Art of Duplicity

Nestled in a refurbished 1894 Victorian warehouse in central Cape Town, Art of Duplicity is a password-protected speakeasy co-founded by David Donde and award-winning mixologist Brent Perremore. Opened in 2018, it has earned top bar accolades—including ranking #86 on the World’s 50 Best Bars and winning 2020 Cocktail Bar of the Year in South Africa. Accessing the bar is an adventure: guests book online, receive a riddle-like clue and secret password, then navigate a laundry-lined alley and discreet entry, where they speak the password through a peephole and push through the final door. Inside, the décor transports you to 1920s Prohibition-era glamour. Think dim amber lighting, Chesterfield sofas, velvet armchairs, antique apothecary cabinets, exposed beams, burlap sacks, mahogany finishing, vintage trinkets, and an atmospheric bar backed by an impressive liquor display. The intimate space (about 38 seats) ensures personalized service and consistent occupancy. The cocktail menu is theatrical and bold: expect molecular-style presentations (e.g., “Paper Tiger” wrapped in old book pages, “Dark Art” served via mini-poison bottle over ice), butter-washed spirits, quail-egg flips, Japanese whiskey, olive oil-washed vodka, grapefruit air, and salmon-ping-pong garnishes. Signature creations like the Niwatori Tea, Hillbilly Breakfast Flip, Mae’s Pearl Necklace, Gilded Pear, Saigon Sideshow, and flaming “Jolly Jumper & The Flamin Injuns” showcase Perremore’s artistry—and cocktails typically range R120–160. Dress code: “Mae West meets Al Capone”—guests embrace 1920s glamour in both attire and attitude. Open Tuesday–Saturday from approximately 6 PM until the last round. They strongly encourage booking via the website to receive password and directions.