Cape Town nightlife – bars, pubs & clubs
Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by admin in Cape Town
Nightlife in Cape Town is mainly centred around trendy bars and restaurants and the vibe here is quite chic and laid-back. There are few nightclubs to keep the hardcore clubbers happy, however, and the restaurants and bars stay open late. Venues in Cape Town cater for a variety of tastes, from the bohemian jazz scene to cigar lounges pool bars.
Popular areas for Cape Town nightlife include the V&A Waterfront, the Atlantic Seaboard, Camps Bay and the Southern Suburbs. There is always something new happening at night time in Cape Town, however, so keep your ear to the ground ad listen for the flavour of the week.
Nightlife in Cape Town proper
The central area of the city has a whole host of different venues, all offering their own variety of hip Cape Town nightlife. The V&A Waterfront, however, is where you will find the sophisticated types who enjoy a nice glass of wine or a good cocktail with their view. The streets around Western Blvd are also popular hangouts, as are Greenpoint and Heritage Square.
Long Street is famous throughout Cape Town for its clubs, bars and restaurants and it is easily found right by the Greenmarket Square and St George’s Cathedral. The vibe is lively here day and night and the area is the best in the city for a truly multi-racial night out. Long Street allows you to get away from the tourists and see a bit of the new South Africa.
Check out these bars and clubs in Cape Town proper:
169 on Long
Long Street, Tel: +27 (0) 21 426-1107
169 on Long pumps out jazzy retro tunes from Wednesday to Saturday. The attached restaurant also serves good Mediterranean-style food, perfect for lining your stomach before hitting the sauce.
Blushlounge
Somerset Road, Greenpoint
Blushlounge is an all encompassing bar, lounge and nightclub catering for Cape Town’s trendy young professionals. The staff are stylish, efficient and treat you like royalty.
Caveau Wine Bar & Deli
Bree Street, Heritage Square, Tel: +27 (0)21 422-1367, Email: info@caveau.co.za
This city centre wine bar has an award-winning drinks list and offers over 300 wines by the glass. Enough said.
Mannenbergs Jazz Café
Clock Tower Centre, V&A Waterfront, Tel: +27 (0)21 421-5639, Email: manenberg@mynet.co.za
Specialists in distinctive Cape Jazz. Great for snacks and coffee in the daytime with the live music every evening. Reservations are recommended for the most popular nights.
The Green Dolphin
Alfred Mall, V&A Waterfront, Tel: +27 (0)21 421-7471, Email: green-dolphin@mweb.co.za
One of the best jazz clubs in the city with live music every night of the week.
The Nose Wine Bar
Cape Quarter, Waterkant Street, Green Point, Tel: +27 (0)21 425-2200 Email: info@thenose.co.za
Quiet expensive but a good selection of wine by the glass.
Marco’s African Place
Rose Street, Bo Kaap, tel: +27 (0)21 423-5412
A gay bar specialising in the acquired taste of Ulwimi (steamed ox tongue) and African music.
Opium
Dixon Street, De Waterkant, tel: +27 (0)21 425 4010
One of the few Cape Town clubs. Beautiful people dance to funky house while sipping expensive cocktails
Buddha Bar
Main Road, Greenpoint, tel: +27 (0)214344010
A laid-back club with a sultry feel. Cuban-style music
Nightlife in Camps Bay
Camps Bay nightlife is also popular with locals as there is a plethora of trendy bars, restaurants and clubs here. Sunday nights are particularly popular as people wind down after the weekend. Pretty much every restaurant boasts great views of the bay and serves up fabulous ‘sundower’ cocktails. The best spot for relaxed Cape Town nightlife.
Check out these bars and clubs in Camps Bay:
Karma
Victoria Road, Tel: +27 (0)21 438 7773, Email: chris@karmalounge.co.za
An upmarket bar with good music but pricey drinks. Busy on Wednesday and Friday.
Baraza
The Promenade, Victoria Road, Tel: +27 (0)21 438-1758
A good spot for sundowners and less pretentious than many
Sandbar
Victoria Road, Tel: +27 021 438 8336, Email: hello@sandbar.co.za
A recently renovated and popular hangout for locals. Good cocktails and coffee.
The Leopard Room Bar & Lounge
The Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay, Tel: +27 (0)21 437-9000
Great sundowners and ocean views from this swanky hotel bar
Sandy B
Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Tel: +27 021 437 97 01, Email: res@thebayhotel.com
A cocktail lounge in the Bay Hotel boasting fabulous views of the beachfront.
Nightlife in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs
Although the Cape Town suburb nightlife is not renowned as it is in the central areas, they can certainly hold their own and get very rowdy on the weekends. Newlands is a popular area with the locals and there are many good restaurants and sports bars here.
The Observatory, or Obz as it is affectionately and annoyingly known, is just north of Rondebosch and particularly lively. The various student residences here ensure bohemian nightlife and cheap drinks. This is also a popular area for Cape Town’s gay community.
Check out these bars and clubs in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs:
Cubana Café and Cigar Lounge
Edward Street, Kraaifontein, Tel: +27 021 910 4963
A great place for relaxing and looking cool.
Foresters Arms Pub
Newlands Ave, Tel: +27 021 689 5949, Email: forries@indlovu.co.za
Better known as Forries, this pub is the most popular in the Newlands area and has a great atmosphere at sporting events.
De Wijnhuis
Kildare Centre Main Street, Newlands,. Tel: +27 (21) 671 9705, email: wijnhuisct@mweb.co.za
Family-friendly restaurant and wine bar.
Rolling Stones Pool Hall
Observatory
A non-seedy pool hall with hundreds of tables and a large balcony. Popular with students.
