Looking
For a bar?
With A Twist.
Written by: Natalie Fraser
In Cape Town, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to world-class restaurants and bars, all differentiating themselves with intriguing concepts and design. But with new locations popping up seemingly every other week, it is easy to lose track of all the options and just end up sticking to your trusty locals. For those looking for a twist on their weekend plans of “drinks with friends”, we’ve compiled a list of some of Cape Town’s most innovative and memorable nightlife spots.
Art of Duplicity
South Africans have proven themselves to be capable of handling many things but a nation-wide ban on alcohol is not amongst them. Despite this, the concept of a prohibition-inspired speakeasy bar will always capture the attention of the city’s cocktail enthusiasts. The team behind The Art of Duplicity have executed this concept to perfection, creating one of the most exciting secret bars in Cape Town. With the venue hidden behind a password and down a side alley, the experience starts even before you arrive. The bar itself is in just one small room that has been eclectically decorated with luxe period pieces, dark woods, crystal glassware and an array of display cabinet curiosities. This is contrasted by the piled cotton sacks and crates that line the exposed brick walls, reminding guests that they find themselves somewhere repurposed—a store room or even a bunker. Once inside, guests can enjoy live music while sipping on one of the bar’s internationally acclaimed cocktails, which range from familiar classics served in delicate glassware to lavish experiments, like the 504 Special with Noodles which, despite its appearance and the addition of noodles, is a drink and not a bowl of ramen.
fable
fable is giving cocktail culture a contemporary Capetonian revival. Meticulously designed and updated with the seasons, its list of signature cocktails are each inspired by fables, myths and local legends. Each is served up with drama and flair by their expert bartenders, who take making outrageously fun drinks seriously. The current menu boasts cocktails such as the one that gives a nod to the ghost of Uniondale, arriving with a coffin-shaped flask in a swirl of mist. And there’s the HMS Arniston, with notes of sherry and orange, served complete with a temporary tattoo kit placed artfully in a seashell. fable’s Happy Hours are the stuff of legends themselves, lasting the whole of Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with generous windows on the rest of the days too. The energy here is contagious, amplified on the weekends when DJs and dancing takeover. With several awards under its belt, including being named as one of the 50 best bars in the world, it’s easy to see why fable is the setting for so many epic tales. And by epic tales we mean nights out with friends.
Barcadia
If you ever find yourself wishing you could return to the uncomplicated days of playing Mortal Kombat in the Spur play pit, it’s time to pay Barcadia a visit. The bar-meets-arcade is the first of its kind in Cape Town but has the familiarity of stepping into a childhood friend’s bedroom.
Under the neon lights glint the steering wheels of Rave Racer, the loading screens of Mortal Kombat, the floating ghosts of Pac-Man and an iconic Stern KISS Pinball machine, all free to play. The menu is simple and affordable, offering a fully stocked bar, beer on tap, soft drinks and a popcorn machine for when you realise you’ve played well past dinner time. Whether you’re an arcade game enthusiast or just looking for a unique night out with friends, Barcadia should be one of the next bars on your list.
Broke Klubhouse
Cocktail bars are a fun experience but, after even just one drink, your bank account might start fighting back. Particularly in Cape Town’s city centre, even the “cheapest” drink can easily set you back R50 or more. BROKE Klubhouse is providing the antidote to wallet-wrecking nights out. It’s a rare inner-city hotspot that welcomes student budgets and high rollers onto the same dance floor. By day, the venue serves as an outlet for BROKE, a clothing brand setting trends in true Capetonian style. The 90s and pop culture inspired pieces are displayed in sleek, subway tiled, glass fronted cabinets and on free standing racks for you to browse through. But come 6 pm, Broke Klubhouse’s dance floor comes to life, with a rotating list of the hottest DJs drawing in the trailblazers, scene kids and fashionistas running the mother city’s nightlife. The only thing about this venue that is not quintessential Cape Town is the prices—you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re also 90s-inspired. Whether it’s the 23rd or the 25th of the month, you can expect an unforgettable night at the Klubhouse.
ANTHM
New kid on the block, ANTHM, opened its doors in early 2024 and has already cemented its position as one of Cape Town’s hottest bars. Inside, the atmosphere has been carefully curated to reflect the quiet charm of a Japanese “kominka” and the vibrant edge of the streets of New York City (where you can find ANTHM’s sister establishment ROKC), with antique furnishing, custom glassware and decorative items from Cape Town, Japan and New York. The live music lounge serves as inspiration to the mixologists, with many of the cocktails being named after the tunes heard filtering through the bar, adding a multisensory dimension to the experience. Drinks can be paired with a delicious menu of small plates, which offer innovative variations on South African ingredients with Japanese cooking techniques.
