Lab 22
Lab 22 brings 2026 Wales bar recognition to 22 Caroline St, with craft cocktails and private rooms for a planned sit-down.
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- Address
- 22 Caroline St, Cardiff CF10 1FG
- Phone
- +44 29 2039 9997
- Website
- lab22cardiff.com
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CLASS Bar Awards Wales recognition in 2026
CLASS Bar Awards named Lab 22 Best Bar in Wales for 2026, while Pinnacle Guide gave it 1 Pin the same year. Top 50 Cocktail Bars placed it at No. 24 in the UK for 2026.
Plum and Sand, booths and private rooms
Plum and Sand, Smoke 'n' Cheese and Tortelobos anchor the cocktail list, alongside classic cocktails, whiskey, rum and gin. Lounge seating, booth seating and private rooms suit a planned sit-down; conversational noise supports a conversation-led booking.
How It Stacks Up
Comparable venues nearby, for context on price, style, and recognition.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lab 22 | cocktail_bar | $$$ | Caroline Street | |
| Barkers Tavern | pub | $$$ | , | City Centre |
| Heathcock | pub | $$ | Llandaff | |
| Hiræth | Modern Welsh-Japanese Fusion | $$$ | Michelin Plate | Canton |
| Asador 44 | Modern Spanish Grill | $$$ | Michelin Plate | City Centre |
| Milkwood | Modern Welsh Bistro with Global Influences | $$ | , | Pontcanna |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
CLASS Bar Awards Best Bar in Wales
CLASS Bar Awards · CLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Best Bar in Wales
Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
Pinnacle Guide
Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK #24 · No. 24
Top 50 Cocktail Bars · Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026
Top 500 Bars Best Bars #306
Top 500 Bars
At a Glance
- Intimate
- Sophisticated
- Elegant
- Low Profile Address
- Date Night
- After Work
- Celebration
- Special Occasion
- Group Outing
- Speakeasy
- Live Music
- Design Destination
- Standalone
- Seated Bar
- Lounge Seating
- Booth Seating
- Private Rooms
- Craft Cocktails
- Classic Cocktails
- Whiskey
- Rum
- Gin
Dark, intimate space with gold and red accents, soft lighting over tables, minimalist black-and-white palette with gold details, candlelit during jazz nights, creating a speakeasy-style atmosphere without feeling dingy.