Cape Town Cocktail Week will bring together the city’s best bartenders and mixologists to collaborate and experiment from 10 to 16 December. Created as a map-based cocktail safari across the city, the event lets guests explore the Mother City through its bars. More than 30 establishments are participating, ranging from rooftop spots to speakeasies and oceanfront bars, each creating exclusive cocktails showcasing local South African flavours.  

The festival includes interactive games, surprise events, guest bartender shifts and pop-ups throughout the week. 

Here are all the bars included in Cape Town Cocktail Week 2025: 

ALLURE ROOFTOP LOUNGE
71 Waterkant Street

Allure offers stunning city and harbour views from its stylish rooftop terrace. It also hosts cultural and social events beyond exceptional cocktails and food pairings. 

ANTHM
63 Loop Street 

This Japanese-inspired bar is helmed by master mixologist Tetsuo Hasegawa, who brings his experience from New York’s NR to Cape Town. The cocktails are served in vintage glassware alongside a small plates menu designed for sharing. 

APERITIF
227 Bree Street 

Aperitif brings authentic European aperitivo culture with quality aperitifs and light bites. The street-side seating allows guests to engage with Bree Street’s vibrant energy. 

Aperitif

ASOKA
68 Kloof Street 

Asoka operates from a transformed twentieth-century house with Table Mountain as its dramatic backdrop. The venue’s unique philosophy centres on five elements – earth, water, wind, fire, and nirvana – which influences both their tasting plate menu and innovative cocktail programme. 

BARCADIA
62 Hout Street 

Barcadia is a retro bar and arcade, combining classic gaming with modern cocktails, and offering free access to vintage machines like Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat.  The venue’s nostalgic design features checkered floors, custom neon signs, and iconic character statues. 

BASCULE BAR
Cape Grace Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Bascule Bar is located at the water’s edge and offers an extensive collection of world-class whiskies.  The venue provides tasting experiences and jazz-fuelled nights. 

Bascule Bar

BATANGA
70A Kloof Street 

Batanga is a vibe-forward cocktail hub that fuses Latin American drinking traditions with Cape Town’s urban creative scene, featuring visually stunning cocktails and lush botanical installations. The venue transforms from a sunlit conservatory by day to a plant-draped interior by night. 

CAUSE EFFECT COCKTAIL KITCHEN
280 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront 

This award-winning establishment pioneered the “BARTERROIR” concept in Cape Town, applying wine-making principles to cocktails using local ingredients from the Western Cape’s ocean, mountain, fynbos and vineyard landscapes. They also provide a signature three-course cocktail experience.

Cause & Effect

CHINGADAS MEXICAN CANTINA
50 Orange Street, Gardens

Chingadas Mexican Cantina is recognised as one of Cape Town’s top Mexican restaurants, featuring an extensive collection of premium agave spirits with customisable cocktails guided by expert staff.                     

EL BURRO GREEN POINT
79 Main Road, Green Point

El Burro’s exceptional agave spirits programme offers a selection of premium tequilas and artisanal mezcals, complemented by margaritas crafted with freshly squeezed lime juice. The restaurant’s popularity stems from the consistent execution of traditional Mexican techniques using locally sourced ingredients where possible.  

EL BURRO TAQUERIA
Corner of New Church Street and Kloof Nek, Tamboerskloof 

The sister venue to El Burro Green Point maintains the same commitment to Mexican cocktail culture while offering a different atmosphere and expanded food programme.  

FABLE
Corner of Bree and Wale Streets 

Fable transforms Cape Town’s local myths and legends into expertly crafted cocktails that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage. The bar combines premium mixology with world-class DJ performances, creating an elevated cocktail experience. 

Fable 

HACIENDA COASTAL MEXICAN
92 Bree Street 

This Baja California-inspired restaurant sources agave spirits directly from Mexico’s top tequila region, featuring exclusive tequilas and mezcals unavailable elsewhere in Cape Town.  Their menu serves fresh small plates plus tasting flights that highlight different regions and styles. 

HIBALL
61 Shortmarket Street

HiBall operates as a bold and playful cocktail destination that challenges conventional nightlife expectations. The female-led team offers creative cocktails in a relaxed setting. 

HUGO SOCIAL CLUB
2 Kings Road, Sea Point

Hugo Social Club is perched on the ninth floor of Sea Point’s Latitude Aparthotel, offering spectacular Atlantic Ocean and Lion’s Head views from its wraparound balcony and pool facilities. The venue transitions from relaxed afternoon sundowners to energetic evening entertainment with regular Sunday DJ sessions. 

LUNACY WINE BAR
48 Harrington Street, East City 

Lunacy bridges the worlds of wine and cocktails, creating innovative wine-based drinks that attract both wine lovers and cocktail enthusiasts. The bar combines traditional winemaking with cocktail techniques, creating unique blends that highlight their mixology skills. 

Lunacy Wine Bar

PIENAAR & SON DISTILLING CO
Makers Landing, Cape Town Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront 

Pienaar & Son is a boutique distillery in the Silo District that combines generations of family knowledge with modern techniques and local ingredients to create artisanal spirits on-site. The venue offers behind-the-scenes distillation tours and serves cocktails made exclusively with their own house-crafted spirits. 

PLANET BAR
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens 

Planet Bar combines the prestigious heritage of the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel with innovative cocktails that tell stories of Cape Town’s cultural history and international influences. The bar uses regional botanicals and seasonal ingredients sourced through sustainable partnerships. 

QUEENS LOUNGE
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront 

Queens Lounge is located in a restored heritage building, where founder Yossi Schwartz created an intimate space for classic and innovative mixology. The bar’s whisky programme features rare and premium selections from international distilleries, with each bottle chosen to represent different regional styles and production methods.  

RICK’S CAFE AMERICAIN
103 Kloof Street  

This Casablanca-inspired establishment focuses on hospitality and beverage curation. The ground-floor bar offers over 500 options, including award-winning wines, 80+ tequila expressions and 200+ gins, whiskies, and rums from local and international producers. 

STROLLA
313 Beach Road, Sea Point 

Strolla operates as a community hub offering coffee, casual cuisine, including sushi, and cocktails on the deck with ocean views. In the afternoons, it transitions from morning coffee service to evening cocktail and dining experiences.  

Strolla

TALKING TO STRANGERS
61 Loop Street 

Talking To Strangers combines experimental and nostalgic elements in a space where hip-hop music and red neon lighting create an urban atmosphere. The venue’s gritty aesthetic combines bold art installations with skilled bartending talent.  

THE ART OF DUPLICITY
36 Buitenkant Street 

This hidden East City speakeasy captures the real feel of the 1920s prohibition era, complete with password entry, vintage decorations and a mix of jazz and hip-hop music. The bar is particularly famous for its outstanding coffee cocktails and prohibition-style drinks. 

THE ATTIC BY BO-VINE
87 Victoria Road, Camps Bay 

The Attic, situated above the popular Bo-Vine restaurant in Camps Bay, offers Atlantic Ocean views that enhance the evening drinking experience. The Attic changes seasonally from al fresco summer service overlooking the ocean to indoor winter seating with a fireplace. 

The Attic by Bo-Vine

THE DARK HORSE
145 Kloof Street 

This neighbourhood establishment specialises in traditional cocktails made with technical skill, while their food menu offers fresh small plates. The South African wine selection is carefully curated rather than extensive, giving guests a good introduction to the country’s top wines. 

THE HOUSE OF MACHINES
84 Shortmarket Street

The House of Machines is a multi-concept approach that began with a handshake agreement. The venue combines specialty coffee service, casual dining, craft beer, cocktails, and live music with motorcycle-culture influences.   

THE TIKI TOMB
101 Bree Street 

The Tiki Tomb offers authentic tiki culture with rum-driven cocktails and tropical atmosphere. The venue serves hand-stretched pizzas, wings and shareable plates alongside indoor tiki decor and a spacious outdoor deck. 

THE VILLAGE IDIOT
32 Loop Street 

The Village Idiot is committed to providing quality food, expertly crafted drinks and a genuine social atmosphere. Their sneaky private bar can be reserved and features dedicated bottle service alongside in-house DJ talent, who provide energetic music well into the early morning hours.  

The Village Idiot

TIME OUT MARKET
19 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront 

The Time Out Market brings together thirteen restaurants and three bars featuring Cape Town’s finest chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists all under one roof in a casual, communal setting. The market also functions as a cultural hub with live performances and special events.  

TJING TJING HOUSE
165 Longmarket Street

This Japanese bar creates an immersive experience across multiple levels, including the ground-floor Torii entrance and the intimate Momiji dining and lounge areas on the second floor. The rooftop bar offers panoramic city views with an elevated cocktail service. 

TOMMYS CHOP SHOP
50 Canterbury Street, District Six 

Tommys Chop Shop has developed into a garage hangout offering quality cocktails, curated music, and an impressive collection of bourbons and whiskeys.   

Tommys Chop Shop

UNA MÁS MEZCALERIA
77 Regent Rd, Sea Point 

The venue’s name, meaning “One More”, reflects its strong tequila and mezcal programme and guests’ tendency to stay longer than planned. Una Más serves traditional Mexican flavours using contemporary preparation methods while maintaining cultural authenticity. 

UNCLAIMED
55 Kloof Street 

Unclaimed is a friendly establishment with an “all strays welcome” approach that greets everyone with genuine warmth. They focus on serving quality drinks and food, and maintaining great energy.