10 Best Bars In Cape Town

Asoka

This top-notch Asian-inspired bar and restaurant is another favorite among locals. Situated in a trendy little spot on Kloof Street, the color-coordinated décor is based on Feng Shuidesign principles of using the elements fire, wood, copper and water to bring harmony to the surroundings. Enjoy famous cocktails unique to Asoka that utilize fresh fruits, herbs and juices which they whip up right in front of you. Ask one of the talented bartenders to mix a signature drink especially for you, and be sure not to leave before taking a photo in front of Cape Town’s oldest olive tree.

Price: Fine dining

Opening hours: Mondays-Saturdays, 5pm-2am

Watch out for: Cape Town’s oldest olive tree

Address & telephone number: Asoka, 68 Kloof Street, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 214 220 909

Beerhouse

Located along the bustling Long Street, Beerhouse is a fantasy-fulling bar for beer-lovers. This one-of-a-kind contemporary bar boasts a menu that consists of 25 taps and a legendary 99 bottles of local and international beer, 75 percent of which are brewed locally. Their customer service is of the highest quality with knowledgeable and passionate staff available to comply with your requests. Order delicious food prepared by an internationally experienced kitchen team to complement your beer. Enjoy live sporting events on two TV screens, as well as in-house entertainment on select nights.

Price: Fine dining

Opening hours: Mondays-Sundays, 11am-2am

Watch out for: 25 taps and 99 bottles of local and international beer

Address & telephone number: Beerhouse, 223 Long St., Cape Town City Center, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 214 243 370

Banana Jam Café

Banana Jam Café is a Caribbean-themed bar and restaurant, suitable for anyone searching for diversity in Cape Town. The colorfully decorated establishment is a favorite among the locals, with 30 beers on tap, more than 80 bottles, a variety of cocktails and one of the best collection of rums. They also serve a wholesome variety of Caribbean dishes like Jamaican jerk chicken, crazy goat curry, Cuban pizza and many more that you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors. Be sure not to miss out on the cocktail happy hour every day from 5pm to 6pm.

Price: Fine dining

Opening hours: Mondays-Saturdays, 11am-11pm and Sundays 5am-10pm

Watch out for: Cocktail happy hour every day from 5pm-6pm

Address & telephone number: Banana Jam Café, 157 2nd Avenue Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 216 740 186

Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar

Opened in December of 2014 and publicized as Africa’s first gin bar, Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar is increasingly becoming one of the trendiest places to hang out in the city. Choose from a variety of 82 different gins, with exotic garnishes and tonics to go along with them. Or you could order classic and reinvented versions of gin-based cocktails. In case you get hungry, there are a few food options: an Italian meat plate, a Spanish charcuterie platter and a South African cheese tray.

Price: Mid-range

Opening hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4pm-1am

Watch out for: Different options from Europe and African countries

Address & telephone number: Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar, 219 Bree St., Cape Town, South Africa, +27 826 816 601

Oblivion

Wine lovers will be enthralled with the groovy European-style wine bar found in the Southern suburbs of Cape Town known as Oblivion. The perfectly laid-back environment dotted with leather couches and open fires is the ideal place to chill with friends over a glass of wine, which you can choose from an extensive wine list. Enjoy a drink on the spectacular rooftop garden, or watch some exciting sports on the big screen TV upstairs or downstairs. Feel free to dance about on the table till late. The choice is yours.

Price: Mid range

Opening hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 7:30am-12:30am, Fridays-Saturdays, 8:30am-2am and Sundays, 9:30am-12:30am

Watch out for: The spectacular rooftop garden

Address & telephone number: Oblivion, 22 Chichester Road, Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 216 718 522

The Taproom

The Taproom is located on the premises of Devil’s Peak Brewing Company and showcases their amazing creations. Enjoy delicious meals over quality craft beer. Order from a menu with four rotating taps, including beers from the Explorer series, plus the breweries’ own experimental beers. There is also an extensive wine list as well as various hand-crafted liquors for those who do not like beer. Don’t miss out on Taproom Tuesdays from 6pm to 9pm, where you get an amazing deal on their famous cheeseburger and two of the beers. Or Wing Wednesdays between 4pm and 10pm for another delightful treat.

Price: Mid range

Opening hours: Mondays 11am-4pm and Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11am-11pm

Watch out for: Taproom Tuesdays and Wing Wednesdays

Address & telephone number: The Taproom, 95 Durham Ave., Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 212 005 818

Cape To Cuba

Tucked away along the beach of Kalk Bay is the well sought-after bar and restaurant known as Cape to Cuba. The ideal place to have casual drinks in a vivacious atmosphere with good music and dancing, Cape to Cuba has been in business since 1995. It has gained a reputation as a respectable hang out spot for many Cape Town residents and visitors. Enjoy popular classic cocktails like mojitos, daiquiris and bloody Marys, while taking in the beautiful ocean view. Then order some delicious authentic Cuban dishes with Cajun influences to complement your drinks.

Price: Budget

Opening hours: Wednesdays-Fridays, 9:30am-9pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 8:20am-9pm

Watch out for: Live music Saturday and Sundays from 4pm to 7pm

Address & telephone number: Cape to Cuba, 165 Main Rd., Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 217 881 566

Blah Blah Bar

Enter the Blah Blah Bar, a performance bar and party epicenter housed beneath a contemporary art gallery. The Blah Blah Bar provides a classy yet unpretentious atmosphere for music and art lovers to sit back and chat about art over a glass of strong drink, which you can order from an extensive wine and spirit list. Revel in the live entertainment from up-and-coming artists, stand-up comedians, poets and music gigs by local DJs. And don’t forget to try some of their famous pizza while you admire the elaborate artwork hanging from the wall.

Price: Mid-range

Opening hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 5pm-2am

Watch out for: Live performance

Address & telephone number: Blah Blah Bar, 84 Kloof St., Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 823 498 849

The Piano Bar

A first of its kind in Cape Town, The Piano Bar is a trendy, New York-inspired music revue bar and restaurant with African influences. An ideal spot for a first date or to hang out with friends, The Piano Bar offers some of the best tapas, cocktails and wines with acts from some of the most talented residents performing each evening. You can also order from a wide selection of commercial and craft beers on tap. Lovers of jazz, classical and alternative music will be delighted with this hidden gem.

Price: Fine dining

Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays, 3pm-12am, Saturdays, 4pm-2am and Sundays, 4pm-11:30pm

Watch out for: Live performance every evening

Address & telephone number: The Piano Bar, 47 Napier St., Cape Town, South Africa, +27 214 181 096

Stones

If you are in search of a welcoming, budget-friendly place to stop by for a drink and enjoy a game of pool, then Stones is the perfect choice. A very popular hang-out spot with good vibes, good music, great liquor and great food, Stones has 13 branches in South Africa, six of which are located in Cape Town. Enjoy the club vibes in the wee hours of the night with weekly promotions, ladies nights, student nights and theme nights.

Price: Budget

Opening hours: Mondays-Sundays, 12pm-2am

Watch out for: Weekly promotions and theme nights

Address & telephone number: Stones head office, 15 Regent Rd., Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 214 185 244

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