The Head of Steam Cardiff

You're walking into Church Street towards the city centre and spot the kind of pub that actually cares about what's in the glass. The Head of Steam has that rare thing: a drinks list that doesn't feel like showing off, staff who genuinely know their stuff, and a real mix of regulars and visitors actually chatting across the bar. It's got the warmth of a proper local without the stuffiness—think exposed brick, good lighting, and room to actually move about. Whether you're after a Welsh ale or something from a London craft brewery, they've thought about it.