Must-see nightlife in Southern Africa

  • Dizzy’s Restaurant & Pub

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    There's regular entertainment at this convivial British-style watering hole with a good selection of craft beers and pub grub. Come for karaoke on Tuesday…

  • Drawing Room Cafe

    Cape Town

    As well as being a rather cool cafe serving Deluxe roasted coffee and various snacks (including vegan all-day breakfast dishes), this space serves as a…

  • Ba.One

    Lesotho

    Maseru's top nightlife spot is sandwiched between the Maseru Mall and a children's carnival area, and there's good times to be had here. The divey main…

  • Living Room

    Lilongwe

    With woodcarvings on its shaded veranda, this tucked-away chill-out den (find it off Mzimba St) offers coffee, cocktails, board games and dishes from…

  • Buffalo Bar

    Victoria Falls (town)

    Unquestionably the best sundowner spot in town; enjoy a gin-and-tonic on its outdoor terrace overlooking distant animals on the plains of Zambezi National…

  • Kitchener’s Carvery Bar

    Johannesburg

    What used to be a grand colonial hotel is now hipster central and epitomises the contemporary swagger of Braamfontein. By day it's a popular pub, known…

  • Chameleon Bar

    Lilongwe

    This Scottish-owned watering hole faces Buchanan's Grill in a leafy compound, with tables outside and a glass bar and purple walls within. It's popular…

  • Nine Barrels

    Johannesburg

    Combine your wine sipping in Maboneng with some contemporary art at this bar, which shares a building with the gallery Agog (www.agog.co.za). As well as…

  • The Waterfront

    Livingstone

    A favourite watering hole for expats and tourists alike, this deck bar (complete with swimming pool) has a spectacular location overlooking the Zambezi…

  • Jolly Roger Pub

    Johannesburg

    This long-running two-storey English-style pub on the edge of burgeoning 4th Ave holds its own against trendier upstarts. Upstairs it serves good pub grub…

  • La Belle

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This bistro and bakery is one of the loveliest belles on Camps Bay's seafront strip, and a whole lot more relaxed and less pretentious than some of its…

  • Shackleton Brewing Company

    Cape Town

    Owner-brewer Steve Peel takes inspiration from his time at the South African Antarctic research station and brings a nautical flair to this great little…

  • Taproom

    Cape Town

    Devil's Peak Brewing Company make some of South Africa's best craft beers. Their taproom and restaurant provide a panoramic view up to Devil's Peak itself…

  • Kefu’s

    Cape Town

    Ms Kefuoe Sedia has come a long way since opening a six-seater pub in her front lounge in 1990. This spiffy, two-level, 140-seat place, with mellow jazz…

  • Little Fox Cocktail Bar

    Johannesburg

    Like many of Jo'burg's hip craft cocktail bars, the Little Fox is intentionally tricky to find. In a small alley around the corner from the popular…

  • Connor's Public House

    Durban

    Young and old, black and white, hip and square: Connor's Pub on popular Mackeurtan Ave attracts Durbanites from all strata of society. There's nothing…

  • Radium Beer Hall

    Johannesburg

    The shining light of Louis Botha’s faded nightlife, the Radium, established in 1929, is reputed to be Jo'berg's oldest boozer. The memorabilia gives the…

  • I Love My Laundry

    Cape Town

    Primarily this is a laundry, which is hidden behind a shopfront festooned with colourful, arty whatnots and wine, as the place triples up as a cafe-bar,…

  • Bean There Coffee Co.

    Johannesburg

    Bean There Coffee Co., one of the first coffee shops in South Africa to source 100% single-origin African coffee, has its flagship location at 44 Stanley…

  • Bar Code

    Cape Town

    A small crowd hangs out at this gay bar after work to enjoy drinks by the open front porch. However, from 11pm Wednesday to Saturday, the doors are closed…

  • Rosetta Roastery

    Cape Town

    Tucked away in the courtyard of the Woodstock Exchange, these guys have a singularly appreciative hipster audience on tap to enjoy their single-origin and…

  • SurfaRosa

    Cape Town

    'Too drunk to punk' is the apt motto for this styled-to-the-max surfers' dive bar where the music is loud and the vibe edgy.

  • Lonely Hearts Club

    Johannesburg

    One of Melville's classier drinking spots, the Lonely Hearts Club boasts overstuffed leather bar stools, a stylish outdoor courtyard, and a mouth-watering…

  • House of H

    Cape Town

    There's a cafe and restaurant on the ground floor, but the big attraction lies on the roof where they've created one of the city's less pretentious…

  • Cause Effect

    Cape Town

    A stylish new addition to Cape Town's growing cocktail-bar scene, Cause Effect trains its alcoholic focus on brandy – some 70 different types, all South…

  • Woodstock Brewery Taproom

    Cape Town

    The popular Woodstock-based brewery has opened a second taproom in the student-filled suburb of Observatory. Taste their whole range on tap, including the…

  • Tiger's Milk

    Cape Town

    With entrances on both Kloof St and Rheede St, and a large courtyard in between, this branch of the Tiger's Milk chain is proving to be one of its most…

  • Impi Brewing Co

    Johannesburg

    Impi Brewing Co, which is decorated with a Zulu warrior theme, was the first dining/drinking establishment to open in Victoria Yards, an innovative arts…

  • Tjing Tjing

    Cape Town

    This slick rooftop bar is a stylish hangout for cocktails and wine.

  • The Sorrows

    Cape Town

    On one side of this cafe-bar they serve 'libations' – hipster-speak for anything from an espresso to a glass of wine – and on the other 'victuals': grub…

  • Rands Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Although it's a barbecued-meat restaurant in true township style (line up to order a platter of chicken wings, sausages or steak with various sides),…

  • Orchard on Long

    Cape Town

    Eye-popping displays of fresh fruits and vegetables lure in the Long St passing parade for the super-healthy and tasty juice mixes and smoothies here. Try…

  • Siki's Koffee Kafe

    Cape Town

    Siki Dibela, an ex-employee of the Vida e Caffè chain, is the business brains and barista behind the township's coolest cafe. He sells his own blend of…

  • Eastwoods

    Pretoria

    Far from sophisticated, brash and breezy Eastwoods is popular with locals, especially at lunchtime and after work hours. There’s a large outdoor deck, and…

  • Fireman’s Arms

    Cape Town

    Here since 1906, the Fireman’s is a Capetonian institution. Inside, the Rhodesian and old South African flags remain pinned up alongside a collection of…

  • Tonic

    Johannesburg

    A mural of Queen Elizabeth II with a Ziggy Stardust makeover greets you at this cute bar specialising in gin. It has around 50 different and mostly South…

  • Pienaar & Son

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is gin-crazy and the two complex gins at this family-run distillery are some of the best. You'll taste them neat before adding just a splash of…

  • Brewery on the Beach

    Sunshine Coast

    Set back from the seafront, this atmospheric bar set in an old fish factory is a good place for getting a bit of local vibe. It has a small selection of…

  • Al Lado

    Johannesburg

    Wines, craft beers and classic cocktails with a twist are the stock in trade of this speakeasy-style cocktail bar that's part of the Argentine grill…

  • Elevate Rooftop Bar

    Johannesburg

    Elevate Rooftop Bar, at the top of the Reef Hotel, is a true Jo'burg secret. Most locals have no idea this venue is open every evening to the public and…

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