Here’s a list of great after-work drinks spots in the Mother City to help you unwind after a full day of deadlines and meetings.
This is a beautiful space with warm, striking décor that’s ideal for relaxing over a few drinks after a long day at work. Expect tapas-style dishes like fior di latte mozzarella with black olive and nutty herb crumble to line the stomach before making your selection from a large variety of drinks. The drinks menu features a variety of whisky, wines, beers and cocktails.
This laid-back restaurant, with a garden and deck, has a wide selection of local and international craft beers. It also has a rum collection featuring selections from a variety of Caribbean countries like Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. There’s also a happy hour cocktail offering every day between 5pm and 6pm.
Beerhouse boasts a large selection of the best local and international beers, plus a menu carefully curated to complement it. Highlights from the menu include brew snacks like chilli poppers, smoked wings and corn on the cob. There are also tacos, steaks and classics like fish and chips.
Burger & Lobster has a simple and perfectly executed menu of grilled fresh lobster, lobster rolls and burgers. These core items are accompanied by fine wine and a selection of signature cocktails. They also have a two-for-one social special between 4pm and 7pm on a selection of draught beers, wine and signature cocktails.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
El Burro’s younger sibling, Cabrito, is a Mexican-style bar serving a selection of craft beers, wine and – more importantly – tequila. Here you can savour everything from a salty-sweet margarita to icy Centinela Anejo tequila, and they often host live music evenings. Foodies can enjoy the simple snack items on the menu such as chilli poppers, nachos, droëwors and peanuts, or head upstairs to El Burro for tacos – or just more tequila.
Catch up with colleagues over classic and creative cocktails from the award-winning bar that offers innovative cocktails. A must-try is the Avo-ntitious, a magically smooth concoction of vanilla brandy, absinth, Woodford Reserve and avocado. Else go for wine, punch, prosecco or champagne. Check the specials board for some excellent eating options to go along with your tipple of choice.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
The brightly coloured décor at this rooftop venue is enough to brighten your spirits after a long day at work. The lovely cocktails enjoyed over a great view of the ocean completes the setting for perfect sundowners. Expect a long list of signature and classic cocktails, like the white peach fizz, mojito bull, Long Island ice tea and margarita.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
Pop into Clarke’s after work and enjoy the happy hour special running from Monday to Saturday between 5pm and 6pm. They also have the shot-and-beer special all day every day for R37. You can also grab some grub – like the three-egg dinner omelette, the buttermilk fried chicken, Clarke’s baby burger, or cheese fries topped with pico de gallo – to go with your drinks.
This younger sibling to The Black Sheep can hold its own when it comes to classic cocktails and comfort food. Expect an extensive cocktail menu consisting of something for everyone and tapas-style dishes ideal for groups sharing. The menu features cocktails like the classic martini, gin fizz, and cosmopolitan; while the food menu offers small plates like thick-cut chips and saffron aïoli; crispy fried kingklip with tamarind, lime and coriander; and steamed bao with slow-cooked hoisin pork belly, mung sprouts and cucumber pickle.
Harry’s everyday happy hours and half-price tapas (available until 7pm) are sure to put a smile on your face after your nine-to-five. Relax and enjoy house cocktails like the Belvedere spritz with Belvedere vodka, charred grapefruit and thyme syrup. Or go for classics like the martini, mojito and margarita. Also available is an extensive selection of beers, wines and spirits.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
Sometimes a day needs to end with a burger and a beer. Luckily, Hudson’s has great options for both. Also on the menu is a selection of cocktails and wine. Go for The Hudsons beef burger topped with mustard mayo and homemade pickles; or The Boss beef burger featuring a cheese-stuffed beef patty topped with BBQ beef rib meat and homemade pickles.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
Kick up your feet at this elegant sundowner spot with a view. Choose from a range of classic cocktails or go for one of the signature cocktails like the passion fruit vanilla sours. Wines are available by the glass, carafe and bottle. Enjoy with some of the light bites like the salt-and-pepper calamari or a pizzette.
This popular burger joint has something for everyone – from a variety of burgers with cool names like the Cheapskate burger with a classic homemade beef patty, barbecue sauce, pickles and mustard to a wide range of drinks, including classic cocktails, wines, MCCs, beers and spirits.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
Connect with friends or colleagues at La Parada and enjoy a great selection of tantalising tapas, wines, MCCs, cocktails, beers and spirits. Highlights from the menu include tapas options like grilled calamari, beef short ribs and pork belly; and mains like Wagyu beef burger and chicken espetada.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
The Power and The Glory is the place to go if you’re looking for a cosy hangout with a cool vibe to enjoy draught beers and ciders after work.
Head to this neighbourhood wine bar and unwind over a glass of one of the quality artisanal wines.
Rick’s Cafe Americain has a comprehensive drinks menu featuring a variety of classic cocktails, award-winning wines, MCCs, champagnes, whiskeys and spirits. But the R46 cocktail-of-the-week special is a definite highlight.
This Gardens gem has a cocktail club that offers half-price cocktails every day between 3pm and 6pm. Options include The Stack cocktail, made with rosemary and lavender gin splashed with tonic and juniper berries; bourbon served in a bitter-blazed glass; and the Wu-fong Pettersen made with white rum, elderflower, peach schnapps, bubbly and fresh stone fruit.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
Beer lovers flock to this trendy brewery in the up-and-coming Salt River office area to swig from the range of ales. Long tables and benches lining the open-plan space make this a perfect spot for big groups. There’s also a compact menu of dishes to complement the icy draughts.
This popular pub is perfect for a casual group date with your work mates. They have food specials from Monday to Thursday and happy hour specials every day between 5pm and 7pm. The drinks specials include wine for R20, single gins for R15, single Smirnoff vodkas for R10 and single Johnnie Walker Reds for R15.
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Yours Truly has become the go-to spot for after-work drinks. Meet up with colleagues and enjoy the popular house wines and thin-sliced pizzas.
? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.
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Have we missed your favourite drinks spot in Cape Town? Let us know in the comments below.