fable on Bree is fun and dead serious about cocktails

Where else are you handcuffed to your drink?

Last updated: Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Meet the owner of fable, who's rewriting the cocktail bar script. It doesn't take itself too seriously, unless you’re talking about the cocktails, which are outrageously inventive masterpieces that blur the line between art and alchemy (fable bangs out top-tier classics, too, like espresso martinis and margaritas). Where else are you handcuffed to your drink, or served a cocktail that rains?

Owner Josh Sarembock. Image: fable

There’s only a handful of cocktail bars in the world… 

That have the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that we do. Each cocktail requires ingredients that take hours, or days, to make in-house. 

For the uniondale ghost, a litchi and strawberry cocktail with popping boba, we use falooda as a milk wash. The cocktail is strained through the falooda to add a luxurious mouthfeel.

The uniondale ghost. Image: fable

Every cocktail is a labour of love… 

And that’s what you’re paying for. The price of the cocktails is the result of premium, meticulously-prepped ingredients. For example, we use Don Julio tequila which is R900 a bottle. 

The perfect gentleman. Image: fable

Cocktail bars can be intimidating or pretentious… 

Especially ones that get international recognition. We’re not like that. The menu is simple, easy to follow and doesn’t use complicated words. 

The servers can tell you everything about the cocktails, from how the ingredients are made to the story of the wall art that matches each cocktail. Some guests are interested in that. If you just want to come and enjoy some good drinks without long stories, that’s okay too.

fable is for cocktail connoisseurs and those who just want a fun drink. Image: fable

The most popular cocktails are… 

The one with the paintbrush, which was from one of our first menus (we change the menu regularly). It's still available because of how much people love it. The cocktail is Tanqueray No. Ten, litchi, citrus & soda. You stir with a paintbrush dipped in edible glitter and it turns a different colour. 

The castle of good hope is Don Julio Blanco, peach and lemon topped with Fanta Grape foam. Sounds weird, but it works. You get handcuffed to the glass because it’s inspired by the Grey Lady that supposedly haunts the Castle, which was the site of gruesome punishments. 


The one with the paintbrush. Image: fable

Our sleeper picks are…  

The lighting bird, which is based on the Xhosa fable of impundulu, a vampiric bird of death. The cocktail looks like a giant egg in a bird’s nest and is topped with orange gel in white meringue. It has warming flavours of orange, chai and sherry. 

The birkenhead drill’s flavours are bold and courageous, just like the soldiers involved in the sinking of the HMS Birkenhead, the cocktail’s namesake. Some ingredients include pandan (an aromatic leaf used in South Asian cooking), espresso and coconut cream. 

The lightning bird. Image: fable

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, try…

Ordering a classic cocktail. Most people don’t know that we do this too. Our best sellers are the espresso martini, pornstar martini, paloma and margarita. 

There are still choices on the classic menu that’ll surprise you. Paper plane (Woodford Reserve, Aperol, amaro nonino and lime) and el diablo (Espolon Tequila Blanco, crème de cassis, lime and ginger soda) are modern classic cocktails which many people don’t know.


fable also has an extensive classic cocktail menu. Image: fable

We’re for the naturally curious. This is reflected in our food too… 

As our menu is designed for sharing and tasting lots of different dishes. The popcorn chicken is our most popular dish. It’s like KFC sprinkle pops, but better. You put bite-sized fried chicken into a cocktail shaker, sprinkle the seasoning in (there are three to choose from), and shake.


The popcorn chicken is deep fried, crunchy and moreish. Image: fable

Our bar manager, JJ Hendricks, calls our interior “industrial preschool”... 

Because of the moody atmosphere and big doodles on the black walls. The art was designed by the esteemed Raoul Goetze from Palm Black Tattoo. Each signature cocktail gets a cool design which you can see on the menu and walls.

The wall art is designed by Raoul Goetze from Palm Black Tattoo. Image: fable

Insider tip: Order from the rush hour menu…

When the bar is super busy, sometimes the cocktails can take a while to prepare because of how intricately they’re crafted. The rush hour menu cocktails are quicker to make.

Another tip: Try to sit by the bar so you can watch the bartenders at work. They are some of the best in South Africa.

The bartenders’ craft is an impressive performance. Image: fable

My favourite cocktail on our menu is…

The apple It’s Casamigos Blanco, chardonnay, green apple cordial and lime. It’s light, simple and really delicious.


The apple. Image: fable

MORE ON FABLE 

fable is open: Tuesday - Wednesday, 5pm - 12am; Thursday 5pm - 1am; Friday - Saturday, 4pm - 1am; Sunday 4pm - 12am 
Find it: Corner Bree Street and Wale Street, Cape Town City Centre 
Book: 066 009 7786 or info@fablecocktailbar.capetown
See more: fable website or @fablecpt on Instagram

By Julia Rowley

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