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The Best Bars in Cape Town

On the record: one on The World's 50 Best Bars, three Spirited Awards nominees.

Browse every Cape Town barBest cocktail bars in Cape Town
  1. The Art of Duplicity
    50 BESTSpeakeasy

    The Art of Duplicity

    The Art of Duplicity keeps its own description to five words, luxurious, glamorous, decadent, hush-hush, tempted, and runs its bookings through a waitlist on its site. Its Instagram gives the rest: 36 Buitenkant Street in the city centre, open from ten in the morning until late, seven days.

    36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town 8001Mon-Sun 10:00-late
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  2. The Drinkery
    Cocktail Bar

    The Drinkery

    The Drinkery calls itself a classic cocktail bar, and on its own site Cape Town's classic and lavish bar: a vintage-inspired lounge on the mezzanine level of 100 Shortmarket Street in the City Centre, with a Club Classics section on the drinks list, cocktails and snacks, and a wine list alongside. The site runs in English and Italian. Open Monday to Saturday from five until late.

    100 Shortmarket Street, Mezzanine Level, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town 8001Mon-Sat 17:00-late
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  3. Nkula Cocktail & Wine Boutique
    Wine Bar

    Nkula Cocktail & Wine Boutique

    Nkula describes itself as Black-owned, wine-led and cocktail-rebellious, a cocktail and wine boutique on Long Street rooted in what it calls a Biko Black philosophy: in an industry where Black and Brown winemakers are often overlooked, it puts their craft, brands and legacy on the list, and calls the result African luxury told by us, for everyone. On First Thursdays winemakers pour their latest releases with DJs in the room. Open every day from one in the afternoon until two.

    188A Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town 8001Mon-Sun 13:00-02:00
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  4. Fable
    Cocktail Bar

    Fable

    A cocktail bar on the corner of Bree and Wale Streets in Cape Town's city center, serving signature drinks inspired by local myths and legends, with a seasonal menu that evolves so each cocktail tells a story. Drinks are paired with curated snacks and DJ sets. Open from midday until late every day except Monday, with happy-hour specials.

    Cnr Bree & Wale Street, Cape TownTue–Wed 12:00–00:00, Thu 12:00–01:00, Fri–Sat 12:00–01:30, Sun 12:00–00:00. Closed Mondays.
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  5. The Dark Horse
    Rooftop Bar

    The Dark Horse

    A relaxed neighborhood bar at the top of Kloof Street with an eclectic vintage interior and a rooftop area with mountain views. It focuses on precisely made classic cocktails, an all-South African wine list and locally sourced small plates, on a no-bookings, walk-in basis.

    145 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape TownTue–Thu 16:00–late, Fri–Sat 13:00–late
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Explore the whole Cape Town scene

These bars are the starting point. The full BarMagazine directory covers every listed bar in Cape Town, with a map, filters by bar type, and new openings as we verify them.

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