A GUIDE TO AFRICA
TOP 8 BARS IN Cape Town
Cape Town rarely disappoints, and when it comes to bars, this holds true. Pick your poison and we guarantee Cape Town will serve it up in style.
From gin to wine to whisky to craft beers, there is the perfect bar for you in South Africa’s Mother City. We’re talking about hidden speakeasies, sleek rooftops and chic boho cafés, all with a range of unique and delicious drinks.
Here are our top 8 bars in Cape Town for the perfect night out on the town:
1. The Art of Duplicity
The Art of Duplicity tops our list because it offers such an incredible experience from the moment you make a reservation to when you’re sipping on your first delectable cocktail. Hidden in a secret location, the Art of Duplicity operates as a 1920s speakeasy. You only find out the location a few hours before your reservation after being sent a series of cryptic clues! Expect high-end cocktails, live jazz and Mae West and Al Capone lookalikes as you are transported back to the Roaring Twenties.
2. The Gin Bar
Just like the Art of Duplicity, the Gin Bar also has a secret location, which is why you might hear locals refer to it as the ‘secret gin bar’. Find it tucked away in a quaint courtyard with bistro chairs, fairy lights and greenery that could easily be mistaken for a spot in a small Mediterranean town. Inspired by the ‘quack’ medicinal history of gin, the menu is made up of five “elixirs, tinctures and potions to cure all manner of ills”: Hope, Heart, Head, Ambition and Soul. Each one of these gin and tonics is unique in infusion and flavour, but all are equally delicious.
3. Dust and Dynamite
Dust and Dynamite is easily one of Cape Town’s most unique bars. Upon entering, don’t be surprised if feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hollywood Western film. The bar is decorated from floor to ceiling in all things Wild West – cowboy hats, swinging saloon doors, wood panelling, and of course, and old honkytonk piano. It’s a great spot to relax with a beer after a busy day of exploring.
4. Openwine
The Western Cape is renowned for its award-winning wines, and if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, Openwine is the spot for you. Here you can sample some of the Western Cape’s best wines in a relaxed, unassuming atmosphere. Sit at the bar and enjoy the wine with a selection of antipasti, cosy up in the plush lounge, or head to the downstairs cellar for an informative tasting. It also stocks an extensive selection of bottles for purchase.
5. The Willaston Bar at The Silo Hotel
This bar boasts some of Cape Town’s best views. The Willaston Bar is on the sixth floor at the lavish Silo Hotel. Vibrant, striking and chic, it serves up a variety of sophisticated drinks with panoramic views of Table Mountain and Table Bay.
6. Botany
Botany is an upmarket cocktail lounge in the Cape Town suburb of Newlands. This intimate space is beautifully decorated in line with its botanical theme. An abundance of hanging plants and natural wood finishes create a romantic atmosphere. Botany has an extensive selection of gin on offer, as well as bubbly, whisky, craft beer, wine and other spirits. If you get nibblish, they have a wonderful tapas menu to accompany your drinks.
7. Bascule Bar
Part of the Cape Grace Hotel, located on a private quay on the water’s edge, is Bascule. This is a wonderfully genteel location for those who want to soak up Cape Town in a tranquil setting. If you are a whisky lover, Bascule is worth a visit. It has one of the largest whisky collections in the southern hemisphere – over 400 blends and malts from around the world!
8. The Brewers Co-Op
This is one of the more laid-back spots on our list. The final of our top 8 bars in Cape Town, the Brewers Co-Op is a haven for beer enthusiasts. It is a one-of-a-kind tap room and brewery. You can sample a huge range of independent craft beers on tap. In fact, around the back, they give microbrewers the opportunity to work on their craft – so there are 16 brewers and multiple beer enthusiasts all collaborating in one spot.
