The Café Bar
The Space...
A comfortable, welcoming venue exclusive to enrolled postgraduates and staff across Cardiff University (and their guests). Relax in a friendly, informal environment, meet friends and colleagues for lunch, grab a coffee or unwind with some after-work drinks.
The Cafe Bar is a modern space with plenty of comfy seating and dining for up to 130 people (in addition to an outdoor balcony with further seating), and offers a great place to get away from the chaos of undergraduate life. The space can also be hired free of charge for functions such as postgraduate conferences and seminars, meet & greet events and academic school parties.
The Cardiff University wireless network is available throughout the venue and plenty of electrical points are installed to enable you to plug in a laptop and study in a laid back, informal environment.
The Cafe Bar is open for as long as the Graduate Centre is open, Monday - Friday: 8.00 until 12 midnight; and Saturday and Sunday: 12 noon until 12 midnight.(see below for food & drink service opening times).
Food & drink...
The food and bar servery within the Café Bar is operated by the Students' Union. A great range of freshly-made products is offered, as follows:
- Baguettes and sandwiches
- Soup with fresh bread
- Cakes & snacks
- Hot drinks including tea, coffees and hot chocolate
- Bar drinks - alcohol and soft drinks
Menu selections change on a daily basis, however a good selection is provided including a vegetarian option.
The food and bar service is available Monday to Friday: 11.00 – 2.00 pm and again from 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm. In the autumn term, the Bar is also open on Saturday evenings, 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm.
Additional opening hours can be arranged for organised events with prior agreement from the Students’ Union (a minimum notice period of 14 calendar days is required).
Entertainment...
The Cafe Bar features two projectors and screens with access to Freeview television channels and Sky Sports. Display of specific TV channels can be requested at our Reception where our helpful staff will be happy to facilitate your request.
A Nintendo Wii is linked to our larger projector, and Centre users are welcome to play for free with a choice of great games including Wii Sports and Mariokart - an ideal way to de-stress and take a break from study! Again, just ask at our Reception to hire equipment - please note that an ID card is required per player.
A DVD player is connected to our AV system. We show the latest DVD releases every Saturday, however, if you would like to contribute suggestions or host your own film event, please contact the Graduate Centre.
During the evenings, the Café Bar plays host to a variety of social events throughout the year for postgraduates and their guests. Regular weekly events include - Quiz Night (Wednesdays) and Film Night (Saturdays and Sundays). Additional events take place throughout the year and are advertised on our Events webpage. Please visit for full details: Events
Out-of-hours food & drink...
In addition to the Café Bar, there are snack machines and hot and cold drink vending machines in the foyer of the Centre which can be accessed through the Centre's opening hours. These are operated by the Students' Union. Refunds, if required, can be obtained from a member of staff at our Reception.
A microwave is also provided in the foyer, which can be used to heat food suitable for microwaves. Users must bring their own cutlery and only microwave-safe crockery or packaging may be inserted into the microwave (e.g. no silver foil).
Balcony...
There is a balcony which runs along one side of the Graduate Centre, which you are welcome to use when the weather allows! However, please do not take Centre furniture out onto the balcony from the lounge or the meeting rooms. Children are never permitted on the balcony. Smoking is permitted only at the south end of the balcony. Cigarettes must be extinguished in the large containers provided in this smoking area.