Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
Cape Town may be famous for its fabulous wine, but the Mother City is also home to some excellent gin. So if you’re looking to do a gin tasting in Cape Town, there’s no shortage of places to go!
The Cape Floral Kingdom is home to lots of interesting botanicals that make their way into much of Cape Town’s best gin, including fynbos and rooibos (which is pronounced roy-boss, just FYI).
There are some excellent places to go gin tasting in Cape Town and you tend to get quite a lot of bang for your buck with tastings here. South Africans aren’t stingy pourers, that’s for sure!
Okay, with the preamble out of the way, let’s dive into the best places to go gin tasting in Cape Town.
1. The Gin Bar
Address: 64A Wale Street, City Centre
Tastings from: 6 pm on Tuesday
My top pick for gin tasting experiences in Cape Town is this mixology and gin tasting class at the Gin Bar.
The Gin Bar is known as “the Secret Gin Bar”, which is ironic because it has become one of the most famous bars in Cape Town.
It’s tucked away behind the Honest Chocolate Café and has a Mediterranean feel that the people of Cape Town can’t seem to get enough of (myself included). And as a bonus, it’s right in the city centre, whereas most distilleries are a little further out.
Every Tuesday night, you can do a tasting of five top-notch South African gins, then learn how to craft the perfect G&T from the Gin Bar’s master mixologist. And if anyone knows how to make a good G&T, it’s him!
The class costs around R1,200 although prices do fluctuate slightly. It begins at 6 pm on Tuesday nights, and has glowing reviews, which you can check here.
Click here to book your spot, with free cancellation!
2. Pienaar & Son
Address: G12, Makers Landing, Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront
Tastings from: 10 am – 5 pm on Thursday, 10 am – 7 pm from Friday to Sunday
Pienaar & Son are located in the Waterfront, inside Makers’ Landing market. I came here for a gin tasting on a rainy day, as my friends and I were in need of a fun indoor activity that weekend! (For more ideas, check out this post).
I like the tasting room here as it feels very industrial chic. The staff were really friendly and clearly passionate about alcohol, so we had that in common…
We got 5 different spirits, including a vodka and a whiskey, so I felt pretty tipsy by the time we left, especially as we had done a tasting at the Gin Emporium beforehand!
I think that the Cape Town Gin Company’s gin tastes nicer but Pienaar & Son have got some great concept gins. I like the fact that they make a “Dad Gin”.
Tastings here are only available from Friday to Sunday, and they don’t take walk-ins so I booked in advance via their website. The sessions cost R80 per person, which I think is amazing value for money given how much alcohol you get!
3. Woodstock Gin Co
Address: 399 Albert Road, Woodstock
Tastings from: 11 am – 5 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday
The Woodstock Gin Co is a stylish distillery that mixes elegance with edge. You can sample their three signature varieties when you go gin tasting here and as usual, if you buy a bottle, your tasting fee is waived.
Tasting costs R99 per person and includes some nibbles, which is a nice touch. Or, you can make your own gin with a blending class at R795. There’s no need to book a tasting alone, but if you want to make your own gin then you have to book online.
4. The Gin Lab at the 12 Apostles Hotel
Address: 12 Apostles Hotel, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Not only is the 12 Apostles Hotel one of the best sunset spots in Cape Town, it’s also one of the best places to go gin tasting! (Seriously though, please do have a sundowner on their Leopard Bar Balcony).
With their Foraging in Fynbos experience, you not only get to taste gin, but you also get to create your own bottle. If you’re looking for a luxurious gin tasting in Cape Town, then this is the perfect choice.
The experience requires a minimum of 4 guests and costs R725 per person. It’s available at 4 pm daily, and you need to book it at least 24 hours in advance. You can do this at the hotel if you’re a guest, or via their website.
Then, afterwards you can sit out on the terrace with a cocktail and enjoy an epic sunset!
5. Hout Bay Harbour Distillery
Address: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay
Tastings from: 12 – 4 pm, Friday – Sunday
Hout Bay Harbour Distillery is a family-run distillery that boasts a multitude of awards. Plus, Hout Bay is a stunning suburb with some really fun activities on offer. Personally, I recommend booking a tasting here for after a trip to seal island!
But I digress. The Distillery itself offers hour-long tasting sessions for R150, and you get a signature G&T at the end, which is a nice touch. You also get a distillery tour so you get to see the plant machinery in action rather than just hearing about how the gin is made.
Booking in advance is a must. You can book online for tastings on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, but if you want to go on a Wednesday or Thursday then give them a call.
6. Distillers Union
Address: 165 Victoria Road, Woodstock
Tastings from: 11:30 am – 5:30 pm, Wednesday to Saturday
Distillers Union offers a really fun gin tasting! As well as 5 Pence Gin, the collective also owns the Dragon Brewing Co, which makes delicious alcoholic ginger beer – I highly recommend trying some while you’re in Cape Town.
You can do a tasting here for R130 per person, which also comes with a snack plate.
Alternatively, you can make your own gin for R595. OR you can go the whole hog and do an entire gin course for R750, which I think is such a fun idea for a birthday or hen/stag party.
There’s also a ginger beer or craft beer tasting for anyone in your group who doesn’t like gin – there’s always one, am I right?
These tastings are popular and tend to book out, so make sure to book online a few days beforehand.
7. Deep South Distillery
The Deep South Distillery is so-called because it’s way down the Cape Peninsula in Kommetjie (pronounced core-mickey).
It is a bit out of town, but it’s worth the trip for gin enthusiasts. This place has quite the reputation!
Deep South specialises in small-batch, hand-crafted spirits. They have won tons of awards from people who presumably know what they’re talking about.
If you like pink gin, you’ll LOVE their ruby gin. They also have a chilli vodka, if you’re brave enough…
Tastings here include a mini tour of the Distillery, although more in-depth ones are available. Then, you get to try 3 gins and learn how to balance them properly for the perfect cocktail.
The staff are super friendly and clearly love what they do, so this tasting will make any gin lover smile. It costs R150 per person and you need to book online.
Tastings from: 11 am – 4:30 pm, Friday and Saturday