Looking for a sophisticated space for a sundowner? Or want to live it up (safely, of course) in a cool cocktail venue with spectacular city-centre views? Here’s our pick of the best downtown cocktail bars to enjoy this summer and beyond.
THE GIN BAR
The Gin Bar is hidden in a historical building with a secret Mediterranean-style courtyard which you enter through Honest Chocolate Café. At this charming venue you can taste new and exciting flavours unique to South Africa’s top craft gins. There are over 70 available, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. They also have great cocktails and hold exclusive gin tastings.
64A Wale St | 071 241 2277 | www.theginbar.co.za
TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR
The super-cool Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar at Tjing Tjing House is an inner-city treasure. If its iconic bar – painted a vibrant, Japanese shrine-red and offset by a wall of black-and-white photographs of Tokyo and Kyoto – doesn’t give you a zing of energy then nothing else will. Small and intimate, it resembles an old attic with its wooden mansards, but the décor and furnishings are eclectic. Expect bespoke cocktails, wine and delectable otsumami (snacks).
165 Longmarket St | 021 422 4920 | www.tjingtjing.co.za
GIGI ROOFTOP BAR
“It’s always better on top,” proclaims the GiGi Rooftop Bar. We agree. GiGi, located on the top floor of hot-and-happening hotel Gorgeous George, was voted Hotel Bar of the Year at the 2020 South African Bartending Accolades & Recognition (BAR) Awards and was a finalist in the New Cocktail Bar of the Year category. This is thanks to the playful, exotic cocktails of resident mixologist Leighton Rathbone. Overstay your welcome by the pool and indulge in cocktails.
118 St Georges Mall | 087 898 6000 | www.gigirooftop.com
I Love The Dough in Bree Street
I LOVE THE DOUGH
P is for pink. Here it’s also for pizazz. This Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant has an impressive bar and great cocktail menu. A “newish” kid on the Bree St block, it was nominated in the New Cocktail Bar of the Year category at the 2020 South African Bartending Accolades & Recognition Awards. Visit them for a great vibe and signature cocktails by their mixologists.
101 Bree St | 072 145 9988 | ilovethedoughct (Instagram)
14 STORIES ROOFTOP BAR AT SUNSQUARE
Views. Spectacular views. That’s the order of the day at the 14 Stories Rooftop Bar at SunSquare. Watch the sun go down from the rooftop pool deck while sipping on an appetising cocktail and taking in gorgeous views of Table Mountain and beyond. If the weather misbehaves, 14 Stories also has an indoor lounge.
23 Buitengracht St | 021 492 9999 | www.tsogosun.com
THE ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL
With a bird’s eye view of Signal Hill, The Athletic Club & Social comprises three bars and a restaurant. Described by Inside Guide as a “whimsical design fantasy of colonial-meets-modern”, the sumptuous venue is sophistication personified. With names like Orange Blossom, The Doorway of Champions and Lilac Lady V2.0, you’re in for a treat with their speciality cocktails.
35 Buitengracht St | 084 087 5566 | www.theathletic.co.za
Culture Wine Bar in Bree Street
CULTURE WINE BAR
Newly opened, Culture Wine Bar by well-known chef Matt Manning is one of the CBD’s must-visit venues right now. A labour of love for Matt and his partner Chris Groenewald (and a beautiful one, at that), together they have curated a selection of South Africa’s best wines, cult classics, hidden gems, natural wines, and special imports from across the globe. You’ll also enjoy Matt’s signature accompanying snack menu.
103 Bree St | 087 153 5246 | www.culturewinebar.com
THE DRINKERY
If it’s gin, wine or beer you’re after, you’ll find it at The Drinkery in Heritage Square. Their gin cocktails from local favourites including Cape Town Gin Co. and Hope On Hopkins are highly recommended. Besides the drinks, you’ll love the look and feel of the place as they have great art, photographs and furniture. Word is that everything is for sale at The Drinkery and if you happen to like the chair you’re sitting on, you can buy it too – after drinks of course.
100 Shortmarket St | 082 464 4866
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
1. Ghibli Bar Radisson Blu Hotel 22 Riebeek St | 021 467 4000
2. House of Machines 84 Shortmarket St | 021 426 1400
3. Paparazzi Bar & Lounge Pepperclub Hotel | cnr Loop & Pepper streets | 021 812 8888
5. Harringtons Cocktail Lounge 61B Harrington St | 078 916 7903
IMAGES: Culture Wine Bar, The Gin Bar, Carmen Lorraine