Mary Street, it’s one of those places you don’t always think about straight away, but once you do, you wonder why you haven’t been there more often.
We recently headed down to check out the newly refreshed summer terrace and, honestly, it’s got such a good vibe. Think secret garden meets rooftop social spot, packed with colourful flowers, festoon lighting and cosy corners that make you want to stay for “just one more drink”.
What surprised us most is how usable the terrace actually is, even when the Welsh weather decides not to fully cooperate. Thanks to the amount of shelter and heating, it almost has a greenhouse-style feel to it. Warm, cosy and protected enough that you can pretty much get away with visiting in most conditions. On cooler evenings, blankets are also available, which is a nice touch.
It’s not the biggest rooftop terrace in Cardiff either, which actually adds to the atmosphere. It feels more intimate and tucked away from the chaos below. But because of that, if you’re planning to head there for drinks in the sunshine, definitely book ahead.
One thing we always appreciate at Flight Club is the drinks selection. Alongside the cocktails and spritzes, there’s also a genuinely decent draft beer range too, including one of our favourites, Brixton Pale Ale.
The terrace itself has had a proper summer glow-up this year, with blooms including peonies, hydrangeas and foxgloves transforming the rooftop into a bright, colourful social space. Add in live music sessions every Saturday evening and Bank Holiday Sundays, and it’s easy to see why this will become one of Cardiff’s go-to summer spots.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Flight Club without the darts. One of the best things about the venue is the transition from rooftop drinks into Social Darts once the sun starts to disappear. Cocktails outside, competitive darts inside. Simple, but it works brilliantly for groups.
We also got stuck into the new food menu, which feels built for sharing. The portions are generous, the flavours are bold, and there’s a good mix of familiar favourites alongside some fresh additions.
Some highlights for us included the loaded tandoori fries (£10), which might genuinely be our new favourite side in Cardiff right now. Packed with chicken, tamarind, mint yoghurt and coriander, there’s loads going on flavour-wise.
The boneless buffalo wings (£9) were another winner. Properly spicy, full of flavour, and importantly, without the mess.
We also loved the chipotle steak tacos (£11), loaded with pink steak and chimichurri, while the warm bread and dips (£8, or £11 with pulled chicken) worked perfectly alongside drinks.
Pizza-wise, you really can’t go wrong. The classic sharing Margherita (£17) is always a safe bet, while the Three Piggies pizza (£19), loaded with pulled pork, bacon and pork belly, is unapologetically indulgent.
And if you’re sharing sides, the truffle fries (£8) and skin-on fries (£5) are both solid additions to the table.
What we like most about the menu overall is that it feels genuinely social. It’s designed for groups, for sharing plates around the table, and for long afternoons that slowly turn into evenings.
If brunch is more your thing, Flight Club’s weekend brunch sessions are also back for summer. From £33 per person, guests get a bottle of Prosecco each, unlimited pizza for two hours, and an hour of Social Darts thrown in too. Not bad for a sunny Saturday in Cardiff.
There are also some strong seasonal cocktails landing this summer, including the Hot Peach, made with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, hot honey syrup and Peach Red Bull, and the floral Hibiscus Kiss with Engine Gin, elderflower and hibiscus tea.
A couple of decent-value food deals also stood out, including the Margs & Margs offer (£25), which pairs a Margherita pizza with two spicy Margaritas, plus the tacos lunch deal (£12), which includes tacos, fries and a drink.
And if you needed another excuse to book, Flight Club is currently celebrating its billionth dart thrown, with guests who book Social Darts in with a chance of winning a holiday to a global Flight Club destination and free darts for life.
You can find out more about the Cardiff terrace, menus and bookings on the Flight Club website.
