Fashionistas descend on Camps Bay this week for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town – the style happening of the year. But the show isn’t over when the catwalks lights dim. Far from it. These ultra-hip spots tick all the boxes for an on-trend cocktail. Of course, if you’re the designated driver, you’ll be ordering virgin.

(PS: Want to win VIP tickets to one of the shows? Enter here.)

Camps Bay

La Parada Del Mar
The newest outpost of the La Parada chain is a stylish spot for cocktails and light tapas meals. Head to the mosaic-clad Bombay Sapphire Bar for a Gin & Tonic Del De Barra with mango, rosemary, grapefruit and orange zest. Plus there’s a DJ on Sunday nights.

Enjoy a drink on the first floor of La Parada Del Mar. Photo supplied.

Café Caprice
This vibey bar has been going since 1999 – and remains one of the hottest spots on the strip. Sip on a Monsoon Tea Party with Ron Zacapa rum, rooibos chai tea, fresh vanilla and fig jam – or an El Topo with Don Julio Reposado tequila, fresh pineapple, lime and vanilla bean.

Tea party at the beach? We recommend our World Class ‘Monsoon Tea Party’ prepared with the finest rum, Ron Zacapa, infused with Chai Rooibos tea, fresh vanilla & fig jam ________________________________ #beachlife #cocktails #chai #rooibos #southafrica #worldclass #campsbay #cafecaprice #capricelife #mondaysunday #rum #capetown

A post shared by CafeCaprice (@cafecaprice) on Mar 6, 2017 at 5:39am PST

City Bowl

The Stack Set in a 160-year-old building, this private member’s club has an exquisitely beautiful bar and restaurant, both open to the public. The bar is especially striking – think emerald-green walls, fuchsia bar stools and contemporary art. Order a pink gin to match the bar stools.

The pink gin at The Stack is almost as pretty as the bar itself. Photo supplied.

The Gin Bar
Hidden behind Honest Chocolate Café in a courtyard of crumbling brick, this diminutive gin bar serves up the beverage of the moment in an array of interesting ways. Try Redstone Gin with homemade spiced pineapple syrup, tonic, mint and fresh pineapple – or a G&T made with gin from new local distillery Pienaar & Son. There’s a space upstairs too, if the little courtyard is at capacity.

A post shared by The Gin Bar (@theginbar) on Dec 16, 2016 at 7:49am PST

Outrage of Modesty
Hidden behind an unmarked door on Shortmarket Street, this uber-hip bar recently reopened under the guidance of famed New York bartender Greg Seider. Sip on a high-end cocktail like The Best is Yet to Come, which features gin, buchu, rosemary-infused agave, pear purée, bubbles, lemon juice and clove dust.

The Best Is Yet To Come – Gin, Buchu, Rosemary-Infused Agave, Pear Purée, Bubbles, Lemon Juice & Clove Dust. Hit the link in bio for bookings – Open from 6pm.

A post shared by Outrage of Modesty (@outrageofmodesty) on Feb 22, 2017 at 1:03am PST

Tjing Tjing
This rooftop bar with eclectic décor is set in a two-centuries-old heritage building and punts itself as “comfy & casual, hip & happening”. Savour innovative cocktails while snacking on Asian-inspired tapas.

Tjing Tjing’s beautiful bar boasts a mansard roof and Japanese-inspired decor. Photo supplied.

De Waterkant

The Vue On wind-free evenings, it’s hard to beat this rooftop bar for views over the city. Insider tip? Order the chicken quesadillas and savour a Kir Royale or three.

Your next getaway is a rooftop away!

A post shared by The Vue Sky Bar Lounge (@thevueskybarlounge) on Feb 23, 2017 at 11:06pm PST

V&A Waterfront

The Silo Rooftop
Cape Town’s new icon, The Silo Hotel, boasts a gorgeous rooftop bar. Nab a sun lounger next to the pool and tuck into charcoal-fired dishes while you watch the sun set.

Rooftops in this city are taking it to a whole new level. I mean hello Silo Hotel 360 views of pure magic. Our rating (if we had any cards to raise) would be a solid !!! Hmmm, maybe rating rooftops and cocktails (OF COURSE) to end off summer is not a bad idea ‘oh sippi sippi now’! Silo Hotel, Silo District

A post shared by Explore Cape Town Like A Local (@capetownlikealocal) on Mar 14, 2017 at 9:02am PDT

Win VIP tickets

Extra! Win two VIP tickets to Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week. Enter here.