The atmosphere on Swansea's Wind Street was electric this evening as Beaujolais Day 2023 was in full swing. Thousands of people dressed up to the nines and descended on the city's bars and restaurants and enjoyed drinks, food and spending time catching up with friends, family and colleagues.
Whilst the day isn't celebrated in many places in the UK, it's been a huge social event for Swansea for around 50 years - ever since the then-owner of No Sign wine bar on Wind Street brought some bottles of Beaujolais back from France and launched a special Beaujolais Day event at his bar in the 1960s. And in the last few years, it's started picking up in Cardiff too - but nowhere does it better than Swansea!
Several bars welcomed musicians and DJs on stages and platforms at their venues throughout the day and into the evening and people danced on dance floors and into the street!
Scroll down for our picture coverage of the day:
Taken a great pic you'd like to see added to this article? Send it to us, email: molly.dowrick@walesonline.co.uk
The end of a successful Beaujolais Day 2023
The majority of people are moving on from Wind Street now, heading to their homes and hotels. A few bars will keep the party going into the early hours - we hope everyone continuing their Beaujolais Day/Night has an awesome time!
Thankyou for following our coverage today, we'll leave you with our last few snaps. Good night everyone!
Wind Street is quietening down - but lots of people are still enjoying themselves!
Wind Street itself and some of the bars will start to quieten down now. Some people have been out since the early afternoon, so it's no surprise people will be heading for taxis very soon! That said, those still out are having a whale of a time - and the festivities will certainly continue at a handful of venues.
Among them, Bar Heaven will be open until 3am tonight with DJs playing and drinks flowing!
One music lover got in touch with us to recommend Bar Heaven to others, saying: "The only place to head to is Heaven - I appreciate real clubbing! It really is the number one place on Wind Street! All ages there as they play Old Skool House in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!
"The sound system is second to none, the whole brand is classy high-end! Greg is without a doubt one of the most talented DJs around, a must for anyone that appreciates a proper DJ, the music and some top drawer mixing, he takes to the decks and raises the roof! All the djs are high energy, committed and passionate about what they do and the atmosphere is palpable. You forget you are in Wind Street, once inside, you could easily be in Ibiza! I couldn't think of a better place to showcase Swansea's nightlife!"
The party goes on into the night...
Prosecco, Au Vodka and cocktails appear to be more popular than Beaujolais wine itself!
We've not seen many bottles of Beaujolais wine this year, but we have seen lots of Au vodka, prosecco and cocktails!
'Swansea has the best Beaujolais Day in the UK'
Earlier today, we spoke to Cory who had travelled down from Ammanford to be in Swansea for Beaujolais Day today. He and his friends picked Founders & Co. for their Beaujolais Day 2023 festivities. "Founders is a really friendly place, it's got a really good variety of drinks and food for a good price!"
Cory usually goes out on Beaujolais night, but this year he and his friends decided to start the party earlier in the day. "This is the first time we've started Beaujolais in the daytime, usually we go out just for the night - it's much better in the day! Swansea has the best Beaujolais Day in the UK," he added.
Also celebrating Beaujolais Day in Founders & Co, friends Lauren, Charlotte and Angharad said they love Beaujolais Day as it's a chance to get all dressed up and see friends.
"We came here as we thought we'd come somewhere a bit different. Beaujolais Day is a chance to get dressed up - this morning it felt like we were getting ready for a wedding!" Angharad said.
It's started to rain!
The rain has held off all day - until now. If you're out for Beaujolais Day and are looking to move on to a different bar or venue, you might want to stay put for a little while!
The Met Office forecasts further rain and cloudy weather in Swansea tonight until around 11pm, then cloudy weather overnight and into Friday morning.
Happy 21st Birthday, Phoebe!
Here we have Isobel, Olivia, Jessica, Jennifer, Phoebe and Amelia who are out celebrating Beaujolais Day and Phoebe's 21st birthday at Peppermint on Wind Street
Phoebe said: "We're out for my birthday, I'm 21 today! Some of the girls have come down for Manchester and London for today, nowhere does Beaujolais Day better!"
Happy Birthday!
Beaujolais Day is beginning to ramp up this evening
In the next hour or so, we'll see festivities ramp up at venues across Wind Street and in SA1 the marina. We can expect more live music, more dancing and, of course, more drinks!
Enjoy and stay safe, everyone!
More beautiful faces this Beaujolais Day
Happy 22nd Birthday, Rebecca!
Here we have Megan, Rebecca, Ffion, Abi and Chloe who have all been best friends since childhood. The girls are out today for Beaujolais Day and to celebrate Rebecca's birthday - and they said they arrived to the city centre on a Party Bus!
More smiley faces and beautiful outfits this Beaujolais Day
Reminder of why Swansea celebrates Beaujolais Day
Beaujolais Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November each year and marks the first harvest season of grapes from the Beaujolais region of France. Under French law, Beaujolais wine can't be released until 12.01am on the day - then it's a race in shops and businesses across France for who can stock Beaujolais wine on their shelves the earliest!
In France, parties are held with music, festivals and fireworks to mark Beaujolais Day, but whilst the event isn't celebrated in many places in the UK, it's certainly a big deal in Swansea.
The day has been a special event in Swansea for more than 50 years, ever since then-owner of No Sign wine bar on Wind Street brought back a case of wine from his home in France and arranged a special event at the bar. Gradually, more and more places on Wind Street started running special events to mark the occasion - and now more than a dozen venues host a Beaujolais Day event every year.
But for many people, Beaujolais Day isn't actually about the wine. Instead, it marks the start of the festive season and provides a great excuse to dress up to the nines and catch up with friends ahead of busy December. Why not, eh?
Recap: Beaujolais Day so far
We've been out and about on Wind Street throughout this afternoon and it's been brilliant to see the street come alive with excitement, happiness and laughter this Beaujolais Day.
It was a slow start this year, with many bars fairly relaxed and quiet in the early afternoon - but by 4pm places were certainly beginning to pick up. Several venues have hosted performances from DJs and musicians, whilst others have had popular music playing, whilst families and groups of friends and colleagues have been catching-up with each other and enjoying delicious food and copious drinks!
Among the places we've visited so far, there was a fantastic atmosphere in The Perch with several groups of friends enjoying drinks and tapas and spending time together, ahead of live music performances later. Bar Heaven, which recently had a refurb, also had a great atmosphere, with a DJ playing and cocktails flowing.
Elsewhere on the street, the tunes were blasting in Peppermint and Bambu, and further groups of friends were enjoying the festivities in The Coach House and Founders and Co.
More photos and updates to follow...
Nobody does it better than Swansea, it seems
Everyone is looking fabulous
Looking sharp!
All smiles in The Coach House
Here's a couple snaps from The Coach House this afternoon.
Asked why she and her group picked The Coach House for Beaujolais Day this year, Beaujolais Day fan Sophie said: "It's all about good friends, good music and good vibes - it's triple good!"
More pics to follow
Groups of friends are having a great time
The party is in full flow
More from Wind Street
Here's a group of friends from Swansea enjoying Beaujolais Day outside The Coach House.
Dressed to impress
Jay, Gigi (a drag Queen entertaining guests today at Dorothys) and Selena pictured outside Dorothy’s on Wind Street.
Best pals say 'atmosphere is unbelievable'
Best friends Ellie and Niamh are among those getting the day underway at The Perch. “The atmosphere is unbelievable,” they said.
'Brilliant atmosphere'
Our reporter Molly Dowrick says there's a brilliant atmosphere in The Perch at the moment, which has extended the venue this year with an outdoor marquee out the front. There's lots of groups celebrating Beaujolais Day today with wine and tapas.
Beaujolais Day begins!
The day is underway in Swansea. Here's one group of friends out in Swansea dressed to impress.
Events that are being held in Cardiff
Cote Cardiff Central
French brasserie chain Cote is hosting a Beaujolais Day event at its Cardiff city centre restaurant this year. Diners can choose from the traditional a la carte menu or opt for the exclusive Beaujolais Day set menu comprising a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau and a cheese and charcuterie board for £48.95 (for two people).
The cheese and charcuterie board includes truffle saucisson, Coppa ham, Bayonne ham, Tomme de Savoie, Cheese Gougères, Comté, honey tomatoes, cornichons & olives, served with toasted sourdough baguette.
You can reserve your table on the Cote website here - in the special request box, be sure to write 'Beaujolais Day Booking'.
Laguna Kitchen and Bar
Laguna Kitchen and Bar, based in the Park Plaza hotel in Cardiff city centre, is celebrating Beaujolais Day in each of its venues. In the restaurant, you can enjoy a three-course lunch (menu here) with live entertainment for £60, or you can have a three-course lunch in the Laguna bar (menu here) for £55.
Alternatively you can mark Beaujolais Day with a three-course lunch and live entertainment in the Plaza Suite (menu here) for £60 per person, or a three-course lunch (menu here) with live entertainment in KUKU venue for £55 per person.
To enquire or to make a booking, email Stephanie: smillard@parkplazacardiff.com or call 029 20 111 125.
The Parkgate Hotel
At The Parkgate Hotel, people celebrating Beaujolais Day will be greeted with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau on arrival, before a three-course table d'hôte menu at The Sorting Room. After lunch, the hotel will host live music from a guitar vocalist in the daytime and their house DJ in the evening.
Reservations are available between 12.30pm and 9.30pm and you can book online here
St Peter's Hall
St Peter's Hall wedding and events venue is offering a special Beaujolais Day event this year with a French-themed three-course meal. Attendees will be served a glass of Beaujolais on arrival, before the Call To Dinner at 2pm. The set menu comprises French onion soup for the starter, Coq au Vin for the main meal, and Bailey's Creme Brulee for dessert - and after lunch, entertainment including live music, a DJ, giveaways, competitions and "surprise activities" will take place throughout the late-afternoon and into the evening. At the time of writing, tickets are still available (£399 for a table of eight). You can book online here
The Welsh House
The Welsh House in Cardiff is offering a three-course meal and live music this Beaujolais Day.
The Welsh House, a gorgeous bar backed by rugby legends on High Street in Cardiff city centre, is offering a three-course Beaujolais Day menu for £39.95 with local entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. People are able to book their meal for whatever time they'd like - and walk-ins are welcome for drinks. Live music from Ross Pulseton will begin from 12pm and Brooke Fox will perform from 5pm.
