The most epic places to get your drink on in Cape Town, South Africa
There ain’t no party like a Cape Town party. You can find somewhere to let loose every night (or day, or morning, for that matter) of the week in this city, satisfying everyone from beer drinkers to salsa dancers to rooftop enthusiasts.
See Also:
- A guide to must-visit neighbourhoods in Cape Town
- Make some room, bucket list. Here are 21 things to do in Cape Town, South Africa
Here are some of our favourite places to drink in Cape Town.
Chill garden bar: Yours Truly
This garden-themed lounge is a great place to grab a cup of coffee in the morning, but it really starts buzzing once the sun goes down. With locations on Kloof Street, Loop Street, and Long Street, you can always count on laid-back vibes, coupled with live acoustic music or DJs spinning the latest tracks.
Multiple locations
Neighbourhood: CBD
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Most awe-inspiring views: The Silo Rooftop
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Cape Town sunsets are not to be missed, and there are incredible viewing spots all over the city. But the rooftop bar at the Silo Hotel might just offer the best views in the whole city. From here, you can get an epic panorama view of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, the V&A Waterfront (Ferris wheel and all), and sit back and watch as the sun turns all of it golden. If you don’t believe that Cape Town is magic, you will after experiencing a sundowner at The Silo Rooftop.
Address: Silo Square
Neighbourhood: V&A Waterfront
Phone: +27-21-670-0500
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Live African soul music: Mama Africa
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Mama Africa is a staple of Cape Town nightlife, and an infectious display of everything to love about partying in South Africa. The energy is so alive and you won’t be able to resist the urge to get up and dance.
The venue was established in 1995 as a celebration of South Africa’s new democracy and of the vibrant diversity and hospitality of Africa as a continent. With live marimba, jazz, African soul, and drumming, Mama Africa remains to this day as one of the best spots to get your groove on in – dare we say it – the world.
Address: 178 Long Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-21-426-1017
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Seductive vibes: Asoka
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Kloof Street is full of trendy bars, but they all start right at the top with Asoka. The candlelit courtyard, intimate upscale ambience, and captivating deep house beats are guaranteed to make you feel some type of way. Set in a Victorian townhouse, this lounge goes off on a Tuesday with its live jazz music session, but it’ll hit the spot just about any night of the week.
Address: 68 Kloof Street
Phone: +27-21-422-0909
Neighbourhood: CBD
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Elegant sundowners: The Leopard Bar
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Located in the five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel in the ritzy Camps Bay, the Leopard Bar is an oh-so-chic spot to sip as you watch the sun go down. The panoramic oceanfront views pair great with a glass of cognac or wine, or one of the best cocktails in the biz — the Vanilla Chocatini is simply divine. Check out their tasting experiences, Gin Making Experience, or Tea By The Sea to fully indulge yourself.
Address: Victoria Street
Phone: +27-21-437-9029
Neighbourhood: Camps Bay
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A local favourite: Tiger’s Milk
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You can always count on Tigers Milk for awesome vibes, company, and ways to quench your thirst. The Kloof Street location is a personal favourite with its open-air space and communal seating, but you can’t go wrong with any of their spots throughout the city. Come here and you’ll leave with a handful of new Capetonian friends, guaranteed.
Various locations
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Charming speakeasy: The Gin Bar
Tucked away in a Mediterranean-style secret courtyard, this speakeasy is a real crowd pleaser. Enter through Honest Chocolate café and let the skilled bartenders whip you up something tasty. With fairy lights and distressed brick walls, the vibes in this place are on point and you will be so glad you found it (if you did, in fact, find it). If you want a guaranteed good time, stop by here as part of the Gin Tour with Kiff Kombi Tours.
Address: 64A Wale St
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-71-241-2277
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Rooftop cocktail bar: One Up
We’re a sucker for a rooftop bar in any city, but with Cape Town’s views, this type of bar is more of a necessity than an option.
Located above the electro bar Fiction on Long Street, this hidden leafy oasis is the perfect place to catch up with old friends, lose yourself in some DJ vibes, or people watch on the streets below.
Address: 226 Long Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-21-422-0400
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Sexy sunset lounge: Chinchilla Rooftop Café and Bar
There is no better spot to catch a Camps Bay sunset than this comfy, sexy, contemporary lounge. Looking out onto the Camps Bay strip, Chinchilla is the perfect place to grab a bite, a tasty cocktail, and a seat to soak in the in-house DJ tracks and stunning views of the beach.
Address: Shop 120, Second Floor, The Promenade Building, Victoria Road
Neighbourhood: Camps Bay
Phone: +27-21-286-5075
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Greasy pizza & greasier dance floor (in the best way): Sgt Pepper
They were “raised on pizza and rock & roll” but our love for Sgt Pepper is rooted in a dance floor that just won’t quit. This greasy joint is in the heart of Cape Town’s bar hopping hub, Long Street, will keep you coming back for more. And more. And then some more.
Address: 194 Long Street
Neighbourhood: Cape Town City Centre
Phone: +27-21-424-5608
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Winery: Delaire Graff Estate
This one is cheating because it is technically not in Cape Town, but a winery tour is essential to any visit to the Western Cape. At about 50 km outside of Cape Town, Delaire Graff Estate is our pick for best winery in the region. The rolling hills, luxurious lodge, and elegant patio are nothing short of stunning. Oh yeah, and the wine is damn good too. It’s definitely worth making the trip out of the city for a glass or two.
Address: Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch
Neighbourhood: Stellenbosch
Phone: +27-21-885-8160
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Tapas bar: La Parada
The food at this Spanish restaurant and bar is delicious, but those drinks though?! Another marg, please. We’re partial to the Constantia location on a Sunday for the ultimate funday, but we feel confident recommending La Parada anywhere, anytime. It’s a bit out of town, but so worth it for the views and vibe!
Address: 1 Hout Bay Road / 107 Bree Street
Neighbourhood: Constantia Nek / CBD
Phone: +27-21-795-0620 / +27-21 -426-0330
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Caribbean vibes: Jamaica Me Crazy
Delivering the ultimate cool and vibrant vibes in this already cool and vibrant neighbourhood, Jamaica Me Crazy is calling your name. This colourful restaurant and bar with a rooftop patio offers unreal views of the mountains and ocean. We all know cocktails taste best when sipped to reggae tunes.
Address: 74 Roodebloem Road
Neighbourhood: Woodstock
Phone: +27-21-448-0691
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Pool party: Shimmy Beach Club
Fancy a poolside bevvy? Stop over to Shimmy Beach Club for oceanfront dining, dancing, and any debacles you’d like to get yourself into. It’s Vegas-style pool partying with a South African twist, which means extra sultry.
Address: 12 South Arm Road
Neighbourhood: V&A Waterfront
Phone: +27-21-200-7778
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Beerhall with a balcony: Beerhouse
Beer lovers, rejoice – and then once you’re finished rejoicing, head on over to Beerhouse! With 25+ taps and 99 beers, this spacious brewhall in the heart of Cape Town’s party district is serving up live music, good company, and the best of local and imported brews.
Address: 223 Long Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-21-424-3370
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Hidden cocktail bar: Outrage of Modesty
It’s truly outrageous how delicious this cocktail bar is (see what we did there?). This is one place in Cape Town that we would recommend entering a random grey door and following a stranger into a sketchy neon-lit staircase. The bouncer will lead you up the stairs to a cocktail lovers’ paradise – we didn’t try all drinks on the menu, but we have set a personal goal to get there and we feel good about it.
Address: 88 Shortmarket Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-21-422-2902
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Beachfront saloon: Striped Horse
There’s no better way to cap off a day at Muizenberg than an ice cold beer and burger. Head on over to the Striped Horse for a dive bar-inspired ambiance, live music, a view of the beach, and some of South Africa’s best home-brewed craft beers. The owner describes it as “Gypsy-meets-pirate-shanty.” Now this is something you gotta see for yourself.
Address: 12-14 York Road
Neighbourhood: Muizenberg
Phone: +27-21-788-2979
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Stylish champagne bar: Jade Lounge
Green Point is always popping up with trendy new bars, and Jade is a prime party place right on the main strip. Come here to drink and dance any night of the week, or stop by for our personal fave: Salsa Sundays. This place gets littttt.
Address: 39 Main Street
Neighbourhood: Green Point
Phone: +27-81-758-4008
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Tex-mex & tequila: Fat Cactus
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Tequila, you say? Stop by this spicy Tex-Mex joint in various locations throughout Cape Town for a margarita jug and hand-crafted 100% Agave tequila. It’s the perfect fiesta for your night out.
Address: 5 Park Road / 47 Durban Road / 160 Albert Road
Neighbourhood: Gardens / Mowbray / Woodstock
Phone: +27-21-422-5022 / +27-21-685-1920 / +27-21-447-1713
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Trendy Japanese rooftop: Tjing Tjing
With leather seating and Chinese lanterns, Tjing Tjing has been enchanting Capetonians for years. Located in a 200-year-old heritage building, this half-rooftop, half-attic is a must-visit while in the CBD.
Address: 165 Longmarket Street
Neighbourhood: CBD
Phone: +27-21-422-4374
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See Also:
- A guide to must-visit neighbourhoods in Cape Town
- Make some room, bucket list. Here are 21 things to do in Cape Town, South Africa
Do you have recommendations on where to drink around the world that you would like to share on Mapped? Contact us to be featured at [email protected].
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