Music venues in the mother city – live, local and lekker

Finding a band in Cape Town is like finding a friend; for starters, it helps if you know where to go.

Although legislation is passed in Pretoria, Cape Town is the capital when it comes to entertainment. There are so many options, you’re spoilt for choice. Don’t let choosing where to go overwhelm you. If you’re into live, original music, we’ll show you round with a selection of live music venues.

As the creative capital of this country, Cape Town is humming with bands and solo artists bent on delivering live music to open ears in bars, clubs, restaurants and even churches. It is made up of tight pockets of nice, niche noises, and getting to know the music scene itself takes time. If you don’t have time, use our listing to find a venue that sounds like fun for you, check their line-ups, and dance like nobody’s watching.

Live music venues in Cape Town

Asoka on Kloof Street is almost famous for its Tuesday night jazz jam sessions, boasting some of the best in young jazz talent in the city.

The Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch is a superb host to music events, with high ceilings that heighten the acoustics and a sense of space.

Serving fresh food, drink and live music, Cafe Sofia, Rondebosch, hosts a variety of live music acts in an informal yet chic setting.

Upper Long Street’s Carnival Court is no clown in the parade; it’s made steady improvement to its backpacker-cum-Long Street bar space including a raised stage.

Fogey’s is quite literally off the tracks. A restaurant on the edge of the Muizenberg railway lines, it is proud to have a history with some of the finer fusion bands in the city.

Mercury Live & Lounge in Zonnebloem is a musical mainstay – a warehouse-turned-club big enough for rock n roll, small enough for funk and soul.

Roar, Observatory, is the smallest venue with the best sound system and acoustics in the city. One room only for metal, punk, ska, hip-hop and rock.

With cascading seating and a rising ceiling, the SABC Auditorium, Seapoint, is a treat for those who enjoy sit-down sound and a sense of theatre.

Speedway 105 Cafe, off Hope Street, is a clash of clichés that upsets convention. A biker-style bar dedicated to vintage cars, original jazz and rockabilly, it is cosy in winter and cool in summer.

The  Albert Hall is a royal hideaway in Woodstock with dim lighting and vintage decor. Its long room makes the best seat the one at the back, at the bar.

The Assembly on the city’s east skirts is the big brother of music venues. Able to hold over a thousand comfortably, club Fridays are big, and most bands of calibre have graced its stage.

The Purple Turtle, corner of Long and Shortmarket streets, is reinventing itself to party late and hard.  It draws a curious mix of townies and indies, showcasing bands as diverse as Blk Jks and The Pretty Blue Guns.

The Waiting Room is a relaxed, converted, split-level bachelor apartment near the top of Long Street. Bands choose it for semi-acoustic sets and fill the couches and balconies.

Zula Soundbar, Long Street, boasts music every day it’s open, most of it live and original. Popular with travellers and locals alike, its clientele mix as easily as its live line-up does.

&Union Beer Salon, off Bree Street, is industrial chic embodied. With tables indoors and outside, it hosts intimate gigs that draw enthusiastic, upmarket crowds.

When the show is over, and even the Deejay has gone to bed, you can continue drinking, chatting and meeting the music mixers and makers at bars like The Shack (Zonnebloem) and clubs like Fiction (Long St). 

Like your music in a weekend away? Have a read through our Events Section – we are sure you will find something to  inspire a road trip. There’s a lot of song and dance around the World Cup. We asked local music heroes Freshlyground about Shakira, soccer and success. Maybe you're specifically into Jazz? We are as well! Here are a few of our favourite Cape Town jazz venues!

Jess Henson