Cape Town’s nightlife scene is best known for clubbing and parties. But let’s face it, going out during winter can be a schlep because you’d rather be cuddling up with a cup of coffee and your electric blanket. Sometimes people prefer to venture towards bars, especially during winter, for a more relaxed evening after a long week filled with endless paperwork, deadlines and constant stress.
Others might prefer to read a good book in a quiet bar with a glass of sweet wine, like a typical movie scene. The list of bars and pubs in Cape Town are endless. We’ve narrowed it down to the best five bars to visit during Cape Town’s winter nights:
THE GIN BAR, CBD
The Gin Bar has been on everyones’ lips the past few months since it’s situated within the famous Honest Chocolate Café. Enjoy one of their freshly mixed gin cocktails infused with mint, rosemary, grapefruit and cardamom in the upstairs area on cold winter nights, or bring a jersey along and sit at the cafe-style tables underneath the fairy lights when the stars come out to play.
OF NOTE
WHEN Wednesday – Saturday 5 pm to 2 am
WHERE 64A Wale Street, Cape Town, City Bowl
COST According to menu
CONTACT +27 76 765 8306, [email protected]
CLARKE’S BAR AND DINING ROOM, CBD
Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room is best known for its indoor, quiet ambiance and jugs full of sangria to keep you warm. Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room is an Instagram-worthy spot filled with green potted plants and crisp white walls, perfect for anyone’s feed or timeline, in between photos of their craft beers and sangria jugs of course.
OF NOTE
WHEN Monday – Sunday, times vary
WHERE 133 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
COST According to menu
CONTACT +27 21 424 7648, www.clarkesdining.co.za
MITCHELL’S WATERFRONT BREWERY, WATERFRONT
You’ll find sports fans cheering on their favourite teams on the big screen TV’s at Mitchell’s while enjoying a cold beer. Mitchell’s is situated at the V&A Waterfront, where you can enjoy pub food, various ales and beers as well as live entertainment on special nights.
OF NOTE
WHEN Monday – Sunday 11 am – 2 am
WHERE East Pier and Dock Road, Waterfront, Cape Town
COST According to menu
CONTACT +27 21 419 5074, [email protected], www.mitchells-ale-house.com
BEERHOUSE, CBD
Forget wine tasting. Beer tasting is the latest craze in Cape Town, with people rushing to Beerhouse to get their hands on their well-known trays of flavoured craft beer and selection of beers from 13 different countries. Beerhouse has a colourful menu and is decorated with 25 beer taps and beer-related graffiti on the walls. Guests can enjoy themselves in family-style benches or watch the busy nightlife under a canopied balcony.
OF NOTE
WHEN Monday – Sunday 10 am – 2 am
WHERE 223 Long Street, CBD
COST According to menu
CONTACT +27 21 424 3370, [email protected], www.beerhouse.co.za
ASOKA RESTAURANT AND BAR, GARDENS
There’s nothing better than enjoying a fantastic view with a big glass of your favourite pint. You can unwind while getting cosy at Asoka’s corner fireplace, perfect for any winter night in Cape Town. The olive tree in the middle of the floor, which Asoka is built around, is also a sight to see.
OF NOTE
WHEN Monday – Sunday 5pm- 2am
WHERE 68 Kloof Street, Gardens
COST According to menu
CONTACT +21 422 0909, [email protected], www.asoka.za.com
Photography courtesy
[Find out what else is going down in the Mother City on the Cape Town Etc events page]
Cheslynne Bennett… Desiree Baitsewe… The Gin bar U0001f61d