Top Bars in Cape Town – Most Viewed (2025)

Located at 84 Shortmarket Street in Cape Town, The House of Machines (THoM) is more than just a bar—it's a multifaceted venue that combines a café, cocktail bar, live music venue, and retail space under one roof. Founded by a trio of enthusiasts—custom bike builder Drew Madacsi, fashion designer Paul van der Spuy, and coffee aficionado Brad Armitage—THoM embodies a passion for craftsmanship and community. During the day, patrons can enjoy ethically sourced coffee, including their in-house blend, Evil Twin. As evening approaches, the venue transforms into a lively bar offering a curated selection of craft beers and inventive cocktails. The interior boasts an industrial-chic design with exposed brickwork, wooden beams, and vintage motorcycle elements, creating an atmosphere that's both rugged and refined. Live music is a staple at THoM, featuring local and international artists across various genres. The venue also hosts events like the Songwriters' Showcase, fostering a vibrant creative community. Beyond food and drink, THoM offers a selection of men's apparel and accessories, aligning with its commitment to quality and style. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur, cocktail enthusiast, music lover, or motorcycle aficionado, The House of Machines provides a unique and immersive experience in the heart of Cape Town.

Perched in the attic of a beautifully preserved heritage building at 165 Longmarket Street in Cape Town’s City Centre, Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar (part of Tjing Tjing House) is the perfect refuge for evening drinks, offering indoor and outdoor rooftop seating, warm ambience, and a dash of Japanese aesthetic flair. Decor is playful and curated: imagine embroidered macaque monkeys in indigo wallpaper, sculptural Kokeshi doll tables (each representing an aspect of Japanese culture), and a red Japanese shrine-inspired bar as the centrepiece. The rooftop terrace opens to fresh air and views over the city, while the positioning in a 200-year‐old attic means low ceilings, rustic architectural character, wooden beams—character that feels lived in. The drinks program is strong: bespoke cocktails, Japanese whisky, gin, sake, and a curated wine list that includes their house wine from David & Nadia Wines. Food is also available from the à la carte menu used across Tjing Tjing House; sharing small dishes that pair well with drinks. Kitchen closes around 10 pm. Atmosphere tends to be relaxed but lively. The rooftop is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 4 pm until late. No reservations are taken for the rooftop—it’s first come, first served. Music leans indie and electronic in style, typically adding to the relaxed, stylish mood without becoming overwhelming.

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.

Cause | Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar in Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront invites guests into a sensory lab where local terroir meets molecular mixology. Inspired by the region’s oceans, mountains, vineyards, and fynbos, bartenders clad in lab coats serve drinks through a “barterroir” philosophy—capturing soil, climate, and geography in every sip. They employ a waterless chilling system—no ice—preserving flavor intensity. Behind a long industrial wooden bar under dim, leafy ceilings, you’ll witness theatrical preparation of brandy-forward concoctions, fynbos tinctures, and vintage-style cocktails. The dinner menu ranges from shareable meat, cheese, and vegetable boards to Korean fried‑chicken tacos and classic mains like schnitzel and steak, plus hearty breakfasts like eggs benedict and avo toast . They also offer immersive experiences—decorate your own tiki mug or martini bowl with a drink included (around R295). Since launching in December 2017, Cause | Effect has claimed awards including South Africa’s best cocktail bar and top spots in the World’s 50 Best Discovery list, praised for its creative team and unique concept. Whether you’re after serene afternoon cocktails or engaging evening sessions under stars in the courtyard, it’s a sophisticated yet playful spot where experimentation meets Cape flair.

Established in 2014, The Gin Bar has carved a niche for itself by specializing in South African gins, boasting over 70 local varieties. Its unique entrance through the Honest Chocolate Café leads patrons into a Mediterranean-esque courtyard, providing an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. ​ The bar's menu draws inspiration from the building's historical use as a morgue, with signature gin and tonic offerings playfully named as cures for various ailments, such as melancholy or impulse buying. Beyond its gin selection, The Gin Bar also caters to beer and wine aficionados and has recently introduced a Bubbly Bar, expanding its beverage repertoire. ​ Patrons can enjoy their drinks in the secret courtyard, a space that has been likened to a Mediterranean retreat, enhancing the overall experience.

Barcadia is a standout venue in downtown Cape Town that brings arcade nostalgia and adult socialising together in one energetic space. Located in the city centre on Hout Street, this bar-arcade hybrid is designed for grown-ups: 21+ (with 18+ allowed on Tuesdays) and filled with the kind of retro machines you remember, plus modern gaming consoles, all inside a bar with drinks, lights and good vibes. From the moment you walk in you’ll spot the neon signs, checkered-floor motifs and statues of gaming characters that set the tone. Inside, you’ll find original arcade cabinets—classics like Mortal Kombat, Tekken 3, Pac‑Man and Centipede—alongside pinball machines and even a PlayStation 5/console gaming corner. What makes Barcadia special is that the arcade machines are free to play as long as you’re at the bar. The bar offers a full drink menu: draught beers, cocktail specials, and even non-alcoholic sodas (some iconic large-volume beers or liter jugs too) under the nostalgic environment. Snacks are available (popcorn, light bites) though food is not the main focus. Barcadia’s atmosphere is lively but not chaotic: evenings are a mix of game-play, social hanging out, and light competition with friends. It’s ideal for a fun date, a group outing, or a less formal bar-hop where you want something different than a standard pub. Several reviews highlight its value (free machines, reasonable drink pricing) and how the arcade adds meaningful entertainment.