Summer is fast approaching, and we’re already dreaming of hot summer days, sandy toes, and refreshing cocktails. We asked our fans to help us pick Cape Town’s favourite spots for cocktails. Can you tick off the entire list by the end of the summer?
ATLANTIC SEABOARD
1. The Bungalow, Clifton
Cotton and ice. Sand and sequins. Beautiful, bronze and a little bit blasphemous – it’s the Bungalow. Enjoy sunsets, and mountain and sea views with your toes in the splash pool.
- Dare to try: Watermelon Martini
- Times: Daily, 12h00 – close
- Where: Victoria Road, Clifton
- Contact: +27 (0)21 438 2018
- GPS: -33.942933, 18.374452
2. Tobago’s Bar and Terrace, Granger Bay
Tobago’s Bar and Terrace is one of Cape Town’s finest cocktail spots with magnificent sea and waterfront views. Soak up the last rays of the sun next to the rim-flow swimming pool.
- Dare to try: Sweet Melon Margarita
- Times: Daily, 11h00 – 00h00
- Where: Radisson Blue Waterfront Hotel, Beach Road, V&A Waterfront
- Contact: +27 (0)21 441 3414
- GPS: -33.899225, 18.412491
3. Shimmy Beach Club, Granger Bay
Not much beats the infinity pool deck at Shimmy’s; the V&A Waterfront’s first beachside club. With a fine dining restaurant, whisky and vodka tasting room, 2 bars, and a private beach, you can choose your mood.
- Dare to try: Turkish Delight
- Times: Wednesday to Friday, 11h00 – 02h00; Saturday, 09h00 – 02h00; Sunday, 09h00 – 18h00
- Where: South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront
- Contact: +27 (0)21 200 7778
- GPS: -33.904605, 18.429659
4. Quay Four, V&A Waterfront
Watch the boats drift in and out of the harbour from your table on the Quay Four terrace. The seals put on a fantastic water acrobatic display.
- Dare to try: Pina Colada
- Times: Daily, 11h00 – 00h00
- Where: off Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
- Contact: +27 (0)21 419 2008
- GPS: -33.905026, 18.420360
5. The Grand Café & Beach, Granger Bay
The Grand Café and Beach faces Table Bay with Cape Town Stadium, Signal Hill, and Table Mountain in the background. Relax in the Chill Lounge or with the sand between your toes on the private beach.
- Dare to try: Frozen Mexican Milkshake
- Times: Daily, 12h00 – late
- Where: Haul Road, V&A Waterfront
- Contact: +27 (0)21 425 0551
- GPS: -33.901818, 18.416074
6. Café Caprice, Camps Bay
Overlooking palm trees and the seafront, Caprice is one of Cape Town’s top beach bars to sip cocktails with Cape Town’s finest.
- Dare to try: Botanical Gardener
- Times: Daily, 09h00 – late
- Where: 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 438 8315
- GPS: -33.950700, 18.378709
7. Leopard Bar, Camps Bay
The Leopard Bar is fantastic for cocktails or afternoon Tea by the Sea with ocean views and live music, Monday to Saturday evenings.
- Dare to try: Vanilla Chocatini
- Times: Daily, 17h30 – 02h00
- Where: Twelve Apostles Hotel, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 437 9000
- GPS: -33.950269, 18.378829
8. Paranga, Camps Bay
You’re promised an eyeful of ocean blue at Paranga with a restaurant and deck overlooking the Atlantic.
- Dare to try: Banana and Coconut Daiquiri
- Times: Daily, 09h00 – close
- Where: Shop 1, Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 438 0404
- GPS: -33.953802, 18.377046
9. Wafu, Mouille Point
Wafu is a rooftop cocktail bar with wicker couches and umbrellas overlooking the ocean.
- Dare to try: Pink Wafu
- Times: Friday to Saturday, 12h00 – 15h30 and 18h00 – 23h00; Sunday, 12h00 – 15h30
- Where: Corner Beach Road and Surrey Place, Mouille Point
- Contact: +27 (0)21 433 2377
- GPS: -33.90012, 18.40529
10. Reflections, Sea Point
Reflections is a sushi and cocktail bar with some tantalising drinks on the menu.
- Dare to try: Kraken Painkiller
- Times: Daily, 11h00 – 02h00
- Where: 118 Main Road, Sea Point
- Contact: +27 (0)87 151 4595
- GPS: -33.917143, 18.388498
11. Cape Royale’s Sky Bar, Green Point
The Sky Bar at the Cape Royale Hotel is one way to end off a summer’s day with a pool deck and panoramic sea and city views. You have to be a paying guest to enter.
- Dare to try: Summer Cup
- Times: Daily, 08h00 – 22h00
- Where: 47 Main Road, Green Point
- Contact: +27 (0)21 430 0500
- GPS: -33.908921, 18.412264
CITY CENTRE
12. Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar, CBD
Tjing Tjing is a rooftop bar in a heritage building. This city view would be a crime to miss.
- Dare to try: Jelly Baby
- Times: Tuesday to Friday, 16h00 – 02h00; Saturday, 18h30 – 02h00
- Where: 165 Longmarket Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 422 4920
- GPS: -33.922280, 18.418915
13. Asoka Bar, CBD
Asoka has an intimate restaurant, an open courtyard and deck, and cocktails made from fresh fruit, herbs, and juices.
Dare to try: Jade Garden
- Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 17h00 – 02h00
- Where: 68 Kloof Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 422 0909
- GPS: -33.932387, 18.408383
14. Sunroof Terrace, CBD
The Sunroof Terrace on the 11th floor of the Park Inn offers a splash pool and panoramic views of Table Mountain and the city.
- Dare to try: Mojito
- Times: Daily, 12h00 – 22h00
- Where: 29 Heerengracht Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 427 4800
- GPS: -33.918564, 18.425969
15. The Waiting Room, CBD
The Waiting Room is an unpretentious rooftop bar overlooking Long Street. It’s a great place to watch the city lights flicker on with live music on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Dare to try: them all!
- Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 18h00 – 02h00
- Where: 273 Long Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 422 4536
- GPS: -33.926424, 18.414880
16. The Grand Daddy Hotel Sky Bar, CBD
The Sky Bar at the Grand Daddy Hotel has 7 vintage trailers and a wooden deck with exceptional views of the city and skyline. Don’t miss the live music on Friday afternoons.
- Dare to try: Cosmopolitan
- Times: Wednesday to Saturday, 16h00 – 20h30 (winter); Monday to Saturday, 12h00 – 20h30 (summer).
- Where: 38 Long Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 424 7247
- GPS: -33.920975, 18.420430
17. Julep, CBD
Julep has been declared one of the best bars in Cape Town by Trip Advisor with live music and creative cocktails.
- Dare to try: Mint Julep
- OTimesen: Wednesday to Sunday, 19h00 – 02h00
- Where: Vredenburg Lane, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 423 4276
- GPS: -33.926327, 18.415252
18. Orphanage Cocktail Emporium, CBD
Orphanage offers a range of artisan cocktails in their restaurant, tree-lined stoep, and smoking “sin-bin”.
- Dare to try: More Tea Vicar? (R15 goes to St Francis Children’s Home)
- Times: Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 17h00 – 02h00, Fridays, 15h00 – 02h00, and 15h00 on a night before a holiday
- Where: Corner Bree and Orphan Street, CBD
- Contact: +27 (0)21 424 2004
- GPS: -33.925814, 18.413190
19. Da Vincis, Gardens
Da Vincis is a trendy restaurant with an outdoor deck and backdrop of Table Mountain.
- Dare to try: Frozen cocktails
- Times: Daily, 11h30 – 23h30
- Where: 70 Kloof Street, Gardens
- Contact: +27 (0)21 424 7504
- GPS: -33.932572, 18.408278
20. Rick’s Café Americain, Gardens
Rick’s Café Americain has an intimate Moroccan vibe with a restaurant, loft lounge, cocktail bar, and roof deck with mountain views.
- Dare to try: Park Road Hurricane
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 11h00 – 02h00
- Where: 2 Park Road, Gardens
- Contact: +27 (0)21 424 1100
- GPS: -33.928378, 18.410581
21. Planet Bar, Gardens
If you’re looking for a cosmopolitan cocktail spot, head to the Planet Bar in the terraced gardens of the Mount Nelson.
- Dare to try: Peppered Pineapple Mojito
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 18h30 – 22h30
- Where: 36 Orange Street, Gardens
- Contact: +27 (0)21 483 1000
- GPS: -33.931210, 18.413189
22. Jamaica Me Crazy, Woodstock
Get your Caribbean on at Jamaica Me Crazy.
- Dare to try: Jamaican Sunrise
- Times: Daily, 11h00 – 23h00
- Where: 74 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock
- Contact: +27 (0)21 448 0691
- GPS: -33.934340, 18.451647
NORTHERN SUBURBS
23. Blue Peter, Blouberg
The Lower Deck Bistro is the ultimate summer sunset destination with picnic tables, umbrellas, and lawns for lounging about on. It’s the best place to admire the sunset and view of Table Mountain. Dogs are welcome.
- Dare to try: Mermaid’s Tantrum
- Times: Daily, 10h00 – 22h00
- Where: 7 Popham Road, Bloubergstrand
- Contact: +27 (0)21 554 1956
- GPS: -33.796205, 18.458482
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
24. Lyras, Rondebosch
While Lyra’s is a far cry from the beachside bars of Camps Bay, it’s dog friendly and has big sport screens.
- Dare to try: Frozen Margaritas
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 08h00 – 22h00
- Where: Corner of Belmont and Main Road, Rondebosch
- Contact: +27 (0)21 685 2871
- GPS: -33.961066, 18.470225
25. Banana Jam, Harfield Village
Banana Jam is a typical Caribbean watering hole that’s so popular you’ll have to phone ahead to book.
- Dare to try: Green Iguana
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 11h00 – 23h00; Sunday, 17h00 – 23h00
- Where: 157 Second Avenue, Harfield Village, Kenilworth
- Contact: +27 (0)21 674 0186
- GPS: -33.99432 18.4742
26. Trenchtown, Observatory
Trenchtown is a Caribbean restaurant with a grassy lawn, daily specials, and picnic and foosball tables.
- Dare to try: 1 litre Beach Bar Buckets
- Times: Monday to Thursday, 16h00 – 02h00; Friday to Sunday, 12h00 – 02h00
- Where: 92 Station Road, Observatory
- Contact: +27 (0)21 448 0516
- GPS: -33.938273, 18.468404
27. Fat Cactus, Mowbray
Fat Cactus is a charming Mexican restaurant with great food.
- Dare to try: Frozen Margaritas
- Times: Daily, 12h00 – 00h00
- Where: 47 Klipfontein Road, Mowbray
- Contact: +27 (0)21 685 1920
- GPS: -33.948131, 18.479064
CAPE PENINSULA
28. Dune’s, Hout Bay
Dune’s is directly opposite Hout Bay beach, and is perfect for the whole family with a kiddies’ playground and sea and mountain views.
- Dare to try: Dunes Blue Lagoon
- Times: Monday to Saturday and public holidays: 09h00 – 22h00; Sunday, 09h00 – 18h00
- Where: 1 Beach Crescent, Hout Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 790 1876
- GPS: -34.045557, 18.358355
29. Cape to Cuba, Kalk Bay
Cape to Cuba is a Cuban restaurant overlooking the Kalk Bay harbour. Pick a table on the terrace overlooking the ocean or cuddle up in a thatched hut in the sandy courtyard.
- Dare to try: Mango and Chilli Mojito
- Times: Daily, 12h00 – 23h00
- Where: 165 Main Road, Kalk Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 788 1566
- GPS: -34.127079, 18.448689
30. Brass Bell, Kalk Bay
Brass Bell has 7 venues to suit your mood. The Beach, Bikini Deck, and Water’s Edge Terrace are firm favourites for cocktails.
- Dare to try: Boodles Blood Orange Fizz
- Times: 12h00 – late
- Where: Main Road, Kalk Bay
- Contact: +27 (0)21 788 5455/6
- GPS: -34.126058, 18.450086
What cocktail spots would you recommend in Cape Town?
