They’re elegant spaces with curated menus and plush interiors to ensure ultimate relaxation. Here are some of the best bars to be enjoyed in the Cape Town city centre.
1.TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR
A unique (and exquisite) space in town with a Japanese slant, Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar was voted one of the best new bars worldwide by Condé Nast Traveller in 2012. At the top of Tjing Tjing House, situated in a 200-year-old Heritage building in Longmarket St, the bar is ensconced in an old attic enveloped in wooden mansards. The furnishings are eclectic, echoing those on the other three levels of the building, with a striking shrine-red bar (designed by industrial designer Warren Franken) being offset by a wall of owner Ilze Koekemoer’s black-and-white photographs of Tokyo and Kyoto. This is a cool, vibey space that opens up to an airy outside rooftop terrace. The drinks menu is meticulously crafted with bespoke cocktails, including classics by request, Japanese whisky, gin and sake as well as an extensive wine list, including Tjing Tjing’s house wine. Tasty snacks, known as otsumami, add to the offering.
165 Longmarket St
www.tjingtjing.co.za
- HACIENDA
Tequila enthusiasts will feel right at home at Hacienda in Bree Street, which marries contemporary modern Mexican cuisine and Tequila from the Bajío region. Patrons visiting the space can soak up the bustling street while perched on high bar stools or at an outside table. The interior has earthy tones with brown leather seats, wooden tables and exposed brick walls in some places. The beautiful bar area, the star of the show, is a tequila lover’s dream with its stunning lights and a wide selection of the best tequilas in the world. Guests can also enjoy exceptionally crafted cocktails, margaritas, beers and wines.
92 Bree St
www.hacienda.co.za
- GIGI ROOFTOP BAR
After a quick stroll down St Georges Mall, a sharp left and a lift up to the 6th floor, you arrive at Gigi Rooftop Bar inside the posh Gorgeous George Hotel. Here you’ll find a sophisticated bar and restaurant, the interior of which is adorned with art, mirrors on the ceiling, inviting plush leather seats and neatly arranged tables and chairs. When you step outside, you are greeted by the words “hello gorgeous”, lush hanging plants, comfortable seating and a beautiful dipping pool. It’s no wonder guests are encouraged to overstay their welcome and indulge in expertly crafted cocktails and mouthwatering food.
118 St Georges Mall
www.gigirooftop.com
- THE ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL
What’s in a name? Word is this sumptuous venue, comprising three bars and a restaurant, pays homage to the building’s former owner, a pharmacist and sports fanatic, who operated a speakeasy in the basement. This is why sports memorabilia is to be found throughout the venue, allowing patrons to trace South Africa’s sporting history on the walls. Guests can either enjoy a range of drinks on the terrace, share a meal over candlelight or listen to music in the hidden basement bar.
35 Buitengracht St
www.theathletic.co.za
- HOUSE OF ARTEZIAN
Artezian is another recent addition to the Central City’s diverse offering. It is a tapas restaurant, bar and art gallery that also provides entertainment. The name is derived from the flow of natural water when it pushes up from under the ground … almost like a spring. Nothing is pedestrian at Artezian including signature cocktails such as “Captain Bob” made with smoked chilli pineapple, Bobbejaan liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, navy strength gin and chilli oil.
217 Bree St
Instagram: @artezian_on_bree
- THE GIN BAR
The Gin Bar boldly declares that its space is so good you’ll want to keep it a secret. Interestingly, this inner city gem is hidden in a historical building with a secret Mediterranean-style courtyard which you enter through Honest Chocolate Café. Once inside, gin lovers can indulge in over 70 of South Africa’s top craft gins available. But don’t let the name fool you, the atmospheric, double-volume venue is also a beer and wine bar and boasts a bubbly bar (MCC Room), with a range of drinks from local crafters. Another interesting tidbit is that The Gin Bar used to be occupied by an undertaker. So, you can imagine other fascinating stories to be heard while enjoying appetising drinks.
64A Wale St
www.theginbar.co.za
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