Sunshine Coast
Set back from the seafront, this atmospheric bar set in an old fish factory is a good place for getting a bit of local vibe. It has a small selection of…
Must-see nightlife in South Africa
Cape Town
Cape Town is gin-crazy and the two complex gins at this family-run distillery are some of the best. You'll taste them neat before adding just a splash of…
Johannesburg
Wines, craft beers and classic cocktails with a twist are the stock in trade of this speakeasy-style cocktail bar that's part of the Argentine grill…
Johannesburg
Elevate Rooftop Bar, at the top of the Reef Hotel, is a true Jo'burg secret. Most locals have no idea this venue is open every evening to the public and…
Cape Town
For those not familiar with the conventions of British theatre, this elegant bar is named after pantomime dame Widow Twankey – which also happens to be…
Free State
A wonderful little coffee stop and espresso bar on Clarens' main square that imports beans from all of the world's best coffee growing regions, and roasts…
Johannesburg
This hole-in-the-wall is famous for its perfectly brewed coffee, decadent banana bread, yummy croissants and killer shakes. Our favourite is the Macci…
Pretoria
Capital Craft are the brains behind this new, very welcome and large bar in the hip 012central precinct. The focus, as the name implies, is on local ales…
Cape Town
Knockout views of the city, mountains and harbour envelop this rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge. Exhibitionists should bring their swimming cossies, as…
Cape Town
It's a chain, but its flat whites certainly pass muster and this branch is one of the area's most vibey cafes, bringing some city buzz to the sedate …
Johannesburg
Forget which year it is as you enter this speakeasy-themed bar that has rooms hidden behind bookshelves and a tattoos and bikers vibe. An extensive…
Cape Town
There are around 30 local and international wines on the menu here, all available by the glass. It's a smart but unpretentious place with board games to…
Johannesburg
'Every cup matters' is the mantra of the friendly baristas here who know exactly how to coax the best out of the beans at this popular Norwood hangout…
Johannesburg
Metanoia offers a great terrace overlooking De Beer St (where the entrance is) for people-watching, an enticingly chic interior and a medley of alcoholic…
Johannesburg
Yes it serves burgers, but really what most people turn up here for are the hunky waiters and the campy drag shows and entertainment. Miss Holly Diamond…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
On a sunny day there are few better places to drink and eat (mains R100) by the sea than this local institution, which is lapped by the waves of False Bay…
Johannesburg
This place stands out for its impressive selection of craft beer from around the country. The bistro-style fare (try the maple-bacon and blue-cheese pizza…
Green Point & Waterfront
Check all airs and graces at the door of this cosy pub, which serves as a taproom for South Africa’s oldest microbrewery (established in 1983 in Knysna)…
Cape Town
In the ground-floor taproom you can do a tasting (R30) of the eight seasonal beers produced here. If you'd prefer to pair the beers with food, there's a…
Green Point & Waterfront
The bar at the luxury hotel One&Only offers plush surrounds and a perfectly framed view of Table Mountain. Alcohol is served from 11am and it’s a classy…
Hermanus
This cave, occupied by the last Strandlopers (coastal indigenous people) at the turn of the 19th century, has a truly remarkable setting and is definitely…
Cape Town
Climb the narrow stairway beside the Royale Eatery to find this hip bar decorated in retro furniture with DJs spinning funky tunes. Climb even further and…
Franschhoek
Franschhoek's main strip gets swamped with tourists in summer, so locals retreat to side-street haunts like this diminutive coffee shop. There are a few…
Sunshine Coast
A popular local hang-out, this 1st-floor Latino bar-restaurant has a long balcony overlooking Da Gama Rd. Mexican classics such as enchiladas, fajitas,…
Cape Town
As well as being a rather stylish place to revive over their various house blends of organic teas, served alongside nice cakes and other sweets, you can…
Cape Town
This contemporary-styled cafe and deli in the heart of the Bo-Kaap offers a rooftop area where you can enjoy stunning views towards Table Mountain and…
Cape Town
If you can't make it out to the brewery in Darling, you can taste most of the beers in the range at this hip Woodstock taproom. The vast space is open for…
Free State
This local watering hole has a wide selection of hand-crafted, African gins, from Musgrave Pink gin to Triple Three, and plenty that are infused with…
Cape Town
Perched on the 14th floor of the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl hotel, this rooftop bar is one of several in the area that provides great views of Table…
Gauteng
Occupying one corner of this quirky events venue (check out the giant statue of Jesus on the cross) is the shady beer garden of the Soweto Gold Brewery …
Gauteng
Part of the Box Shop, a small shopping complex made out of shipping crates, Kofi is a cool cafe with an open balcony area overlooking buzzy Vilakazi St…
Cape Town
With surfboards and recycled decor on the walls, this bar in the university area has a beach-house aesthetic despite being firmly inland of Table Mountain…
Sunshine Coast
The centre of the student party scene, the Parrot's downstairs bar is wood panelled and cosy, while the upper floor has big windows and a veranda…
Cape Town
Artisan coffee comes to Khayelitsha – even though it's served from a kiosk with uninviting barred windows, and the hours can be erratic. There are some…
West Coast & Swartland
If you happen to be in town on a weekend, join the locals for a couple of pints at this tiny brewery. Tasters (R10) are available or just grab a pint of…
Western Cape
The courtyard is a lovely shady spot to retreat from Greyton's summer heat with a taster tray (R35) of four beers, brewed in-house. The menu features bar…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
This coffee bar and crêperie has shaded outdoor seating and a pleasant interior, which are also the venues for regular live music and movie nights,…
Cape Town
While much of Cape Town is still going giddy for craft beer and gin, Rum Tum Tum have identified the next Big Drink: rum. There are around 40 different…
Green Point & Waterfront
Sand was dumped here to created the private beach for this oh-so-chic bar and restaurant operating out of a former warehouse. Locals love to gather on…
Green Point & Waterfront
Claiming to be the world’s largest wine bar, Belthazar offers 600 different South African wines, around 250 of which you can get by the glass. The…
