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The Eli Jenkins

Lively Cardiff Bay pub in a historic building, with beer garden views, live sports, cask ales, craft beers, and hearty grub—perfect for sports fans and casual nights out.

4.2

The Eli Jenkins is a lively pub in Cardiff Bay, housed in one of the area's few original buildings. Overlooking the Roald Dahl Plass and Millennium Centre, it offers a spacious beer garden with tropical plants and heated seating, budget-friendly drinks, hearty pub food like pizzas, wings, gammon, and cod, plus live sports on HD screens indoors and out. Named after a fictional reverend from Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood, it captures a quintessential Welsh pub vibe with cask ales, craft draughts, and a welcoming atmosphere for casual gatherings.

A brief summary to The Eli Jenkins

  • Bay, 7-8 Bute Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 5AN, GB
  • +442920486195
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 12 pm-10:30 pm
  • Tuesday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Wednesday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Friday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Saturday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-10:30 pm

Local tips

  • Opt for the beer garden on sunny days for bay views; heaters make it viable in cooler weather.
  • Catch live rugby or football on HD screens—check the schedule for big matches.
  • Try cask ales alongside craft options for a taste of local Welsh brewing.
  • Book ahead for groups during events near the Millennium Centre.
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The Eli Jenkins location weather suitability

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Discover more about The Eli Jenkins

Historic Anchor in Cardiff Bay

Nestled on Bute Crescent in Cardiff Bay, The Eli Jenkins occupies one of the few surviving original buildings from the area's dramatic redevelopment. This transformation turned a once-industrial dockland into a vibrant waterfront hub, preserving pockets of authentic architecture amid modern landmarks like the Wales Millennium Centre. The pub's exterior evokes the maritime heritage of Cardiff's shipping heyday, when coal barons and sailors populated the docks.

Inspiration from Dylan Thomas

The name pays homage to Reverend Eli Jenkins, a character from Dylan Thomas's iconic radio drama Under Milk Wood. This Swansea-born poet's work celebrates Welsh village life with poetic whimsy, and the pub embodies that spirit through its warm, storytelling ambiance. Walls adorned with eclectic decor blend nautical nods and literary touches, inviting patrons to linger over pints much like the play's dreamlike inhabitants.

Outdoor Oasis Year-Round

Step into the expansive beer garden, decked with lush tropical plants that thrive even in Wales's temperate climate. In summer, it buzzes under open skies; come winter, heaters transform it into a cozy retreat. Overlooking the shimmering waters of Roald Dahl Plass, the space offers panoramic views of the bay's illuminated landmarks after dark, blending natural beauty with urban energy.

Sports and Social Heartbeat

Sports fans flock here for live broadcasts on numerous HD screens, covering rugby, football, Grand Prix, and more. Whether cheering Wales in the Six Nations or watching international showdowns, the pub pulses with communal excitement. A pool table adds to the games, fostering friendly rivalries alongside casual chats at high-top tables or the bar.

Drinks and Bites for Every Taste

The bar boasts well-kept cask ales for traditionalists and an exciting range of craft draughts for adventurers. Cocktails come in deals like two-for-£10, paired with snacks such as Cajun cheese-and-bacon fries or jerk chicken burritos with mint rice and chipotle jam. Hearty mains—pizzas, wings, gammon, cod—deliver pub classics at accessible prices, fueling long evenings.

Daily Rhythm and Gatherings

Opening from noon most days (earlier on Saturdays), it caters to after-work crowds, weekend brunches, and evening revelry until late. The mix of indoor nooks and outdoor sprawl suits solo pint-pullers, mate-filled meetups, or pre-theatre stops near the Millennium Centre. Background music sets a relaxed tone, occasionally swelling with match-day cheers.

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