The Seven Best Bars in Cape Town

The vibrant city of Cape Town is not only home to some of the best restaurants, views, and tourist attractions in South Africa, but it also boasts a lively bar scene. 

Whether you’re looking for an underground speakeasy where you can listen to smooth jazz or spend the afternoon on a balcony overlooking the ocean, Cape Town offers something for everyone. 

In the article, we explore the seven best bars in and around Cape Town to help you discover hidden gems and popular hangout spots, each offering an unforgettable experience.

 

Your Guide to Cape Town’s Best Bars

1. The Athletic Club & Social

This speakeasy-style bar in the heart of Cape Town spans over three stories and offers intimate seating, outdoor spaces, and even a basement club.

Voted as one of the 50 best bars in the world, The Athletic Club & Social offers an experience unlike any other.

Vintage sports memorabilia line the walls as a tribute to the building’s former owner—a sports enthusiast who operated the speakeasy in the basement.

You’ll also find plush chairs and wallpaper with colourful patterns that heighten the lush, moody atmosphere.

 

🍸 On the menu

The Athletic Club & Social offers a decent selection of classic cocktails and signature drinks crafted with a blend of unique, house-made ingredients. We recommend trying their speciality Pitchers Martini or the Basement for a delicious burst of flavour.

The bar’s food menu is also great, offering Mediterranean-inspired main meals and canapés to snack on while enjoying your drinks. The portions are generous and excellent value for money. 

After dinner, treat yourself to some of the artisanal dessert options to end the evening on a sweet note.

 

2. The Art of Duplicity 

The Art of Duplicity is a mysterious bar with an unknown location, except for those brave enough to make a booking.

When you visit the website, you’ll only be offered a booking link on a black screen — no address, contact details, menu, or photographs. And that’s exactly what makes it so popular.

Book a slot via the site, and you’ll receive a confirmation text to your phone that hints at the location and provides a password. When you arrive, you’ll have to provide your password to the host before being allowed to enter the prohibition-era-inspired bar.

Inside, the atmosphere is vibrant and reminiscent of the 1920s when jazz bars and speakeasies were popular — visitors are even encouraged to dress up in themed outfits.

The bar also hosts live jazz performances every Wednesday night, but you’ll only know who is gracing the stage when they set up their mic. In keeping with their overall theme, the Art of Duplicity doesn’t reveal much about what’s happening inside the restaurant.

 

🍸 On the menu

The Art of Duplicity’s cocktail menu isn’t your standard drinks selection either. Drinks are created using ingredients you’ve probably never heard of or tasted, but we won’t give too much away.

Every drink is a work of art with complex and layered flavour profiles that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

If you’re after food and desserts, the bar has a number of treats available that are definitely worth a look. But you’ll have to visit to decide for yourself — we won’t spill any secrets here.

Overall, it’s definitely worth experiencing this bar in its full glory and as the owners intended: without too much forewarning, for a fantastic night out.

 

3. Incognito

Incognito is a welcoming and sophisticated bar located behind the Alphen Hotel in the heart of Constantia, a popular spot for wine lovers in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

The square glass restaurant overlooks the hotel gardens and features large doors that let in warm natural light. You could also have a seat in one of the small terrace sections if you enjoy lounging in the sun while sipping your drink.

Thanks to its vibey atmosphere, Incognito is rapidly becoming a popular after-work drinks location for the locals, bound to give you a more authentic South African experience.

An array of live DJs set the tone for the evening, keeping the atmosphere light without turning the venue into a club. Kids can enter until 16:00, after which Incognito has a strict ‘No Under 18s’ rule.

 

🍸 On the menu

Incognitos’ cocktail menu is divided into different sections — Signature Cocktails, Almost Classic Cocktails, and Non-Alcoholic — to help you choose a drink.

Their popular signature cocktails include Passion Fruit Vanilla Sours and Rooibos Cosmo, with their ‘Almost Classic’ selection offering slight variations of traditional drinks like margaritas and cosmos.

Incognito also has a unique Jazz menu that features a number of champagne-based drinks inspired by icons of the music genre. We recommend trying the Chateaux or Sidecar if you’re looking for a high-end cocktail. 

You can also order from the extensive wine list that includes MCCs and champagne from renowned local producers.

4. Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar

Tjing Tjing House is a multi-level Japanese-inspired eatery located in a 200-year-old building just off the bustling Bree Street.

The ground floor is home to Tjing Tjing Torii, a restaurant modelled on the ‘yokocho’ street food alleyways of Tokyo. Here you can sample delicious street food-inspired meals and enjoy the electric atmosphere.

One floor up is Tjing Tjing Momiji, a more refined space that offers a sophisticated Japanese dining experience. The seasonal degustation-style meals are paired with great local wines and traditional sake.

Head to the top floor to find Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar, a space that was voted one of the best bars in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. This terraced section is spacious and offers gorgeous panoramic views of the city.

If a party-style atmosphere is more your vibe, Tjing Tjing is the perfect place to spend the evening.

 

🍸 On the menu

Indulge in a selection of Japanese beers or signature sake cocktails for an authentic experience. 

The mixologists are also happy to make traditional cocktails on request, but you’d be missing out on the opportunity to taste some unique drinks from their curated menu.

The restaurant also offers bar snacks that are far from traditional. Forget the peanuts and pretzels, at Tjing Tjing, you’ll only find otsumami-style bites.

Otsumami includes things like tempura mushrooms, sesame broccoli, and the unmissable okonomiyaki fries. Their signature snack is the ‘Atsui Dog’ — a hot dog with milk bread, beef sausage, kimchi, kewpie mayo, and hot sauce — that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

5. The Willaston Bar

The Willaston Bar is an ideal setting to enjoy the beauty of Cape Town and sip some of the city’s finest cocktails. Located on the 6th floor of the iconic Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, the bar features striking views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the harbour.

When you enter the bar, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming interior filled with plush bar stools and tables overlooking the city. On the menu, you’ll find an extensive selection of spirits, mixers, and handcrafted cocktails.

🍸 On the menu

The Willaston has a number of signature drinks — we recommend the Rose Ginvino, Old Fashioned, or Mouille Point Mule — that are beautifully presented with delicious complementary flavours. 

If you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, you’ll be spoilt for choice with The Willastone’s impressive collection of local and international options. You can also order craft and commercial beers if that’s more your style. 

Bar snacks — including small plates, salads, sandwiches, and sweets — are also offered and make the perfect addition to your sundowners.

The Willaston is a reservation-free zone, so arrive early to claim a spot at the window and make the most of the sunset with a delicious drink in hand.

 

6. Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar

Chinchilla is a little piece of paradise, ideally located on the picturesque ‘Camps Bay Strip’ — an iconic road located right next to the beach. 

This cool and contemporary rooftop bar offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is an ideal place to spend the afternoon sipping on their signature cocktails. 

Choose between tables overlooking the beachfront or settle into a booth, perfect for bigger groups. It’s also recommended to book in advance, as seats tend to fill up pretty quickly — especially in the warmer months. 

While enjoying the comfortable atmosphere, you’ll be treated to performances by local DJs that come alive as the sun sets, giving you the perfect opportunity to party. 

Keep an eye on their website for updates on DJ sets — you’ll catch some of SA’s top names at their weekend ‘Sunset Sessions’ during summer, and you can book a spot via the site.

 

🍸 On the menu

The cocktail menu is bound to have something on it to please everyone, with a focus on crisp flavours and interesting variations of classics.

Margaritas are upgraded with vanilla, orange, and pomegranate flavours; G&T’s come in watermelon & mint, peach & sage, and litchi & basil varieties, and purplehaze cocktails of vodka, coconut milk, litchi juice & ginger are served in iced alchemist’s bowls.

You’ll have the option to buy your spirits by the bottle or choose from the large selection of champagne, MCCs, or wines that are offered by the glass as well. 

Chinchilla is definitely the kind of spot where you settle in for the long haul with a group of friends. Luckily, the food menu is just as extensive as the cocktail offerings, boasting everything from bar snacks to light bites, main meals, and decadent desserts.

 

7. The Gin Bar

The Gin Bar is a hidden restaurant tucked away behind Honest Chocolate Café in the heart of Cape Town. Come sundown, the café is transformed into a trendy location for grabbing a round of some of the best gin cocktails in the city.

Enjoy your drinks in the charming courtyard, surrounded by exposed brick walls, cafe-style seating options, and bistro lights that give it a warm and inviting feel.

 

🍸 On the menu

With only five gin cocktails on the menu, you won’t exactly be spoiled for choice, but you will get your fill of organic healing.

The drinks are cleverly named Hope, Head, Heart, Ambition, and Soul, so the idea is to ‘order what you need’.

Ambition is a popular order among the locals and includes bold flavours of elderflower syrup, thyme, and cinnamon.

First-time visitors are encouraged to order Heart, a delicious blend of strawberry and orange mixed with amber gin. It’s also a bit lighter on the palate, making it a great option for gin-drinking beginners. 

Classic G&Ts or cocktails like martinis and negronis are also available if those are more your style. 

The food menu is limited, so we definitely recommend going out for a bite to eat afterwards. The Gin Bar is located near quirky eateries like The House of Machines and Clarke’s, which are both worth visiting.

Honourable Mentions

With such a diverse bar scene across the city, it would be wrong not to mention a few other spots in Cape Town that are worth the visit.

 

Fable

This lively bar is situated on the iconic Bree Street and has quickly become one of the most popular local hangout spots. When you browse the menu, it is easy to see why. 

Fable’s list of cocktails takes you on a journey through the history of Cape Town, with each drink tying the story together.

All of the drinks are expertly crafted to represent the story on a visual level, giving you the full-circle experience. Their cocktails are often experimental and unique — think drinks that materialize from effervescent tablets or change colour when you mix them.

Apart from the delicious cocktails, Fable has a limited food menu that offers bar snacks like olives, chicken bites, and grilled cheese sandwiches. 

You’ll also find a strong lineup of local DJs performing at Fable — mostly over the weekends and on special occasions — adding to the high-energy atmosphere of the bar.

 

Yours Truly 

Situated in the popular neighbourhood of Gardens, Cape Town, Yours Truly is an upmarket bar and restaurant that brings the party vibes.

It’s close to the Never@Home backpackers, so you’ll spot several travellers amongst the locals who love to hang out here. 

In the downstairs area, the atmosphere is more laid-back and suited to groups who want to sit and have a drink together. Upstairs is where you’ll find local DJs and dancing crowds for more of a club vibe.

On the menu, Yours Truly offers a selection of beers, wines, ciders, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Drinks may also be ordered by the bottle.

There’s a large food menu to choose from, including options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

Kloof Street House

Kloof Street House is located in a striking Victorian-era building with a tranquil courtyard lined with trees just off the street of the same name. Its lofty ceilings, leather sofas, and candlelit tables create a cosy ambience that sets the scene for a fine dining experience.

This bar is a perfect setting for relaxed brunches, date nights, or just casual drinks with friends. In addition to great food, Kloof Street House has a number of drinks and signature cocktails on offer, too. 

One of their most popular cocktails — described as one of the best in the city — is the Porn Star Martini, served with a shot of Prosecco. You’ll definitely want to order more than one! 

Kloof Street House also offers live music and jazz performances on Sundays for a laid-back afternoon in the city.

 

Cause | Effect Cocktail Kitchen

Far from your generic cool space with overdramatized drinks, Cause | Effect offers delicious and innovative drinks set against a moody and contemporary background. The bar recently re-opened at the V&A Waterfront after moving into a bigger space. 

The cocktails on the menu are inspired by the Cape’s mountains, oceans, and vegetation to bring visitors a South African experience like no other.

One of the bar’s main selling points is that most of their cocktail ingredients are made in-house — including bitters, tinctures, vermouth, kombucha, and cordials.

Cause | Effect also regularly hosts intimate events that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information.

 

Discover the Top Bars in Cape Town and More with The Seven Best

Whether you want to discover secret bars in the city or spend the afternoon lounging on a balcony with a cocktail in hand, Cape Town’s restaurant scene has something for you.

In this article, we’ve outlined some of the best bars in the city, guaranteed to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

If you’re looking for more South African holiday inspiration, be sure to check out our other articles on The Seven Best blog.

With The Seven Best, you’re sure to discover hidden gems that will make your trip to South Africa even more remarkable.

 

The Seven Best

The Seven Best was founded by David McCready to share his passion and experiences of South Africa after more than a decade of visiting the country.

The brand’s name is inspired by Table Mountain in Cape Town, recently named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 

David and a small team of handpicked writers have come up with curated lists and tips of must-sees and dos when you are visiting South Africa, along with other topics we think you might be interested in, to further introduce you to this incredibly diverse country.

Learn more about The Seven Best here.