Friday Night at The Bay Harbour Market

Ring in the weekend with live music, craft beer, hearty fare and happy shopping in Hout Bay

If you’ve ever gotten that ‘can’t sit still, jumping out of your skin, jacked up for the weekend, but it’s only 2pm on a Friday’ feeling, there’s really only one place you should make a beeline for when the clock strikes five: The Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay.

Though it may call one of Cape Town’s sleepy seaside villages home, this water’s edge evening affair has more energy than the Loony Tunes lovechild of Taz the Tasmanian devil and the Road Runner. Here's a place your manic ‘it’s the weekend!’ vibe will fit right in.

As is the case with its Saturday and Sunday mid-morning to afternoon counterparts, the night market’s best known for its unique buzz, and on the final evening of the workweek, there’s a particularly vibrant thrum.

Expect craft beer-lovers swapping stories over trays of tasters, a jam-packed live music line-up, people pushing back tables to make dancing room, mollusc mavens slurping up ocean-fresh oysters and sparkling wine and, more generally, a colourful air of celebration.

Of course, those less taken with the clinking of happy hour glasses can rather find space in front of the massive fireplace or outside in the courtyard to share some of the market’s delectable food – there’s everything from the exotic (sushi, Tunisian falafel and Mexican cuisine) to the traditional (Cape Malay curries, pancakes and slow-cooked deboned leg of lamb).

Not to mention the market’s 80+ stall traders, which means you can peruse the assortment of uniquely South African novelties, vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, wellness goods, soft furnishings, antiques and more. As was expected from a market of old, The Bay Harbour mainly comprises of small traders who are directly responsible for making their own products. That means that you’ll most likely have the opportunity to engage with the crafters or artists themselves before you make your final purchase.

All in all, whether you’re on the hunt for some happy shopping, a helluva good happy hour or a hearty meal, The Bay Harbour Market has just what the good doctor ordered.

OPENING TIMES AND COST OF THE BAY HARBOUR MARKET IN HOUT BAY

The Bay Harbour Market’s Friday night affair runs from 5pm to 9pm. There is no entrance fee, and the live music performances are on the house.

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For a fresh and healthy Winelands twist, check out the Boschendal Friday Night Market in Franschhoek.

Looking for something to do in Hout Bay? Catch the queen of underground at this live acoustic show.

Want to know more about how this to-do became of Cape Town’s foremost markets? Read about our first time at The Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay.

If you can't make it on a Friday, there are a number of Sunday markets to keep you busy.

And while you are at it check out our top 10 markets specially selected for you.

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These are only a few of the happenings in Cape Town and surrounds for the month of May, so be sure to check out our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!

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