Cape Town After Dark – Your Checklist of Must-Visit Spots
When the sun dips below the horizon and Table Mountain casts its long shadow over the city, Cape Town transforms. The Mother City, known for its stunning landscapes and rich daytime activities, has a lesser-known persona that comes alive after dark. It’s a side that many tourists, especially those from the USA and UK, rarely see or even hear about. But for those willing to explore, Cape Town’s unconventional nightlife offers experiences as diverse and captivating as the city itself.
Let’s peel back the curtain on the usual nightlife scene. Forget the crowded bars and booming nightclubs you might expect; Cape Town offers something far more intriguing. Have you ever sipped a cocktail in a historic building where every room tells a story? Or listened to live music in a hidden cellar that feels like a well-kept secret among locals?
The Art of Duplicity: Speakeasy-style Cocktail Bar with Interactive Theatre Performances
If you are looking to immerse yourself in the clandestine charm of a speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden away in the heart of Cape Town, this option may be for you. The venue takes inspiration from the secretive bars of the 1920s Prohibition era, requiring guests to know a password to enter or discover its location through word-of-mouth or subtle clues online. Once inside, you’re not just a spectator but part of an unfolding story.
The twist? This bar hosts interactive theatre performances where the line between performers and patrons blurs. Actors in period attire mingle with guests, pulling them into an ongoing narrative that evolves with each visit. It’s a place where every cocktail comes with a story, and every corner holds a secret waiting to be discovered. The performances range from mystery and intrigue to comedy and romance, ensuring that the experience is both thrilling and varied.
This speakeasy offers a unique drinking experience with meticulously crafted cocktails and serves as a vibrant hub for Cape Town’s creative community. It’s a space where art and entertainment meet in a social atmosphere, inviting you to lose yourself in a bygone era while enjoying some of the best mixology the city has to offer.
The dress code is Mae West meets Al Capone, make a booking by emailing “Mae West” here.
Step into Zsa Zsa, an opulent, dining and entertainment experience nestled in the heart of the city, where glamour and culinary excellence meet. Inspired by the lavishness of European decor, Zsa Zsa presents an ambiance reminiscent of old Hollywood, paired with a modern twist on Mediterranean cuisine.
The real showstopper, however, is the live performances that grace the stage nightly, offering a blend of local and international music acts, cabaret shows, and dazzling performances. It’s an immersive experience that guarantees an unforgettable night out, blending the lines between dinner and spectacle. Check out the latest shows on offer via their Instagram.
Stardust: The Theatrical Dining Experience Where Waiters Take the Stage. This is a place where your server not only brings you a Mediterranean feast but also delivers an awe-inspiring performance. Stardust is renowned for its unique concept where the waitstaff are also the evening’s entertainment, performing songs from Broadway hits to contemporary pop charts.
Situated in a vibrant district of Cape Town, Stardust offers a very unique experience indeed, by turning every night into a spontaneous celebration of food, music, and performance art. This theatrical dining venue is perfect for those looking to add a dash of excitement to their culinary journey.
The Athletic Social Club: Live Music and Vintage Vibes with Echoes of the Jazz Age. For visitors seeking a more laid-back evening infused with the soulful sounds of live music, The Athletic Social Club offers a throwback to the golden age of jazz and blues. This speakeasy-style bar, hidden from the casual passerby, invites you into a world where the music reigns supreme.
With its intimate setting, patrons can enjoy live performances ranging from jazz ensembles to blues bands and contemporary local musicians, all while savoring craft cocktails and artisinal bites. It’s an ideal spot for music lovers and those looking to unwind in a setting that feels like a well-kept secret.
The Kalk Bay Theatre is set in a beautifully converted 19th-century church, and stands as a pillar of cultural and artistic expression in Cape Town. Explore the enchantment of the Kalk Bay Theatre After Dark shows. This intimate venue combines top-tier performances with a warm dining experience, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and culinary delight in the scenic seaside village of Kalk Bay.
This venue offers premier cultural entertainment with a rich line-up ranging from captivating dramas to lively musicals, the Kalk Bay Theatre showcases the diversity of South African and international talent. It’s an ideal destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the local arts scene, providing a close and personal setting that larger venues simply can’t offer.
The theatre’s restaurant serves seasonal, locally-sourced dishes, creating an exquisite pre-show dining experience. Following the performance, the venue transforms into a vibrant bar, encouraging interaction between performers and guests – a testament to the theatre’s community spirit.
Kalk Bay has a quaint and rather unique night-time charm that doesn’t stop at the theatre door. Kalk Bay invites exploration through its bookshops, galleries, bars, and ice cream parlours, all within walking distance of the theatre. This makes for a perfect continuation of an evening spent enjoying the arts.
For those who prefer their adventures under the stars, how about a moonlit hike up Lion’s Head? It’s an unconventional choice, certainly, but the reward is a panoramic view of Cape Town at night, lit by a tapestry of lights that twinkle like stars brought down to earth. Guided night hikes offer a safe and social way to experience this, blending the thrill of adventure with breathtaking beauty. Imagine standing atop, with the city’s nocturnal heartbeat pulsing below, the ocean whispering in the distance, and the Milky Way above.
Isn’t there something profoundly moving about seeing the world from this perspective?
Now, let’s talk about food, because no night out is complete without it. But we’re not just looking for any dining experience; we’re seeking something that tells a story, that connects us to Cape Town’s culinary soul. Hidden gems like the secret dinner clubs of the city offer just that. These aren’t restaurants you can simply walk into; they’re intimate gatherings in private homes or unexpected locations, where chefs craft meals that are both personal and reflective of the city’s diverse flavours. It’s a chance to break bread with strangers who become friends, sharing stories and dishes that you won’t find in any guidebook. How often do you get to peel back the layers of a city’s culinary scene in such a personal way?
For the night owls who are drawn to the arts, the First Thursdays event transforms the city’s art scene into a nocturnal cultural feast. On the first Thursday of each month, galleries and cultural attractions in Cape Town’s central city stay open late, inviting visitors to explore the vibrant art scene after dark. It’s a social event, a cultural exploration, and an opportunity to see the city through the eyes of its artists, all rolled into one. As you wander from gallery to gallery, with the streets alive with music and performance, you’re participating in a living, breathing art installation. What stories will you discover in the city’s galleries and hidden alleys?
About Century City Hotels
Whether you’re visiting the city for business or pleasure – or both – we offer exceptional Cape Town hotel accommodation and service, conveniently located and within easy reach of the Mother City’s top attractions.