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Cape Town, a beautiful destination situated between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, is an enthralling place to be after the sun sets. There are many places where one can listen to live bands with most performing different kinds of music, such as jazz, rock, electronic, hip-hop, and many other styles. Whether it is glamorous pubs, big dance halls, small corner joints, or places where live bands play, Cape Town nightlife encompasses all the rich cultures that its people have.
Cape Town Nightlife
Let’s explore the Cape Town nightlife that is sure to create lasting memories and experiences.
1. Club Paradise
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Club Paradise is an exuberant and exciting nightclub which has swept many local and even international night owls, thereby becoming a hotspot for nightlife. The nightclub has a state-of-the-art sound system paired with impressive disco light effects that create a high-energy environment that calls out to party fans who wish to hit the dance floor. The place mostly attracts people who have different music tastes, including house lovers, techno addicts, hip-hop fans, and Afrobeats listeners, due to their all-inclusive music selection.
Location: 9 Albertus Street, East City, Cape Town
Timings: 8 PM – 2 AM (Friday – Saturday)
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In South Africa
2. Saint Champagne Bar & Lounge
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Saint Champagne Bar & Lounge is a popular venue for nightlife, attended without fail when in Cape Town. Its aristocratic nature is equally balanced with the class of people who frequent the lounge. The decor includes pink plush interiors, leather banquettes, and VIP zones, which have made it a hit with the stars and the rich. Although there is a wide range of expensive champagne, with the most expensive going up to about R185,000 per bottle, there is no shortage of patrons visiting the bar for champagne or ‘bubbly’ lovers. This place gets local DJs to play amapiano, hip-hop, and house music, and people enjoy the music. While the range is stylish, there is no designated area for people to dance, yet they tend to do so in between the class decor.
Location: 37 Harrington Street, District Six, Cape Town
Timings: 8 PM – 2 AM (Tuesday – Sunday)
3. The Waiting Room
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The Waiting Room is a popular nightlife venue famous for its lively environment coupled with its good music. The waiting room has a big rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city, ideal for taking drinks while appreciating the surroundings. Some interior events within the club include performances by artists, especially DJs who perform genres like hip-hop and others. Nevertheless, one of their special offerings is the night “Strictly 2000s,” where everyone is encouraged to come in dress code with the favourite figures of that generation.
Location: 273 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre
Timings: 5 PM – 2 AM
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4. Evol Nightclub
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Evol Nightclub is a quirky and exciting place. This not-so-ordinary club has a punk rock style; however, it is small, with two dance floors, pool tables, and a live performance stage, and feels cosy instead. The furnishings are odd because they represent the kind of culture this place has, and because of this, young creative people love this place very much. Evol is well known for having local rock bands perform live, for days of the week-themed parties, and for many other events. There’s also lovely energy and warmth at the club, which ensures that people find joy when within the premises.
Location: 69 Hope Street, Cape Town City Centre
Timings: Daily from 12 PM
5. Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
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Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar is a chic and modern rooftop bar that serves Japanese fusion cocktails and provides a breathtaking view of the city. The space has an ornate interior design style with indigo fabric wall coverings and spacious outdoor couches, hence perfect for easy hanging out with friends. The cocktail menu is inventive and has beverages such as ‘Tokyo Rose’ and ‘Sake Sour’ that have been given a Japanese flair. Patrons will also be provided with a variety of bites and sharing plates that go well with the drinks, adding to the enjoyment.
Location: 165 Longmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre
Timings: Tuesday – Saturday, 4 PM – late
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Johannesburg
6. Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge
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Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge is upscale and classy. Within this classic cocktail lounge, exuberance meets relaxation, making it a great place for just hanging out or holding some special event. The encasement consists of well-polished wood, soft velvet seats, and big windows that face the energetic crowd outside. For most Harringtons is famously known, it’s based on the very large list of cocktails offered at the venue with very professional chefs on the bar. Other than cocktails, ladies may indulge in a variety of yummy tapas that go well with the drinks.
Address: 61B Harrington Street, East City, Cape Town
Timings: 4 PM – late
7. Shimmy Beach Club
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Shimmy Beach Club is the top ocean-facing venue which is ideal for fine dining, a crazy night out, the amazing sea view, and Table Mountain. It’s got a huge deck surrounded by a private beach where one can lounge by the swimming pool or rather take cocktails while basking in the sun on the sand. The club boasts a chic restaurant that provides a wide range of cuisines, including sushi and tapas, accompanied by a remarkable cocktail and wine list.
Location: 12 South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Timings: 11 AM – 4 AM
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8. District
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The district is a nightclub where people enjoy their music and dance to various types of rhythms. In this contemporary place, there is a large dance floor where people dance around many stylish booths with a retro look; hence, it’s a perfect place for both dancing and lounging. The club has an excellent sound and light system and so varies the events held there from live music, DJing, and thematic parties of different genres of music, including house, techno, and even rock. There are many “East City Sessions” hosted regularly on Thursdays where the best local acts perform, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the venue.
Location: 61C Harrington Street, Cape Town City Centre
Timings: 8 PM – 4 AM
9. The House of Machines
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The House of Machines is an innovative and diverse venue that has a coffee shop, a cocktail bar, a menswear shop, and a live music spot under one roof, which has made it famous among residents and visitors alike. It is beautifully rustic and modern at the same time, with exposed bricks and heavy wooden beams creating an easy and simple environment. The House of Machines becomes a coffee house within which people are encouraged to drink coffee under the brands that they serve and enjoy cakes in the morning.
Location: 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre
Timings: 7 AM – 2 AM
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10. Cafe Caprice
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Café Caprice is a popular restaurant and bar famous due to the picturesque views of the ocean and the life it offers. The place has an elegant and chic decor with cosy chairs inside as well as outside and therefore is suitable for both off-the-shelf lunches and all-night raves. This is seen especially at the Veuve Clicquot bar as well as in restaurants that offer delicious gourmet burgers and fresh fish meals. The atmosphere here changes from a quiet café with relaxed patrons during the daytime to an active nightclub at nightfall; the activity is with DJs playing chilled house music from Thursday to Sunday.
Location: 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Timings: Daily from 12 PM until late
The Cape Town nightlife is like its people—there’s a lot of variety—offering everything from high-end bars to dance halls with local entertainment. Whether you want to party till the break of dawn, have drinks and laugh with friends, or listen to good music in a nice cosy place, you can never run out of fun things to do at night in Cape Town. Plan your visit with TripXL to get an experience that will truly reflect the beauty of the city.
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