Entertainment in Cape Town
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A
Amadoda
Attempting to pull off a township braai (barbecue) and shebeen atmosphere à la Mzoli’s, but not quite matching the real thing, is this slickly decorated venue tucked away down a side road beside the railway tracks. The juke box is stacked with African, jazz and house music tracks and the butchery will provide whatever kind of meat you’d like to have grilled with your beer or rum and coke. Worth checking out late on a weekend evening.
reviewed
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B
Kink Bar & Boutique
Downstairs this seductive café-bar, with a secluded garden courtyard to the rear, specialises in ‘sensual’ food and drinks – think cocktails with names like the G-Spot, Anoymous Fondle and the Fetish (aka a classic mojito). Once you’re in the mood, go upstairs to peruse the lacy lingerie and sex toys (including leather paddles, whips and cuffs made in South Africa). Burlesque shows are promised!
reviewed
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C
Rick’s Café Americane
No Sam to play it again, but everything else looks like it could be straight from Casablanca (including the famous neon sign) at this movie-themed bar and restaurant. Wear a fedora and make like Bogie and Bergman.
reviewed
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D
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Since opening for business in 2003, the R582 million CTICC has barely paused for breath, packing in a busy annual program of exhibitions, conferences and other events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Design Indaba. There are plans to demolish the Customs House on the other side of the raised freeways and extend the CTICC towards Table Bay, almost doubling its size and making it South Africa’s first six-star green-rated building. Step inside the main entrance to admire the giant relief sculpture in the main hall, Baobabs, Stormclouds, Animals and People, a collaboration between Brett Murray and the late San artist Tuoi Steffaans Samcuia.
reviewed
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E
Theatre in the District
The original St Philip’s Church, built in 1885, is one of the few surviving remnants of District Six. It now serves as a community theatre and arts project base. From October through to April come here on Monday night to see Woza Cape Town, a highly energetic production by a talented bunch of youngsters combining dance, song, poetry and a little drama. The show starts at around 7.15pm; arrive an hour earlier if you want to also eat the pre-show Cape Malay meal.
reviewed
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F
Labia
Now stop that sniggering! This lifeline to the nonmainstream movie fan is named after the old Italian ambassador and local philanthropist Count Labia. It is Cape Town’s best cinema in terms of price and programming. The African Screen program is one of the rare opportunities you’ll have to see locally made films. Also check out what’s playing at the two-screen Labia on Kloof, in the Lifestyles on Kloof centre around the corner.
reviewed
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Ster Kinekor
There’s no shortage of cinemas showing all the latest international releases, as well as a decent selection of art-house movies. Big multiplexes – run by Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro – can be found around town. For the multiplexes the best night to go is Tuesday when the usual R35 entry price drops by half to R18. See the local press for listings of films and where they are showing.
reviewed
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G
Nu Metro
There’s no shortage of cinemas showing all the latest international releases, as well as a decent selection of art-house movies. Big multiplexes – run by Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro – can be found around town. For the multiplexes the best night to go is Tuesday when the usual R35 entry price drops by half to R18. See the local press for listings of films and where they are showing.
reviewed
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H
Baxter Theatre
Since the 1970s the Baxter has been the focus of Capetonian theatre. There are three venues here – the main theatre, the concert hall and the studio – and between them they cover everything from kids’ shows to African dance spectaculars. They have an ongoing relationship with the Royal Shakespeare Company thanks to Capetonian actor Sir Anthony Sher who has performed here.
reviewed
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Grandwest Casino
Cape Town’s long-gone Victorian post office served as the model for the florid facade of this casino. Even if gambling isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to keep you entertained, including a six-screen cinema, many restaurants, a food court, an Olympic-sized ice rink at Ice Station, a kids’ theme park, music shows and a bowling alley.
reviewed
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I
La Med
Sinking a sundowner and munching pizza at this al-fresco bar with a killer view down the length of the Twelve Apostles is a Cape Town ritual. Inside DJs and the likes of electro jazz band Goldfish play gigs later in the evening. It also gets jammed when international rugby games are screened. Keep an eye out for the easily missed turn-off, on the way to Clifton from Camps Bay.
reviewed
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J
Stardust
This cheesy, but hugely popular ‘theatrical diner’ gets packed with groups who come to enjoy their tagines (R80 to R100) and other dishes while listening to their waiters – all professional singers – who periodically hop up on stage to belt out tunes. There’s a spacious bar here so you don’t need to eat if you want to watch the show.
reviewed
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Evita se Perron
This cabaret-style theatre and dining venue in Darling, 75km north of Cape Town, is where you can see the frequently hilarious and often thought-provoking shows of satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys. His characters touch on everything from South African politics and history to ecology. Nothing is off-limits, including the country’s struggle with racism and fight against AIDS.
reviewed
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K
Artscape
Consisting of three different-sized auditoriums (including the studio On The Side), this behemoth is currently the city’s main arts complex. Theatre, classical music, ballet, opera and cabaret shows – Artscape offers it all. The desolate area means it’s not recommended to walk around here at night. There’s plenty of secure parking.
reviewed
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L
Fireman’s Arms
Boxed in by new apartment blocks, this old-time survivor (here since 1906) is likely to be around for a while longer. Inside, the Rhodesian and old South African flags remain pinned up alongside a collection of firemen’s helmets and old ties. Come to watch rugby on the big-screen TV, grab some seriously tasty pizza or just down a lazy pint or two.
reviewed
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Martini BAR
Ponder which from the 200-strong list of cocktails on the menu you’ll try (we recommend the Liz McGrath Rose Martini, which is flavoured with rose petals from the hotel’s famous gardens) while admiring the magnificent pink, lemon, burgundy and teal colours of the lounge decoration. Peacocks wander around in the grounds outside.
reviewed
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M
Carvery
No guesses as to what kind of food is served at this place, which is notable mainly for its very pleasant outdoor courtyard with fountain and comfortable upstairs bar where musical cabaret shows are performed several nights of the week. The carvery, by the way, is a bargain for three courses, but you do get what you pay for.
reviewed
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New Space Theatre
The recently revived New Space has an illustrious history. The Victorian building has been beautifully restored and contains two performance spaces as well as the offices and gallery of the Africa Centre. Bookings can be made via Computicket or at the venue an hour and half before each performance.
reviewed
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O
Caveau
Cape Town should have more wine bars like this excellent one at Heritage Sq. It has a decent selection of local drops and very good food from both its restaurant and deli which you can enjoy al fresco in the courtyard or on a raised terrace on Bree St. They also have a branch in Newlands, Caveau at the Mill.
reviewed
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Cruz
They may tell you that it's the glitzy décor and handsome clientele that make this the hot gay bar of the moment, but we know that the real draw is its troupe of brief-clad go-go boys shaking their stuff on the podiums. How else could you endure dancing to a disco version of the theme from The Love Boat?
reviewed
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Labia on Kloof
reviewed
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R
On Broadway
A move into spacious and slickly decorated premises in the City Bowl has done wonders for this hugely popular cabaret-supper venue. Certainly book well ahead for resident drag and comedy duo Mince, who strut their glamorous stuff Sunday and Monday nights. Other nights see a variety of musical and comedy acts.
reviewed
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S
Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House & Brewery
Check all airs and graces at the door of South Africa’s oldest microbrewery (est. 1983 in Kysna) serving a variety of freshly brewed ales and good-value meals. Their ‘Old Wobbly’ packs an alcoholic punch. Next door you’ll find another pub, Ferryman’s Tavern.
reviewed
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T
Cine 12
There are just 16 luxurious red-leather-upholstered seats in the Twelve Apostles Hotel’s private cinema, where a movie is screened each night. If you want, you can hire the whole place out. Otherwise, come to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner and check out what’s screening afterwards.
reviewed
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U
Waiting Room
Climb the narrow stairway beside the Royale Eatery to find this totally hip bar decorated in retro furniture with DJs spinning funky tunes. Climb even further and you’ll eventually reach the roof deck, the perfect spot from which to admire the city’s glittering nightlights.
reviewed
