Nightlife

TOAST THE WEEKEND, LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC, SAMPLE FINE WINE OR HIT THE DANCE FLOOR AT ONE OF THESE HOTSPOTS

ARCADE

152 BREE STREET, CBD 060 861 0511, arcadecafe.co.za Arcade bridges the gap between bar culture, restaurant dining and club life. The succinct menu offers tasty burgers (we’re sinking our teeth into the Happy – mozzarella, Cheddar, streaky bacon, greens, pickled red onion, roasted-garlic olive oil and herbs), pizza and cafe-style fare. Ease into the relaxed bar vibe as you prepare for a fun night out on the city’s hipster strip.

THE ART OF DUPLICITY 170120.co.za This highly secretive Mother City speakeasy is a throwback to Prohibitionera modus operandi. Expect no bathtub gin here, however, instead high-concept cocktails, mixed by the famed Brent Perremore, are the main pull. As for getting there, a booking made through their bare-bones website conjures up a hint that will set you off on the innercity odyssey of trying to find it. Once you do, though, a cavalcade of sensory pleasures is said to be your reward.

THE ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL

35 BUITENGRACHT STREET, CBD 021 012 5331, theathletic.co.za Step into another era when you arrive at this watering hole in the city centre. The folks at The Athletic have outdone themselves when it comes to the full experience – from the 1920s speakeasystyle decor to the delectable Mediterranean eats and, of course, the generous range of tipples on offer.

BEERHOUSE

223 LONG STREET, CBD 079 369 8990, beerhouse.co.za Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer… Few bars can trot out this old chestnut truthfully, but Beerhouse can, with no fewer than 99 different local and international bottled beers, plus a range of 20 more brews on tap and the finest of South Africa’s craft crop. Pair your tankard with delicious bar snacks, including Dutch bitterballen.

BOARD HOUSE BEACH BAR

SHOP 12, BEACH BOULEVARD, TABLE VIEW 083 330 4473, board-house.business.site After a good swell or swim, walk straight from the beach into this bar. No matter the season, Board House’s doors are always open. With bring-and-braai facilities and a terrific sea view, it offers the perfect place for a party with your mates.

CABRITO TEQUILA BAR

81 MAIN ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 433 2364, elburro.co.za Cabrito Tequila Bar is just downstairs from one of Cape Town’s fave Mexican-themed haunts, sister establishment El Burro. At Cabrito, patrons are offered an impressive selection of local and imported tequilas and mescals – and, of course, margaritas. You can also indulge in the cocktail- and snack menus, which echo old favourites from El Burro.

CAFÉ CAPRICE

37 VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY 021 438 8315, cafecaprice.co.za A busy squad of barmen churn out quality cocktails from two bar areas at this Camps Bay beachfront darling. Join the locals heading to Caprice on weekend evenings for sundowners.

DARK HORSE

145 KLOOF STREET, CBD 021 422 0825, darkhorsebar.co.za With doors leading from the heart of the city into a space tattooed with eclectic decor, this moody Kloof Street eatery is one to visit when a hearty dose of atmosphere is just what the doctor ordered. Expect comfort food, served as tapas perfect for sharing, and a menu that employs ethically sourced ingredients and nose-to-tail recipes. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. CAFÉ MANHATTAN

74 WATERKANT STREET, GREEN POINT 021 421 6666, manhattan.co.za One of the longest-lived De Waterkant venues, Café Manhattan has both a cosy restaurant and a bar with a touch of the Wild West to it. Between mouth-watering burgers and classy drinks, you’ll be spoilt for choice, no matter which way your evening takes you.

CAPE TO CUBA

165 MAIN ROAD, KALK BAY 021 788 1566, capetocuba.com It’s definitely worth the trip out of the city to visit this tribute to Old Havana. Order one of their famed mojitos or caipirinhas, then soak up the vibe with a view of the waves just beyond the windows.

CAUSE EFFECT

THE ROCKET SHED, 280 DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 422 0266, causeandeffect.co.za The multitude of weird and wonderful concoctions at this Mother City bar are probably the best for getting a taste of our beautiful natural environment in liquor form. Nibble on gourmet bar snacks while you’re there and enjoy the show.

CHINCHILLA ROOFTOP CAFÉ & BAR

2ND FLOOR, THE PROMENADE, VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY 021 286 5075, chinchillarooftop.co.za One of the more recent additions to the Camps Bay sunset strip, Chinchilla is a triple hitter: Great food, great vibe, great views. Enjoy some chic bistro bites and a signature cocktail (the Yuzu Jasmine Sours is divine) as the resident international DJs spin you into the sunset.

COCO

70 LOOP STREET, CBD 072 673 6869, cococpt.co.za A collaboration between four of the city’s hottest club innovators, COCO is Cape Town’s sexiest watering hole. Bottle service and a banging party are the hallmarks of your experience here, with a music line-up of commercial hits, house and hip-hop.

CUBAÑA

DE WATERKANT CENTRE, 9 SOMERSET ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 421 1109, cubana.co.za An established franchise with three venues in the Cape, Cubaña provides an authentic Latin experience with a combination of social cafe, cocktail bar and cigar lounge. Go for the delicious jalapeño poppers and unique cocktails, and stay for the vibe. Head to the dance floor later on. DECODANCE

120 MAIN ROAD, SEA POINT 021 854 1117, decodance.co.za There are zero pretensions at this weekend party spot. Let down your hair and boogie the night away to the best of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and even the 2000s – from rock to pop.

GIGI ROOFTOP RESTAURANT & BAR

118 ST GEORGES MALL, CBD 087 898 6000, gigirooftop.com On the sixth floor of the Gorgeous George boutique hotel, this rooftop experience sprawls out in simultaneously lighthearted and sophisticated splendour. Relax with a drink by the pool or enjoy dinner with friends as the sun sets just beyond the huge glass panes that frame the sparkling inner city. An extensive, all-day menu boasts everything from hearty breakfasts to cocktails and oysters, making this the perfect spot for any occasion – a touch of class guaranteed.

THE GIN BAR

64A WALE STREET, CBD 071 241 2277, theginbar.co.za ‘Elixirs, tinctures and potions’ are what you can look forward to sipping on at this bar positioned behind and above Honest Chocolate. The Mediterranean-style courtyard is perfect for beating the heat with a potent cocktail in hand – select from the staples Head, Heart, Ambition and Soul, among other creative concoctions.

HARRINGTONS COCKTAIL LOUNGE

61 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM 078 916 7903, thefirmct.co.za/harringtons Another hit from The Firm (who also brought you District, SurfaRosa and The Village Idiot), Harringtons is the spot to see and be seen at in Cape Town. A plush, sophisticated cocktail lounge with velvet bottle-service booths is what you can expect on your visit. The dedicated smoking room and boutique DJ booth complete the space.

THE HOUSE OF MACHINES

84 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD 021 426 1400, thehouseofmachines.com Housed in a historic warehouse, this bike-workshop-cafe-bar was designed as a place ‘to honour both man and machine’ and offers craft beer and tasty pub food. Pay a visit Monday to Friday from 7 am and Saturdays from 9 am, till late.

NIGHTLIFE

JAGGER LOUNGE

74 SHORTMARKET ST, CBD thejaggerlounge.com A spot for the avid muso in search of both the hottest new bands and the best in Cape Town nightlife, where a full-stock bar comes standard, and whiskey and tequila are the go-tos. An easy, laid-back atmosphere coupled with its Shortmarket Street location finish off this perfect blend of ingredients, which will surely leave you craving a return visit the second you polish off that Manhattan.

KONG

10–12 COBERN ST, GREEN POINT 021 286 2730, kongcapetown.co.za This vibrant and stylish venue has taken on a life of its own since opening its doors to the Green Point set – who, despite already being spoiled for choice, have taken to it like moths to a flame. Expect a fresh and colourful vibe, brilliant jungle-themed decor and a fantastic night out no matter which of its bars you choose to hover around. Serving up a menu of bistro-style cuisine inspired by the East as much as the West, this gastropub is the perfect mix of class and comfort.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR

110 BREE STREET, CBD 021 422 2770 One of Bree Street’s longest-standing venues, Love Thy Neighbour is great for a pint and a bite. Think Mediterranean-style food such as pregos and sausages, plus their signature pulled pork paired with a glass of the artisanal Brewers & Union beer range, or something from the wine list. It’s also a good place to catch local musos live.

NASDAK

40 HEERENGRACHT STREET, FORESHORE 021 406 3254, nasdak.media24.com Head to the top of the renovated Media24 Centre to sip on sundowners or party up a storm with 360° views of Cape Town.

THE TAPROOM

150 CECIL ROAD, SALT RIVER 021 201 1401 The Taproom is one of the Cape’s best spots for sampling craft beer. Choose from the large selection of beers on tap, such as King’s Blockhouse IPA or First Light Golden Ale. Flavourful pub grub is on offer too.

THE PIANO BAR

47 NAPIER STREET, DE WATERKANT 021 007 5212, thepianobar.co.za In the tradition of old New York, but with a decidedly South African flavour, The Piano Bar is one of the Mother City’s foremost revue spaces. The terrace offers splendid views of Table Bay and the mountain to accompany your cocktails.

THE POWER & THE GLORY

13D KLOOF NEK ROAD, TAMBOERSKLOOF 067 672 2109 Some may describe The Power & The Glory as ‘hipster central’, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this bar has made it through more than a few seasons in fickle Cape Town. Lay claim to one of the coveted window seats and sip your craft beer while you watch the world go by on Kloof Nek. SOUK

163 LONG STREET, CBD 060 682 6894, soukcpt.com Not quite a busy marketplace, this offering overlooking Long Street is a real oasis. A tapas- and cocktail bar, SOUK is the perfect spot to kick off a fun evening by lining your stomach before heading out to explore the rest of this busy thoroughfare.

SURFAROSA

61 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM 079 128 5289, thefirmct.co.za/surfarosa Punk meets surf vibes at this dive bar situated on the increasingly popular Harrington Street. Described as a ‘little bar with a big personality’, it’s sure not to disappoint if you’re looking for a laid-back evening mingling with locals and enjoying good (loud) tunes over a slice of pizza.

TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR

165 LONGMARKET STREET, CBD 021 422 4920, tjingtjing.co.za Tjing Tjing manages to be classy, but without any airs or pretences. The loft-style interior is a lovely place to pair a glass of wine with a generous charcuterie board. TOBAGO’S RESTAURANT

RADISSON BLU HOTEL WATERFRONT, BEACH ROAD, GRANGER BAY 021 441 3000, radissonhotels.com Comfy loungers and a seriously enviable view make Tobago’s one of the very best places to watch the sunset while sipping a decadent drink or two. It’s a popular spot for an after-work tipple too.

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

32 LOOP STREET, CBD 021 418 1548 thefirmct.co.za/the-village-idiot Braai culture is the main influence at this Loop Street institution, bringing locals together over lamb chops, seafood sosaties, and pap and wors. The balcony is a big attraction for Friday after-work drinks, and come sundown, some of the city’s best DJs get the dance floor going. THE WAITING ROOM

273 LONG STREET, CBD 061 642 2132 Positioned above what was the burger joint Royale Eatery, The Waiting Room is where you’ll find the cool kids hanging out. At this trendy night spot, you can catch live bands Tuesday to Thursday, while DJs keep the place pumping on weekends.

YOURS TRULY

73 KLOOF STREET, CBD 021 426 2587 Popular coffee shop by day, even more popular bar once the sun sets… This double-storey spot includes a buzzing restaurant downstairs and a spacious first-floor deck. Other, equally popular branches are open on Long and Loop Streets, so you’re spoilt for choice.