Must-see entertainment in Cape Town

  • Alexander Bar & Café

    Cape Town

    Playwright Nicholas Spagnoletti and software engineer Edward van Kuik are the driving duo behind this fun, eccentric space in a gorgeous heritage building…

  • Baxter Theatre Centre

    Cape Town

    Since the 1970s the Baxter has been the focus of Capetonian theatre. There are three main venues at the centre – a 674-seat theatre, a concert hall and a…

  • Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

    Cape Town

    Don't miss taking a picnic and some bubbly to one of these wonderful outdoor concerts, staged in the stunning botanical gardens beneath Table Mountain on…

  • Café Roux

    Cape Town

    The City Bowl has been crying out for a quality live-music venue for a while and it's taken Café Roux (which already runs a successful operation in…

  • Isivivana Centre

    Cape Town

    Decorated with giant art murals by Breeze Yoko and Falko One, this new cultural and community centre is worthy of a look in its own right. However you'll…

  • Theatre on the Bay

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    A great venue for an evening of lighthearted theatrical entertainment, offering everything from comic plays to classic musicals.

  • Fugard Theatre

    Cape Town

    Named in honour of Athol Fugard, South Africa’s best-known living playwright, this very impressive arts centre was created from the former Congregational…

  • Cape Philharmonic Orchestra

    Cape Town

    The grand auditorium to the rear of the old City Hall has very good acoustics that are taken advantage of by this orchestra and accompanying local choirs…

  • Newlands Cricket Ground

    Cape Town

    Newlands would be a shoo-in for the title of the world’s prettiest cricket ground – if it weren’t for a nearby mega-brewery messing up the view towards…

  • Galileo Open-Air Cinema

    Cape Town

    Most Wednesday evenings from November to April, you can watch a movie outdoors in Kirstenbosch gardens (entry is from 6pm; movies start between 7.30pm and…

  • Labia

    Cape Town

    A Capetonian treasure and lifeline to the independent movie fan, the four-screen Labia is named after the old Italian ambassador and local philanthropist…

  • Kalk Bay Theatre

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    One of the city’s intimate dinner-and-a-show venues, this theatre is housed in an atmospheric converted church. You don’t need to eat here to see the…

  • Masque Theatre

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    The program at this small theatre (seating 171) changes on a pretty regular basis, veering from stand-up comedy and live music to musical revues and more…

  • Studio 7 Sessions

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    These bimonthly live gigs, going since 2010, are hosted in unique, unusual venues throughout the city and surrounds. They mix new, up-and-coming artists…

  • Galileo Open Air Cinema

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    From November to April, this open-air cinema sets up shop on Thursday nights to screen classic and crowd-pleasing movies on the croquet lawn next to the…

  • Artscape

    Cape Town

    Consisting of three different-sized auditoriums, this behemoth is the city’s main arts complex. Theatre, classical music, ballet, opera and cabaret shows …

  • Maynardville Open-Air Theatre

    Cape Town

    It wouldn’t be summer in Cape Town without a visit to Maynardville Park’s open-air theatre to see some Shakespeare. Bring a blanket, pillow and umbrella,…

  • Marco’s African Place

    Cape Town

    Marco Radebe’s highly popular African restaurant (mains R130 to R170) offers top-class entertainment from a range of singers, dancers and bands each night…

  • Daily Music Show

    Cape Town

    More than just a live music performance, this nightly show aims to offer visitors an insight into Cape Town's cultural heritage with the chance to meet…

  • OnPointe Dance Studios

    Cape Town

    Theo Ndindwa and Tanya Arshamian use dance to change the lives of kids in the townships. On the first Thursday of the month this studio, where classes are…

  • Market Square Amphitheatre

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    The Waterfront’s Market Square Amphitheatre is the focus for much free entertainment, including buskers and various musical and dance acts. Apart from the…

  • Crypt Jazz Restaurant

    Cape Town

    Occupying part of the St George's Cathedral’s vaulted stone crypt, this restaurant, which serves a continent-hopping menu of dishes, is best visited for…

  • Grandwest Casino

    Cape Town

    Even if gambling isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at Grandwest, including a six-screen cinema, many restaurants, a food court, an…

  • Cape Town Comedy Club

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    This long-running comedy club, which hosts the cream of South Africa's comedy talent, has found a permanent home at the back of the old Pump House next to…

  • Gate69 Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Seven foot tall in her high heels, the platinum blonde drag queen Cathy Specific greets you at this cabaret and theatre venue where your tickets gets you…

  • Piano Bar

    Cape Town

    Proving a hit with one and all in the heart of De Waterkant is this slick music revue bar and restaurant with a nightly line-up of different performers…

  • Obviouzly Armchair

    Cape Town

    Live acoustic rock is a firm feature of Friday nights at this pub, and there's often live music and other events such as comedy slots, open mic and cinema…

  • Cafe Roux

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    One of the best places on the peninsula for live music and comedy, and a great cafe to boot. Tickets typically cost around R100; check www…

  • Alma Cafe

    Cape Town

    This cosy venue, which also serves food and drinks, usually has live music on Wednesday (free) and weekends (cover charge R170 to R190; bookings necessary…

  • Magnet Theatre

    Cape Town

    This National Lottery–funded project works with youngsters on a variety of performance and theatre projects. Some of their shows have won awards at…

  • City Ballet

    Cape Town

    This company, a lean troupe of 24 dancers, can trace its history back to 1934. They usually perform at Artscape, the Baxter Theatre and, in summer, at…

  • Newlands Rugby Stadium

    Cape Town

    This hallowed ground of South African rugby is home to the Stormers (www.thestormers.com). Provincial, international and Super Rugby matches are played…

  • Jazz in the Native Yards

    Cape Town

    These jazz gigs are staged at venues around town, including Langa township's Guga S'Thebe Arts & Cultural Centre.

  • Jazzart Dance Theatre

    Cape Town

    One of South Africa’s oldest contemporary dance companies. Puts on performances and holds classes at Artscape.

  • Harringtons

    Cape Town

    On Thursday nights you can catch live jazz sets in this plush cocktail lounge. On other nights DJs play for an up-for-it crowd of party seekers.

  • Pink Flamingo

    Cape Town

    On Mondays, from as early as August to as late as April, the Grand Daddy Hotel’s rooftop trailer park of Airstream caravans is the venue for this al…

  • Kenilworth Racecourse

    Cape Town

    Racing runs year-round here, but the main event to put down in your diary is the glitzy Sun Met (formerly the J&B Met) in January. It's South Africa’s…

  • Ster Kinekor

    Cape Town

    One of the two big cinema chains in South Africa. Their venues include Cinema Nouveau in Victoria Wharf at the V&A Waterfront and the screens at Cavendish…

  • Mama Africa

    Cape Town

    At this eternally popular tourist venue the three resident bands each play a couple of gigs a week featuring marimba and other swinging African sounds…