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Bars and Nightlife |
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Sundowners at La Med, Camps Bay Photo by Onelocation.com |
Cape Town nightlife and bar culture is very diverse as you would expect from such a cosmopolitan city and there's something to suit every taste. Where you go depends on whether you want a chilled lounge vibe, somehwere vibrant to hang out with the fashionable people of Cape Town or somewhere a bit more down to earth. With the exception of a few, most of Cape Town's so-called clubs are bars and restaurant's during the day and then pumping dance floors from around 11pm onwards. So you may choose a bar thinking it's a fun place to sip cocktails only to be swept away when the music starts until the early hours. For the younger crowd then head to Long Street or if you're a more seasoned veteran wanting something less intense head for De Waterkant or Mouille Point. Sundowners at Caprice or Sandbar in Camps Bay is always a good way to start the evening and it's only a ten minute drive from all the action in the City Centre. But please remember not to drink and drive, although South Africa has a driving culture there are frequent road blocks especially over the holiday season and the fines for being caught are around R6,000 for a first offence. And South African drivers are particularly bad with lots of erratic under and over taking so be cautious when driving, particularly at night.
Camps Bay is great for a vibey atmosphere and the perfect spot for early evening sundowners. Check out the beachside Caprice with it's young trendy crowd and supermodels (and maybe the odd celebrity) or the Zanzibar themed Baraza just next door to Blues restaurant. They have a live DJ playing some chilled African tunes and the balcony is the best place in Camps Bay for watching the waves and the world go by. A few minutes up the coast road towards Clifton is La Med (Victoria Road, Tel: +27 (0) 21 438 5600), every Capetonians favourite meeting place and the best place to watch the sun set before heading elsewhere. There's a good mix of tourists, locals and bikini clad girls and the DJ's play some cool tunes to give it that Mediterranean holiday feel. The food is nothing to write home about and the service is average at best but that's not why you go to La Med ... if you're only in Cape Town for a few days then try and make a space for sundowners here, you won't regret it.
In the City Centre there's plenty of choice depending on your mood. The younger crowd can be found in Long Street due to a number of backpackers lodges found in the area which make it a very buzzy place to be. Try Po Na Na Souk (100 Shortmarket street, Heritage square) for a trendy Moroccan theme. The bars are internationally recognised and filled with plush cushions and North African artefacts. The crowd is diverse and there's live music from Tuesday's to Thursdays in summer. Jo?burg (218 Long Street) is a very popular bar, it's industrial stylish interior and heaving crowds make it a place with lots of atmsphere. The M-bar and lounge (38 Long street Tel: +27 (0) 21 424 7247) is a sumptuous and sexy lounge bar with red ostrich leather chairs and a Versace fabric covered sofa. They have live Jazz music on Wednesday's (8pm - 10pm) and resident DJ Tony Finger on Friday and Saturday nights playing sexy lounge beats. The M-bar is compact and intimate but oozes class, listening to live Jazz 3 ft away on a soft red leather chair while sipping a cocktail is surely one of life's great pleasures. If cigar lounges are your thing then head to Kennedy's (251 Long Street. Tel: +27 (0) 21 424 1212) for a mellow and laid back evening of cigars and bourbon. The super-cool (if taupe coloured velvets, satins and pearlised leather is your idea of cool!) Planet Bar (open from 5pm weekdays and 3pm Fridays) at the Mount Nelson hotel is actually Cape Town's first champagne bar and has become a popular spot those wanting to sip exotic cocktails, champagne or nibble on caviar and oysters. Well worth a visit if fine champagne and fancy wines are your thing.
Kloof street is also a good place to start your night out. Asoka Bar (68 Kloof street. Tel +27 (0) 21 422 0909) set in an old Victorian Townhouse and with an ancient olive tree in the central courtyard is a sophisticated and intimate lounge to enjoy cocktails and tapas. Cafe Vespa (Tel: +27 (0) 21 426 5042) is a trendy cafe / tapas bar with great views of Table Mountain from the outdoor deck. (And yes, you can rent Vespa's from them).
The V&A Waterfront offers some interesting choices and if you like Jazz then the Green Dolphin restaurant might be worth a trip. They've played live jazz every night since 1990 and although the decor is not as cosy as some Jazz bars the music is excellent (most nights anyway!). If a good old fashioned pub is your thing then try Quay 4, Ferryman'sTavern or Mitchell's Waterfront Brewery.
Greenpoint is another lively spot. Pulse (23 Somerset Road. Tel: +27 (0) 21 425 4010) is a sports bar with 5 huge plasma screens that turns into a club at night. It has a lively mix of old and young and serves good food too. The Buddha Bar and the Buena Vista Social Club are two bars where you can dance. The latter has great views from the balcony of the 2010 World Cup stadium that is currently under construction.
The Southern Suburbs has a few pubs / bars such as the Forrester's Arms and Home in Newlands and the Cubana Cafe in Claremont. For a really good old English pub atmosphere have a look at Razzlers in Kenilworth, they have live champions league games and great pizzas.
Further afield in Kalk Bay there?s Polana, a Moroccan inspired restaurant / bar below Harbour House. The bar occasionally has live music and is popular with the locals. It gets very busy on weekends and can be a bit of a pick-up joint but with friends it's a great vibey place to hang out. The best thing about Palona is that at low tide you can throw open the windows, jump onto the rocks below and enjoy your drink while getting your feet wet. Be warned though at high tide or after a few drinks this becomes a very dangerous past-time.
If you're after clubs then Opium in Greenpoint is one of the most popular in town. There's also the Bang Bang Club in Loop street which has local DJ's, Fiction on Long street which is very popular with young Capetonians and the Roosevelt in Bree street which is a fairly new and funky venue. If you're looking for predominantly gay clubs then try The Loft in De Waterkant or Bronx in Greenpoint. |
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