Must-see nightlife in South Africa

  • Harvest

    Cape Town

    This contemporary-styled cafe and deli in the heart of the Bo-Kaap offers a rooftop area where you can enjoy stunning views towards Table Mountain and…

  • Darling Brew Woostock

    Cape Town

    If you can't make it out to the brewery in Darling, you can taste most of the beers in the range at this hip Woodstock taproom. The vast space is open for…

  • 14 Stories

    Cape Town

    Perched on the 14th floor of the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl hotel, this rooftop bar is one of several in the area that provides great views of Table…

  • Kofi

    Gauteng

    Part of the Box Shop, a small shopping complex made out of shipping crates, Kofi is a cool cafe with an open balcony area overlooking buzzy Vilakazi St…

  • Ubuntu Kraal Beer Garden

    Gauteng

    Occupying one corner of this quirky events venue (check out the giant statue of Jesus on the cross) is the shady beer garden of the Soweto Gold Brewery …

  • Salt Yard

    Cape Town

    With surfboards and recycled decor on the walls, this bar in the university area has a beach-house aesthetic despite being firmly inland of Table Mountain…

  • Rat & Parrot

    Sunshine Coast

    The centre of the student party scene, the Parrot's downstairs bar is wood panelled and cosy, while the upper floor has big windows and a veranda…

  • Department of Coffee

    Cape Town

    Artisan coffee comes to Khayelitsha – even though it's served from a kiosk with uninviting barred windows, and the hours can be erratic. There are some…

  • Ta Da!

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This coffee bar and crêperie has shaded outdoor seating and a pleasant interior, which are also the venues for regular live music and movie nights,…

  • Old Potter's Inn

    Western Cape

    The courtyard is a lovely shady spot to retreat from Greyton's summer heat with a taster tray (R35) of four beers, brewed in-house. The menu features bar…

  • Rum Tum Tum

    Cape Town

    While much of Cape Town is still going giddy for craft beer and gin, Rum Tum Tum have identified the next Big Drink: rum. There are around 40 different…

  • Wine Bar

    Gauteng

    After touring Soweto what could be more pleasant than a glass of wine on the terrace of this sophisticated bar at the top of Vilakazi St? Its list of…

  • Deluxe Coffeeworks

    Cape Town

    This is both the roasting operation for Deluxe and a sleek, simple cafe where you can sample their highly-regarded coffee – as served by suitably tattooed…

  • Cockpit Brewhouse

    Gauteng

    The aviation-themed Cockpit Brewhouse serves at least six of its own delicious microbrew draught ales and decent bar food, including a tasty lamb and beef…

  • Mynt Cafe

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    At the northern end of the Camps Bay dining strip, this place offers coffee, cocktails and light meals (R100) with a beach view. It's more casual and…

  • Origin

    Durban

    Covering a range of music from deep house to electro, soul and funk (and much more), this stylish spot remains at the forefront of Durban's club scene…

  • Saint James

    Cape Town

    A strong contender for the hippest cafe in Obs, Saint James serves its own blend of java in all the various permutations in a cool design space that's…

  • Hard Pressed Cafe

    Cape Town

    At the base of the Portside Building, Cape Town's tallest building, this groovy cafe gives others a run for their money with their expertly made coffees…

  • Beer Yard

    Port Elizabeth

    With a Bedouin tent and small pool in the backyard, this craft beer and cider bar encapsulates Richmond Hill's urban buzz. Handmade burgers and thin-crust…

  • Mischu

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This bright, airy cafe has been serving up award-winning cappuccinos since 2012. As well as great coffee and freshly pressed juice, there's a Middle…

  • Brampton Wine Studio

    Stellenbosch

    Scribble on chalkboard tables while sipping shiraz at this trendy pavement cafe that also serves as Brampton winery’s tasting room. Sandwiches, wraps and…

  • Rustic Route

    Sunshine Coast

    This hip, convivial bar and restaurant with an open-air terrace is a great spot to swill a craft beer or two. The crowd ranges from students to well…

  • House of Machines

    Cape Town

    Combining a motorbike workshop with barbers, a boutique and a live music/DJ space, this is a homage to Americana, with tasty, inventive bourbon cocktails,…

  • Crew Bar

    Cape Town

    The best place to dance the night away – it helps that they have hunky bar dancers dressed only in skimpy shorts and glitter. Throw your hands in the air…

  • Je'Vista Social Cafe

    Sunshine Coast

    This loungey spot with big, sea-facing windows is popular for cocktails. The rose petal mojito, Baileys banana colada and potent California iced tea are…

  • Power & the Glory/Black Ram

    Cape Town

    The coffee and food (pretzel hot dogs, crusty pies and other artisanal munchies) are good, but it’s the smoky, cosy bar that packs the trendsters in,…

  • La Parada

    Cape Town

    Cerveza-quaffing and tapas-munching crowds spill out from this spacious and authentically Spanish-looking bar all days of the week.

  • Perseverance Tavern

    Cape Town

    This convivial, heritage-listed pub, which is affectionately known as 'Persies' and has been around since 1808, was once Cecil Rhodes’ local. There are…

  • Cramers Coffee

    Johannesburg

    Some say the coffee served at this always-bustling, no-lingering joint west of Gandhi Sq is among the best in town. There's also an array of sweet…

  • Unity Brasserie & Bar

    Durban

    This cosy bar has quality craft beer on tap from a range of breweries from Durban, Johannesburg and the Cape. It's a very friendly place, with families…

  • Cafe Manhattan

    Cape Town

    The pioneer and stalwart of the De Waterkant's gay scene remains a highly popular bar and restaurant, not least for its wrap-around deck which provides a…

  • Field Office

    Cape Town

    Take a moment to gather your thoughts and enjoy a well-made coffee at this cool cafe and showroom for furniture- and lighting-designers Pedersen & Lennard…

  • Origin

    Cape Town

    Apart from great coffee, the traditional bagels are pretty awesome too. They train baristas here and you can book online for their courses – a three-hour…

  • Flat Mountain

    Cape Town

    These artisan coffee guys specialise in blends, including an organic one and a full-flavour decaf. It's handy if you're browsing the galleries in the area…

  • Angel Heart

    Northern Cape

    There are a few breakfast items, salads and toasted sandwiches on the menu here but what keeps this convivial cafe busy is its excellent coffee –…

  • Carfax

    Johannesburg

    Check online for details of events such as progressive/deep house and hip-hop parties, and the more interesting international acts, at this giant…

  • Beaulah

    Cape Town

    This fun gay-friendly bar and dance venue, up a floor from the street, has a devoted crowd of young boys and girls who are always ready to bop to the DJ’s…

  • Bridge Street Brewery

    Port Elizabeth

    Craft beer lovers rejoice – this convivial pub and restaurant overlooking the Baakens River is like manna from heaven, with a great selection of beers on…

  • Beer Shack

    Port Elizabeth

    Low on aesthetics but high on energy, this beer hall is one of the liveliest bars in PE. It has a good range of craft beers and also serves food.

  • Pink Panther 2

    Cape Town

    Cover charges vary at this new LGBT friendly dance venue on the far southern edge of De Waterkant.

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }

More destinations you need to see