Oceana

Dont even bother… stay away from dance clubs like this I say. What’s the point you can’t even hear each other talk unless you purely want to dance your head off; you just stand there looking at each other nodding and smiling now and again… whilst you get pissed on rubbish booze. Then drunk people try and talk to you, and because it’s so loud and because their so drunk their dribbling and spitting in your ear hole! What on earth is the point of these places apart from to pull members of the opposite sex, in a sordid and sweaty manner on the dance floor? With stupid townie guys in proper Burton and top man shirts, that are all sweaty and their shirts all glowing in the UV lights stare at you or your girlfriend, then try and start a fight because your girl is sexy and they fancy her. Now give me a proper pub, with good music on at a tolerable level… and some good conversation and a comfy bench seat, and your talking! That’s much more like it… come on people grow up, and socialise!

Oceana is one of my favourite nightclubs in Cardiff for a number of reasons. Number one is the music, if you enjoy a good boogie Oceana has a range of rooms that play a wide range of music; find yourself in the room with lights on? Thats the disco style room, you will enjoy a number of old school classics and by the end of the night will be no doubt sitting on the floor and swaying to ‘Oops upside your head’. Then theres the ‘Ice room’, the biggest dancefloor in Oceana and great for recent chart tunes that will get you moving (in my case, badly). If dancing isn’t your thing then the number two reason to get yourself down to Oceana is the amount of bars; gone are the days of waiting around twiddling you thumbs waiting to be served, if one bar is full there are numerous others to choose from and waiting time is five minutes maximum. The final reason Oceana is near the top of my list is the people; whenever i’ve been there and have bumped into someone accidentaly (tipsy/​clumsy!) I have recieved not a glare but a smile and «sorry pal», with an envirnment like Oceana, it’s hard not to have fun.

My laptop has just let out a weird piercing feedback sound. I don’t know if it’s because I just typed that awful word, ‘Oceana’ into the searchbar. Actually, I can’t think of a better techsplanation and this is certainly similar to the sound I make when friends suggest we head here, so I’ll hold that as the truth.
The first thing that upsets me about this bar is that you’re treated like an absolute hooligan from the moment you set foot in the place. Want to linger for a moment in the hall while you wait for your friends to get past the bouncers? Too bad! This is breaking S.1.(1) of the Unofficial Unspoken Oceana Act 2010.
So, unable to make a decision by yourself, you will be ferried into their Art Deco ‘style’ room where you can relish in an atmosphere of 1920s budget hotel. Here, you can sidle up to a bar and order a mojito (albeit of the bottled variety) before slouching towards a tacky leather chair and listening to the delightful melodies of a … DRUNKEN KAREOKE SESSION BLASTED OUT FROM THE NEXT ROOM??!
Oceana, quite frankly, is an insult to all the senses and the place where good nights go to die. No matter how many times friends testify that ‘at least the disco room is alright’, this place is completely and utterly dire.
URBAN CHALLENGE: On your way in, try to find a taxi driver who respects your decision to go here

Ok Oceana, I do dislike you most of the time, but there is something about you that I do like. This Oceana branch in Cardiff is a rather large venue, there are many rooms including your disco, Ice and Parisian boudoir rooms. The disco room is ideal if you want to get your groove on to some fine tunes throughout the decades, whilst the Ice room is ideal if you like your music more modern and slightly rock.
You can get your chill on in the Parisian boudoir or the room on the ground floor, of which I forget the name of but it has lots of comfy seats with kind of Hawaiian décor. Sometimes they open up the part of Oceana that is the Mordaith Grill where during daytime hours they serve food. They can put on karaōke in this part of Oceana, which is always a riot to watch your friends warble along, drink in hand, thinking they’re the next winner of X factor.
This is a vast club and a lot of people like it, it’s a bit hit or miss sometimes as the whether it will be busy, but always worth a shot. Drinks are moderately priced and they do some special deals every now and again. I think there is something for everyone here and you should at least try it once.

Now, before I start let me make it clear I am not a ‘clubber’ I in fact, love a bar, a chat and a lot to drink.
Going to Oceania to me is a chore. Its overpriced, overcrowded and one really confusing place.
By the time you get to Oceania, which usually is late’ish, lets be honest your going to be pretty tipsy at the least. This place is a maze, every time I’ve come out of there despite trying my best to remain in the same drunken stupor I entered, the vast amount of rooms and corridors guarantee a sober exit. Cunning plan me thinks.
You amble from room to room, up some steps, down some steps having an over priced drink at each little stop and then still having no idea where the toilets or your friends are.
The one really good thing about Oceania, is its location. Greyfriars Road has loads of bars and student haunts guaranteeing you at least a few reasonably priced beers before you get stung in this so-​called ‘Super club!’ Ha!
Because it’s sort of on a main road to you can easily get a taxi outside or get your minibus to pick you up right after you stumble out scratching your head wondering how long you were actually in the place for?
WEAR COMFY SHOES!

Despite being widely regarded as the king of Cardiff’s nightlife, I have gone off Oceana in recent months. After the huge anticipation the club built up surrounding its opening and the novelty of a brand new super club in the city, the club has become a bit samey and stale.
With a £5-£7 price tag (depending on what night you go) before you even step through the door, you are already down by a drink or two before you start. And with typical Cardiff club prices greeting you at the bar, you are often in for an expensive night.
While Oceana can be a great night out that offers many diverse rooms for your clubbing pleasure (including a disco, karaōke and boudoir room), like anything, the novelty can begin to wear off if you attend on a regular basis.
But for sheer popularity, Oceana stands tall as one of the most prominent clubs in the city. It regularly fills up on a Friday or Saturday night, with a host of DJ’s gracing the stage, and is the club of choice for many on a bank holiday weekend.
With Tiger Tiger just a short walk down the street, Oceana has some stiff competition right on its doorstep. But with its regular weekend and student nights consistently bringing in hundreds of customers, it can’t be argued that Oceana is still one of the most successful clubs in Cardiff.

Hmmm it has to be said that Oceana is not my cup of tea!
The thought of being packed into a noisy room shoulder ot shoulder with other sweaty drunk revellers is not something that makes me tick!
I am a bit of a snob at heart, so I wouldn’t go anywhere that makes me queue up outside for ages before they let me enter… And that is exactly what Oceana does to people with their one in one out policy! Also the sort of people in the queue are enough to remind me why I am a bit of a snob… if you get my drift!
Having said that, this club will suit some hard core party animals out there! I have been told it plays great music and offers reasonably priced drinks.
The only other negative is that there is an entrance fee which many of my mates begrudge paying!

If you like dancing the night away then this is a place for you.
I say this is «a» place because even if you do enjoy dancing this may not be enjoyable. Let me expand — along with you there will also be a floor full of other people who range from drunkards, to letches, to poseurs to boys and girls who think they are Beyonce or Justin Timberlake and tend to take up more room on the dance floor than the floorboards themselves.
Add to this the fact that you have to pay £5 — £10 to get in, the cheapest drink is unlikely to be less than £3 and you have to say excuse me to get from one place to another and it may explain why it may not be an ideal place for you.
I have been to Oceana about 5 times and everytime I thought it would be a good laugh and regretted it everytime BUT I am not a night club person so this review maybe a little bias. It’s a bit like asking Prince Charles to review poundland. But hey as far as flashing lights and loud music is concerned it spot on!

Oceana is either loved or hated. It is enormous, and I have enough problems getting lost on a night out without going somewhere purposely designed to get lost in. With three rooms, your friends could be anywhere, and it’s usually pretty packed too which makes it even harder. I can never find the toilets, and then I can never find my way back from the toilets, and that’s without trying to find the smoking area to locate mislaid friends, and then you have to find the exit when it’s time to go home. It’s not that bad, of course, but there have been occasions where this place has really frustrated me with all its endless rooms and doors and stairs.
Of the three rooms, the Disco Room is the one thing that, for me, makes this place worth going to. Lots of cheesy music that everyone knows the words and the dance moves to, and a light-​up floor. Quite possibly the best place to go for a good dance and sing-​a-​long with the girls, if you like that kind of thing. Which I do.

I’m not a fan of vast clubs, so Oceana is just not my kind of place, but it’s clearly popular with lots of other people because it’s always rammed at weekends, with huge queues despite the entry fees.
Inside, there are lots of different rooms each playing different types of music, from chart toppers to disco and chill-​out areas. It’s a bit of a meat market, though, full of groups of lads and groups of scantily-​clad girls all seemingly out on the pull. If you’re not drunk, you’ll probably feel out of place.
The dancefloors are usually fairly full, so if you want to show off your moves you might find the crowds cramp your style a bit (but better than being the only one on the dancefloor, surely?). Expect a long wait at the bar for expensive drinks, too, which is always a drag.

Oceana is what it is. Its the biggest club in Cardiff complete with lots of different rooms to suit different music tastes. On Saturdays its always packed full and your guaranteed to get someone pinching your bum.
It cost about 7 quid to get in so go early when its cheaper. The bar is expensive and the the queues are long. Music is variable. I tend to go for the cheesy disco room even thought its totally packed.
I like the chill out type rooms where I can rest my feet if I’m going to be dancing till 5am.
Staff are generally rude.

Another club I need to have quite a few drinks before I’d even think of entering it. However, I hastily need to admit that I do think this is one of the better dance clubs in Cardiff. I just need some dutch encouragement as you either dance and have a great time or don’t and don’t.
You should already know of the various rooms that occupy the clubs space. My fave is the disco room for a bit of cheese on the 70’s styled room. Another one that adhere’s more to the old man in me is the chillout room. Dark red and quiet, it’s a great place to have a breather and talk to friends etc.
Drinks are expensive here. A bottle of becks and a WKD will cost you £7 plus. Drink elsewhere before hand it is then.
You will also wait a very long time for said drinks. I think my lovely though I died the two times I went to the bar. In fact after about 20 mins of waiting the bar tender had to tap me on the shoulder as I almost fell asleep and didn’t realise he was speaking to me (I wasn’t drunk I swear). It spoilt the night a little as I’d really should’ve just quit trying and danced with my matey chums.
I probably won’t be visiting Oceania for a while but have to admit, it is good for a blowout now and again.

I swing between loving and hating Oceana. I find that I can’t go regularly because it just makes me want to pull my ears off. But if I’ve had a little break from it and want to get back into the most mainstream of all clubs, then I have a good time.
I’m going to be honest with you, a sober night at Oceana doesn’t really work, particularly if you like to be in the ice room (RnB, club). The disco room (pretty obviously, disco music, though they do crack out quite a lot of 90s tunes — everybody: da da da da da da da da da da da heeeeey macarena!) is easier to cope with just because it’s generally full of people who are less interested in… getting to know you, shall we say.
When I went last night (if you’ve read the other two reviews before this, I hope you’re impressed that I miade it to a 9am doctor appointment after this!) it was for a friend’s birthday, so there were absolutely loads of us. This is when Oceana is at it’s best. You won’t generally be harrassed if you’re in a big group (though small groups should beware wandering hands).
If you get yourself into a state it can be confusing to find people you came with — there are multiple themed rooms and there are a few little sneaky passage ways. You will get yourself lost, for sure.

I think oceana is horrible — has a bad atmosphere and it is expensive to get in and expensive to buy drinks. Last time i was there it cost £10 for 2 drinks. The multi-​coloured lighted dancefloor was the reason we went and it was a big dissapointment i thought it would be huge as they advertise it as europes biggest — in fact it was very small and not a lot of room to dance on it! The type of people that go here are either students or people with not much music taste. It’s a shame i hoped when it opened that it would be as good as zeus which used to be there many years ago.

A very busy bar which is a favourite for students for miles around. There are regularly offers on certain drinks making it quite a cheap night out sometimes.
I have been three times and there have been fights on two of these occasions. Music is very good with a mixture of the usual dance music youd hear anywhere and remixed songs in the top 40. Oceana is a huge place divided into many different themes so has something for everyone.

Lively bar frequented mostly by young students. Does rather scream meat-​market, but if you can get past this it is possible to have a good night if there are enough of you!
The drinks offers make it competitive and you’ll hear the usual dance and chart remixes played.
Be aware there are a fair few attendees who cannot hold their drink and will either try and fight or vomit over some innocent passer by, as you’ve guessed, a far from classy club but it’ll do if you’re desperate!

If your expecting this club to be a lot like creation then you’d be wrong. It’s clean, virtually free of trouble (well, i haven’t seen any yet) and certain nights are quite cheap (They have £2 drink offers on a Friday) Well worth a visit. I was very suprised how much i enjoyed myself the first time.

Oceana is a large venue with themed rooms icluding the Parisian Boudoir and the Disco Room which plays cheesy music. Staff are always helpful here. Groups can be put on the guest list to avoid large qeues!
Food here is quite nice and is reasonably priced.
Oceana is definately worth a look if your up this end of town.

Finally Cardiff has a good club! Situated where in infamous ‘Creation’ used to stand, Oceana has really set the pace on what clubs should be like.
There are a variety of themed rooms spread over three floors which play different music at different levels. They have everything from Disco to RnB to more chilled music.
Unlike ‘Creation’ ‘Oceana’ is kept very clean and when you walk in it feels like the club has only just opened as none of the interior looks worn, and considering it’s had nearly a year of students trampling it’s floors this is a great achivement.

By far the best club in Cardiff!
I have only been to this club once, and arriving late was not the best idea, having to queue for about an hour in the cold I wasn’t in the best of moods entering the club, but once inside everything changed. Inside it is massive and so easy to get lost! It has 7 different themed rooms each one with very unique qualities which I have never seen before in any other club. I only managed to spend time in 2 of the themed rooms which were the Parisian Boudoir and the Icehouse Reykjavik. The Parisian Boudoir was the prefect place to grab a booth and simply chill out for a few hours, unfortunately the room is only open 7pm to 11pm so only being able to spend half an hour I felt very deprived leaving this room, it was decorated all in red velvet and gold rims, entering this room you totally forgot you were even in Cardiff but entering the Moulin rouge. After leaving this room we hit up the icehouse Reykjavik room, this was a totally different atmosphere, forget the chilling out and relaxation, get on the dance floor and start moving! This is the place to be for dance and R’n’B, with a state of the art lighting rig and sound system its time to get it heated up! Open from 7pm to 2.30pm you wish you could stay longer, having only experienced 2 of the rooms in Oceana and already thinking that this is one of the best clubs in Cardiff I seriously can’t wait to explore some more of this exciting club! Only suggestion is, go there early or buy a fast track ticket so you can get the most out of your £5 entry fee.