Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, a coastal city beneath Table Mountain known for dramatic scenery, beaches, the Cape Winelands, the Cape Peninsula, a Cape Malay food heritage and the history of Robben Island and apartheid-era District Six.
Cape Town's nightlife is sociable and varied: Long Street has bars and clubs, Bree Street cocktail and wine bars, and Camps Bay sunset drinks on the beachfront. Use Uber or Bolt after dark.
A typical evening starts with sunset drinks in Camps Bay or the Waterfront, moves to dinner on Bree Street and ends on Long Street. Thursday to Saturday are busiest; many bars close by 2AM.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Bars fill from about 7PM; clubs peak from 11PM to 2AM, Thursday to Saturday.
- Average drink
- Beer R40-R90 (approx $2.42-5.45 USD); cocktails R90-R170 (approx $5.45-10.30 USD); wine by the glass R60-R200 (approx $3.64-12.12 USD).
- Dress code
- Smart casual is accepted in almost all bars; some clubs and rooftop bars ask for closed shoes. Beachwear is not accepted in most Camps Bay restaurants after dark.
- Cover charge
- Bars follow licence hours set under Western Cape liquor licensing; confirm trading hours with each venue, as they change seasonally.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Long Street
The backpacker-friendly strip of pubs, clubs and balcony bars in Victorian buildings, busy Thursday to Saturday.
Best for: Pubs, clubs and balcony drinks
Bree Street
Cocktail bars, wine bars and restaurants parallel to Long Street, more upmarket and relaxed.
Best for: Cocktails, wine and dinner-plus-drinks
Camps Bay Strip
Palm-lined beachfront strip of cocktail bars and restaurants with sunset views of the Twelve Apostles.
Best for: Sunset drinks and people-watching
Kloof Street and Gardens
Restaurants and wine bars popular with locals; quieter than Long Street.
Best for: Dinner and low-key drinks
V&A Waterfront and Sea Point
Harbour pubs, hotel bars and Sea Point's Regent Road venues, with relaxed evenings.
Best for: Casual evenings with good safety
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Tjing Tjing Rooftop
A rooftop bar above Dear Me on Longmarket Street.
Known for: A rooftop bar with Japanese-inspired cocktails and Table Mountain views
165 Longmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
The Orphanage Cocktail Emporium
A cocktail bar on Bree Street known for inventive drinks.
Known for: Creative cocktails
227 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
Beerhouse on Long
A Long Street bar known for a huge beer list and balcony.
Known for: More than 100 beers on tap and bottled
223 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
Caveau Wine Bar
A wine bar on Bree Street serving local wines and platters.
Known for: South African wines by the glass
92 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
Perseverance Tavern
A historic tavern with a relaxed local atmosphere.
Known for: One of Cape Town's oldest taverns (from 1808)
83 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
Waiting Room
A multi-floor venue with a rooftop terrace.
Known for: A rooftop bar and club on Long Street
273 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001, South Africa
The Gin Bar
A small gin bar on Wale Street with a specialist gin list.
Known for: A speakeasy-style bar with a large gin selection
64 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Cafe Caprice
A long-standing sunset spot on the strip, busy on summer weekends.
Known for: A beachfront cafe and bar on the Camps Bay strip
37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Fiction DJ Bar
A long-running Long Street club with DJ nights.
Cover: Cover charge may apply on weekends
Hours: Typically Thursday-Saturday from approx 9PM to 4AM; confirm
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Outdoor concerts on the lawn at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on summer Sunday evenings; picnics are allowed.
Artscape Theatre Centre
Cape Town's main performing-arts complex with opera, ballet and theatre.
GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World
Casino, cinema and live-show venue in Goodwood; 18+ for the casino.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Two-day jazz festival in March or April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Use Uber or Bolt for every trip after dark; do not walk between Long Street and the upper CBD alone.
Carry only the cash and cards needed and leave passport copies at the accommodation.
Keep drinks in sight and do not accept drinks from strangers.
Load-shedding can switch off lights and card machines; carry some cash.
The legal drinking age in South Africa is 18; carry ID.
Drink-driving laws are strict; the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05 g per 100 ml.
Check venue hours on social media, as bars change trading times seasonally.
Beware of pickpockets on Long Street on weekend nights.
Stay on the main Camps Bay strip and avoid walking on the beach after dark.
Tip 10-15 percent at bars with table service.