the all-request music bar that's replacing Dirty Martini in the heart of Cardiff's party scene

Wales Online

a day ago

Here in Cardiff, we are totally spoilt for great ways to spend a night out. From great activity bars like Golf Fang and Flight Club, to traditional pubs like The Cottage and places to bust your dance moves like Bonnie Rouge and Barbara's Bier Bar.
And now, there is a new bar on the scene. The Piano Works opens on St Mary Street on Friday, May 30. The venue will have crowd-led setlists and high-energy performances from a live band and duelling pianos. Piano Works will offer "something different" to Cardiff's nightlife with a mix of live music, audience-requested songs, and a late-night DJ.
The venue will focus on creating an interactive, high-energy atmosphere that keeps the music going into the early hours. It also serves food and has a special Sunday 'roasts and rhythm' menu where you can dine on roast beef and bloody Marys while two duelling pianos duke it out on the main stage.
Owned by the Nightcap Group, who also own Blame Gloria, The Cocktail Club, and Tonight Josephine, The Piano Works takes over the former location of Dirty Martini, which is also owned by the Nightcap Group.
The Nightcap group is run by former Dragons' Den dragon, Sarah Willingham. She was on the show from 2015 to 2016.
Speaking about opening The Piano Works in Cardiff, Sarah said: "We love Cardiff... we've really invested in it, it is beautifully done.
"That street in Cardiff is just a great street and the people of Wales love to go out they love a good sing song and we feel really confident that this is bringing a concept that the Welsh are going to love... we know the Welsh love a sing-song, love a good drink and love some great food and we are bringing all three in one venue."
Bringing a fresh twist to the city's music scene, The Piano Works promises a non-stop, singalong experience where the audience decides the playlist.
Every night, guests can scribble down their favourite songs and hand them over to the live band.
There will be no setlists, just back-to-back audience requests played by a talented roster of musicians and vocalists.
Once the live music wraps up, late-night DJs will take over to keep the energy high into the early hours.
Inside the dark bar there is plenty space to sit, with tables with benches, an illuminated stage, a photobooth and a very well stacked bar that runs the length of the wall.
Pride of the venue is the elaborate stage which has two pianos, a drumkit and other instruments.
You will also be joined by Welsh icons Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey who are illuminated and lit up on the walls.
There are other Welsh nods with neon signs that read The Cwtch and 'oh, what's occurring?'
In another part of the venue, near the windows, it is lighter and there is another bar with comfy high stool seating available.
Outside follows a red theme, with font and text used like old style Hollywood and geometric patterns, and there is some seating right on St Mary street, so you never miss out on the hustle and bustle.
The Piano Works is open now at