Kloof Street Bar Crawl: Experience The Top Local Hangouts in This Innercity Strip.
THE POWER & THE GLORY:
Located alongside it’s sophisticated counterpart, Publik Wine Bar, this hot hangout is an absolute favourite for locals. It’s pretty hard to miss, given that most evenings the crowd overflows out onto the sidewalk, where beers are cheersed and shots are sunk.
No matter what time or day you decide to visit, you’re guaranteed a great time. Fancy a bite? Their German-style hot dogs go down amazingly with just about anything, and are an ideal way to line the stomach before continuing on your crawl. Pull up a seat in the midst of the action at the street-facing bar, or simply do like the locals do and live it up on your feet.
Tipple to taste: Pickle shots (hear us out). A shot of tequila, with a chaser of pickle juice. You’ll be surprised at how good it is!
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THE MOVEABLE FEAST:
The early hours of the evening see this long standing location as a sophisticated French-inspired bistro. But once the diners go home and the tablecloths are packed away, the space transforms into a buzzing bar where live DJs, a dance floor and a brimming wraparound balcony join as one to deliver an awesome time.
Grab a seat at one of the many outdoor wooden tables as you clink glasses with Cape Town locals over the lights of the city, or why not experience the best of both worlds? Kick off with a tasty bite early in the evening, and slowly watch the locale shapeshift into a night owl's ultimate stomping ground.
Tipple to try: A glass (or five) of bubbly. Why not?
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CARGO
Vibey restaurant bar that has an awesome atmosphere over the 'Cape Town Weekend' (Thursday-Sunday.) Great spot for a sit down drink & some chow before exploring a few more, late-night spots on this list.
Tipple of choice: Wide-ranging drinks menu. What ever your heart desires.
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ONE PARK
Awesome listening bar serving quality cocktail. Expect old school, vinyl tunes with sophistication cocktails being served with style. I recommend early'ish (8-9 PM) on Friday night. Their food is also banging! Great way to spend an evening: Explore their vinyl record store, enjoy a beautiful dinner & indulge in a few cocktails while absorbing the groovy atmosphere for 'desert.'
Tipple of choice: The Spice Root Cocktail is banging!
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ASOKA:
Nowhere mimics New Orleans’ French Quarter more than this gypsy-esque haunt, situated in a renovated heritage home in the heart of Kloof Street. Walking inside, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped onto the scene of Arabian Nights.
Moody lighting, plush furnishings and smooth jazz have transformed the ordinary into the dreamy. An array of private seating enclaves are available for those seeking a more intimate experience, as well as an outdoor area with couches and tables. Inside however, is where the real magic happens – where light chatter and epic tunes swirl around the 150- year old olive tree, wrapped in fairy lights.
Tipple to try: Porn Star Martini. Nowhere does it better, in my opinion.
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KLOOF STREET HOUSE:
More fine dining then bar-crawl. However...a sophisticated cocktail at the bar never hurt anyone.
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DARK HORSE BAR:
Moody meets Manhattan at this 20s-esque bar and eatery, taking pride of place on the upper part of Kloof Street. An extensive cocktail list, tasty sharing plates and an always-epic ambience make Dark Horse Bar, the watering hole counterpart of the restaurant across the way, Black Sheep.
Large wooden tables on the front patio offer a front-row seat to the action on the main drag, while inside, a blue gallery wall lined with plush velvet couches and small round tables creates a cosy place to kick back with mates and catch up on the day. There’s no better place to be when the sun is shining than on the scenic rooftop, dotted with succulents and offering unmatched views over the city below.
Tipple to try: Lemon-drop martini. Men drink cute drinks, too.
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BLONDIE
It may be one of the newest kids on the Kloof Street block, but Blondie has already made a name for itself as one of the most vibey places on the strip. Situated two doors down from Yours Truly, it’s hard to pass by without being lured inside by its incredible ambiance. Laughs and chatter mingle with laidback beats, while drinks flow between groups of friends sharing a Mediterranean-inspired bite to eat.
There’s an eclectic diner-style bar inside and wooden benches flowing out onto the patio, where yellow umbrellas, lush plants and cool prints create a space suited to all times of the day and night.
Tipple to try: The Paloma. You heard it from the horse's mouth…
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PUBLIK WINE BAR:
Classy but oh so cool, this buzzing wine bar at the top of Kloof is a vino-lovers idea of heaven. The stylish, contemporary interior, although small, is filled with character and an awesome atmosphere.
Small tables take pride of place alongside shelves dotted with wine bottles, while wooden stools line the bar overlooking the bustling street below. The entire premise of the establishment is to promote an array of artisan and sustainable South African wines made by smaller, independent producers. You’ll struggle to find a more local representation of SA wine culture outside of the Winelands. Plus, their selection of tasty tapas to snack on while you sip are an added bonus.
Tipple to taste: Any! You can’t go wrong. Be sure to order a side of the burrata, you can’t beat it.
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RICK’S CAFE AMERICAIN:
This rooftop bar and restaurant on a corner of Kloof Street looks like the incredibly cool love child of Casablanca and Che Guevara. Situated in a historical villa and a whopping three levels large, Rick’s Cafe Americain is an eclectic mix of cuisines, cocktails and unique spaces.
The ground floor is bar numero uno, offering an intimate indoor experience, while the first and second floors feature a wraparound balcony to watch the street life below. Then there’s the cincher – the third floor rooftop terrace, overlooking unreal views of Table Mountain.
Tipple to try: Don Julio Margarita, frozen.
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YOURS TRULY:
Chances are if you’ve found yourself stumbling down Kloof Street, you’ve found yourself pulling up a seat at this famed bar and restaurant. Downstairs, dubbed Yours Truly, is primarily the restaurant section, where wooden tables are packed with pizzas, Peroni’s and pals. Upstairs, dubbed Up Yours, is the rooftop bar – where views of Lions Head, live DJ playing vinyl RnB beats and flowing drinks are the order of the evening.
No matter which level you choose, whether you visit on a weeknight or weekend, you’re guaranteed to see this spot heaving. The building also shares a space with a backpackers, so you know you’re guaranteed to meet some super cool people with great stories to tell.
Tipple to try: A classic G&T.
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THE MOUNTAIN CLUB AT CLOUD 9:
This view-drenched rooftop bar at the top of Kloof is the ideal place to kick off your summer bar crawl. Arrive any time from 2pm to 6pm and take full advantage of the plunge pool, flowing cocktails and mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas. Flamingo lilos, jungle prints, and brightly coloured decor remind us of a local rooftop in St Tropez, only better – because you’ll have an uninterrupted view of Table Mountain all the way across to Lions Head.
And if you weren’t already sold, just wait until you see the sunsets from up here!
Tipple to taste: Nothing goes down better after a dip in the pool than an ice cold Aperol Spritz.
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VAN HUNKS:
Grunge is sometimes great, and this laidback pub does it better than anyone else. If you want somewhere you can really let your hair down, then Van Hunks should be at the top of your crawl list. It’s the ideal place to kick back with a burger and beer before heading out on the town, or to arrive later in the night to continue the fun once you’re already buzzed.
The space is huge, consisting of two outdoor decks, a bar area and an indoor hangout spot. It’s an epic choice for chilling with a group of friends, or for meeting new people should you be a solo traveler.
Tipple to try: An ice cold Windhoek, like the locals do.
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No matter where in the city (or outskirts) you’re staying, a trip to Kloof Street in the evening should be high on your experiential bucket list. From vino and vermouth to tequila and Triple Sec, these hot haunts are ready and waiting for you. Tap ‘order’ on the Uber and get crawling! Just remember to be responsible.
