Most of the participating art galleries, shops and bars are located around Bree Street and Loop Street in central Cape Town. After some gallery hopping, make sure to have a drink and a dance at some of the top bars in Cape Town for First Thursdays. Have a look at our favorites!
Station on Bree
Why you should go: Hip international London pub style cafe on popular Bree Street. They have dj sets on the weekends and First Thursdays. Cool hangout place to grab some beers/drinks with friends. During First Thursdays they have a road closure at Station on Bree, a big stage is set up with live music artists and DJs performing. It gets very busy and if they would have a roof, it would go off!
Atmosphere: the atmosphere is a bit edgy and underground, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Try one of their famous gin&tonics, or one of their craft beers.
Music: live music in varying styles with the afro house as the main attraction!
Prices: Moderate, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Love Thy Neighbor Beer Garden
Why you should go: This cozy outdoor bar and restaurant is a great spot for a relaxed night out, with a menu of craft beers, wines, and cocktails, along with a variety of food options. The bar and dancefloor are inside and they have a braai area outside where they can make burgers and pizzas. On busy nights such as First Thursday’s, speakers are also placed in the garden as it gets packed.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with a little twist of underground edginess. The dress code is also casual.
Recommendations: We certainly recommend trying one of their signature cocktails or a craft beer.
Music: Afro House, House, Techno
Prices: are not excessive, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Zsa Zsa / Darling
Why you should go: This stylish bar and lounge is known for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere, with live DJ sets and a chic interior. Zsa Zsa is the chique restaurant and bar downstairs, perfect for a nice dinner with a group of friends or business partners. The Darling is a high-end club upstairs, they offer membership options or VIP tables, as well as general access for the public.
Atmosphere: High-end and stylish bar and restaurant with a membership club upstairs. Great food, several DJs, excellent cocktails and bottle service available.
Recommendations: You should go here for a night of dancing and socializing, surrounded by a stylish crowd. The dress code is smart casual to casual chic. Don’t show up in shorts and flip-flops, they have a strict policy when it comes to the dresscode and won’t let you in.
Music: depending on the night, they have DJs playing afro house, deep house, and sometimes live music performances.
Priced: Prices are affordable, with cocktails averaging around R50-R150 each and food is priced between R50 and around R250 per (side)dish. Bottle service is available at VIP tables starting at around R1100 per bottle.
Athletic Social Club
Why you should go: Athletic stands for Style. It has a restaurant with really good food, two bars that are quite chic and upscale with nice cocktails and a cool vibe. Music is mostly pop/disco/hiphop kinda vibes. International crowd, definitely a place to dress up for.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is relaxed and energetic, and the dress code is smart casual. The interior is decorated with vintage athletic materials such as wooden tennis rackets, which gives it a unique look. Downstairs they have a live jazz room, on the ground floor a bar and the restaurant, and on the first floor another bar, private tables, and a balcony.
Recommendations: Live performances every Wednesday and Thursday while sipping one of their signature cocktails.
Prices: Balanced pricing, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
The Gin Bar
Why you should go: This place started off as the ‘’secret’’ gin bar, hidden away behind a chocolate shop. Over the years it has expanded to become one of Cape Town’s most popular hotspots for unique gin mixtures and other drinks. They have a very cozy and beautiful patio in between the chocolate shop and the gin bar where you can sit outside and a large venue inside. Has two bars and an upstairs space with art. There is a little dancefloor and on First Thursdays, they either have live music or a DJ playing tunes.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, and the dress code is smart casual. Tucked away behind the Honest Chocolate Cafe (if you are on time, you might be able to try a few of their delicious handmade chocolates), you will find The Gin Bar.
Recommendations: Try one of their gin flights or a signature gin cocktail. Choose from gin mixtures named ‘’Ambition’’, ‘’Passion’’, or ‘’Love’’, or go more experimental and let them create something special for you on the spot. It might be the best gin tonic you have ever had.
Prices: Cocktails averaging around R50-R150 each.
Clarke’s
Why you should go: Great place to go with a group of friends and to socialize with new people while enjoying drinks on the terrace. It is right on Bree Street nearby most of the art galleries and other bars so a great stop while gallery/bar hopping on First Thursdays.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is relaxed and hipster, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Book a table in advance and, If you make a booking for a certain number make sure you stick to that number, as extra guests won’t be seated.
Prices: Prices are moderate, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Arcade
Why you should go: Arcade is a spot for Hip hop and R&B lovers, gathering young crowds weekly. Come here to dance or for some bites and drinks before moving onto the next venue
Atmosphere: The interior is stylish and modern, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Must try one of their cocktails. This is a great place to book a VIP table.
Music: Hiphop and R&B
Prices: Drinks and food are around R50 up to R150 each. They also have VIP tables with bottle service available, starting at around R1000 per bottle.
The Power and the Glory
Why you should go: This is a local gem and has been around for a long time. The Power & the Glory is more of a typical hip and rustic bar feeling, nothing fancy but it’s cozy and attracts a nice crowd. It is a little bit further away from where most of the buzz is during First Thursdays, but worth the effort!
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and the dress code is also casual. The crowd is mixed with locals, internationals and people of all ages. It has a very laid-back atmosphere and is the perfect place to go out with a couple of friends.
Recommendations:If you are a beer lover, you must try some of their local craft beers.
Prices: Drinks and food is pretty affordable at this place, ranging between R30 and R120.
La Parada
Why you should go: La Parada gets wild on First Thursdays! Resident DJ plays hits with Afro Beat music, and together with a live band the roof comes off in this place – Fun vibes are guaranteed. Come here to have some tapas before it gets too crowded.
Atmosphere: The interior is stylish and modern, and the dress code is smart casual. During First Thursdays this place kind of turns upside down, becoming one big dance floor. The DJ plays different styles of music and is accompanied by live music artists with drums, a saxophone and vocals.
Music: live music, disco, afro house
Recommendations: Try a cocktail or two and some of their delicious Spanish tapas dishes. They also have a venue in Constantia, which is a great vibe with music on Sunday evenings!
Asoka
Why you should go: Every First Thursday and weekly on Tuesdays they do live jazz with dinner until 10 pm and after that the whole place turns into a massive party with a DJ and a lot of people. First Thursdays
Atmosphere: The interior is modern and chic, and the dress code is smart casual. Asoka is the sister restaurant of Kloof Street House and serves the same amazing menu of cocktails. They have a semi outdoor deck at the front with tables where you can smoke.
Recommendations: Try one of their signature cocktails such as the ‘’Pornstar Martini’’ or a glass of wine from their extensive list. Booking a table for dinner and the evening is recommended as it gets very busy here and might be difficult to get entrance otherwise.
Prices: Drinks are around R100 per item, food ranges between R30 and R270 for (side)dishes. This is a great place for sharing several smaller bites.
Most of the participating art galleries, shops and bars are located around Bree Street and Loop Street in central Cape Town. After some gallery hopping, make sure to have a drink and a dance at some of the top bars in Cape Town for First Thursdays. Have a look at our favorites!
Station on Bree
Why you should go: Hip international London pub style cafe on popular Bree Street. They have dj sets on the weekends and First Thursdays. Cool hangout place to grab some beers/drinks with friends. During First Thursdays they have a road closure at Station on Bree, a big stage is set up with live music artists and DJs performing. It gets very busy and if they would have a roof, it would go off!
Atmosphere: the atmosphere is a bit edgy and underground, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Try one of their famous gin&tonics, or one of their craft beers.
Music: live music in varying styles with the afro house as the main attraction!
Prices: Moderate, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Love Thy Neighbor Beer Garden
Why you should go: This cozy outdoor bar and restaurant is a great spot for a relaxed night out, with a menu of craft beers, wines, and cocktails, along with a variety of food options. The bar and dancefloor are inside and they have a braai area outside where they can make burgers and pizzas. On busy nights such as First Thursday’s, speakers are also placed in the garden as it gets packed.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with a little twist of underground edginess. The dress code is also casual.
Recommendations: We certainly recommend trying one of their signature cocktails or a craft beer.
Music: Afro House, House, Techno
Prices: are not excessive, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Zsa Zsa / Darling
Why you should go: This stylish bar and lounge is known for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere, with live DJ sets and a chic interior. Zsa Zsa is the chique restaurant and bar downstairs, perfect for a nice dinner with a group of friends or business partners. The Darling is a high-end club upstairs, they offer membership options or VIP tables, as well as general access for the public.
Atmosphere: High-end and stylish bar and restaurant with a membership club upstairs. Great food, several DJs, excellent cocktails and bottle service available.
Recommendations: You should go here for a night of dancing and socializing, surrounded by a stylish crowd. The dress code is smart casual to casual chic. Don’t show up in shorts and flip-flops, they have a strict policy when it comes to the dresscode and won’t let you in.
Music: depending on the night, they have DJs playing afro house, deep house, and sometimes live music performances.
Priced: Prices are affordable, with cocktails averaging around R50-R150 each and food is priced between R50 and around R250 per (side)dish. Bottle service is available at VIP tables starting at around R1100 per bottle.
Athletic Social Club
Why you should go: Athletic stands for Style. It has a restaurant with really good food, two bars that are quite chic and upscale with nice cocktails and a cool vibe. Music is mostly pop/disco/hiphop kinda vibes. International crowd, definitely a place to dress up for.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is relaxed and energetic, and the dress code is smart casual. The interior is decorated with vintage athletic materials such as wooden tennis rackets, which gives it a unique look. Downstairs they have a live jazz room, on the ground floor a bar and the restaurant, and on the first floor another bar, private tables, and a balcony.
Recommendations: Live performances every Wednesday and Thursday while sipping one of their signature cocktails.
Prices: Balanced pricing, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
The Gin Bar
Why you should go: This place started off as the ‘’secret’’ gin bar, hidden away behind a chocolate shop. Over the years it has expanded to become one of Cape Town’s most popular hotspots for unique gin mixtures and other drinks. They have a very cozy and beautiful patio in between the chocolate shop and the gin bar where you can sit outside and a large venue inside. Has two bars and an upstairs space with art. There is a little dancefloor and on First Thursdays, they either have live music or a DJ playing tunes.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, and the dress code is smart casual. Tucked away behind the Honest Chocolate Cafe (if you are on time, you might be able to try a few of their delicious handmade chocolates), you will find The Gin Bar.
Recommendations: Try one of their gin flights or a signature gin cocktail. Choose from gin mixtures named ‘’Ambition’’, ‘’Passion’’, or ‘’Love’’, or go more experimental and let them create something special for you on the spot. It might be the best gin tonic you have ever had.
Prices: Cocktails averaging around R50-R150 each.
Clarke’s
Why you should go: Great place to go with a group of friends and to socialize with new people while enjoying drinks on the terrace. It is right on Bree Street nearby most of the art galleries and other bars so a great stop while gallery/bar hopping on First Thursdays.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is relaxed and hipster, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Book a table in advance and, If you make a booking for a certain number make sure you stick to that number, as extra guests won’t be seated.
Prices: Prices are moderate, with drinks and food averaging around R50-R150 per item.
Arcade
Why you should go: Arcade is a spot for Hip hop and R&B lovers, gathering young crowds weekly. Come here to dance or for some bites and drinks before moving onto the next venue
Atmosphere: The interior is stylish and modern, and the dress code is smart casual.
Recommendations: Must try one of their cocktails. This is a great place to book a VIP table.
Music: Hiphop and R&B
Prices: Drinks and food are around R50 up to R150 each. They also have VIP tables with bottle service available, starting at around R1000 per bottle.
The Power and the Glory
Why you should go: This is a local gem and has been around for a long time. The Power & the Glory is more of a typical hip and rustic bar feeling, nothing fancy but it’s cozy and attracts a nice crowd. It is a little bit further away from where most of the buzz is during First Thursdays, but worth the effort!
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and the dress code is also casual. The crowd is mixed with locals, internationals and people of all ages. It has a very laid-back atmosphere and is the perfect place to go out with a couple of friends.
Recommendations:If you are a beer lover, you must try some of their local craft beers.
Prices: Drinks and food is pretty affordable at this place, ranging between R30 and R120.
La Parada
Why you should go: La Parada gets wild on First Thursdays! Resident DJ plays hits with Afro Beat music, and together with a live band the roof comes off in this place – Fun vibes are guaranteed. Come here to have some tapas before it gets too crowded.
Atmosphere: The interior is stylish and modern, and the dress code is smart casual. During First Thursdays this place kind of turns upside down, becoming one big dance floor. The DJ plays different styles of music and is accompanied by live music artists with drums, a saxophone and vocals.
Music: live music, disco, afro house
Recommendations: Try a cocktail or two and some of their delicious Spanish tapas dishes. They also have a venue in Constantia, which is a great vibe with music on Sunday evenings!
Asoka
Why you should go: Every First Thursday and weekly on Tuesdays they do live jazz with dinner until 10 pm and after that the whole place turns into a massive party with a DJ and a lot of people. First Thursdays
Atmosphere: The interior is modern and chic, and the dress code is smart casual. Asoka is the sister restaurant of Kloof Street House and serves the same amazing menu of cocktails. They have a semi outdoor deck at the front with tables where you can smoke.
Recommendations: Try one of their signature cocktails such as the ‘’Pornstar Martini’’ or a glass of wine from their extensive list. Booking a table for dinner and the evening is recommended as it gets very busy here and might be difficult to get entrance otherwise.
Prices: Drinks are around R100 per item, food ranges between R30 and R270 for (side)dishes. This is a great place for sharing several smaller bites.
