Top Places to Party in Cape Town

You may have all night to party, but you don't have all night to decide where to party

No matter what the season in Cape Town, nights are long and doors are open if you know where to go. So whether you’re alternative or emo, gay or straight, old or young, spending big or begging for beers, there are plenty of places to get your party on in Cape Town.

The Long Street stretch
Cape Town’s hottest nightlife artery, the aptly named Long street is a seemingly endless stretch of bars, clubs and restaurants. Long Street caters to almost every musical and social taste, every night of the week. Take a taxi or your walking shoes and get to know its after hours offerings. From Neighbourhood 'always up for real good', to Zula for rocking live performances, to Dubliner's & The Slug for a good pub and your Marvel for the real Hip Hop. 
Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town

Fiction Bar
The recently re-opened Fiction Bar has one of the best balconies on Long Street, and is an ideal spot to view the activities above. Serious party animals know not to go there before other less lively clubs close their doors, unless of course, the edgy alternative venue is hosting an exclusive gig, in which case you'll be there all night. Popular with scenesters and hipsters, it has enough room for everyone, and a bigger and better dance floor that pumps past midnight.
226 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 5709

Chukkachurri
What started as a chilled Argentinean tapas bar has evolved into a vibrant secret centre of Green Point’s underground dance scene. Although tasty morsels are served, the real draw card of Chukka – as it is affectionately known by patrons – is the top-draw music selection, which is tailored for a slightly older, alternative crowd. Deep house and techno pulses through the venue on Friday evenings, whereas Saturdays are reserved for relaxed indie and 80s beats. So swing by and cash in on the come-as-you-are bar’s night-long drink specials and upbeat vibes.
20 Cobern Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)82 292 0744

Aces ‘N’ Spades Bar 
Aching for some good old-fashioned rock music? Or is grunge more your thing? Perhaps a little garage topped off with some alternative jams? If your idea of a raucous weekday or weekend night includes serenades by Shirley Manson, then Cape Town’s hot upscale rock-edge dive bar, Aces ‘N’ Spades, is a watering hole worth a visit.  
62 Hout Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 1620 

The Assembly Club & Live Music Venue
Big enough to draw big bands, but passionate enough to host exclusive, smaller shows, The Assembly is a seminal live music space in the city’s East Side. Home to electro nights and rockin’ performances, it draws a diverse array of fans and friends who know what they want.
61 Harrington Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 465 7286

Decodance Nightclub
Originally in Woodstock, Decodance now calls Sea Point home.. Put on your 'alternative' outfit, and head on down to an underground venue that specialises in 70s, 80s and 90s hits. Entrance is free before 10pm.
120b Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town| +27 (0)21 433 2912

Camps Bay crawl
Take your pick of clubs, bars and restaurants with breathtaking sunset or starlit views of the open Atlantic Ocean.  If you enjoy bumping into celebrities, models and sports stars, you'll be comfortable here. Camps Bay is an international hotspot for talent scouting, chardonnay sipping and soaking up the high life. Visit Grande Cafe for a glass of wine and a bite to eat, or St Yves for its beautiful models and their (career) makers.
Main Road | Camps Bay | Cape Town

Café Caprice
Eat, drink and play in sophisticated beach style at Café Caprice. The trendy space on the sidewalk is busy at the best of times. Driving past, you'll hear its hip beats and see its pretty patrons spilling into the streets. There's always a buzz from the humming conversations of party people who like to see and be seen. Yes, it's a casual bar, but don't go in your beach towel if you want to relax.
37 Victoria Road | Camps Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 438 8315

Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
You’ll find Tjing Tjing above popular restaurant Dear Me on the third level of an almost 200-year-old house on Longmarket Street. While the views of the cityscape from the rooftop are certainly impressive, what you will love even more about this upscale bar is its interior. With a fire engine-red bar as a centrepiece, there are many elements of whimsy dotting this sexy spot, which, though upmarket and trendy, still manages to feel warm and welcoming.
165 Longmarket Street | City Centre | Cape Town |+27 (0)21 422 4920  

The Boardhouse Surfbar and Skatepark
The Mother City’s colourful throng of skaters, kiteboarders, surfer dudes and beach bums have found a new home in the form of this relaxed surfbar, where it can also get pretty raucous at night. Music-wise, visitors can expect anything from happening jols with in-house DJ Knoeperd to big nights with P.H.Fat or Niskerone at The Boardhouse.
12 Marine Circle | Table View Beachfront |Cape Town | +27 (0) 84 554 3262  

Shimmy Beach Club 
The Mother City’s most recent nightlife addition, Shimmy Beach Club at the V&A Waterfront, which is co-owned by businessman Shawn Mace and chef Seelan Sundoo, has finally provided Cape Town with a world-class seaside club that sits right on the water’s edge. Housed in a premier 2000m2 venue, the club features its own private beach, a large alfresco deck, a lounge apt for relaxing in, a champagne bar and a sparkling rim-flow pool.
South Arm Road | V&A Waterfront Harbour | Cape Town 

Stellenbosch Spots
Overflowing with students and intellectuals, and sinking in brandy and wine, Stellenbosch is the party central of the northern suburbs. Sweet by day, the town is sexy at night, with revellers, babblers and late stragglers stumbling between its venues. For down-to-earth decadence, little to no dress code, and friendly faces, go where the crowd is young and the booze, cheap. Aandklas is inviting every day, Klein Libertas specialises in live music and Bohemia is always buzzing. None of the venues mind if you act a little mad, but do please mind the Roman-style aqueducts when reversing happily (and soberly?) out of your parking space.
All over the town | Stellenbosch | Cape Town

---

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle and check out our Pinterest boards for updates.