Heidi’s Bier Bar is choosing the old SODA nightclub in Cardiff as its first UK location to join its 16 bars across northern Europe
Credit: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels
An Oktoberfest-inspired bar is choosing Cardiff as its first UK location as it plans to expand from its Scandinavian origins.
Heidi’s Bier Bar is set to open on Mill Lane, taking the place of what was most recently SODA and The Attic, after an application was approved by Cardiff Council. The bar will create an après ski atmosphere and staff will be wearing Tyrolean-style dresses. Doors will open in early 2022 to give locals another option for a pint in the city.
It’s about getting the right recipe of an honest product”
@thedoctorsdrop
Credit: Pixabay
At present, Heidi’s boasts fourteen bars across Denmark and Norway, and a further two in Finland, making Cardiff its first foray out of the Nordic region. Heidi’s website states, “The music is pumping with German, Scandinavian and international hits”, while visitors dance on tables and “brews flow from more than 10 different taps”.
It describes four-litre beer towers, après-ski drinks and Jägerbombs as being on offer as well as a range of craft beers. They say, “With 12 years of experience as Scandinavia’s best après-ski bar … we are not afraid to guarantee a fun night out!”
But will it be a hit with locals when it lands? Not everyone is convinced. “It’s about getting the right recipe of an honest product, served in an honest way, for honest reasons,” says local beer expert and Instagram user @thedoctorsdrop, “Is there an atmosphere that is quintessentially Oktoberfest? Or is it a Scandinavian idea of a generic, all-year Germanic festival, delivered by Welsh hands to create mish-mash product?”
He views the opening of the bar as a plus for those who might like to branch out to continental beers, but does question the authenticity of the concept.
There have been other recent changes on the street too, with Mill Lane also welcoming gin bar and kitchen Gin Ne Sais Quoi. It has expanded from its Swansea location this year to take over the area previously occupied by Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Carluccio’s.
