Tokyo has its karaoke bars. Athens has its taverns. Cape Town has First Thursdays. What started as a free monthly initiative to encourage locals to visit art galleries and cultural centres after dark has now morphed into an institution of sorts.
Inspired by similar events in London, co-founders Gareth Pearson and Michael Tymbios wanted to put a unique spin on the event. In a 2015 post on Medium, Pearson said that the premise behind the concept was for art galleries and other cultural attractions within a walkable area to stay open late on the first Thursday of every month.
The duo explained: “The very first edition in November 2012 included just six spots on the map, one being a little pop-up exhibition we threw together in an empty retail space.”
These days, First Thursdays is a whole lot more than walking Bree Street. It’s the infectious spirit of a city that plays hard.
How about injecting excitement into the work week with Time Out Cape Town’s ultimate guide to First Thursdays, aka Fake Friday in Cape Town?
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Established in 2022, Vela Projects places a strong emphasis on non-represented artists. The fine art gallery showcases local contemporary works and champions the development of lasting artistic careers. Every First Thursdays, Vela Projects displays pop-up exhibits that resonate with the global cultural landscape.
66 Plein Street
Celebrate. Sip. Dance. Immerse yourself in Ethiopian culture with a curated evening involving music, food, and drinks. Addis in Cape is your introduction to a distinctive dining experience that blends Ethiopian traditions with a modern African twist.
Time Out Tip: Enjoy an extended Happy Hour with 30% off selected wines, cocktails, and beers every First Thursdays!
168 Loop Street
First Thursdays bookings are essential at Bo-Vine in the City because it’s become a favourite with revellers. Many start with a stop at Bovine. Here, the in-house DJ plays tunes to be enjoyed, and not shouted over.
101 Hout Street
With spaces in Cape Town and Franschhoek, Ebony/Curated serves as a mouthpiece for contemporary African art and a platform for creatives who use their pieces to dissect the nuances of our history.
67 Loop Street
An intimate whiskey cocktail bar, Bascule Bar is inspired by the speakeasy of yesteryear. First Thursdays usually entails live music or a DJ taking to the decks. Think refined style and tranquil surroundings.
Cape Grace, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront
Paintings, sculptures, and fine art prints by Southern African artists are set across two Church Street locations. First Thursdays offers curated exhibitions by well-known and up-and-coming names on the art scene.
52 Burg Street
This Spring/Summer season, the EAP will host a series of three curated pop-up exhibitions aligned with First Thursdays on 2 October, 6 November, and 4 December. Each showing will be preceded by a full-day Exhibition Readiness Workshop.
40 Long Street
Jazz aficionados are in for a treat every First Thursdays. A soulful seaside escape beckons you. Picture a cocktail in hand, toes in the sand, and the sultry sound of saxophones.
1 Haul Road, V&A Waterfront
The Homecoming Centre stands as a beacon in the District Six community. It’s a safe space where creatives and audience members gather to teach, perform, and engage in learning.
15 Caledon Street, District Six
With a strong ethos in sustainable luxury, Rowdy is a leather goods brand that combines African craftsmanship with contemporary design, handcrafting bags from free-range leather.
4 Park Road
Take me to church on a Thursday. A Cape Town landmark, St George’s Cathedral has a storied history that transcends its beautiful architecture. The public is invited to explore the cathedral on First Thursdays, with a programme of performances throughout the evening.
5 Wale Street
One can never have too much jazz, especially when it’s live. Throw incredible food and crafted drinks into the mix, and you’ve got a night designed for good, almost-clean fun.
5 Park Road
With a new location at the corner of Long and Shortmarket, Worldart is the home of contemporary urban art in the African diaspora. Many exhibitions force you to sit in your discomfort while ingesting the message served in a myriad of colours and tones.
68 Long Street
The Michaelis School of Fine Art honours 100 years in 2025. M100: 100 years, 100 objects, curated by Associate Professor Fritha Langerman, presents an unofficial history told through 100 objects, images, and anecdotes.
31 Orange Street
Wear your sunglasses at night? Then you should pop in at Ballo. The sunglasses are handmade from sustainable materials, with the express aim to put the planet before profit.
4 Park Road
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