Bar 105
Tucked away in the vibrant core of Cardiff's nightlife, Bar 105 has quietly become a cornerstone for the city's underground music scene. More than just a cocktail bar, it's a space for creativity, community, and love for music to collide. The small cocktail bar in the heart of Cathays has recently hosted significant names such as A for Alpha, Fonzo and Tywi, alongside some infamous Wales-based party starters such as Unhinged, Jinkies, Pashion and Breaks n Beyond. We sat down with its owner, Kimat, to talk about the venue's beginnings, the realities of running an independent space, and how Bar 105 has grown into a home for artists and music lovers alike.
What's your story, and what inspired you to start Bar 105?
We have been in Cathays for 13 years now. Over that time, we have run a Premier, barbers and Bar 105. Now, it's only Bar 105, which is purely for balancing work and pleasure; I like hospitality and working with the general public. Work is like a party!
Was it always your vision to put on live music events?
The events came later; we first opened as the only cocktail bar in Cathays, offering an alternative to the traditional pub scene. With the basement space available, we saw an opportunity to host events, and while it was always an idea in the back of our minds, things took off after Unhinged approached us in 2023, leading to a steady rise in the number of events we host.
How have the electronic music events impacted the venue, and do you enjoy hosting them?
We genuinely enjoy hosting them, and the feedback from attendees at the events has been very positive. I'm of an older generation, and electronic music is an acquired taste; it sometimes gets a bit loud for me, but as long as people enjoy themselves, I'm happy.
Have you faced any problems while running the venue, and are you planning any changes?
After the council put in the cycle lane, we were offset from the road, which means people don't notice us as much as before. Other than that, touch wood, we haven't had any other issues. When we host events in the basement, we do sound checks outside, and so far, we haven't had any noise complaints.
In terms of changes, we will keep it as is for the moment. We are enjoying the mix of both electronic and live music.
Bar 105 does not charge venue hire.
This dramatically helps smaller-scale promoters and artists put on events, resulting in more creative risks and experimentation with niche genres. It also gives emerging artists a platform to develop their craft, on which the team prides itself.
"If you want to do an event, just rock along!"
We spoke to Unhinged, an established South Wales collective that provided valuable insights into Bar 105's first underground electronic music night.
Open Deck Nights: A Platform for Emerging Talent
Unhinged began their relationship with Bar 105 in February 2024 by hosting open deck nights in the basement after Pirate Studios closed. Their goal was to create a space where old and new artists could share their skills and passions in an environment full of like-minded people and fresh local talent.
"The first event quickly showed us that the concept resonated with people. DJ slots filled up almost immediately, and since then, we've hosted three more Open Decks evenings, two in the basement and one all-day event with DJs performing both indoors and outdoors."
Creating a Welcoming, Free Event
"The idea for these events arose after a conversation with the venue owner, Kimat. We discussed our vision and how we wanted the events to be mutually beneficial for both the venue and us as a newer, smaller promoter."
The Unhinged Open Deck nights were free as they primarily catered to the friends of the DJs and a few like-minded individuals. "Word spread, and soon we saw attendees not only enjoying the music but also utilising the upstairs restaurant area to mingle and network in a more relaxed setting, offering a break from the intense atmosphere of a rave, with enough space to have conversations without it being too loud."
Kimat and the Bar 105 team are incredibly supportive, taking on both good and bad feedback. This, paired with the Unhinged team's knowledge as club-goers, DJs, and promoters in the scene, helped guide the process and ensured the concept's success.
Why These Events Matter
"Spaces like these are as important as ever. With the decline of nightlife across the UK and Europe, smaller artists often find it challenging to break through in a scene dominated by large-scale events with capacities of over 1,000 people. These smaller, intimate events are crucial for nurturing and discovering new talent."
"In Wales, especially, the scene is still behind compared to other large UK cities with limited access to smaller venues for this type of music. Without venues like Bar 105 and forward-thinking owners like Kimat, the scene in Cardiff would struggle to stay alive."
The Space & Community Effort
"The venue has a capacity of 75 people, giving it the perfect "rave" vibe with its underground basement featuring exposed brick walls and a gritty, authentic feel. It's not a modern, shiny nightclub with neon lights; this is exactly the vibe we wanted."
"It's important to highlight that all parties involved played an integral role in making these events happen. The venue has no technical or sound facilities, so as promoters, we took on the responsibility of organising everything ourselves. This included providing DJ equipment, lighting, smoke machines, and PA systems, covering all the technical needs out of our own pockets."
"We even purchased set dressings for our outdoor event to enhance the space's atmosphere. Kimat played a vital role by allowing us to stay late to rig everything the night before, demonstrating the true spirit of teamwork."
Looking Ahead: Support for the Venue's Growth
"As the venue's popularity continues to grow and it cements itself as a prominent spot in Cardiff's scene, it would be amazing to see it receive funding from the Arts Council. This support could help improve the venue even further, making it more accessible, particularly for wheelchair users, and potentially providing funding for equipment. Such improvements would ensure that the venue can continue to thrive and host even more diverse events for the community."
Unhinged also said, "It's also great to see that other smaller events have started to take place at this venue following our success. This collaboration is crucial for keeping the scene alive, and we need to continue supporting one another."
The continued interest from established collectives and the recurring success of newer ones exemplify the potential that bar105 has. Notably, Midnight Run did their first event in early February 2025. It was a night of pure selection, tight mixing, boundless BPM, and pushing a niche sound, which was well received by the audience and had the place busy until the lights turned on! Also, collectives such as Mash and Soundboy Records have gained traction, having multiple successful nights at Bar105, attracting consistent crowds, reinforcing the fact that Bar105 is becoming a great hub for electronic music and is the epitome of a grassroots venue.
Ultimately, Bar 105 is beginning to play a crucial role in Cardiff's underground music scene. Being positioned in the heart of Cardiff's student area and not charging a hire fee is a combination that provides vast opportunities for promoters to throw affordable, authentic nights that push new sounds and create a hotspot for like-minded people.
