Night time sparkle in Woodstock and Observatory

A little creative, Bohemian chic goes a long way

Besides the surprisingly short distance from Cape Town City Centre to Observatory and Woodstock, what other reason would you have to stray from the comforts of Long Street’s party spots? Those in search of Bohemia, Moroccan chic, theatrics, alternative rock and forthright comedy, need look no further than the Mother City's Observatory and Woodstock.

We, at CapeTownMagazine.com, set alight our josh sticks and followed the scent, which revealed a plethora of alternative, nightlife gems.

Friday night

Your weekend begins in Bohemian, Observatory, in a relaxed modern lounge; whilst resident, DJ Ack, plays sultry RnB and Hip Hop (Barmooda | Corner of Lower Main Road and Station Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 4752).

Saturday night

To experience the best of 70's and 80's rock, you go down low – as low as the basement. You find a black and white checked dance floor, surrounded by two bars and comfortable seating. You rock the night away to Zepplin, the Pixies and the Rolling Stones (DecoDance Underground | 373 Albert Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0)84 330 1162).

Sunday night

Your friends have challenged you to a battle of the cues, so you head to a popular pool bar in Observatory. The walls are adorned with Japanese artwork and you're listening to popular rock anthems (Stones | 84 Lower Main Road | Observatory  Cape Town | +27 (0)21 448 9461).


Monday night

A pizza is best shared between two lovers. You relax next to a cosy log fire, with two wood-fired, homemade pizzas and a glass of wine (R55 per person). Chilled out music plays softly in the background (Woodstock Lounge & Bar | 70 Roodebloem | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 448 4448).

Tuesday night

You visit an iconic feature of Observatory's Bohemia, where the theatre and art industry meet to engage in cultural exchanges and to make new friends. You're watching the first time stage appearances of new and emerging musicians, during a weekly Woodworks Open Mic Musician Connection Session (Obs Cafe | 115 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 448 5555).


Wednesday night

You're meeting up with a friend you haven't seen in a long time, so you choose somewhere were thought provoking conversation flows easily, where you can play board games and unwind the mid-week blues with a large glass of wine. The bar is a myriad of small rooms, draped in Morroccan chic (Tagores | 42 Trill Road | Observatory | Cape Town | tagores42@gmail.com).

Thursday night

You head to a historic building, filled with vintage furniture, a wooden stage and red velvet stage curtains. A local comic celebrates our differences; be it race, religion, fashion or sports and has you laughing out loud (Jou Ma Se Comedy Club | Albert Hall | 208 Woodstock Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 7237).

Cape Town is alive with nightlife possibility, once the sun has set. Be sure to read our overviews of Nightlife in Camps Bay, Nightlife in Green Point and Mouille Point, Nightlife in De Waterkant, Nightlife in the Northern Suburbs, Nightlife in the Southern Suburbs, Nightlife in the City Centre and Top Ten Nightlife Venues in Cape Town.

By Lisa Nevitt