Sea Point to Hout Bay
The old La Vie is popular for cocktails and pizzas (R100) within sight of the Sea Point Promenade. Tables on the front terrace are hot property. It's…
Must-see nightlife in South Africa
Johannesburg
This bar and brasserie features a cool warehouse-style interior and a balcony overlooking the leafy street. It specialises in tequila-based drinks, with…
Cape Town
Camp and Afrikaans cultures collide at the 'Pink Banana' parties, which have replaced the erstwhile Gat Parties as the gatherings where local gays and…
Cape Town
If you're looking for a late-night party and dance spot in the Southern Suburbs, with a young, up-for-it crowd, Zhivago (the old Tiger Tiger) is the place…
Drakensberg Escarpment
As you climb the Long Tom Pass 22km east of Lydenburg (Mashishing), stop at Africa's highest brewery, which makes light, 4% beers – but you'll still need…
Cape Town
Inspirational sayings in bold, graphic, white-on-black lettering cover the wall at this cute cafe that is the original in what is now a small chain. You…
Cape Town
This cheesy but hugely popular ‘theatrical diner’ gets packed with groups who come to enjoy their tagines (R160-180) and other dishes while listening to…
Cape Town
This neighbourhood cafe nestled in the heart of historic Harfield Village attracts the area's young professionals, freelancers, joggers, dog walkers and…
KwaZulu-Natal
This upmarket cocktail bar is a great spot to mix with a cross-section of locals. It’s particularly popular with students and young professionals,…
Cape Town
Woodstock's creative hub developments wouldn't be complete without an on-site artisan coffee roaster and cafe, and the Woodstock Foundary is no exception…
Cape Town
This legendary 40-year-old Cape Flats dance venue is where you can get down to R&B, hip hop and live bands with a black and coloured crowd. Cover charges…
Johannesburg
A Joburg institution, and the centre of Parkhurst's pavement-cafe culture. As boutique roasters featuring African beans have popped up all over town in…
Cape Town
Unfiltered acts as an unofficial taproom for two local craft beer brands, Rosebank Brewing Company and Saggy Stone. There are eight beers on tap, plus gin…
Durban
Perched out on the edge of a pier in front of uShaka Marine World, this is a top spot to go for a South African sundowner with fabulous views of the…
Route 62
The inimitable Ronnies Sex Shop, towards Ladismith, features a bra-adorned and fairly dingy bar that draws a constant stream of bikers and curious…
Eastern Cape
This atmospheric, one-time ‘men only’ club, one of South Africa's oldest, has walls and halls adorned with hunting trophies and a bar pocked with bullet…
Cape Town
The Turkish theme at Byblos stretches to every corner of the cafe, from the decor, cutlery and crockery to the sweet treats and of course the inclusion of…
Cape Town
Part convivial cafe, part social enterprise, I Love Coffee trains young deaf people to become baristas and chefs. As well as coffee, there's a small…
Cape Town
A locals' favourite watering hole, with a series of cosy rooms hung with an eye-catching assortment of items in ye-olde-country-pub style. It’s also an…
Johannesburg
Sharp-looking joint that appeals to fans of cocktails, craft beer, cool design and good music. The menu and vibe are upmarket and quite sophisticated,…
Cape Town
Pronounced ‘ashoka’, a Zen-mellow vibe pervades this groovy Asian restaurant-bar with a tree growing in the middle of it. Live jazz is a regular feature…
Cape Town
There's craft beer on tap, wood-fired pizzas and live music every Wednesday from around 8pm and sometimes on the weekends (check their Facebook page) at…
Cape Town
The latest glam incarnation for this perpetually name-changing venue. They promise a crowd of beautiful people, so check your looks in the mirror before…
Johannesburg
Less about the food – including decent-enough steak and chips and grilled fish (mains R40 to R110) – and more about the beer-sodden carpet, fiery banter,…
Cape Town
This local watering hole, set in a century-old house with a pretty courtyard, is a pleasant place for a drink after exploring Chelsea Village (as Wynberg…
Cape Town
Wall-sized prints of black-and-white photos of old Woodstock provide some visual relief at this white box cafe-bar. There are pretty good pizzas to go…
Cape Town
If you're looking for a way to spend a rainy afternoon, grab a coffee and settle down to play one of dozens of board games on offer at Big Box. Sandwiches…
Durban
The inevitable finish line for any day on the beach, this venerable nightspot cooks up a cocktail of cold beer, big-screen TV, dance music and feisty…
Cape Town
Occupying part of the Prestwich Memorial building, this branch of the steampunk coffee roasters is a popular place for coffee, breakfast and lunch, and…
Cape Town
Ponder the legend of Van Hunks, who challenged the devil to a smoking match atop the peak that can be seen from this bar and restaurant's deck. It’s a…
Pretoria
A popular yet noisy chain cafe, which does dependable burgers and salads and serves a wide selection of cocktails. The TV screens, fast wi-fi and laissez…
Hermanus
The decor is a bit shabby but the ocean views more than make up for it. There's sushi and pizza on the menu (mains R55 to R115), local beer on tap, sport…
West Coast & Swartland
This tiny tasting room overlooking the harbour and with a glimpse of Bird Island offers tastings of up to eight wines from the Vredendal-based vineyard.
Cape Town
Taking its name from the lofty storey it occupies, this glitzy club with white leather sofas to lounge on provides stunning views of the city should you…
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch’s second-oldest pub attracts a slightly older crowd than many places in town, with its well-priced pub grub, large array of craft beer, live…
Stellenbosch
Popular with both locals and students, Trumpet Tree has a shady beer garden where you can nibble pizzas and sip on craft beer during the lengthy happy…
Port Elizabeth
This spit-and-sawdust watering hole's terrace and bar fill up even on weeknights. TVs show sports and the open kitchen produces pizzas and pub grub. There…
Cape Town
A pioneer of the artisan coffee scene, Deluxe is a tiny cafe with what looks like a giant kit model for a Vespa hanging on the wall. It's a popular…
Winelands
Enjoy a taster tray of five beers while watching the brewers in action at the small brewery behind the bar. Food is served – typical pub grub where…
Garden Route
This tiny bar serves a wide range of craft beer from around the country and there's even an equally tiny brewery on-site. Grab a pint and a bar snack to…
