Some would argue that pre-drinks is one of the most crucial steps to a successful night of groove.
They’re the tone setters, the spaces we assess our fellow ‘groovists’, and sometimes turn into the party themselves. We love to paint the town red in the Mother City, and luckily for us we have enough colours on the pallet in the form of bars to make the perfect shade for our night out painting.
In Cape Town, the story of a great night out usually begins by the coast or in the city.
Here’s your guide to the best spots to get your night started in Cape Town:
From the beach to the city
1.Mynt Cafe
Cocktails and dreams, palm trees & the ocean breeze. Going to Mynt is like going to the home of your friend who always oozes the most vibrant energy – especially if said friend loves neon lights, is always ready for a cocktail and their home is a stone’s throw away from one of the best views in the world, Camps Bay Beach. The best part about Mynt is that it offers all the perks of a lavish spot (from the tantalising views to the divine sushi) without overtly boujee prices thanks to their specials. Their cocktail specials are 2 for 1 all week long!
- Where: 31 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay
2.Café Caprice
Café Caprice is the rich aunt of Mynt Cafe. Teeming with luxury and bubbles, Instagram’s favourite views and hues, Caprice maintains its spot as a socialite favourite in Cape Town. Now, if you’re looking to go to a bar before a night out to save money, Caprice likely won’t be to your wallet’s liking (unless half-priced champagne on Fridays sounds like a bargain to you). However, if the tone you want to set for the evening is glamourous and you’re ready to treat yourself – then get ready to explore the upper echelon’s playground.
- Where: 37 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay
3. ChinChilla
If you like your drinks shaken or stirred with a side of tranquillity and you want your night to be defined with chill, then ChinChilla must be on your night kick-starter list. The world ‘chill’ lives in their title for a reason. Beyond offering an essence that will have you forgetting your troubles and tricks you into thinking your life is a holiday, ChinChilla is a stunning setting. Ranked as one of the best rooftop bars in the world (let alone Cape Town) it’s one of the best seats worldwide to watch the sunset from.
- Where: Victoria Rd Shop 120, Second Floor, The Promenade, Camps Bay
4.Dizzy’s Cafe
If a laid-back spot snug with history that is too cool for snobbery sounds like your kind of spot, then Dizzy’s is your ideal go-to. It’s one of the best places to meet and drink with friends where you can truly come as you are, despite being on one of the most lavish roads in South Africa. Pro tip: Their pizzas are amazing and the perfect stomach liner if you plan for a full send later on in the evening.
- Where: 41 The Dr, Camps Bay
5.Cause | Effect Cocktail Kitchen
Not sure if you’re feeling like a classy night or a hood night? Cause | Effect Cocktail Kitchen offers both. Ranked one of the best bars in the world in 2021, Cause | Effect has earned its title through all its merits – from expert cocktail artistry and technique to the ‘I can’t wait to tell my non-Cape Town friends about this place’ aftertaste. Now, the bar poises more than one location, so if Camps Bay is out of your way, head on over to the Waterfront!
- Where: 69 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay | 280 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
6. Grand Africa Café & Beach
As far as beach bars go, Grand Africa Café & Beach sits proudly on its sandcastle throne. Their playful take on luxury is perfectly blended with stunning drink choices and an ocean view to boast. If a beach party sounds like your ideal thing to do in Cape Town at night – this is the spot to flourish at.
- Where: Granger Bay 1 Haul Rd, V&A Waterfront
From city to groove:
1.I love The DOUGH
If you want to paint the town red, start by painting it pink at I Love The DOUGH. Bree Street’s gem is one of the most hyped-up spots in Cape Town for good reason. Everything flows at ILTD, from the drinks to the music (which for the Hip Hop lovers, often plays our favourite tracks), alongside the added beats of pizza and aesthetics. I Love The DOUGH is an ideal spot to take your visiting friends to. It’s also a great pick for celebrations and makes a fabulous backdrop for those all-important ‘I was here’ pictures. There is also more than one ILTD, so pick your pleasure!
- Where: 101 Bree St | Corner Kloof an Rheede St, Gardens
2.Blondie
A Kloof Street’s blossoming love, Blondie is one of the newest spots in Cape Town. It offers the feeling of time travel thanks to their kickback groove-esque music. The best part about Blondie, beyond the warm hues and Princess Diana inspiration, are the kinds of people it attracts. Creative, alternative, bold and unashamedly oneself – Blondie is a spot where freedom erupts. It’s one of my personal favourite night starter spots in the City, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt and more often than not turns into the main party itself.
- Where: 71 Kloof Street
3. Yours Truly
Yours Truly is the spot where Hip Hop culture meets rooftop scenes. The Kloof Street spot is a local favourite rooftop bar to get the evening moving. Bustling with characters, fashion, hip hop and energy, YT is another city lover’s stop, which is sometimes such a vibe itself that you won’t even want to leave to venture onward. YT also boasts a Loop Street location for another top city spot.
- Where: 73 Kloof St, Schotsche Kloof | 63 Loop Street
4.The Station on Bree
One of Cape Town’s favourite local hangouts, The Station on Bree has come back to life after lockdown with an undeniable bang. First Thursdays are not First Thursdays without a stop at the station (where often, the entire street will turn into a mini-festival). Sundays are also the time that the station roars with life.
- Where: 207 Bree St
5.BeerHouse
Beer lovers have, and will continue to unite at BeerHouse. Don’t be fooled as there’s more to BeerHouse than just a draught or two. While BeerHouse fashions multiple locations, the town spot offers a slice of city culture fused with an easy-going energy, situated in the heart of town at the Long Street stop.
- Where: 223 Long St
6.Van Hunks
Self-described as a ‘vibey bar and restaurant in the heart of Cape Town’s Kloof Street’, Van Hunks is another local go-to. It’s one of the best spots to bring and meet new friends in Cape Town before any further galavanting. Down to Earth energy and prices define the watering hole where everyone can feel welcome.
- Where: 1 Upper Union St, Gardens
7.Fable
Fable is one of the more magical spots in the City, with cocktail imaginings designed to ignite wonder. It’s one of the best places to save-up up to splurge in the Mother City, and stands true to being a fabulous spot for celebration culture (especially for birthdays). Fable is the spot for serious cocktail conneisseurs and people hungry to explore creativity.
- Where: Corner Bree &, Wale St
8. SGT Pepper
Long Street’s love, SGT Pepper has always understood the assignment when it comes to ideal locations, throwback music and a place of gathering. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that it isn’t just a get-together at a friend’s home – until you gaze over the balcony at the rest of Long Street’s kingdom that is.
- Where: 194 Long St
9.Athletic Club and Social
Starting off your night at Athletic Club and Social will easily have you confusing your reality with that of a Peaky Blinders character in terms of aesthetic. With old fashioned energy and new age flair, Athletic Club and Social is a must if you’re after a whiskey with your pals or cocktails with your community in a setting that makes you feel like the character you are.
- Where: 35 Buitengracht St
10.The Moveable Feast
The Moveable Feast is another spot in the Mother City reminiscent of disco energy. While it might not be the biggest location, what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in atmosphere, and all gems fit in a treasure chest after all. Moveable is the kind of spot that encompasses nonchalance with a little vintage luxury and is one of the most divine locations to sport those new flare jeans you and your friends recently bought.
- Where: 13 Kloof Nek Rd, Tamboerskloof
11. Asoka
Asoka is dubbed the gem of Kloof Street and has shone for over a decade with this title. The music and experience at Asoka are intoxicating. Those who know why really do know. Those who don’t, are invited to find out. Live Sundays are also back – which is like music to an Asoka lover’s ears.
- Where: 68 Kloof St, Gardens
Now, beyond beach and city experiences (although their city location is awesome) lies La Parada Constantia. And for an establishment that boasts both city and beach locations and sits comfortably as a local favourite watering hole, is none other than Tiger’s Milk.
La Parada
A special mention has to go out to La Parada, which sports different locations. One of the best places to gather with friends is hidden amongst the trees and hills of the Constantia Nek location. La Parada spoils us with wine, gardens, dance floors, and delicious foods before turning into the event itself, and is a must for anyone who feels like escaping city life but still wants to jive. The other La Parada spots are also noteworthy and extend to the Waterfront and Bree Street.
- Where: Main Road, Hout Bay (La Parada Constantia Nek) | 801 Dock Rd (La Parada Waterfront) | 107 Bree Street (La Parada in town)
Tiger’s Milk
Tiger’s Milk in Camps Bay and on Kloof Street ( the most vibrant of the franchise) are equally special for different reasons. Tiger’s at Camps Bay boasts brilliant seascape views from their rooftop perching for one. Tiger’s Milk Kloof on the other hand is a hive of city energy with delicious music and treats at the ready. Both are essential checkouts for nightlife starters and those looking for things to do at night in Cape Town.
- Where: 33 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay | 55 Kloof Street, Gardens
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Picture: Pinterest
