The 8 best hotel bars in Cape Town

Long one of the city’s more glamorous addresses, the ongoing rejuvenation of Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel has only improved the cachet of this quiet oasis of calm and good cocktails. While in-house guests waft between their rooms and the pool, Planet Bar welcomes outside guests, whether you’re settled on the terrace or – in winter – cosied up by the fire. Come for a classic cocktail before dinner, a celebratory glass of bubbles, or a quiet drink that reminds you why hotel bars will never go out of style.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens

At the far end of the Sea Point strip, the sleek lines and chic interiors of The Cole have made this new boutique hotel one of the most sought-after sleeps in Cape Town. But even if you’re not staying the night, it’s worth stopping by for a seat at Script on the ground floor. 

In a seriously stylish space – spilling out onto a small terrace – the menu concept taps into ‘drinks as stories’, from taking a walk through the ‘Whispering Orchard’ (jasmine-infused vodka, umeshu plum wine) to inhaling the ‘Perfume of Departure’ (Havana Club, chocolate bitters, lemon balm mist). The aim is to inspire emotion above and beyond sipping a sundowner. Across the board, expect flavour-led creations over hotel-bar classics: think yuzu margaritas, passionfruit mezcal palomas, pear old fashioneds, and other cocktails designed around mood, aroma and texture. Bar snacks are elevated here too, with a new food menu pitched at elegant snacking and to inspire you to head upstairs for dinner at Figo.

The Cole, 1 Church Road, Sea Point

You’ll want to smarten up a little before booking a table at this classy hotel bar. Set on the sixth floor of The Silo Hotel – itself perched atop the world-class Zeitz MOCAA art museum in the V&A Waterfront’s Silo District – The Willaston Bar offers dazzling city views in a deeply elegant setting. Sink into barstools of soft Italian leather and ask the bar staff to pick something for you, or to mix up a surprise. They shake up a fine martini here, but the wine list is equally worth exploring, with an excellent selection of local and international estates.

The Silo Hotel, Silo Square, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

You don’t have to book a suite upstairs (though we’d recommend it) to enjoy a taste of the stylish Cape Grace. The Bascule Bar isn’t about sea views as much as cosying up indoors. Leather couches and sumptuous booths set the scene, the walls decked out with array of works by young African artists to lend the space an upscale aesthetic taking its cue from the vibrant shebeens of Africa. Bascule has always been famous for its whisky collection, and you’ll find hundreds of single malts and bourbons on offer, alongside a creative cocktail selection. Tasting flights are available, tutored or self-guided, as are guided wine tastings on request.  A compact menu of upscale small plates, well-pitched to match the malts and cocktails, ensures sundowners can stretch into a casual dinner, or keep you well-fed into the wee hours.

Cape Grace, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

The transformation of (rather dated) The Table Bay into the (decidedly chic) InterContinental Table Bay has made this corner of the Waterfront well worth a visit. The Botanist’s Table is the InterContinental’s new lobby-level lounge, with a drinks menu centred on indigenous Cape botanicals.

That means a drinks list with regional gin, handcrafted cocktails and South African wines front and centre, accompanied by flavour-led small plates. It is an all-day space, but the excellent drinks menu and late closing time make it ideal for an aperitif or nightcap when you’re in the Waterfront.

InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town, Quay 6, V&A Waterfront

Is there a hotel bar with a better sunset view in Cape Town? We’ll wait.

Set between the Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean, The Leopard Bar’s terrace enjoys an uninterrupted west-facing view that has to be seen to be believed. Signature cocktails and a broad drinks menu cover the essentials, and in summer you need look no further than the gin-forward G&Ts. Come early enough to claim an outdoor table and watch the light fade over the ocean, then stay as live music takes over into the evening. The coastal drive to get here is part of the occasion. Just nominate a driver before you order.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Victoria Road, Camps Bay

In many ways, Vista is the heart of One&Only Cape Town, with towering windows framing a superb view of Table Mountain. Keep your eyes on the view and try to ignore the hotel lobby just behind you.

The signature Watchers cocktails draw inspiration from an Xhosa legend associated with the creation of Table Mountain, and the small plates come courtesy of Cape Town chef Karen Dudley. Vista is open from morning (for coffee) through the afternoon (hello, teatime) until late, but early evening is the sweet spot: arrive as the mountain catches the sunset. The martinis here are especially good.

One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

One of the city’s most popular rooftop bars, Gigi Rooftop is hidden away above Gorgeous George, a design-driven hotel in the heart of the city centre. In a space filled with tropical foliage and natural light, in-house mixologist Leighton Rathbone shakes up a tantalising cocktail menu that includes all the classics alongside bespoke pours utilising local spirits and indigenous flavours. The bar comes alive at sunset, with views out across the city rooftops.

Gorgeous George, 118 St George’s Mall, Cape Town