Cape Town’s jazz clubs

Cape Town boasts a great number of excellent jazz clubs, staging live jazz concerts on a regular basis

In Cape Town, jazz is a religion, a form of music that has a power to unite the city. Cape Town’s annual jazz festival is a big deal; the jazz clubs though, spread out all over Cape Town, keep rocking throughout the whole year. We compiled a list of all known jazz clubs in the Mother City. If we’re missing out on something, let us know.

Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room at Mandela Rhodes Place (opened in 2009) on St George’s Mall offers a great line up of well known local artists as well as young up and coming talent. Plus, there’s excellent food served throughout the week.

Mandela Rhodes Place | 23 Church Street | Cnr Wale & Burg Street | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 422 1428

West End Jazz Club 
Opened in 1993, here it’s all about hot live jazz. The club in Athlone/Rylands in Cape Town is one of the city's most bubbly music venues. The West End Jazz Club features top local and national talent, scattered with appearances from international stars too. It’s a very classy venue and preferred hangout for serious jazz fans, every Friday and Saturday from 5pm until late, situated upstairs the legendary club Galaxy.

Cine 400 Building | College Road | Rylands | +27 (0) 21 637 9132

 

Thuthuka Jazz Cafe
Owner Laura Ndukwana offers international visitors the chance to have a meal, mix with locals and enjoy world-class jazz that’s infused with traditional musical elements in the Gugulethu township. Popular amongst Capetonians and tourists alike, here you can get a taste of what South Africa is all about:  to dance, wine & dine.

Gugulethu | +27 (0) 82 979 5831

Swingers in Wetton
Every Monday you can get to know the Cape jazz culture at this popular club in Cape Town. There are live music events specialising in contemporary African jazz with local and visiting musicians. Melanie Scholtz and Erica Lundi have sung here.
1 Wetwyn Road, near Wetton station | Lansdowne | +27 (0) 21 762 2443



Generations Cafe (the G-spot)
'The only place where adults can act like children'. The Generations Café or 'The G-Spot' as it is better known attracts a client base from the core of the Cape Peninsula and is one of the few venues which hosts live bands from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Gerry Ferry Crescent, off Gunners Circle | Epping | +27 (0) 21 535 1873

Hanover Street Jazz Club
A double-storey, classy jazz venue housed in Cape Town's Grand West Casino with a New Orleans vibe. Its name originates from the Hanover Street in the old District Six. The well-stocked bar will keep you happy while listening to what a serious jazz fan needs.

Grand West Casino | Goodwood | +27 (0) 21 505 7777

District Six Café
In the East City, at the corner of Keizergracht behind the castle, is a tiny little place that offers music and poetry. District Six in Cape Town’s city bowl is known as one of South Africa’s most visible apartheid scars. The District Six Café is a very cosy. Slightly run down, but a simply excellent place to listen to Cape jazz. There is also a huge outside terrace with a stage where concerts take place.

106 Darling Street | Zonnebloem | +27 (0) 82 591 0632 

By Antonia Heil

(personal tip: my favourite Cape Jazz CD is 'RockArt Future Cape' by Hilton Schilder)

Up for some African moves and grooves? Check out our list of African restaurants with live music. 

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Jazzy tip: Mike Laatz is the man that knows it all when it comes to jazz in Cape Town. Check out his gig-guide.