UPSTAIRS by [spasie] will open its doors to the public tonight for First Thursdays. Photo by ST Photography.

Most food-loving Capetonians will have heard of (or attended) one of the private dinners and invite-only events hosted by [spasie] UNDERGROUND. The themes of innovation and creativity continue at UPSTAIRS by [spasie], a newly renovated interactive gallery and exhibition space above Inside & You’re Out (IYO) Burgers that is destined for mixed-medium art by day and bespoke cocktails by night.

From Tuesday to Saturday, guests can visit UPSTAIRS for creative, colourful and collaborative artwork from both young and established artists. Then, as the week winds down, from 5pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, it will become a bar, dedicated to the magic and craftsmanship of handcrafted cocktails.

The first multi-sensory event, ROOTS, was held on Wednesday. Photo by ST Photography.

The first multi-sensory event, ROOTS, was held on Wednesday 6 April, which showcased work from numerous artists curated by Caro de Waal, a former Eat Out Restaurant Awards judge. The show brought together art from a variety of disciplines including film, portraiture, iPhonography, food and drink, and even X-rays – all around the concept of roots and its various layers.

Caro’s canapés (executed by Vagabond Kitchens) included eland carpaccio with sceletium oil, carrot purée, crispy garlic and leeks; angelfish ceviche with spekboom, num num, radish and lemon buchu; lemon pelargonium curd with fennel meringues; and dark chocolate, rosemary and beetroot truffles. Fragrant cocktails of absinthe with apple juice and rooibos-infused gin with carrot juice were further explorations on the earthy theme.

A variety of Caro’s canapés (executed by Vagabond Kitchens) were on offer at ROOTS. Photo by ST Photography.

Find UPSTAIRS at 103 Bree Street, above IYO Burgers. The art gallery will be open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday. The bar will be open 5pm until close Thursday to Saturday. Find out more at www.spasie.co.

From left: Gregory Zeleny, founder; Dean Hoffman, creative director; Caro de Waal; and Charlotte van Kradenburg, managing director. Photo by ST Photography.