Five top rooftop bars in Cape Town

The views are to-die-for and the cocktails can be deadly

You know what they say; ‘when life hands you lemons turn the other cheek, look in the horse’s mouth and observe the silver lining’. Well I’m inclined to agree, and as such, have compiled a list of rooftop bars in Cape Town where you can rise above the rat race and point and laugh at the mortals below. You may even be tempted to throw Ferrero Rochers at them if you wish to stretch the metaphor - but I doubt security will agree.

‘When summer is upon us it is wise to get upon a roof and drink until you are upon your ear.’ - Anonymous

The Waiting Room
At the top of Long Street is Royale Eatery, and on top of Royale Eatery is The Waiting Room; a top notch, top tier place to get on top form. The upstairs lounge is chic, yet chilled and features an eclectic mix of live music and DJs. The crowd is as trendy as a hashtag and the fairy-light lined balcony provides a fairytale view of Long Street, Lions Head and Table Mountain.
273 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27(0)21 422 4536

Rick’s Café Américain
Well now, Rick’s may not have the finest views in Cape Town – but somehow it doesn’t seem to matter all that much – it’s spacious, and has an extremely comfortable atmosphere. Rick’s even has a high pressure misting system to keep you cool on those scorching summer days. The bar downstairs buzzes with activity and is a real post work hot spot. Rick’s Café Américain; the place where everybody meets.
2 Park Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27(0)21 424 1100

Soho Restaurant
Just behind the fashionable Cape Quarter, with its Harrods like Spar, lies the Soho rooftop bar and restaurant, it’s a true gem. Sip French champagne from this Thai restaurant, named after the famous New York neighbourhood while soaking up some of the finest views in Cape Town.
49 Napier Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27(0)21 421 9898

Tjing Tjing
This relatively new addition to the Cape’s rooftop club has a real inner city feel to it with the balcony area being surrounded by some of the Cape’s tallest concrete behemoths. The Tjing Tjing crowd is a creative mix – everyone’s making it or has made it, and this is where they like to chill out. Overall this loft-style bar above Dear Me Brasserie is contemporary, sleek and a mere trap door away from the White Room (an open space for art exhibitions).
165 Longmarket Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27(0)21 422 49 20

The Grand Daddy Hotel
The legendary Grandaddy Hotel has a lot to offer. The Sky Bar shares its space with a rooftop airstream trailer park (seven vintage Airstream trailers hauled all the way from the States, then popped onto the hotel’s roof). Watch the trailers glint at sunset and lounge back on wooden decks under the protection of a Bedouin tent. There is also the Pink Flamingo Roof Top Cinema which airs classics; think ET, Edward Scissorhands, True Romance et al.
38 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27(0)21 424 7247

By Julian Sendin

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