A touch of New York on Long Street

*Has since closed*

Fatback Soul is a late night watering-hole on Cape Town’s most famous street.

Walking up Long Street you’ll be forgiven for missing this late night bar. Shuttered and dark, it has a mysterious edge on its excitable neighbours. Pushing the glass and wood door open I step into a cool, dark interior. The air seems fresher inside than it did on Long’s life-soaked streets.

“The air’s climate-controlled,” says owner Jeremy Phillips. “Also there’s no smoking allowed. There’s nothing worse than going out for a drink and being doused in cigarette smoke.”

The space is intimate, gleaming and warm. A piano-key leather couch in chocolate and white tones wraps around the far wall. On the opposite side are bespoke wooden barstools. The floor is dark parquet wood, and from the ceiling hang vintage lamps sourced in Belgium. Jeremy is also a designer, nay scratch that, a motorcycle designer, specialising in customising Harley Davidson’s.

As if in a nod to his bike beauties the walls are covered in a collage of gun-metal oblong mirrors. Even the sound proofing is stylish—embossed on the ceiling like geometric stalactites.

The attention to detail doesn’t stop at the décor. The bar is stocked with premium and organic booze. From cocoa-infused organic vodka to 100% agave La Muerte tequila (Jeremy has a hand in producing the latter spirit).

You won't find house or club music banging here, instead expect chilled out funk, lounge or even reggae.

Although fairly new, this bar is no stranger to controversy. Rumours of their ‘door policy’ have rapidly spread through the city’s cliques.  The word on the street is that a guy needs to be accompanied by a girl in order to gain access, a one-for-one policy.

Jeremy is happy to explain: “Firstly it’s Long Street, there’s definitely a dangerous element out there, and I want people to feel safe and secure. I haven’t had an incident yet. The other night a girl lost her phone, and when the crowds cleared, there it was.

“We operate on a guest list system and there's no cover charge. The phone number is on the door, all you need to do is call to get your name on the list. As you can see it’s a small space, and this policy is our way of controlling the environment.”

Coupled with the door policy is a dress code. So be sure to dress your best. Jeremy says that it’s not about wearing a suit and tie, “but about an attitude.” Look good, feel good too.

Tip: Try the grapefruit margarita with organic agave syrup.

By Malu Lambert

Fatback Soul 
289 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 4086

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 8pm-2am

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