The Top Hat Cafe

[carlhansen]

Does anyone remember the Top Hat cafe. As Queen St merged with Newport Road it was on the right leaving Queen st a corner establishment that was open 24 hours & attracted old dossers as well as regular customers. Any photo eith of the outside or inside would be treasured. Used to frequent this place in 1971. It had a number of pinball machines. Not sure if Top Hat was the actual name but it seems that everyone knew it as such. Thankyou

[mattsma]

In answer to the question about the Top Hat cafe. I remember the Top Hat very well as I spent a lot of time there in the late 60s early 70s. More often than not it was after having been to the Revolution or Moon club in town. The Top Hat attracted the night owls and those wandering the streets in the early hours with nothing better to do. Countless mugs of tea were drunk in there but the food left a lot to be desired! The main attraction was the gambling machines. They were pinball tables without flippers and with lots of holes for the balls to fall into. Features would light up on the top screen and you could manipulate these with buttons on the top of the machine in order to form lines. The credits that you won could be exchanged for cash(sixpences). There was a football table in the back room and all the benches and tables were bolted down,for good reason! I have looked at numerous books and sites on Cardiff But have never found a photo of the Top Hat but can remember every detail.

[carlhansen]

Dear Sir, Thankyou for the reply. I too have looked at numerous old photos of Cardiff. You have described the place perfectly. The "bingo" machines as we used to call them were made by Bally & I seem to remember 2 of them on the left of the entrance as you walked in & as you say the football table was around the back to the right. The guy running the pllace was called Eddie & most of the time we went in (always late at night & as you say with nothing better to do!) a girl called Shirley was serving at the hatch. There is good reason why the food left a lot to be desired but I dont think this is the type of forum for that dicussion. LOL. It would have no chance of running today with all the laws n restrictions, so it was definitely of its time but it conjours nothing but fond memories. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. It is most appeciated.