Join us as we dive into the first in a series of independent business profiles here on We Are Cardiff. First up is one of the most unique venues we have here in Cardiff (possibly Wales, and the world?). Porter’s has always supported grassroots talent, and provides a platform for artists to hone their talent. If that wasn’t enough, they’re also on a mission to keep the venue FREE for all who want to enjoy it. But they need your help! Chloe Jackson-Nott speaks to founder Dan Porter.
Where did the idea of Porter’s begin? Tell us your origin story
Dan. For 12 years I was a struggling actor and towards the end of my pathetic ‘Career’ I had a very well paid series of jobs. At that point I decided to quit while I was marginally ahead, and , whilst thinking about what else I loved, I came to the wild conclusion that the answer was ‘bars’, so thought opening a bar was a sensible idea. I’d never run a business or a bar so I just attempted to open the kind of place I would want to go to, one that was driven by events and the arts, and which supported artists (in the way that I had been supported).
Porter’s has free entry on most of the band nights. Why have you decided not to include an entry fee?
Dan. Simple. I wanted it to be a fun place for everyone and wanted to remove any financial barriers to entry. We estimate that we have happily spent over a million pounds on ‘free’ live music over the years and never charged a penny for people to enjoy it. It is frankly a terrible business model, but it is a philosophy we stand by and are proud of.
Porter’s needs the help of its veterans and local community more than ever right now. How can we help?
Dan. O. M. G. We really do. We are in dire financial difficulty. We never make a profit (see above) and everything we take on the bar goes into running Porter’s and making it what it is. We had to overstretch financially to complete the recent enforced relocation, and we REALLY need to claw back that overspend JUST to get us back on an even keel AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We have set up a Crowdfunder for this so that we can continue to do the things we’ve always done.
I’ve always said that I want Porter’s to be a place that people come through on their way to bigger and better things and I hope people recognise the value we think places that Porter’s have. Without places like us (and the other amazing independent Cardiff venues) I think the future is bleak for the arts and future generations of artists. Where else are they going to come through?
Help us and use us (and all the venues) before it’s too late.
If you had the opportunity to open a second Porter’s anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Dan. New York City or on a Greek Island.
Porter’s has a great range of craft beers. Do you have a favourite?
Dan. Thank you, I think we do. I think I’ve tried them all and as a consequence can’t remember any of them.
The first Thursday of every month is Jane’s Calamity night which is a musical theatre singalong. What is your favourite musical?
Dan. I can give you my top five: Fiddler on the Roof, Company, A Chorus Line, Hair, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I could probably give you my top 10 but won’t.
HOW CAN YOU HELP PORTER’S? Here’s a message from Dan:
Follow Porter’s on all the usual social channels and share their messages asking for donations. If everyone that follows We Are Cardiff can donate just £5, that smashes their goal. Please consider helping this fine Cardiff institution stay open!
Also, are you out for drinks in Cardiff? Or going out for a gig? GO VISIT PORTER’S and enjoy yourself a night there! Porter’s has moved into its second home relatively recently, and so some of you might not know where it is. It’s on BARRACK LANE, which is the little alley that runs between the old Debenhams through to Cineworld.
UPDATED 31st AUGUST! While one half of We Are Cardiff is a proud Cardiff Bay-er, the other half lives in Canton. As Cardiff is so small, we always take it for granted that everyone knows all the nice places to eat and drink. But we met someone the other day who didn’t know Canton beyond Chapter, so we thought we’d do a little round of our favourite spots in Canton (and slightly beyond) that you may not know about.
We’re assuming here that everyone knows the well-established big hitters of Chapter, Bangkok Cafe, Calabrisella, Ichiban, Got Beef, Kimchi, Chai Street, Time and Beef and The Lansdowne. Have we missed any off this list?
This place has quickly become our new local since it opened in April. Run by the lovely James, he keeps us busy between free beer Fridays, delicious local ale, food popups from the likes of Pettigrew Bakery, Bearded Tacos and Great Eggspectations, pianos, games, dogs, babies, artwork and general warm, friendly lovely amazingness. We have SO MUCH love for this tiny micropub! (photos from @stcannas/@sarahchew1/ @pettigrewbakes)
Hidden away beside a mobile phone shop opposite Peacocks, we stumbled upon this place after moving to Canton. For £25 a month (no contract), you get access to a super friendly gym (run by the wonderful Mered), with a great selection of weights and cardio equipment and a fantastic selection of classes (no extra cost). From fitness pilates to to circuits, they also run socials and competitions. AND Mered let me rig my trapeze in the studio! What a hero.
It’s easy to miss Vivo Latino at the city end of Cowbridge Road, but it’s a great spot for big groups or a quick cocktail. When it first opened, we decided that their nachos are THE BEST in Cardiff. The staff are super lovely, the decor is cool and the drinks are great.
This place is a three-in-one: brewery, bottle shop and bar! The CD boyz make their own beer in Canton (I’m reliable informed it’s cracking stuff, especially the Mikey Rayer) the bar has a great atmosphere and they now have a big screen and Sky Sports out the back for SPORTZ. (photo from @craftdevilbrew)
Again, another hidden gem! If you wander through the Printhaus gate on Llandaff Road of an evening, you’ll find this oasis of tasty food and booze. Since they moved here about a year ago, it’s hard to get a table in the semi-outdoor restuarant. The pizzas are spectacular, with adventurous combinations and perfect dough. The environment is so special, and the staff are banging too.
Speaking of Printhaus, we couldn’t miss those guys off our list. Printhaus is an independent creative community based in Cardiff, offering artists’ studios, screenprinting workshops and event space. We’ve all taken workshops here, from bookbinding to screenprinting, and their frequent artists’ markets are ideal for presents, interior decor and art. Super friendly classes are a great way to try out different skills for a day, You can see their upcoming courses here. (photo from @ThePrinthaus)
The Bone Yard is a collection of fitted-out shipping containers in an old scaffolders yard at the back of the Printhaus. These colourful little boxes are home to myriad of creative, wonderful people and businesses including: Therapy at the Bone Yard, Free Range Frames, Twin Made, England Designs, Ffwrnes Pizza, Yurt in the City and Magpie Gallery among MANY more. So if you’re looking for a therapist, handmade books, galleries, craft classes, pizza, frames or regular markets and events – GO FIND IT!
Manglas Spice of Life, 587 Cowbridge Road East, @manglasspice
EVERYONE!Check out Mangla's Spice of Life, the new vegi Indian restaurant in Victoria Park. Amazing food, hilarious host. £5 taster on Sat! pic.twitter.com/jlQHFuH7IJ
We were lucky enough to check Mangla’s out in the first week of trading, and since then she has brought a burst of spice and happiness to the top of Cowbridge Road (opposite Victoria Park). Her exceptional skills as a cook are matched by her hosting and effervescent personality. It’s an Indian vegetarian restuarant, but also has great reviews on the vegan site HappyCow.net. Read Mangla’s story on WalesOnline!
We literally only tried this place out yesterday, after hearing our buddies RAVE about it. It DID NOT disappoint! It’s just a few doors up from Mangla’s, and sports a fresh and modern interior that overlooks Vicky Park. Bedecked with houseplants and trendy lighting, the open kitchen churns out incredible pizzas with unusual toppings like cashew cream with spinach, and tasty-ass starters like dough sticks with a tomato dip and HUGE green, lemon infused olives. Smashing staff, great Poretti beer on tap and kid-friendly. They are planning to expand the menu to include meatballs, and are starting Prosecco Sundays…. I don’t know that it involves, but I’m in.
— Pettigrew Bakeries Cardiff (@PettigrewBakes) June 17, 2017
YOU LIKE BREAD AND CAKES AND MERINGUES THE SIZE OF A CHILD’S SKULL? Yep, us too. The Pettigrew tea gang have built a baked empire of tastiness and long may it spread! Their innovative pop-ups (like pinxtos at St Cannas) are a fantastic way to sample their goods if you’re too lazy to walk up Cowbridge Road.
Falafel Wales, 122 Cowbridge Road East @falafelwales
We are always surprised how many people don’t know about this beautiful park that sits quietly between Canton, Victoria Park and Pontcanna. The beautifully kept lawns, gardens and trees are set across a gentle hill, and the field at the top has a great view across the city.
And so, to end, a classic. If your heels break 5 minutes before leaving for a party- they’re there. If you need a new key cut after an scuffle with a metal-eating wolf- they’re there. If you’ve realised that you don’t have anything but Converse to get married in- they’re there. Cheap, reliable, excellent quality, AND they have a great logo.
ADDITIONS – 31st August
We had lots of suggestions for additions to this list, so here goes:
The Bee & Honey, 63 Clive Road http://www.thebeeandhoney.co.uk/ @thebeeandhoney
This place only recently opened and we haven’t had the chance to visit yet. But, judging by the people who recommended it, we should head over soon! It’s a deli and cafe, and sells a wide range of goodies from freshly baked artisan breads and marinated olives to Welsh cheeses and homemade jams and pickles. The cafe menu looks fab too, we can’t wait to check it out!
Canton Grows Wild community garden, Lansdowne Road @cantongrowswild
— Canton & Riverside (@cantongrowswild) July 16, 2017
Since its establishment up a few years ago (we covered it here), this beautiful little patch of life has matured into something fabulous. They throw garden parties and gives Canton and Riverside residents a chance to get their hands dirty by volunteering.
Park View Cafe, 571 Cowbridge Rd http://parkviewcafe.org.uk/ @parkviewcafe
Another recommendation from a lovely reader: Park View Cafe is just opposite Victoria Park, run by “lovely people and good food and very affordable prices” in the words of Aivi! We were sold already, but the cafe is also a social enterprise- it supports trainees with learning disabilities, who may struggle to find regular employment, to give them the confidence and skills to find work.
Sally Williams left us a comment about the print workshop (unfortunately we couldn’t find a working website or Twitter account). She said “Cardiff print Workshop has a gallery and small workshop [..] It’s open every Saturday from 10.00 to 3.00. They sell original prints, handmade books, cards etc. All of the work is made by members and are original prints that have been either etched, embossed, litho or relief printed. The work is really high quality and they do classes! Watch for the latest dates and times pinned up on the front window.”
I’ve never been in there even though I live on the next street – one to put on the list!
How could we miss this out?! Beautiful crepes and waffles, in a stunning location. Amazing service too! We’ve been reliably informed that the milkshakes are banging.
We Are Cardiff 