The 15 Best Cocktail Bars in Cape Town

Cape Town is a cocktail-obsessed city. It may be an extension of our foodie-ness, or due to our love of everything aesthetically beautiful. Or because we have so many spectacular spots to enjoy them. Mixologists are the new breed of artisanal experts, drawing in devotees (and new converts) with their creative twists and theatrical concoctions.

Being presented with an expertly poured drink, decorated with all manner of garnishes, is a grown-up thrill that mimics that childhood feeling of a birthday cake with candles. It’s exciting, it’s celebratory and it sparks joy. Herewith, our list of the best. Cheers!

Anthm

Where the Big Apple meets Tokyo in Cape Town! This bar is the home of ex-NYC mixologist (and fine artist) Tetsuo Hasegawa, who’s brought a historic building on Loop Street back to life in the style of a timber kominka house. Mixing cultures and cocktails is what he does; his latest muse: the southern tip of Africa. These are “classics” with a big twist, using shrubs and washes made in-house, so your drink might be infused with Japanese cherry-wood smoke, mphepho or Durban masala. His vinyl collection inspired the cocktails’ names – and is the soundtrack to your night out. From the umami-rich sharing plates/bar snacks to vintage glassware and candlelit decor, this is one for your diary.
Try The Foggy Forest (whisky, house fortified wine, porcini mushrooms + yamazakura wood aroma smoke) or Bloodshot Eyes (bourbon, gin, 5-spice apple reduction, rooibos + vanilla).
Opening times Tuesday, Wednesday + Saturday, 5.30pm – late
Thursday + Friday, 4.30pm – late
Contact [email protected]
Where to find it 63 Loop Street, Cape Town

Akra

When you climb the stairs inside Ouzeri (a restaurant renowned for its contemporary Cypriot-Greek dining), a delightful new discovery awaits: a cocktail and wine bar, an intimate space and ambience to start or round off an evening (its name in Greek refers to a “pinnacle”). The perfectly crafted cocktails, from classic aperitivi to digestifs, reflect the season in the glass; there are spritzers and alcohol-free options too, and a curated list of vintage local and natural wines. It’s approachable and unpretentious, pared back but chic and convivial. Akra is about those in-between moments, a spontaneous and welcoming space for walk-ins just dropping in for a drink, as well as for diners at Ouzeri (and a relaxed space to continue the conversation when the meal is done).
Try The Fig Leaf Negroni; a Mediterranean Diet (bourbon, olive oil and lemon ); or the JuneJuly #2 (oregano-infused tequila and sour melon juice).
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 6pm – 12am
Contact 061 533 9071, [email protected]
Where to find it 58 Wale Street, Cape Town

The Gin Bar

For a chance to try some 80 locally made gins, head to this innercity gem, tucked behind a chocolate shop in a heritage building that used to be a mortuary! Take a seat in the Chapel Room bar or charming courtyard, and order one of the five signature “medicinal remedies” (herb-forward G&Ts) for head, heart, soul, hope or ambition. There are other botanical-infused options (many using local fynbos) or order a classic gin cocktail like a martini or negroni. There’s wine and beer, too, plus a Bubbly Bar – in what used to be the embalming room – which showcases the best of local cap classiques, including small, lesser-known producers. Charcuterie plates are available on Thursday and Friday.
Try The dry martini with interesting local ingredients such as pickled kelp for garnish; a negroni with kapokbos (wild rosemary); or the cocktail with Honest chocolate.
Opening times Thursday – Saturday, 3pm – 1am
Monday – Wednesday, 5pm – 1am
Contact 071 241 2277, [email protected]
Where to find it Behind Honest Chocolate, 64A Wale Street, Cape Town

The Art of Duplicity

Housed in a secret-location 19th-century warehouse, this is a proper speakeasy with access via a password (and address clues) when you book online. Furnished in 1920s style, a decadent, indulgent and theatrical adventure awaits, showcasing exciting boundary-pushing cocktails, concocted by barkeeps with a love of rare spirits, experimentation and molecular gastronomy. It’s not just the ingredients that will raise eyebrows but the playful presentation, too – using every kind of vessel imaginable and unexpected decorative props. The bar food follows suit. The venue also hosts live jazz and blues bands, blackjack evenings and vintage-movie nights. Plus there’s a dress code, so be prepared to get fancy.
Try Any of the “interactive” cocktails (they change all the time), or the one in a teacup with “sugarcubes” spelling out… wait and see!
Good to know There is a VIP Coffee Experience next door featuring caffeine-soaked cocktails from 2pm.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 6pm – midnight
Contact [email protected]
Where to find it Somewhere in the East City…
Book through DinePlan

Bascule Bar

There’s a secret speakeasy glamour to this iconic marina-side watering hole, hidden below the Cape Grace hotel. A recent refurb has added another layer of sophistication to the ambience – as has the creative mixology team, whose superb signature cocktails and classics complement one of the largest whisky collections in the southern hemisphere (tastings are available). Plus there’s a cellar full of great wines. The casual-chic small plates also go down a treat, especially with live jazz on weekends. For sundowners, take a seat on the terrace for views over bobbing yachts to Table Mountain; then head inside where cosy alcoves, velvety banquettes and a long bar beckon. The art collection is worth its own visit!
Try The Coffee Banoffee (rum, Cocchi Americano aperitif, banana liqueur and banana water) or Port to Port (bourbon, whisky, Caperitif and spiced syrup, smoked at your table).
Opening times Daily, 12pm – 12am
Contact 021 410 7100, [email protected]
Where to find it Cape Grace, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Asoka

This vibey bar-lounge-restaurant has that special X-factor (or feng shui) that can’t be recreated, which is why it remains one of Kloof Street’s most enduring haunts. It’s known for its decadent cocktails: shaken, stirred and served up with a seductive soundtrack of progressive house (DJs on Thursdays and weekends) and live jazz (Tuesdays and Sundays). The kitchen doles out lip-smacking Asian-flecked sharing plates – themed around earth (vegetarian), fire (meat), air (poultry), water (seafood) and nirvana (aka desserts) – and only closes at midnight. At the heart of the venue is a 150-year-old, fairy-lit olive tree; glowing candles and lanterns add to the magical ambience… Where will the night take you?
Try The Kyoto with Love (peach-infused Jameson with sake and lemon), then move onto the Greenfields (gin, elderflower, apple, cucumber, lemon) or Thai Green Curry (spiced rum, coconut, chilli and coriander).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6pm – late
Contact 021 422 0909, [email protected]
Where to find it 68 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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Aperitif

This understated bar in a heritage cottage on Bree Street is utterly devoted to relaxed cocktails and classic aperitivo spritzers and negronis. With its marble-topped tables, leather seats and crystal decanters, it’s a Cape Town incarnation of la dolce vita that spills out onto the wide pavement for stylish streetside sipping. The classics-with-a-twist cocktail menu also includes martinis, margaritas, old fashioneds and sours; what’s more, teetotallers can raise a glass with a selection of elegant, non-alcoholic spritzers. Plus there’s a winelist of small-scale producers, and a snack menu of bruschetta, Spanish olives, charcuterie and Aperitif’s now-famous sandos.
Try The house signature: a cocoa-nib negroni served with caramelised orange dipped in dark chocolate. The limoncello margarita is also a tempting choice.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 12pm – 10pm
Friday + Saturday, 12pm – midnight; Sunday, 12pm – 9pm
Contact 076 249 6328, [email protected]
Where to find it 227 Bree Street, Cape Town

The Drinkery

Like all good speakeasies, you’ll find this one hidden away – on the mezzanine above the Heritage Square courtyard. Old brick walls, loungey seating and seductive lighting set the sophisticated mood, with top-notch bar snacks, a separate outdoor terrace bar and a suitably jazzy soundtrack tying it all together. It may be inspired by a nostalgic concept but it’s very clued up on the latest in mixology. The focus is on premium seasonal cocktails – a dozen signature tipples and contemporary twists on classics, infused with spirits and liqueurs and a host of special house-made ingredients. There’s also a small winelist that draws connoisseurs.
Try The Karoo Valley (Cape brandy, lime, pineapple, cardamom); the Four Seasons (Japanese gin, MCC, kiwi, lemongrass, coconut); or choose from eight different highballs.
Opening times Monday – Wednesday, 4pm – midnight
Thursday – Saturday, 4pm – 1am
Contact 082 464 4866, [email protected] 
Where to find it Heritage Square, 100 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
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Fable

With its imaginative approach to lighting up the night, this storied bar pulls in a crowd not only because its cocktails push the envelope in terms of flavours (and the pizzazz with which they’re crafted and served), but because the entire place – like your night out – is a story waiting to unfold… layered, multidimensional and full of surprises. A world-class bar infused with distinctly South African elements, it showcases local folklore through its signature cocktails (look around and you’ll spot the characters in bold murals by tattoo artist Raoul Goetze). You don’t come here only to drink, though. You come for the vibe; when the DJs ramp up the beats on weekends, it goes into hyperdrive. If you need to fuel your night, there’s a selection of enticing dishes – think flatbreads (with beef, prawns or chicken) and pork belly with rooibos kombucha glaze.
Try The Castle of Good Hope (including Fanta Grape foam and CO2); The Forsaken Bush (with miso, butter and a herbal liqueur) or The Sky God (with toasted brioche and custard). Or look to the fabled favourites from previous “chapters” – the one with the paintbrush, the one with the smoke, the one with the tattoo…
Opening times Tuesday – Thursday, 5pm – late
Friday – Sunday, 4pm – late
Happy Hour: Tuesday – Thursday, 5pm – 7pm; Friday + Saturday, 4.30pm – 7pm; Sunday all night
Contact details 066 009 7786, [email protected] 
Where to find it Corner Bree + Wale Streets, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Unclaimed

Tucked in an, er, unclaimed space on one of the owners’ favourite streets, the newest cocktail and wine bar in town is the brainchild of Aiden Powrie (a distiller in his spare time), who fell in love with the Kloof Street scene. Inspired by the people who roam this part of town like stray cats looking for a place to land, the bar offers just that. The space has relaxed, backyard, industrial-chic vibes, and every element – from the logo to the glassware and menu – has been carefully considered. The cocktails are inventive, the bar snacks are delicious (polenta chips, smoked olives, etc) and there’s a food menu. It’s thoughtful, intentional and quietly rebellious, much like the street that inspired it.
Try The spicy guava margarita packs a punch, the white sangria is inspired, and the Garibaldi is aromatic and unusual.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 3pm – 2am
Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 137 1852
Where to find it 55 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Hacienda Coastal Mexican

This eatery on the Bree Street strip is all gaucho-chic interiors (leather booths, mosaic floors, ceramic drinkware) and spice-flecked drinks and food inspired by the cuisine of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. It wouldn’t be a Mexican joint without flowing tequila – reportedly the largest Patrón selection in SA – fabulous margaritas, a playlist of cool Latin tracks and bar snacks in the form of colourful totopos (tortilla chips with sauces). Which all comes together for a memorable night out. Those margaritas come in glasses with rims dipped in tajin spice, not salt; there are similar twists on a mule, old fashioned, paloma, negroni and other classics, using chocolate chilli bitters, mezcal and grapefruit salt.
Try Apart from the margaritas? A Jagger Sunset (Jägermeister, tequila, nutmeg, Grand Marnier and “fluffy stuff”); a Michelada (tequila, Sol beer, lime bitters and tomato juice); or Wild Spritz (Aperol and prosecco with elderflower, bitter orange, yuzu and agave).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10.30pm
Margarita happy hour: 4pm – 5.30pm
Contact 021 422 0128, [email protected]
Where to find it 92 Bree Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Trade Bar & Social

The sign says “Take Me to the Moon”… the lift whisks you up to the eighth floor and into a rooftop indoor-outdoor bar that fits right in with the rest of this whimsical, Wes Anderson-inspired boutique hotel. There’s patterned wallpaper, plush upholstered chairs, Art Deco-ish curves and checkerboard tiles, a sparkling pool terrace and sweeping 360-degree views of the city. Cape Town’s latest cool, elevated hangout is the cocktail-focused sibling of Athletic Club & Social; it’s perfect for day drinking, sundowners or a late-night catch-up under the stars. Think classic cocktails with a twist, plus a food menu of light dishes.
Try The Maverick’s Martini (vodka, passion fruit and white chocolate) or the Brown Derby (bourbon, grapefruit and honey).
Good to know There’s also a cute bar in The Wes Bistro downstairs.
Opening times Monday – Wednesday, 11am – 10pm
Thursday – Saturday, 11am – midnight; Sunday until 9pm
Contact 074 227 5384, [email protected]
Where to find it The Trade Boutique Hotel, 55 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
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Hugo Social Club

Join the Sea Point highlife at this ninth-floor bar and restaurant – with views of Lion’s Head in one direction and the ocean in the other from its wraparound balcony. It goes without saying it’s a fabulous spot to enjoy one of the city’s Technicolor sunsets in style… Toast it with light-catching cocktails; there’s also bubbly, wine, beer and a selection of spirits. The food menu (including a small-plates selection), available in both the lounge and restaurant area, has delicious crowd-pleasers like steak frites, burgers, seafood and salads. If a day spent lounging and sipping cocktails is your desire, there’s also a sparkling rooftop pool and sundeck (and brunch food).
Try The Saigon Sunset (tequila, lime, ginger syrup and fresh coriander); a Zen Colada (toasted-rice-infused rum, pineapple, mango, vanilla and coconut); or frozen espresso martini.
Opening times Daily, 7.30am – 10pm
Contact 021 286 9332, [email protected]
Where to find it Latitude Aparthotel, 2 Kings Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
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Una Más Mezcaleria

For “cócteles” mixed with mezcal (tequila’s underground cousin), this cool saloon is a vibey spot for a drinks gathering. Dressed in wood panelling, moody lighting and potted cacti, it has window seats for people-watching (and you better believe it gets interesting!) while you line your stomach with an array of modern-Mexican dishes – tacos, empanadas and more. Stocking over 60 mezcal brands, 150 tequilas and African agave spirits, the lengthy cocktail menu features classics (margaritas, palomas, negronis and bloody marys) with a twist. Once you’ve had one, you’re bound to have “una más” (“one more”).
Try The Mezcaloma (smoky and spicy, thanks to a dash of jalapeño syrup); the basil colada; or the house margarita (mezcal and tequila, with a choice of watermelon, peach and strawberry).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – late
Contact 076 705 8410, [email protected]
Where to find it 77 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
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