First Thursday has become a highlight on the calendar for pretty much anyone who enjoys art, food, fancy drinks, a weekday razzle, a Friday hangover, or all of the above. In a bid to make art galleries and cultural events more accessible to the public, on the first Thursday of every month, Cape Town's galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops open their doors late into the night.

It's an evening exclusively dedicated to showcasing and experiencing the wealth of talent that the Mother City has on offer. Explore the city on foot and absorb the local art, culture, food, wine, and entertainment at any pace your heart desires.

We've put together this trusty list to help you narrow down your options and plan your evening.

FOOD AND DRINK:

THE GIN BAR

Locally known as The Secret Gin Bar, this gem is a bit tricky to find. The trick is to follow your chocolate cravings to Honest Chocolate bar, smile at the doorman, and walk through the back into a courtyard in the world of gin. Expect a classic speakeasy vibe which eventually turns into a mixed standing venue filled with the hustle of gin-loving locals.

Maps: The Gin Bar

CLARKE'S BAR & DINING ROOM

This lively little diner is pretty much the crème de la crème of starting points for any First Thursdays adventure. Planted right in the heart of Bree Street, it's basically dinner, pre-drinks, and a jol - all in one place. All-day breakfasts, huge sandwiches, an incredible beef burger, and amazing local craft beer and kombucha options.

Maps: Clarkes

LEO’S WINE BAR

A cute little wine bar on Bree Street that is a big part of First Thursday. They have their inside bar, but most seating can be found on the curb, which is perfect for the street party vibe of First Thursday. They also stock a great selection of natural and local wine varieties. If you are hungry, grab their pizza bagel - yes, you read that right. It's a bagel, which is also a pizza. Mmm, sounds too good not to try!

Maps: Leo's Wine Bar

PIZZA SHED

Phew, can you say authentic Italian pizza? Absolutely one of our favorite restaurants to grab a pizza and sit outside under the trees enjoying a glass of wine. They don't take bookings, and being a local favorite, they get busy! So arrive early for your sustenance before hitting the town. The Diavolo pizza is a firm favorite.

Maps: Pizza Shed

LOCAL AT HERITAGE SQUARE

An oasis of lush greenery and Parisian-style balconies make Heritage Square one of the most characterful hangouts in the city. And if you're looking for the best in local, naturally LOCAL is the place to be. This market-style eatery platform showcases local producers through stalls and scattered casual dining options - featuring everything from Middle-Eastern cuisine to a taste of Italy.

Maps: Local

ART AND CULTURE:

YOUNG BLOOD

The gallery that is responsible for spring-boarding the careers of a lot of local talent. Plus, they serve wine on First Thursdays.

Maps: Young Blood

AVA GALLERY

The Association for Visual Art is a beautiful space devoted to the advancement of visual art in Africa.

Maps: AVA Gallery

THE FOURTH GALLERY

Located on the fourth floor of the St. George Heritage Building, this gallery creates the space where design and art meet. It an incredible combination of both contemporary and mid-century work. The intention of this hybrid, informative space is to increase its audience's understanding of design, its history and its relationship with art.

Maps: The Fourth Gallery

SISONKE GALLERY

Want to see some under-the-radar artistry? This small gallery inside the Cape Heritage Hotel on Bree is home to the works of young and up and coming artists, whose talent is just waiting to be discovered and celebrated. Each featured artist has residency in the space, with their unique pieces constantly changing.

Maps: Sisonke Gallery

WHAT IF THE WORLD GALLERY

This transformative gallery has had a massive impact on local, contemporary art through dedication to exhibiting young African-based artists.

Maps: What if the world

FASHION:

CULTISH FLAGSHIP STORE

Welcome to apparel with a twist. This store on buzzing Buitengracht is host to brand Cultish, which creates seasonal collections embodying the cultural zeitgeist (telling stories through design, defined by world-class craftsmanship). Lover’s of art through fashion will be in their element with the epic array of items on offer, as well as the awesome vibe.

Maps: Cultish Flagship

FLOAT APPAREL ON BREE

Float is dedicated to creating limited edition, quality apparel & holds a strong stance against mass-produced products. Every First Thursday, they host a pop-up at their Bree Street Store. What to expect: Vinyl tunes, trending crowd & specials on their latest threads.

Maps: Float Apparel

DUCK DUCK GOOSE

A beautiful little store on Bree Street that stocks a wide range of local and independently owned brands. On First Thursday, they usually have some smooth house music by a local DJ, turning the sidewalk into a mini dancefloor.

Maps: Float Apparel

EKU COLLECTIVE

Music, drinks, preloved. A collective that brings together locals and thrift brands and gives them the opportunity to sell their clothes to a broader audience to further circular fashion. Expect some of the most beautiful preloved gems, groovy music by the DJs, and delicious drinks all night long.

Maps: Eku Collective

NIGHTLIFE:

BROKE KLUBHOUSE

One of the most popping spots in town right now. Started by the legendary boys behind the local brand Broke, Klubhouse is beautifully curated inside and out. First Thursday is usually accompanied by a range drop or surprise restock, and you can expect great local DJs, free-flowing shots, and some of the most stylish people in town.

Maps: Broke Klubhouse

HALO

A club space on Loop Street, Halo offers consistent local and international acts and is a great place to scratch that rave itch without having to head to a festival. The downstairs techno tunnel gets hot and steamy with lasers and LED lights and techno playing all night long, while upstairs offers the lighter and more groovy sounds.

Maps: Halo

MODULAR

This one is for the die-hard jollers. Open until sunrise, Modular has been offering techno lovers a space to rave for years. With the recent addition of Lido Bar, offering more groovy disco sounds, it's become a true in-the-city raver's delight.

Maps: Modular

We hope this has gotten you so pumped for the next First Thursday! A few last points: The bulk of the action happens along Bree Street, with everyone walking everywhere and hardly any cars driving down the street. It gets very busy and is unfortunately the perfect hunting ground for pickpockets, so please keep your bags zipped up and stay aware of your surroundings. Parking is non-existent, so we recommend grabbing an Uber - safe jolling is happy jolling anyway.

Enjoy, legends!

How to do First Thursday like a local