Planning a trip to Cape Town, a port city on South Africa’s south-west coast? This second-most populous city in the country is best known for its stunning views of Table Mountain, the culturally rich Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the beautiful Boulders Beach Penguin Colony. If you’re a nature-lover, you’ve got to visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and take a hike up Lion’s Head. To round off your day in this magnificent city, we’ve come up with a list of some fabulous nocturnal activities to try. Read on to know more about the best things to do at night in Cape Town, South Africa.
Whenever you’re ready to tuck in for the night, consider staying in one of the top sea-view hotels and chalets available in the city.
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1. Go the local way with an African dinner and drumming experience
Immerse yourself in South Africa’s cultural, musical and culinary traditions by embarking on a night activity involving traditional drum music and dinner. At the activity venue, relish a multiple course dinner with local specialities that are utterly delicious! As you sample the scrumptious fare, experience an interactive drumming session where you can learn more about the traditional Djembe drum used in this region.
2. Join a Cape Town pub crawl tour
Instead of spending several hours researching and finding the best local pubs to go to, join a pub crawl tour to discover the best nightlife spots in Cape Town. Pub crawl tours generally last for four to five hours, where you can leave the navigation worries to a local guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. Hop into different venues across the city, including rooftop bars and secret dance floors that locals love, down delicious drinks and have an awesome time with your buddies.
Book Tours : Cape Town Pub Crawl
3. Chug it at Beerhouse on Long
This beer bar located on Long Street at Cape Town City Centre is a five-minute drive from Castle of Good Hope. Consider doing a museum hop to Iziko South African Museum, South African Jewish Museum and District Six Museum before heading to this bar in the evening. Try a pint from one of their 25 taps or legendary ’99 Bottles’ featuring the best local and international beers. Apart from beers, Beerhouse on Long also has a varied food menu consisting of tacos, onion rings, burgers, pizza and more.
Beerhouse on Long
Address: 223 Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Website: Beerhouse on Long
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 2am; Thu - Fri: 11am - 4am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 4am
4. Catch a movie at The Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch
The Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch, is located in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a nature reserve with walking trails and mountain views. Under the canopy of stars, you will be able to catch a line-up of romantic comedies, cult classics, musicals, adventure sports and family favourites. You can check the latest movie listings on the website of this outdoor cinema. Doors are usually open from 4pm, 5pm or 6pm, with movies starting between 7:30pm and 8:30pm. Delicious food is sold by local vendors on site.
The Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch
Address: 0A Rhodes Ave, Wynberg NU (2), Cape Town, 7800, South Africa
Website: The Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: from 6pm, Sat: from 5pm, Sun: from 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 7 USD onwards
Cape Town Tour Guide
Jakes
Jakes is registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding. He is competent to advise clients on all essential aspects of travel in South Africa having passed the SA Specialist course from South African Tourism. As a good story teller, he makes any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes him to stand out as a knowledgeable and exciting guide. “I’m always ... Read more
Tours by Jakes
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Cape Town Tour Guide
Santie Gouws
Santie Gouws is a full-time registered and accredited Adventure Guide for Hiking, based in Cape Town, South Africa. A born and bred South African, she is passionate about mountains and the region's magnificent and highly bio-diverse fynbos vegetation, and offers exquisite, tailor-made, professionally guided hiking experiences to private groups, as well as 'open' scheduled group hikes, on Table ... Read more
Tours by Santie
5. Enjoy dinner and drinks at Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant & Bar
Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant & Bar is stylish cocktail bar on Orange Street, a 10-minute walk from the popular De Waal Park. Upon entering, you will find yourself transported back into an era of old-world romance with a shimmering crystal chandelier lighting the area. Apart from cocktails, you can get a taste of fresh west coast oysters, grilled lamb loin and summer squash risotto. And how about a panna cotta for dessert? While in Cape Town, do remember to check out this amazing restaurant and bar.
Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant & Bar
Address: 76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Website: Mount Nelson Planet Restaurant & Bar
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 6:30pm - 10:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
6. Connect with poetry at A Touch of Madness Restaurant
Located an eight-minute walk away from Cape Town Science Centre, you will find A Touch of Madness Restaurant along Nuttall Road in the Observatory district. It is one of the best restaurants in Cape Town, with four indoor and two outdoor areas, giving it a touch of homeliness. Apart from poetry and live music nights on Thursday, other niche special interest groups also have their meetups here throughout the week. GO players gather on Tuesdays while the chess team meets up on Wednesdays. So, drop in and enjoy a different activity every night at this awesome venue.
A Touch of Madness Restaurant
Address: 12 Nuttall Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Website: A Touch of Madness Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon: 12pm - 2am, Tue - Sat: 9am - 2am, Sun: 12pm - 10pm
7. Watch a play at Baxter Theatre Centre
Baxter Theatre Centre is located in the University of Cape Town, a 10-minute walk from Riverside Mall. This performing arts complex stages music, drama, comedy and dance performances. To view what’s on at the theatre and book tickets, hop over to their website. The Baxter Restaurant serving buffet-style meals is available on site. Or you can grab drinks at The Long Bar on the ground floor that operates before and after every performance and during the intermission.
Baxter Theatre Centre
Address: Main Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
Website: Baxter Theatre Centre
8. Soak in the club vibes at Fiction
Clubbing is one night activity that should never be missed out on. Located in a 150-year-old building along Long Street, Fiction is a five-minute walk from Iziko South African Museum. Get your party mood going with affordably priced drinks, edgy bands and live DJ music at this happening club. Who knows, you might even make a new connection or two?
Fiction
Address: 226 Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Website: Fiction
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10pm - 4am; Sat 5pm - 4am (closed on Mon & Sun)
9. Listen to live music at Barleycorn Music Club
Barleycorn Music Club is a live music venue just a short five-minute walk from Claremont train station. The club was created to support and promote original music in Cape Town, South Africa. They gather at the Saggy Stone Pub at Villagers Football Club in Claremont, Cape Town on Mondays, with only three performances lined up each night. You can follow them on their Facebook page for the latest updates on performances.
Barleycorn Music Club
Address: Saggy Stone Pub (ex Brooksider, 11 Imam Haron Rd, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa
Website: Barleycorn Music Club
Opening hours: Mon: 7:30pm - 10pm (closed from Tue - Sun)
Price: 2 USD onwards
10. Have a good laugh at Cape Town Comedy Club
If you’re looking for some fun things to do, Cape Town Comedy Club is the place to go. It’s where you could loosen up a little and laugh the night away by watching a comedy show. At Cape Town Comedy Club, located in the V&A Waterfront shopping mall, you will be able to experience an African-style comedy show live on stage! The brand was first created in 2005 under a different name and has come a long way since. Head over to their website for more information on what’s showing and do purchase your tickets in advance as they get sold out very quickly.
Cape Town Comedy Club
Address: The Pumphouse, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Website: Cape Town Comedy Club
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 6pm - 2am (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 4 USD onwards
Enjoy Cape Town at night
Need some help with planning your nights in Cape Town? Whether it’s a pub crawl, an outdoor movie or a poetry-filled night out, we hope our list will help you have a fantastic time in this magnificent city. Know of a friend or family member who’s travelling to Cape Town and looking for ideas to keep them busy at night? Share this article with them!
While you’re here, be sure to check out the most romantic things to do and best things to buy in Cape Town.
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