If it’s cocktail hour, this is where it’s at! Here’s the definitive guide to the best cocktail and rooftop bars in the Cape Town CBD. Cheers …
CULTURE WINE BAR
At classy Culture Wine Bar (part of Matt Manning’s Grub & Vine offering in Bree Street) you’ll find people from all backgrounds and ages. The one thing they have in common is their love for wine. You’ll find a selection of South Africa’s best wines, cult classics, hidden gems, natural wines, and special imports from across the globe. Since “food and wine will never be parted”, there’s a delectable snack menu (this is Matt Manning’s place after all!) to go with the drinks.
103 Bree St | 087 153 5246 |www.culturewinebar.com
FABLE
This vibey Bree Street cocktail bar celebrates South Africa’s rich and culturally diverse background. The drinks menu has a story to tell … take your pick. You’re in for a treat with drinks such as The Watcher of the South, The Flying Dutchman, The Trickster, The Karoo Beauty and The Kronendal Lovers. Nibbles and music are also on the menu.
Cnr Bree & Wale sts | 066 009 7786 | www.fable.capetown
Take in the view from 14Stories Rooftop Bar.
14STORIES ROOFTOP BAR
This Central City venue in the SunSquare Hotel possesses an impressive drinks menu and breathtaking views of iconic sites such as Table Mountain, Signal Hill and the V&A Waterfront. Like many of the city centre’s best cocktails bars, it has a light menu of casual snacks. To accommodate Cape Town’s four seasons in one day, 14 Stories has an indoor lounge.
23 Buitengracht St | 021 492 9999 | www.tsogosun.com
HARALD’S BAR & TERRACE
If you’re after a great view of the CBD and Table Mountain, head for Harald’s Bar & Terrace, located on the 11th floor of the Park Inn by Radisson. Besides a great selection of cocktails and beers, the venue offers a great atmosphere and light meals including pizzas and burgers.
Park Inn by Radisson | 29 Heerengracht St | 021 427 4800| www.radissonhotels.com
SKY BAR
The Grand Daddy in Long Street is a Cape Town institution and has been operating for over 120 years. The Rooftop Sky Bar is an eventful venue, that offers champagne, cocktails, and cold beers. The venue is beautifully designed and bustles with energy, and has seven authentic Airstream trailers for housing guests. It’s the perfect place for sundowners while taking in the Mother City’s stunning sunsets.
38 Long St | 021 207 8888| www.granddaddy.co.za
GHIBLI BAR & POOL TERRACE
Don’t just amble past the Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence in Riebeek Street! Head inside and take the lift to the inviting rooftop bar, which has stunning panoramic views of the city. This CBD drinking hole offers a wide selection of exotic cocktails, light lunches and gourmet pizzas. There’s also a lovely pool to relax beside (in a chaise longue at that), while basking in the sun (or taking in the sunset) and enjoying the chilled vibe and good music.
22 Riebeek St | 021 467 4000 | www.radissonhotels.com
Sophisticated cocktails are the name of the game at the super-cool GiGi Rooftop Bar at Gorgeous George.
GIGI ROOFTOP BAR
At GiGi Rooftop Bar, situated in the (gorgeous, super-cool) Gorgeous George Hotel, overstaying your welcome is encouraged and we understand why. The bar offers mouth-watering cocktails made by resident mixologist, Leighton Rathbone. His tropical-inspired creations are next-level, and GiGi Rooftop was voted Hotel Bar of the Year at the 2020 South African Bartending Accolades & Recognition Awards and a finalist in the New Cocktail Bar of the Year category. Pop in to unwind and relax on the beautiful pool deck.
118 St Georges Mall | 087 898 6000 | www.gigirooftop.com
I LOVE THE DOUGH
If any place has pizazz, this is it! Neapolitan-style pizza isn’t the only thing this bright pink Bree Street restaurant has. It boasts a stunning bar and a great wine and cocktail menu as well. Signature cocktails by their mixologists include Delila Delila made with Jameson, pineapple, honey, mint, cucumber and angostura bitters and the Ruby Mondaze with Bombay Sapphire, Martini rosé, strawberries, strawberry syrup, Martini Rosso and lemonade.
101 Bree St | 072 145 9988| Instagram: @ilovethedoughct
THE ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL
This is where you go for refined food and drinks. At this three-storey bar and restaurant, the sumptuous interior is beautiful and guarantees a relaxed and sophisticated mood. While the cocktail menu and fantastic view of Signal Hill are notabl, music is a big feature with South Africa’s legendary jazz musicians often doing their thing.
35 Buitengracht St | 084 087 5566 | www.theathletic.co.za
Expect sophisticated cocktails and an interesting wine list Culture Wine Bar, part of the Grub & Vine offering.
THE BLUE ROOM AT GRUB & VINE
If chef extraordinaire Matt Manning is involved, you’re guaranteed a great experience. His Blue Room, with renowned jazz artist Buddy Wells, pays homage to the soulful sounds of jazz and the blues in a beautiful space, at a buzzing location (Bree St). Expect regular live performances by SA’s top musicians in the evenings and a meticulously curated menu of delicious tapas and, last but not least, exquisite cocktails.
103 Bree St | 087 153 5244 |www.grubandvine.co.za/the-blue-room
THE DRINKERY
One of the CBD best kept secrets, this unique cocktail bar is situated in Heritage Square and offers an exciting menu with G&Ts, cocktails, beers and bubbly. The “Plain Sailing” cocktail is a winner and will have you sailing into relaxation. It’s made with a 12-year-old Loch Lomond Inchmurrin whisky, Aromatic bitters, Williams pear liqueur and Lourensford honey liqueur. Aside from the drinks, another unique feature of The Drinkery is its collection of great art, photographs and furniture which all add to the venue’s lovely ambience.
100 Shortmarket St |082 464 4866| Instagram: @thedrinkeryza
THE GIN BAR
Whether you’re a gin fan or not, add The Gin Bar to your list of top venues to visit. It’s inside a historical building with a secret Mediterranean-style courtyard which you enter through Honest Chocolate Café. This hidden gem stocks over 70 of South Africa’s top craft gins giving you a wide selection to choose from. Not so long ago, the venue introduced an MCC Room which is “a celebration of local crafters making some of the best bubbly in the world”. Tastings of different producers are highly recommended at both The Gin Bar and The MCC Room.
64A Wale St | 071 241 2277 | www.theginbar.co.za
The striking shrine-red bar at Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar.
TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR
If bespoke cocktails, wine, Japanese whisky, gin, sake and delectable otsumami (snacks) is what you’re after, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the beautiful Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar with its signature shrine-red bar. Located on the top floor of iconic CBD establishment Tjing Tjing House, in a 200-year-old attic, this venue oozes atmosphere. Bewitching saki sours, umami bombs, spicy Kasai whiskey tipples as well as Tjing Tjing’s house wine, made by David & Nadia Wines, are on offer. Classic cocktails are also available on request. This inner-city treasure with its killer interior is a wonderful spot to unwind as the bar opens to an airy outside rooftop terrace. What’s more, the décor is to die for: expect eclectic, vibrant Japanese street culture, Samurai warrior dolls and more. Word has it that it’s also famous for its contemporary indie and electronic music.
165 Longmarket St | 021 422 4920 | www.tjingtjing.co.za
IMAGES: Culture Wine Bar, 14 Stories Rooftop Bar, Gigi Rooftop Bar, The Blue Room, Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar