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The Rose Bar in Constantia
Constantia’s trendy outdoor lounge relaunches for the summer season
The Alphen Boutique Hotel’s somewhat secret flower for several years now, The Rose Bar in the Constantia Winelands has blossomed beautifully and is announcing its trendy presence rather loudly and proudly this 2013 spring.
After a fairly dormant winter, the alfresco lounge, which is part of restaurateur Paul Kovensky’s celebrated Kove Collection (it includes popular institutions Paranga, Pepenero and The Bungalow), relaunched in early October and now looks to cultivate its reputation as one of the region’s prettiest posies.
Gazing out over manicured lawns, lilac hydrangeas and a glistening swimming pool, the easygoing haunt rests on the verdant grounds of the five-star Constantia hotel, which marries opulence with eccentricity and is renowned for offering a very distinct experience to other accommodation options in the area (incidentally, it made Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List in 2012). In line with the property’s out-of-the-box mentality and as one of the very few bars in the Western Cape to sit outdoors amidst the greenery of a gorgeous garden, it’s certainly a refreshing alternative for those looking for a sensual spot to wind down and drink up.
“It’s the sort of place you can come to start the weekend or end the workday,” explains Sales and Marketing Manager Angela Lorimer. “You can just put your feet up, unwind and watch the evening come alive.”
With a series of comfy, cushioned loungers to park on, the newly refurbished joint definitely does invite late-afternoon lolling and lazing. And it offers the perfect poisons with which to do so: thanks to its recent revamp, the bar is now home to an even more diverse selection of decadent cocktails ideal for a chilled sundowner session.
Mixed in amongst many of the classics, like the cosmopolitan, mojito and margarita, are an assortment of unusual concoctions that simply beg sampling (think a Blackcurrant Chardonnay Spritzer or Guava and Rosewater Martini). And guests can also opt to add an alcoholic kick to any of the lounge’s unique summer iced teas.
Aside from these examples of masterful mixology, The Rose Bar also serves up draught beer, a range of top wines sourced from local farms, a small array of MCCs and a few fine French Champagnes (Moët & Chandon and Louis Roederer, for example).
To keep the peckish satisfied, the verdant haven claims a refurbished food menu rich with light, snacky bites that epitomise easy dining. As Angela asserts, “Here, you can order a meal and not feel like you need to sit there with a knife and fork.”
While the standard dishes are available every day, the highlight of the venue’s new culinary offering is the Saturday crayfish braai, which treats visitors to a generous lunchtime portion of kreef, barbequed and plated on the spot (no booking necessary).
This isn’t the only weekend plus though. On Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm to 9pm, well-known local DJ Mr Mo gets guests tapping their toes with some sexy lounge and catchy commercial tunes that only amplify an already vibey ambience.
So, stop in on one of these evenings, or any other lazy weekday afternoon, to decide for yourself whether this budding beauty has bloomed into a hot Constantia hangout.
Tip: During the peak of summer, The Rose Bar will be hiring out the luxurious daybeds that line the hotel swimming pool to guests eager to laze on their own private, cushioned island for a day. There will be a minimum food and drinks spend per head (around R250) for anyone keen to opt for this offer.
The Bill: Expect average Constantia prices at The Rose Bar. Cocktails go for between R30 and R60, and meals start at around R45.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 3pm – 11pm; Saturday – Sunday: 12pm – 11pm
Alphen Boutique Hotel | Alphen Drive | Constantia | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 795 6300
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On the lookout for fine Mother City places to sip on evening cocktails? Have a glance at our overview of top sundowner spots in Cape Town.
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