Top Places to watch Soccer in Cape Town

Catching the beautiful game, made easy

Champion's League or Europa League. The PSL or the Primera Division. The Barclay's Premier League or the Bundesliga. The UEFA European Championship or the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Following footie is akin to religious devotion in the Mother City, and it comes as no surprise that there are some rowdy, raucous and even refined places in Cape Town to watch the soccer.

We've put together an honourable list of bars and venues showing the football so you can spend your energy on the match, not on finding somewhere to see it in Cape Town.

Tommy’s Sports Bar 
With 11 televisions, a handful of pool tables and knack for obliging nearly any sporting request on the planet, this city centre soccer pub is a mecca for those keen to cheer on their team with a bucket of beers and a bevy of mates.  Not to mention, the bar boasts some of the best weekday happy hour specials in Cape Town: bottled beers from R8.50 and Heineken for R10! Expect to be greeted by a sea of orange when the Dutch team plays, but otherwise, if you enjoy the thrill of the game with people from all around the world, you will fit right in at Tommy's Sports Bar.  
Corner of Bloem and Loop Streets | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)82 563 9450

Rafiki’s
A well loved watering hole with six big screens and the largest balcony in Cape Town, you'll find friends here regardless of which team you support. This mixture of pub and beach bar is local and laid back, with a great balcony perfect for hanging out at halftime. Prized for their Pizza’s and chilli poppers, you might want to find out more about Rafiki’s Bar & Restaurant.
13 Kloof Nek Road | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 4731

Rick's Cafe on Park Road
Rick's Americain is a cosy grand cafe style restaurant with a comfortable bar with a warm atmosphere. Screens above the bar as well as a cosy attic where you can watch the games in a smaller crowd. The attic might be worth making a reservation for. Ample fireplaces to keep you warm during annual winter matches, like the Euro. On match days of the German team you might see a fair few of them there. Also remember to ask for some Wibo's Balls from the menu to have a bitterballen snack. 
Rick's Cafe Americain | 2 Park Road | Gardens | +27(0) 424 1100    

Long Street Cafe
Any day of the week there's game on. Keep in mind there's karaoke on Wedesnday nights too so you might lose out on the commentary. There are plenty of screens to pick your angle to the pitch. Also: always beer specials and shooter specials to further feed the discussion between soccer specialists watching from the side line at this popular and easy going Long Street Cafe. 
259 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27(0)21 424 2464

Harveys at the Winchester Mansions
Much more refined than rowdy, Harveys at the Winchester Mansions in Sea Point is replete with comfy couches, plush furnishings and two flat-screened televisions perfect for taking in the footie in a slightly more composed manner. And between the discounted drinks and the adjacent balcony that affords sparkling views of the Atlantic, even the poorest losers won't be able to sulk for too long.
Tip: It’s first come, first serve – so arrive early.
221 Beach Road | Sea Point |Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 434 2351

Fireman's Arms
This legendary themed downright basic English pub in Cape Town's Waterkant is a mad one on rugby days and also provides a unique soccer watching experience, both for ''English'' and yet unequivocally South Africans. Advantaga: Ability to watch two games at once in the outside [covered] area.
25 Mechau Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)83 255 6116

Peddlar's on the bend    
Living in the Southern Suburbs? Peddlar is an institution in Constantia for ouw lawnies to watch sports and football will be the word used in this venue. If rugby or cricket is on the same day, you might struggle with the colonial crowd.
3 Spaanschemat River Road | Constantia | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 794 7747

Rascals
A South African pub in every sense of the word, their inexpensive menu boasts some of Cape Town's best pizzas. Add the fact that they have TV's in every section of the venue, helps provide an unforgettable soccer watching experience. 
2 Meyer Street | Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 671 2844

Café Extrablatt
There’s no better place to cheer on the German national team than at the Green Point-based Extrablatt café. Though, with Pilsner Urquell on tap, two flat-screen televisions in the open, airy downstairs, and another two in the cosier, loungy upstairs smoking section and bar, the German chain restaurant makes it easy to enjoy the football even if you’re not rooting for the red, black and yellow. Extrablatt serves up half-priced cocktails all night on Wednesdays and for happy hour Monday to Friday.  They also have a remarkably reasonably priced food menu for those who want to nibble on something while they watch the “gamechangers”.
Exhibition Building | 79 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 286 0460 

Mitchell's Waterfront Brewery
The alternative to Ferrymen's to watch soccer in the V&A Waterfront. This traditional bar setting filled with the flags of different nations brings home a bit of a rainbow nation feel, although English oriented, most of the English, German or Spanish competitions you'll be able to watch. Advantage: their extensive draught selection is always welcome. They also host a popular karaoke night, every Tuesday.
Corner of East Pier & Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 419 5094

Oblivion 
They say:"funky, friendly, European style wine bar for the over 23s." We agree. Oblivion's good food, a great wine selection and huge T.V's, combined with their comfortable interior provides an easy going and comfortable soccer watching experience. You might need to ask for the TV to be put on, though.
22 Chichester Road | Harfield Village | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 671 8522

Forester's Arms 
Newlands's most popular pub - at least in the Southern Suburbs. Welcoming to a decidedly mixed crowd, with an expansive idyllic outside area. 
52 Newlands Avenue | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 689 5949

The Sunroof Terrace at the Park Inn by Radisson
Elevated 11 floors above the Foreshore’s ground level, the Park Inn by Radisson’s Sunroof Terrace grants bar flies more than just a bird’s eye view of the city centre. With flat screen and widescreen televisions adorning the walls of the comfortably chic urban interior, the well-equipped rooftop bar makes it possible to both escape the cosmopolitan hustle and bustle below and to take in the football, rugby or an even a rousing bout of ice skating. What’s more, on weekends the top-floor venue transforms one of their conference rooms into a full-fledged athletics hall: showing matches and contests on a massive projection screen. Get there between 5pm and 6pm to take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free cocktails and draught beers from Monday to Thursday. 29 Heerengracht Street | Foreshore | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 427 4841

Pepénero
Close enough to the Cape Town Stadium to hear the ball hit the crossbar, this swanky, beachfront Italian eatery, quite fittingly, is also a great place to watch the soccer. The restaurant’s chic but intimate lounge area – there are plush couches and arm chairs, a collection of bar stools and a flat screen television – is ideal for those looking to cheer on their side with a bottle of Bisquit on the table or a select single malt in hand. Once the game is over, indulge in the gorgeous Mouille Point setting and a delectable menu – seafood, steaks and pasta are all on offer – and enjoy a dinner that’s both perfect for commemorating a celebratory win or downplaying the effects of a disappointing loss.
No 1 Two Oceans Beach | Bay Road | Mouille Point | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 439 9027

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