The Packet

The Packet is located in the former Cardiff Docklands area know known as the entity that is morphed into Cardiff Bay. It is just off of Bute Street. It looks lost in amongst the modern gastro pubs and fine dining eateries. A throwback to a time long past in a modern landscaped environment.
Indeed the pub at first glance has that essence of a Dockers pub and a throwback to a more prosperous Victorian age. The pub itself I over 150 years old (1864) and at first glance the stained glass windows give some hint as to its age. It may well be the oldest pub in Cardiff in fact with the demise of the Vulcan in Adamstown (soon to be resurrected in St. Fagan’s) and a little older than the Golden Cross in Cardiff City Centre.
Further indicators are the high Victorian bar and the ornate wood carved shelving structure for the bottles of spirits. The little bar tables with their wrought iron tripod legs plus the old nautilica & docklands memorabilia.
The pub is owned by Brains Brewery and carries their full range of products like nicknamed Skull Attack (SA) ands the Brains Black & Smooth etc. I happened to call in on a wet Wednesday afternoon (before attending a local hotel for a conference the following day) and the place was dull for a back street boozer especially as it was midweek too. Loved the atmosphere especially as the jukebox was playing hits from the 1960s and 1970s.
This place it well worth a visit if you wander down to Mermaid Quay on Cardiff Bay and fancying calling in a good old fashioned charming drinking pub.

Went for a beer in The Packet near Cardiff Bay. Maybe it was the traditional British pub atmosphere or the fact that they have shot scenes of Sherlock tv-​series there or just the fact that they had a large variety of Brains (beer) there — in any case I loved it!

Nothing outstanding, BUT we didn’t eat here. Only had a pint, & you can tell it was a very local friendly place. BF didn’t really like it at all, but he’s way fussier about things than I am.

Another great local, the Packet is a thriving proper pub in the heart of Bute Town and Cardiff Bay. Originally built as a hotel for sailors the pub gets its name from all the packet steamers that used to be a familiar sight in the docks. With a central bar, stained glass windows and a cosy beer garden this is a great place to head for a pint after catching a performance at the Wales Millennium Centre, attracting locals, office workers and tourists alike.
A good community centre, the pub entertainment includes live music and regular quiz nights. Bar snacks and meals are also available. Traditional British fare including fish and chips is on offer, but you’d be better off opting for the Italian dishes, they are great. Food is served daily from noon until 5pm, with roast dinners being served from noon until 4pm on Sundays. They usually have cheaper fill-​up snacks including toasted sandwiches too.

Ham egg and chips type food and reasonably priced beer.

Well i have to agree it looks quite like like a man pub from outside thats seen better days, but its actually a really friendly pub that usually has something going on. They do live bands and a pub quiz and a really nice Sunday Roast too.
As one of the other reviewers said its got a good mix of people and the atmosphere is really relaxed. Probably not the place for a mad night out but for a quite pint its pretty good.

Built in 1864 The Packet hotel was originally a hotel for Sailors. Now for the likes of yourself to drink your woes away.
The mix of Italian/​British menu gives a wide range of food that isn’t seen in many pubs, all at a very reasonable price.
The pub itself is spacious and is awash with traditionalism, mahogany dominating the décor in here which looks great.
There’s quite a mix of people here too, ranging from after office hours workers, locals and tourists, especially during the summer months.
Otherwise it’s very much what you’d expect from a pub and doesn’t offer anything out of the blue but does what is does well.

The packets is your regular ol’ mans ‘brains beer’ pub in Bute street. Not quite the same ‘local pub for local people’ vibe you find with something like the white hart, rather more of a community spirit. There’s a nice little outdoor area for sitting about gossiping and smoking in so that gets a big fat thumbs up from me. Beer selection is decent though a little limited, you won’t find your posh Duval’s and Budvar’s here, rather more Carling and Carlsberg and a bag of McCoys thank you very much.
It’s a pub though, what more do you want?

Around six years ago, my drink was spiked in this pub and I haven’t ever been back.
This pub seems to be filled with a mix of local characters versus shady characters and though I have walked past on many occasions and been tempted to go in because the atmosphere looked good, I can’t bring myself to do it because being spiked was TOO SCARY.
It’s a shame as this is one of the bay’s few remaining original pubs and is in a brilliant location. I hope someone can tell me that things have changed so that I can give it a go again!

I have eaten here in the Bay. It was nice. I came here with my friend Elfyn and a friend from Munich on another occasion. We had a great time!
Sometimes it is nice to leave the city centre of Cardiff and choose a different occasion.
Good drinks available.