A night out in Cape Town can stretch from sunset to sunrise with surprising ease, and the compact and colourful city is sure to be the stage for many wild nights out during football's biggest celebration. FIFA.com takes a look at the Mother City's nightlife.
Sundowners
The beachfront is where you want to be when the sun goes down in Cape Town. The Camps Bay strip is a lively blend of cafes, restaurants and bars that stretch from end to end. Get a table on the sidewalk, put on your sunglasses and prepare for sunset. The Grand, Sandbar and Caprice are always packed, while on the other end of the strip, Baraza draws the crowds. Further up the road, La Med, located by Clifton’s beaches, is an old favourite for sundowners and late night fun. For the more ambitious sundowner, the top of Table Mountain is always a good choice.
Fuelling up
Once the sun goes down, the night takes on a new energy as people pack out the many lounges and restaurants that liven up the city. Restaurants in Cape Town range from the cool and comfortable to the lavish and sophisticated. Whether you chose to grab a gourmet burger at Royale, sushi at Wakame or something extra-special at Jardine, these unique places all have one thing in common: they are quintessentially Cape Town. To make the most of your Cape Town dining experience, grab a local magazine guide. The 'eatout' website also provides an excellent guide to Cape Town’s culinary seen with a 'best of' digital magazine series that cover South Africa’s culinary delights comprehensively.
Bars and lounges
The beauty of a night out in Cape Town is rooted in how accessible and easy to navigate the city centre is. Traditionally, Long Street is the heart of the city's nightlife. Simply start at the top of this legendary road and stroll down, popping into any place that arouses your curiosity. On Long Street, The Waiting Room, Fiction and Zula are all-time favourites for many; further down the street, Neighbourhood has established itself as a lively lounge bar. For fans of the psychedelic, the Rhino Room on Green Street may be your home away from home.
Whether it’s hip-hop, electro or the latest indie craze, Cape Town has always had a progressive music culture. On Harrington Street in District Six, you will find The Assembly. The club is constantly showcasing local and international bands and djs and is always packed. Just around the corner, Mercury Live has always been a loud and rowdy live music venue, with a strong student presence. Meanwhile, Hectic on Hope is the last late-night stop for Cape Town’s Friday night hipsters.
Sascha Berolsky, the entrepreneur behind some of Cape Town’s liveliest venues including Royale, The Waiting Room, Neighbourhood and The Assembly, believes that Cape Town will offer an incredible FIFA World Cup night-time experience simply because "the city has it all". “We’ve got great clubs and with some 30 nightclubs located so close together, the city is perfect for a club crawl,” says Sascha, “Also, Cape Town caters for all types and has such a diverse range of music. I think people will be surprised at how current the music scene is here."
For dressier nightclubs, there are plenty of options. Chevelle, also on Harrington Street, is a relatively new hot spot. On Pepper Street, Chrome is a loud and late choice for many. Located on the 31st floor of a commercial building on Adderly Street, Hemisphere offers incredible views of the city. Meanwhile, The Bang Bang Club on Loop Street is a massive place in which to get drowned in sound. Somerset Road has similar swanky venues and is also home to Cape Town’s favourite gay clubs. In Greenpoint, the Jade Lounge goes on well into the morning.
You may very well find yourself back in Camps Bay on a night out in Cape Town. Caprice has the unique ability to transcend smoothly from a relaxed sundowner bar to a packed all-night affair, with a few other beachfront clubs sharing the crowds.
Whatever your scene, the Mother City is sure to keep you out and about long after the last FIFA World Cup game of the day.
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