Cape Town is host to some of the best bars on the planet with the summer time packing out the beach bars and the winter cozying up with fires and fun at some of the best Cape Town bars around.

Neighbourhood

One of the best Cape Town bars and most popular hangouts, a long established bar which attracts a combination of Cape Town’s trendy crowd down to the more laid back, hip hop and hippy collectives. The bar (and by that I mean the actual bar) is pretty awesome, with pocket watches and all sorts set in resin. There is good food on the menu, sit down in the restaurant, hang out in the library or on the balcony overlooking busy Long Street. Get social here, remember to take pictures and share them online.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

Osaka

Above: Osaka – one of the most stylish Cape Town bars

Book a private room, hang out in the bar or sit at a table and explore their menu offering some of the city’s best foods a combination of Asian delights. Weekend entertainment offers DJs and dancing, packing the place out time after time. Excellent service and a fun crowd, along with their incredible kitchen making this Mother City bar a place to be.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

Brass Bell & Bikini Bar

The Brass Bell can be considered a Cape Town classic – definitely deserving a spot on the list of best Cape Town bars. Located right on the Southern rail, you can jump on and jump off right at the pub, climbing off the train and walking through the door. The Bikini Deck can be found next door overlooking the ocean and a sit down restaurant an added option making the Brass Bell a high traffic pub and local hangout serving classic pub food and much more next door. The Brass Bell offers the best of pub vibes with the Bikini Deck offering some of the best cocktails on the Southern Peninsula.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Kalk Bay Station

Fiction

The recently sold, bought and renovated club now offers new levels opening upstairs to the public giving the popular underground music club more space. This nightclub and bar offers some of the best electronic music the city has to offer, showcasing local and international acts with a late liquor license attracting the city’s dubstep and techno fans and followers. Another great venue, with great staff and brilliant bests overlooks the hustle and bustle, nightclubs and nightlife of Long Street below.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

Assembly

Above: Gig at one of the best Cape Town clubs and bars – Assembly

Assembly is another of Cape Town’s longer standing nightlife favourites in the underground music scene offering some of the best producer and DJ shows the city has to offer. Assembly offers a great entertainment, nightlife and social experience. A must do if you’re looking for an upbeat vibe from Cape Town clubs and bars.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

Café Caprice

Café Caprice has been around for over a decade and still pulls a crowd. Fantastic food combines with house music and trendy crowds. A walk off Camps Bay Beach makes it a summer favourite popular amongst locals and internationals alike having gained a global reputation attracting celebrities from time to time.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Camps Bay

Rafiki’s

A long time Capetonian favourite and one of the best Cape Town bars, this Caribbean styled and themed bar restaurant has been around for many years and continues to attract locals from the area, the city and the country alike along with international travellers who cotton on the one of Cape Town’s best. Their list of cocktails are lip-smackingly yummy and their chilli poppers are just as delicious. However, we recommend you put a roll of toilet paper in the fridge before you leave the house – the poppers bite.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Tamboerskloof

Café Mojito

Located at the top of Long Street, this Cuban styled and themed restaurant bar offers the best Strawberry Chilli Mojito in town, amongst many other flavours.  The Cuban inspired menu makes eating at Mojitos a real treat at reasonable prices. On the street tables allows you to engage with the city bowl vibe and nightlife atmosphere while the fire place keeps the smoking section toasted and the bar smoke free.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

Mzoli’s

Above: Where the Mzoli’s magic happens

An infamous local hangout and a township experience of note, located in Cape Town’s Gugs Mzoli’s has acquired local and global acclaim attracting travellers, Capetonians and shanti town residence alike. A summer suggestion not to be missed with open fire braai township style, meat on selection from the butcher and Mzoli’s branded wine available at the bar.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Guguletu

Banana Jam

The sister restaurant and bar chain of Mojitos, Banana Jam is another well-loved and high traffic hangout based in the Southern Suburbs walking distances from the train station. Banana Jam hosts an affordable and fun Jamaican BBQ not to be missed when visiting the Mother City. Along with the great social bar vibe and good food it’s a good place to meet friends. Seeing as this IS one of the best Cape Town bars, book a table outside if you want one since they book out fast.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Kenilworth

Blue Peter

Another Cape Town classic and with a view second to none, right on the beach front overlooking the awesomeness of Table Mountain from across the bay. Indoor fire places make it the perfect winter spot with Gluwein on offer for the spices wine lover. Outside tables and manicured grass makes it a pleasure in summer with good pub munchies, basic seafood selection and pizzas on the menu.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Blouberg

Zula Sound Bar

Above: Zulu – one of the coolest Cape Town bars

The “new” Zula Bar is as popular as its former since moving lower down on Long Street, Cape Town’s nightlife, nightclub and bar hub is a gem as far as Cape Town clubs and bars go. Hosting reggae artists, rock bands and DJs alike it is the perfect bar hangout with good food, famous veggie burgers and great entertainment. A popular choice across age groups and attracting all walks of life.

This best Cape Town bar’s location: Cape Town City

If you’ve visited all of the best Cape Town bars, it’s time for and new type of adventure. Hop on a budget overland trip starting in Cape Town and get out of the city for a bit. Your mind blowing experience awaits…

About the Author

Above: Jacqueline Freer

Jacqueline has a career background consisting of nightlife eventing and entertainment fused with hospitality then blending with branding and business and over the past few years focusing on digital media. Her personal passions include the arts, travel, food, film and photography. Jacky is a social media expert, PR professional, blogger, copywriter, events designer and digital journalist with a passion for music. Jacqueline Freer is the MD and founder of Inrichmint Media Studios & Recordings, both divisions under the same brand name.