CapeTown | The Nightlife Venues

Cape Town’s nightlife offers a wide variety of options. There are dozens of vibey bars and clubs, unique jazz cafes, opera, independent theatres and movie houses all of which offer great live music, entertainment or simply a good time out.

Cape Town’s hedonistic reputation is not undeserved – a short walk down Long Street will prove this. If you’re looking for a few drinks at a bar, live music, DJs, or just to dance the night away, you can’t go wrong with Cape Town’s bars and clubs. The likes of Claremont and outlying suburbs also offer places to party away with Cape Town’s finest.

City Bowl

Whether you’re looking to do some bar hopping in Long Street or a night cycle through the city streets, it will be a memorable time.

Funky street art and unusually dressed characters are the toppings of the City Centre’s Cape Town night life scene.

Nightclubs in the City Bowl

MADISON AVENUE

One of four successful venues, it’s obvious to think of Madison Avenue when you want VIP treatment. Adorned in class and luxury, the many female performers mesmerize with skill and grace.

THIRTY ONE

Found on the thirty-first floor of the ABSA building, Thirty One has panoramic views of the city below. Try out this upmarket Cape Town nightclub with a strict dress code and no-nonsense attitude.

Intimate seating areas provide a quieter space to enjoy some conversation, while the resident DJ will keep you on your feet all night.

COCO

The focus at Coco is to provide high-end bottle service with a touch of sophisticated customer services. This prestigious nightclub is found on Loop Street in Cape Town.

The Coco showstopper would have to be their Gold Bar, described as African elegance meets European chic. They have outdone themselves taking the lounge scene by storm with this new addition to the already luxurious venue.

The Gold Bar is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 9pm – 3am, with a smart dress code.

WAITING ROOM

The waiting room is situated upstairs from the Royal Eatery on Cape Town’s most happening street, Long Street. The venue has a striking hip design with blonde wood finishes.

The outside balcony is covered with stunning fairy lights, that feel like you’re sitting beneath the stars. Known for their showcasing of musical talents, from local and international DJs to live music during the week, it draws the who’s who of the “underground” music industry.

DISTRICT

Cape Town’s newest nightclub, the District, has finally opened its doors. Having taken over the space formally known as Assembly, it has a five star sound system that begs to be played louder.

The massive dance floor easily accommodates large groups and there is ample seating throughout. The District is definitely worth checking out.

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

This restaurant and bar’s mascot may be an ostrich named Oskar, but this place is definitely the bee’s knees. You will find people of all ages frequenting this restaurant-turned bar when the sun goes down.

They host everything from 50th birthday parties to bachelorette parties.

It is situated on Loop Street and has a surrounding balcony with tables and chairs overlooking the street below. Great authentic South African food is served all night long as the DJ keeps the crowd entertained.

ORPHANAGE COCKTAIL EMPORIUM

Orphanage Cocktail Emporium is a specialist club of artisan cocktails, elixirs and intoxications. They pride themselves on creating just the right atmosphere to accompany their brilliant alcoholic concoctions.

CAFE MANHATTAN

The Madam Zingara family is proud to welcome Cafe Manhattan to their vibrant family.

The Cafe is decorated in a chic Wild West theme, attracting alternatives from all over the country.

They strive for the best in entertainment with each night a unique experience. Cafe Manhattan-goers might just make a fan out of you too.

STONES

Stones is everything a nightclub should be, they offer a balanced mix of the typical nightclub vibe accompanied with pool tables and chilled spots.

ASOKA

Asoka has a decade of great food and music behind it, a much loved favourite by local – it really is one of the hippest upmarket places in the CBD to enjoy a drink.

Their aim is to bring music and food together and all they ask is you stay for dinner and enjoy some drinks after.

The deck area overlooks the busy Kloof Street below with Table Mountain looming above. The venue inside is touched with magic, candle lit tables provide complementary lightening for any mood.

DUBLINER

A multi-level pub, the Dubliner has a variety of live music every night of the week. A great local hangout, everyone has been there.

This Irish-themed pub has a cigar bar upstairs and a smoking balcony that overlooks the famous Long Street. The Irish pub menu boasts dishes like Irish stew, fish and chips, steak eggs and chips, salads and platters.

GANDALFS

Gandalfs is named after the Lord Of The Rings character thanks to the artwork that adorns the front entrance. A metal club by heart, they feature an upstairs live entertainment area that often showcases various new bands of rock genres. With the title of Cape Town’s number 1 metal music venue, a night out will be remembered here for years to come.

PIANO BAR

With a strong focus on promoting music, the Piano Bar is an American-themed music bar in the heart of the city. The wrap-around terrace offers views of the Bay and Devil’s Peak. They have plenty of tasty treats on offer to eat and drink.

Showcasing a variety of different musical genres, they cater to everyone’s tastes.

BEERHOUSE ON LONG STREET

Beerhouse is home to over 40 different types of beer available in the bottle and on tap. Located on the famous Long Street in Cape Town, it’s a trendy and family-friendly restaurant bar.

They host weekly Wrestle Your Brain quiz nights with amazing prizes up for grabs. A full pub menu is available where they select beer to match your meals.

JAMAICA ME CRAZY

In the heart of Woodstock, you can find Jamaica Me Crazy — a Caribbean-themed pub. Their Caribbean island style menu with dishes such as Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Woodstock Lamb Curry and the famous Chicken & Chorizo Jambalaya, as well as Jamaican pizza and various vegetarian options.

A beautiful rooftop terrace lets you take in both mountain and ocean views while competing in their weekly quiz nights.

Cape Town Comedy Club

Situated in the busy V & A Waterfront travelling here is easy with an abundance of public and private transportation systems available.

A good idea would be to check their website to make sure you don’t miss your favourite comedian perform. Cape Town Comedy Club will tickle your funny bone. The luxury and extravagance might put a tiny dent in your pocket, but the memories will be worth it. It promises a colourfully decorated experience right by the ocean.

WORLDY, FOOD-FILLED EXPERIENCE

Lovely cobblestone paths meander between trees and tiny shopfronts while ships in the harbour pass by. The vendors bring you a worldly food-filled experience. Some of the featured vendors are:

Africa’s Best — traditional African food like samp and beans and mieliepap and stew.

Cape Town Spice Market — housing every spice you could need.

For the Love Of Yummyness — Belgian style waffles and other pâtisseries.

Knysna Oyster Company — live fresh oysters straight to you.

Nigiro Tea Merchant — specialise in tea leaves, tea equipment, tea training and tea blending.

Stokkiesdraai Biltong — dried meats like beef, game and ostrich, all organic and free range.

Sushi to Go — a sushi stall that caters to the price-sensitive customer.

The Noodle Bar — Asian noodle dishes.

Trecastelli Bakery — an Italian bakery.

It’s always a good idea to bring your own basket to carry all your goods.