Cardiff is a great city to socialise on a budget, hosting an abundance of bars and clubs that promote regular student nights and accept NUS cards. Your Student's Union will know the best places to go where your card will be valid. Also look out for lunchtime, weeknight and happy hour offers as well as 2 for 1 vouchers during the week at a variety of places. Whether you're in the city centre, Roath or Cathays, or the Bay you'll be sure to find somewhere your student loan will stretch to. See our pick of the best.

City centre:

For city centre fun, try Buffalo Bar with it's great beer garden, perfect for those summer evenings. Or there's the trendy Ten Feet Tall bar, funky Milgi Lounge or quirky Gwdihw bar/cafe. The Arts Institute Cardiff is also perfect for students and for the creative, with regular live music and social events.

For hours of live music every night of the week try The Live Lounge, just off Queen Street in the centre of Cardiff. With a variety of good food and great music, The Live Lounge offers a fun and packed-out night. For a real mix of music along with gigs at reasonable prices try Clwb Ifor Bach (Welsh Club) - both venues give student discounts, accepting NUS cards.

Or for a more traditonal evening in the pub, try the City Arms in the shadow of the Millennium Stadium, Dempseys Irish bar opposite the Castle, or the student-friendly Pen & Wig. For good beer and food, try Zero Degrees, where they brew their own beer on site. Here's you'll find great deals during happy hour. For something later in the evening try the student deals along the newly developed St Mary Street or Greyfriars Road.

If you're hoping for a more relaxed evening at a sylish bar or restaurant try the cosmopolitan Mill Lane, with cocktail happy hour at Las Iguanas and outside seating in the summer at Gio's and Mocka Lounge.

Roath & Cathays:

When you're in Roath & Cathays you're never far from a bar! Two of the most student-populated areas in the city are host to a vast array or pubs, bars, cafes and clubs, all with students in mind. Mostly located around Crwys road, Woodville road, Cathays Terrace and City road, there are plenty of places where to you can either have a few relaxing drinks, or spend all night. Try either of the Scream pubs, The Woodville or The George. Both offer excellent student discounts (you'll need to sign up for a yellow card) and do cheap food.

Cardiff Bay:

Cardiff bay has developed enormously over the last decade, with Mermaid Quay providing a sophisticated setting for dining and drinking. With a range of bars, cafes and restaurants on offer, including Las Iguanas for cheap cocktails, Mermaid Quay is set in spectacular surroundings. You can wine and dine al fresco or visit the Red Dragon Centre for bowling or Cinema.

If you fancy a bit of comedy, try the Glee Club in the Bay with discounts for NUS cards. Here, you can catch world-famous comedians on pre-tour gigs trying out their new material, at a fraction of the tour ticket prices.