22 Unique Bars in Cape Town

Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson

Looking for a cool place to grab a drink in Cape Town?

Well, you’re in luck! I’ve lived here for a few years now, so I’d like to think that I can make a few decent recommendations about the best bars to check out while you’re in town.

In fact, I’ve worked tirelessly to get drunk in as many bars in Cape Town as possible so that I could put together this guide for you. You’re welcome.

1. Van Hunks

I had to put this one first. I just had to. 

I’ll be honest with you, when you first walk into Van Hunks, you might not see why it’s one of the best bars in Cape Town.

For me, it’s all about atmosphere. Cheap drinks, singalong music, friendly people, and staff who remember your drink order if you frequent this place enough. That’s exactly my kind of vibe. Plus, it’s cheap! Make sure to say “hi” to Trevor for me if you end up here.

Price range: Cheap
Food? Yes! Try the chicken samosas.
Address: 1 Upper Union St, Gardens
Open times: 10 am – 2 am (ish)
Go for: really good vibes

2. Cause & Effect 

Cause & Effect is known for its quirky cocktails. Here, I’ve enjoyed multicoloured smoking concoctions, drank from glasses shaped like Table Mountain, and even ordered a drink that came with a toy skateboard ramp!

I also like the way their menu is designed, because it’s laid out like a map so that you can find a flavour profile that suits you. That’s how I found my regular, Larry the No Drama Llama, which is a passion fruit martini in a llama-shaped mug. Oh, and has candy floss on top because, well, why not?! 

Cause & Effect currently has two locations in Cape Town, but I’ve heard that the Camps Bay strip one isn’t so great, so head to the Waterfront branch.

Price range: Expensive (R140+ for a cocktail)
Food? No
Address: 280 Dock Road, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Open times: 10 am – 1 am on weekdays, 9 am – 1 am on weekends
Go for: crazy cocktails!

3. Cafe Caprice

Situated along the Camps Bay strip, Cafe Caprice is a beach bar slash restaurant during the day, and one of Cape Town’s top party spots at night. It overlooks Camps Bay Beach, so it’s a good spot for a sundowner, and there’s usually a fun, lively energy here.

In fact, it’s meant to be the place to party on Sunday nights during the summer… among a certain crowd, anyway.

But the real reason I’m recommending it is for the granadilla (passion fruit) cocktail! Their burgers are great, too, especially the 2-4-1 Tuesday special.

Price range: Mid-range
Food? Yes – the burgers are really good! 
Address: 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Open times: 9 am – 12 pm, open until 1 pm on weekends 
Go for: the Granadilla Lolly

4. Rick’s Café Américain 

This Casablanca-themed cafe-bar is a classy spot with a nice, relaxed atmosphere. It’s perfect for dinner and a few cocktails to start your night. I really like the food here, and the staff are always incredibly lovely.

Plus, they’ve got a nice rooftop area with a great view over Kloof Street, which is one of the best streets in Cape Town in terms of nightlife.

Price range: Mid-range
Food? Yes – and it’s all delicious
Address: 103 Kloof Street, Gardens
Open times: 11 am – 2 am 
Go for: the old Hollywood glamour

5. Grand Pavilion

The Grand Pavilion is a classy champagne bar along the Sea Point promenade. With ocean views, a sophisticated atmosphere, and lots of premium booze available, it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or head on a date.

They’ve also got predictably upscale food here (think oysters and ridiculously expensive prawns) if you fancy a bite to eat. 

Price range: Expensive
Food? Yes 
Address: 277 Beach Road, Sea Point
Open times: 11 am – 2 am 
Go for: a classy night out

6. The Lawns at the Roundhouse

The Lawns is perhaps my favourite spot to day drink in Cape Town (other than the wine tram, of course).

I mean, just picture it: you’re sitting outside on a summer’s day sipping a cocktail with mountain and ocean views.

Okay, so if you want the ocean views, you will need to call ahead and make sure you reserve a table on the upper levels. But still, I really think that this is the perfect place for a daytime event.

Price range: Mid-range
Food? Yes – get the fish and chips! 
Address: Round House Road, Camps Bay (it’s at the end of a dirt track)
Open times: 12 pm – 11 pm, open at 9 am on weekends
Go for: day drinking in the sunshine

7. Culture Wine

Culture Wine is perfect for a classy evening sipping some of the Western Cape’s best varietals. With a carefully selected menu and a chilled, low lit atmosphere, this is the perfect place to unwind on a Friday night.

Plus, there was some (relaxed) live music when we were there and we loved the band (although now I’ve forgotten what they were called…)

The bar is in heritage square on Bree Street, very close to some of Cape Town’s other popular bars, including House of Machines and The Gin Bar, both of which are coming up later on this list. It’s a really good place to start your night!

Price range: Expensive
Food? Yes – really good charcuterie boards
Address: 103 Bree Street
Open times: 12 pm – 1 am
Go for: good wine and a classy atmosphere

8. The Athletic Club & Social

The Athletic Club & Social is the place to be if you want to let loose somewhere cool and kind of upscale (but not intimidatingly so). 

I really love the vintage vibe at the Athletic, and you can practically feel the energy of some fabulous 1920s, Oxbridge-educated socialite oozing from the walls. Or you can just get really drunk on great cocktails and dance until your feet hurt.

Things don’t really get started here until after 10 pm, but once they do, it gets pretty busy. With three different bars, each with its own unique beats, you can definitely dance until the wee hours here. Just try to arrive early-ish to beat the queue (or you can slip the bouncers a little bribe, I won’t judge you).

Oh, and just FYI, this joint is for over 30s only, although I have found this rule to be negotiable.

Price range: Expensive
Food? Yes – there’s a dining room. I haven’t eaten there but it always smells incredible.
Address: 35 Buitengracht St, CBD
Open times: 12 pm – 11 pm on weekdays, 12pm – 2 am on Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday
Go for: great cocktails (try El Diablo) and a fun party

9. The Dark Horse

The Dark Horse is a dimly lit bar at the end of Kloof Street with the best margaritas in town. It’s got a small rooftop area, great bar food, and a good location in the sense that it’s close to the action, but far removed enough that you can enjoy a chilled drink there.

It’s a good first date spot. It’s casual enough that you don’t feel obligated to stay for a long time if your date turns out to be…well, a weirdo. But it’s also a nice enough spot to stick around if you do end up having fun!

Note: The Dark Horse is temporarily closed. I’ll keep you posted and remove this PSA when it’s back open!

Price range: Mid-range
Food? Yes, great bar food
Address: 145 Kloof Street, Gardens
Open times: 4 pm – 11 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, 1 pm – 11 pm on Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday
Go for: the best margaritas in town 

10. Gigi Rooftop

Gigi Rooftop is the perfect spot for classy cocktails. It’s above the Gorgeous George hotel, but you can also eat here. The small sharing plates are really good! 

Honestly, I’m not crazy about the cocktails here, but the setting and atmosphere more than makes up for that. The inside is beautiful, with a glass ceiling, fairy lights, and lots of plants, and the outdoor terrace is classy and comfortable, with a very inviting swimming pool. 

Price range: Expensive
Food? Yes
Address: 118 St George’s Mall, Cape Town City Centre
Open times: 12 pm – 11 pm 
Go for: your Instagram feed 

11. Open Wine

Not to be confused with Culture Wine, Open Wine is another great spot to try new South African wines. They’ve got an outdoor patio or a small, intimate indoor space, and they sometimes offer free wine tastings on weekends. The only problem is that if you’re not drinking, they don’t serve much else other than wine. 

Price range: Mid-rage
Food? No
Address: 72 Wale Street, City Centre 
Open times: 12 pm – 11 pm or 2 – 11 pm on Sunday
Go for: wine tasting

12. House of Machines

Smack dab in the middle of town, House of Machines is a laid back, quirky bar where the motto is “don’t be a dick.” Maybe that’s why the crowd here is always fun and friendly and the music is so good!

They often have live performances, too, and apparently their Old Fashioned cocktails are the best in town. I don’t drink them myself, so I can’t officially confirm this. However, I can confirm that their drinks prices are super reasonable.

Price range: Cheap
Food? No
Address: 84 Shortmarket Street, City Centre 
Open times: 7 am – 2 am, opens 9 am Sunday
Go for: a fun, unpretentious night out

13. The Leopard Bar at the 12 Apostles Hotel 

The Leopard Bar is one of the best spots in the city to grab a sundowner. It’s a little bit out of the way, as it’s about 10 minutes north of Camps Bay, but the journey is worth it for the views of the ocean and Lion’s Head. 

This bar is on the 3rd floor of the 12 Apostles Hotel, and as you may be able to guess from the name, it’s leopard themed. I know that the high tea here is popular, but I love coming to sit on the terrace and watch the sunset with one of their excellent Bloody Marys in hand. 

Price range: Mid to expensive
Food? Yes – the steak is really good 
Address: 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Open times: 11 am – 2 am 
Go for: the best sundowner in the city 

14. The Gin Bar

The Gin Bar (also known as “the Secret Gin Bar”) is tucked away behind a cafe, giving it a speakeasy vibe. It’s not actually a secret at all though, as this is a really popular spot!

As you’d expect, there are plenty of different gins on offer, as well as lots of fancy tonics and herbs and whatnot, so even if you’re not much of a gin drinker, you can probably find something here (and if not, they have beer and a tiny bubbly bar next door). 

This place starts off chill but definitely has a good buzz about it by around 9 or 10 pm. It’s not really somewhere I would go to dance, but there’s a good energy. I have definitely had some lively nights out here, but it’s not a place to go too crazy.

Price range: Mid to expensive
Food? No – but there’s a ramen bar upstairs!
Address: 64A Wale Street, City Centre (behind Honest Chocolate)
Open times: 5 pm – 1 am, closed Sunday
Go for: masterful gin concoctions 

15. Asoka

Legend has it that Asoka introduced the porn star martini to Cape Town. Since that’s my all-time favourite cocktail, I feel that this more than merits a place on my “best bars” list. 

Asoka is a bougie place, but it’s my kind of bougie. It’s approachable bougie. I’m a dive bar kinda gal, but I really enjoy an evening here. I will say that I don’t love the music so I don’t come here on Tuesdays when they get DJs in and turn the place into a dance party, but you should if that’s your kind of thing!

They also have a great Monday dinner special, just FYI.

Price range: Expensive
Food? Yes 
Address: 68 Kloof Street, Gardens
Open times: 5 pm – 2 am (12 am on Sunday)
Go for: excellent cocktails 

16. Publik 

Publik is a teeny tiny wine bar on the intersection between Kloof Nek Road, Upper Buitengracht Street, and Lower Buitengracht Street. This intersection is actually a mini nightlife hotspot!

Anyway, Publik has a variety of boutique wines that you won’t often find in the supermarkets, and the food here is amazing. We got a bunch of small plates and they were all delicious, but I still think about the lamb belly to this day. 

Price range: Mid
Food? Yes – and it’s delicious
Address: 11d Kloof Nek, Tamboerskloof
Open times: 4 pm – 11 pm on weekdays, 3 pm – 8 pm on Saturday, closed Sunday
Go for: the lamb belly

17. Leo’s Wine Bar 

Good old Leo. His wine bar is perfect for after-work drinks. The way that people spill out happily onto the pavement, wine in hand, reminds me of happy hour drinks in London somehow!

This bar is another great spot for trying new wines (or grabbing a glass of your old favourite) and they regularly have food pop-ups, so it’s also great for discovering new eats. And if you’re there on a non-pop-up night, you can always grab a pizza bagel from the adjoining bagel shop, Max’s.

Price range: Cheap
Food? Yes – and it’s delicious
Address: 120 Bree Street, City Centre 
Open times: 5 pm – 11 pm on weekdays, closed Sunday and Monday
Go for: after work drinks

18. The Power and the Glory

The Power and the Glory (or P&G, as everyone calls it) is a buzzy bar on the Kloof Nek intersection. It’s got the same old school, classy charm as the Athletic Club and Social, although it’s smaller and more intimate.

P&G is a cosy bistro during daylight hours. I like to imagine that back in the day, writers might have finished novels here. Or who knows, maybe they still do! 

P&G is small and casual. If you want to dance, you can head upstairs to the Moveable Feast, but most people just come to P&G to drink wine and chew the fat. Like at Leo’s, crowds often spill out onto the pavement. 

Price range: Mid
Food? Yes – hot dogs
Address: 13d Kloof Nek Road, Tamboerskloof 
Open times: 7:30 am – 12 am on Monday – Wednesday; 7:30 am – 2 am on Thursday & Friday; 8 am – 2 am on Saturday; on 7:30 am – 2 am Sunday
Go for: the intimate hipster vibe

19. Kloof Street House

Set in an old Victorian mansion, Kloof Street House is the kind of place I can imagine eccentric artists having wild absinthe parties back in the day. This bar wouldn’t be out of place in the next Great Gatsby remake (because we all know that one is coming sooner or later, right?)

The food here is amazing, too. In fact, it’s one of the best restaurants in Cape Town!

I highly recommend checking out their lunch specials, which are usually great value for money. The ostrich here was the best I’ve ever had, and I got an amazing summer beetroot salad.

Price range: Expensive 
Food? Yes – fine dining
Address: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
Open times: 10 am – 2 am 
Go for: the intoxicating sensation that you’ve just stepped into a Fitzgerald novel 

20. Una Más 

Una Más is Spanish for “one more” and that’s exactly what the spicy paloma cocktails here will have you crying out. It’s a small mezcalería along busy Regent Road in Sea Point, so it’s great for people watching and getting your night started before you head over to town to continue partying – or home to bed, the choice is yours. 

Price range: Mid
Food? Yes 
Address: 77 Regent Road, Sea Point
Open times: 5 pm – 11 pm Monday, 12 pm – 11 pm Tuesday and Sunday, 12 pm – 12 am Wednesday to Saturday
Go for: a jug of spicy palomas

21. Only Fools

But here’s the one that’s driving me berserk… Why do only fools and horses work?

Okay, no-one in South Africa knows about that show, but definitely check out Only Fools while you’re in town. It’s where the cool kids hang out in Sea Point. It offers great burgers, laidback vibes, and reasonable prices. The staff are super friendly, too, and it’s a great spot for early drinks or to kick off a night out.

Plus, it’s right opposite Una Mas, so you can kill two birds with one stone!

Price range: Cheap
Food? Yes 
Address: 82 Regent Road, Sea Point
Open times: 12 pm – 11 pm (10 pm on Sundays)
Go for: laid back burgers and beers

22. Arthur’s Mini Super

We’re finishing off with another Sea Point classic!

It’s a cute little bar-slash-mini-mart tucked away down a side road in Sea Point. The staff here are beyond lovely, and you can grab basic groceries as well as drinks and bar snacks. I love their Beach Blonde IPA!

Arthur’s is colourful, reasonably priced, and is often buzzing during the after-work hours. It’s one of Cape Town’s most unique bars and I highly recommend checking it out.

Price range: Cheap
Food? Bar snacks
Address: 82 Regent Road, Sea Point
Open times: 8 am – 9:30 pm (closes 3:30 pm on Monday and Tuesday)
Go for: cute, colourful vibes!

Thanks so much for reading this blog post! I hope it’s given you a better idea of where to grab drinks in Cape Town. If you try any of these bars, be sure to let me know what you think. And in the meantime, feel free to check out the following:

• Top things to do at the V&A Waterfront
• 14 best day trips from Cape Town
• The best beaches in Cape Town