Ask me what my favourite date night or ultimate girls night on the town looks like and I’ll tell you that it always starts with fancy cocktails. I really am partial to a pretty drink served in a pretty glass – and if it costs a pretty penny, who am I to complain? Having a cocktail with my friends makes me happy! Except for this one time, my best friend lost her ID before a big girl’s weekend and she couldn’t make it without it. Well, that’s until she came across ID Moose and was able to get another ID before the weekend came, phew! Although there are lots of cocktail bars in Cape Town, this list only features what my friends and I consider the best cocktail bars in Cape Town.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Cape Town
1 The Silo Rooftop
The Silo Hotel is one of the hottest properties in town and its rooftop bar is definitely the place to be seen. The views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain are unbelievable and the cocktails live up to the surrounding beauty. Tables are by reservation only, so make sure you book ahead – especially if a couple of windless days are predicted.
2 The Willaston at The Silo
I actually think I love The Willaston, located on the 6th floor of The Silo Hotel even more than the rooftop bar. The enormous pillowed windows offer the most dramatic views of the city below and the cocktails are 10/10. The Willaston doesn’t allow reservations, so it’s best to go early if you’re hoping to grab a table.
3 Gigi Rooftop Bar at Gorgeous George Hotel
The newly-opened Gorgeous George is a member of the prestigious Design Hotels™ collection and is the name on everyone’s lips right now. Located on the 6th floor of the property, you’ll find the beautiful Gigi Rooftop Bar. The design-focused spaced is an absolute feast for the eyes and their cocktail menu is something you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
4 Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
One of Cape Town’s original rooftop bars, Tjing Tjing has been serving stunning cocktails for years. The rooftop bar’s inner-city views pair beautifully with a summer evening. The food also happens to be particularly good, so don’t forget to order a couple of bites to go with your drinks.
5 The Radisson RED Rooftop
Located right next to The Silo, the Radisson RED Rooftop has the same dramatic views with a little more laidback vibe. The pool is open to the public, so it’s the ultimate place to spend a summer day sipping and dipping.
Read more: Staying at the Radisson RED Cape Town
6 The House of Machines
This inner-city motorbike workshop-inspired bar is the fancy answer to the question “where are the dive bars in this city?”. They serve a mean Negroni and a particularly good Old Fashioned and have live music several times a week (check their Facebook page for upcoming events).
7 The Secret Gin Bar
Possibly the worst kept secret in the city, the Gin Bar is hidden behind Honest Chocolate on Wale Street. If you’re a fan of a G&T, you will love their huge selection of local, international and craft gins. The tiny inner-city courtyard is one of my favourite places to spend an afternoon with friends.
8 The Stack
If this list were ranked in order of preference, The Stack would be right at the top. The stunning outdoor courtyard feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city, while the velvet green, dusty pink and gleaming gold interiors beg you to spend some time catching up over a few colourful drinks. Their half-price cocktail special from 3pm to 6pm is criminally underrated. The food at the bistro is great too, so if you start feeling hungry three cocktails deep, you’re in good hands.
9 Chinchilla Rooftop Bar
If you’re looking for ocean views, this is your spot. Walking into Chinchilla feels like walking into Bali – it has a real exotic feel and a pretty fancy crowd to match. Its a really beautiful space where you’ll catch some of the best sunsets in the city and the cocktails are pretty great too!
