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Sizzling Cape Town Sundowner Hotspots
From a hidden tequila bar to Caribbean beer garden
Last updated: Friday, 12 January 2024
Glitter or glam, rustic or sophisticated, intimate or bustling, Cape Town has no shortage of dazzling bars to offer. Celebrate summer at some of our favourite bars with a sea view, or dress up and prepare for an intimate cosy evening. Here’s where you’ll find some of the best cocktail spots in the city.
TRY A KOEKSISTER NEGRONI
Combine the desert oasis of the Karoo with the urban jungle of Bree Street and you get BOMA. Their cocktails take cue from local cuisines: There’s a Milk Stout Whiskey Sour (made with milk stout, Jameson and a funky rice paper design on top); Swart Kat Old Fashioned (peanut butter-washed bourbon and bitters) and Koeksister Negroni at BOMA on Bree.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to late
107 Bree Street | Cape Town | @bomaonbree | Image: BOMA on Bree
EVER HEARD OF A MIELIE COCKTAIL?
Hidden gem of Loop Street, Talking to Strangers, is a cocktail bar committed to mixology and serving up unique drinks such as Mielieeees (Burned Butter Tequila, Charred Corn, Lime And Chilli Oil) or a So Fresh & So Clean (Pear Au De Vide, Citrus Vodka, Greek Yoghurt infusion, Pineapple Skin Syrup and Cucumber). And for those late night cravings, you can get street food like Pomèluxe (Sweet Potato Nest, Smashed Baby Potatoes, Goats Cheese Mousse, Crispy Bacon, Pickled Tomato, Roasted Garlic Mayo and Chives).
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 2am
61 Loop Street | City Centre | @talkingtostrangersbar | Image: Talking to Strangers
SIP COCKTAILS AT A HIDDEN BEACHSIDE SPOT
The Attic by Bo-Vine is an intimate and swanky cocktail lounge and wine bar overlooking the Camps Bay Strip in the The Promenade Shopping Centre. Ring the doorbell and enter to find a stylish lounge with cheetah cushioned seats, pink floral carpets and orange couches.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 11pm; Friday to Sunday, 1pm to 11pm
85 Victoria Road | Camps Bay | @the_attic_by_bovine | Image: The Attic by Bo-Vine
VISIT A TEQUILA BAR
There’s a wide range of tequila-based cocktails at this Kloof Street bar, like the Le Coco Fraise (Avíon Blanco, Crème de Cacao, lime and strawberry) or The Amigo (Avíon Resposado, Agave and Orange Bitters). Rita’s has a hidden feel too, as you enter through the back of Hudson’s kitchen.
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 4.30pm to 2am; Friday to Sunday, 3pm to 2am
22 Kloof Street | Gardens | Cape Town | @ritascocktailclub | Image: Rita’s Cocktail Club
THERAPY ANYONE?
The team behind Therapy restaurant believe in nourishing the body and comforting the soul. They do this by making the cocktail menu a holistic experience. There’s the throat-soothing Ginger Bliss (ginger and honey beer, lime, Ketel One vodka and bitters) or gut-healthy The Prescription (old fashioned milk punch, Bulleit bourbon and passion fruit).
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 8am to 10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 8am to 11pm
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5 Park Road | Gardens
GRAB A DRINK AT AN AFRICAN DESERT
This Bree Street eatery feels just like an African desert with its wooden and rattan colour scheme and cacti dotted around the restaurant. Desert-inspired cocktails include the Sahara Stargazer (Inverroche Classic, Msobo jam, naartjie, raspberry and bubbly) or the Dusky Desert Delight (Grey Goose, rooibos tea, roast pineapple, lemon and soda).
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 1pm - 11pm; Thursday to Saturday, 12pm - 2am
107 Bree Street | Cape Town City Centre | @bomaonbree | Image: Boma
DINE ON SUSHI AND ASIAN TAPAS
Not only does this funky restaurant on Kloof Street offer awesome cocktails, it also serves a fusion of cuisines from around Asia. At Soi Bar you can dine on dumplings, potstickers and wok-tossed teriyaki ribs while sipping on fun cocktails. Try the Apollo, which has flavours of tequila, mango and lime, or the Rose Bath, a gin cocktail which is served in a bath with rose petals.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm - 1pm
9 Kloof Nek Road | Cape Town | @soibar.cpt | Image: Soi Bar
DRINK FROM A DOG BOWL
Yes, you read correctly. It’s like a fish bowl cocktail, but served in a dog bowl. This cheeky drink highlights the dog-friendly nature of this seaside eatery. It’s located on top of the lagoon at Onrus Beach, overlooking mountains and sea. The cocktail is big enough to share between 3 to 4 people. If you’re not a sharer, go for the Popcorn Gin and Tonic (with actual pieces of popcorn floating on the drink) at the Waffle Shack by Milk on the Beach.
1 Atlantic Drive | Onrus River | @milk_onthebeach | Image: Milk on the Beach
TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Situated in Blouberg, Catch 22 has an outdoor deck overlooking the beach where you can dine on sushi and steak. They have a variety of unique cocktails, like the Sparkling Paloma, which is tequila and sparkling wine with flavours of ginger and grapefruit.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm - 9:30pm; Sunday, 12pm - 9pm
Corner of Beach Boulevard, Porterfield Road | Table View| @catch22grille | Image: Catch 22 Beachside Grille and Bar
TASTE THE CARIBBEAN
Sip on coconut and rum cocktails at this Caribbean restaurant in Kenilworth. Decorated with bright green and yellow decor and a beautiful garden with outdoor seating, Banana Jam is a great spot to sip on refreshing signature cocktails in the warm weather. They also brew award-winning beer and have 30 beers on tap.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am - 11pm, Sunday, 11am to 10pm
157 Second Avenue | Kenilworth | @bananajamcafe | Image: Banana Jam Cafe
SIP ON WHISKEY SOURS AT THIS RETRO SPOT
Cargo is an ode to a masculinity of yesteryear. Decorated with old school army memorabilia and framed black and white photographs, this is the perfect edgy spot to listen to laidback rock music. Treat yourself to an old fashioned or whiskey sour, or a hungover Sunday breakfast.
Hours: Daily, 7am - 12am
158 Kloof Street | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town City Centre | @c__a__r__g__o | Image: Julia Rowley
DISCOVER THIS GEM AT SUNSET BEACH
Fancy Franks in Milnerton looks unassuming, but it is anything but. This slice of Kloof Street at the beach has great happy hour specials, like a 2-for-1 special on mojitos, cosmopolitans and gin and tonics. They also host a ladies night special where you can get free tequila and gin cocktails for R40.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 to 11pm; Monday 1 to 11pm
Ocean Square | Sunset Beach | Cape Town | @fancy.franks | Image: Fancy Franks
SIP COCKTAILS IN THE SKY
Tucked away in the hotel Gorgeous George, in St George’s Mall, you’ll find the tropical paradise Gigi’s Rooftop Bar. This spot is oozing with pizzazz. It has hanging lights, plants and the infinitely Instagrammable “Hello Gorgeous” sign. Gigi’s is open throughout the day, so you can drink a glass of bubbly with brunch or classic whisky or wine for sundowners by the pool.
Hours: Daily, 7.30am - 11pm
118 St Georges Mall | Cape Town City Centre | @gorgeousgeorgect | Image: Gorgeous George
DRINK A COCKTAIL WITH A LOCAL FABLE
Flavour, fresh and fun are just three words to describe Fable on Bree Street. Try one of the 8 speciality cocktails, each named after a local fable (you can read them). The menu encourages you to order according to flavour profiles rather than ingredients. We recommend the Kronendal lovers (which comes with a gorgeous glitter brush) or the Smoking Devil for a husky taste.
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm - 2pm; Friday & Saturday, 4pm - 2am
Bree Street | Cape Town | @fablecpt | Image: Fable
CELEBRATE HAPPY HOUR ON A TIDAL POOL
Ficks is easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Western Cape. Built into the rocks surrounding Ficks tidal pool, this seaside spot sells cheeky cocktails like the MILF and Balls to the Walls. Don't miss out on the boozy milkshakes either - try the Save the Rhino (featuring a vanilla and coffee liqueur that aids nature conservation) or the Marshmallow Dream (a fun pink drink made with marshmallow cream liqueur). Learn more about Ficks (ever heard of pinchos?).
Hours: Daily, 11am - 9pm (a completely open-air venue, it’s closed in severe wet weather)
Marine Drive | Hermanus | @ficksrestaurant | Image: Ficks
TRY THE PALOMA AT THIS KLOOF STREET GEM
They say blondes have more fun, and that’s true of Blondie Restaurant on Kloof Street. This quirky spot is great for a relaxed lunch or drinks on the veranda, under its yellow umbrellas. Try the paloma cocktail while snacking on Mediterranean-inspired foods (there are vegan and vegetarian options too).
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm - 11pm; Sunday, 12pm - 10pm
71 Kloof Street | Gardens |@blondie_cpt | Image: Lara v Zyl
STOCK UP ON GIN AT THIS BAR
Hidden behind an artisanal chocolate bar in the city, you’ll find this little gem that serves some spectacular gin. The Gin Bar is a small and intimate space with a courtyard that feels like it’s set in small-town Italy. With decadent gins, beers, wine and a newly introduced bubbly bar, this hidden gem has the right drink for everyone.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 5pm - 1am; Thursday to Saturday, 3pm - 1am
Behind Honest Chocolate | 64A Wale Street | Cape Town | @theginbar | Image: The Gin Bar
DRESS UP FOR THIS SPEAKEASY
Transport yourself to the roaring Twenties with this secret bar. With a dark and intimate setting, live jazz music and the waitrons dressed in Gatsby-esque glamour, you’ll feel like you’ve strolled into a classic speakeasy. The drinks are inspired by this distinctive period and are as stylish as they are tasty.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm - till late
Hidden Location | @the_art_of_duplicity | Image: The Art of Duplicity
DISCOVER SPICY DRINKS AT UNA MÁS
Una Más means “one more” in Spanish, a fitting name for this newly opened restaurant that serves more-ish Mexican food and drinks. It’s an intimate, trendy and vibey spot already popular amongst Sea Point locals, the drinks are spicy (try the Spicy Paloma cocktail) and the cuisine is incredible.
Hours: Monday, 5pm - 11pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm - 11pm
77 Regent Rd | Sea Point | @una_mas_mezcaleria | Image: Simone Strydom
OPT FOR A MOODY NIGHT OUT IN THE CITY
If you’re looking for something more cosy and romantic, opt for this three-storey Victorian building in the inner city. The Athletic Club & Social is filled with velvet chairs, Persian rugs and dark, warm colours (perfect for a date night or girls’ night out). It has a large veranda looking out onto the mountains, if you want the full sundowner experience.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 1pm - 11pm; Thursday to Saturday, 12pm - 2am
35 Buitengracht Street | CBD| @theathleticclubandsocial | Image: The Athletic Club and Social
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DISCOVER MORE NIGHTLIFE IN CAPE TOWN
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You’ll find movie posters, graffiti and moreish bar food at Roxy Late Night.
Find out about this four-in-one nightlife hub Harrington Street.
Your guide to shisha lounges in Cape Town.
Discover +7 things to do this weekend.
Explore these special Cape Town rooftop bars.
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