Rita’s Cocktail Club: A Rooftop Tequila Bar on Kloof Street

Tequila, tacos and Table Mountain views from the rooftop terrace.

The curvy bar takes centre stage at Rita’s Cocktail Club, where the sound of cocktails being shaken is all part of the rhythm of the night. You have to be in the know to find this hot new rooftop tequila bar (a sexy new sibling to the Café Caprice and Hudsons family), as the stairs are hidden away inside Hudsons. But once there you sink into its embrace. A luxe lounge decorated with feminine arches, lush velvet banquettes, greens, warm pinks and touches of gold. Wide doors spill out either side of the bar onto two secluded rooftop terraces, each with a bar counter and views over the city to Table Mountain. It feels intimate, warm, and connected to the pulse of the city.

Topnotch tequila

Rita’s is short for margarita, which hints at the focus here. Happy hour means half price on the house margaritas, which are Avión Blanco and lime perfection. But there are a host more signature tequila-based cocktails to explore, from the Le Coco Fraise (Avión Blanco, crème de cacao, lime and strawberry) and the Clarified Margarita (with lime air) to the Caipirita (a modern twist on the Caipirinha). Plus a whole list of non-tequila cocktails, as well as wines, bubbly and beers.

Tequila aficionados can explore a veritable library of tequilas and mezcal – reposado, blanco and añejo from a wide variety of producers – by the shot or the bottle (and there’s a bottle-keeping service for regulars). Need a break from the booze? Go for a virgin Granadilla Lolly (pineapple, granadilla, citrus and demerara syrup).

A raft of tacos

Kick off with a generous bowl of delicious guacamole to scoop up with warm, just-toasted nacho chips, then dive into a few of the delectable canapé-style tacos. Beef short rib with chipotle aioli; grilled lime and chilli prawns with tomato black-bean salsa; and seared tuna with Japanese mayo, avo, pineapple and jalapeño jam. All pop with contrasting flavours and are a divine accompaniment to the flow of cocktails.

Once the sun sets, the moody laidback atmosphere gets a kick of energy when the disco ball starts turning – and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the resident DJs amp up the vibe.

Good to know Half-price margaritas every day 5pm – 7pm. There are set menus available for functions, birthdays and year-end parties.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 4.30pm – 2am
Contact 021 300 6695
Where to find it 22 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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