Your Perfect Cape Town Function Venue

Function venues with a difference, plus plenty of traditional options, for your next event

Last updated: Thursday, 20 July 2023

If you’ve ever been tasked with organising a birthday bash, bachelor/ette party, wedding, baby shower, anniversary, family reunion, board meeting, conference, workshop or a bar/bat mitzvah, you’ll know that finding the perfect venue can strike fear in the heart of even the most enthusiastic party planner. Panic not – we’ve got the definitive line-up of places that’ll ease the pain and take your event to the next level.  

DINE, WORK OR PLAY IN THE AQUARIUM 

Host your own private event with magnificent marine displays. Two Oceans Aquarium has several versatile spaces for every kind of event, whether you want to watch over the kelp forest during a work conference or have the I&J Ocean Exhibit as a backdrop at your birthday dinner. You can even plan your year-end party at the aquarium. Discover 14 more secrets at Two Oceans Aquarium. 

Capacity: Varies according to venue
Nice to know: There’s an in-house team and kitchen staff, offering a variety of cuisine (including halaal)

Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | aquarium@aquarium.co.za | @2OceansAquarium | Image: Night Feast

BOOK A BEER HALL 

Looking for a more relaxed venue? Woodstock Brewery is easy-breezy, with beer tasting experiences, messy comfort food like burgers and schnitzels and loads of seating options, including a stunning balcony overlooking Albert Road. The Beerhall can seat up to 150 people, so it’s a great spot for larger events, but can work for smaller groups too, with the cosy corner tables or window booths. 

Capacity: 150 people sit-down, 200 people canape-style
Nice to know: Bring Woodstock Brewery to you. Hire a keg, tap unit and chilling system from the brewery and have beer on tap at your private function

252 Albert Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | 021 203 3045 | @woodstockbrewery | Image: Woodstock Brewery

CELEBRATE IN A 19TH CENTURY FARMHOUSE  

At Mardouw Country House, you can golf, mountain bike, hike, play games around the fireplace and more. It comes with a private chef (all meals are included), so it’s a fuss-free way to celebrate a milestone birthday, anniversary or even bachelor/ette over a weekend stay. They host small weddings too. Read more about the history of this luxury accommodation spot. 

Capacity: 10 people for stays, larger for weddings
Nice to know: You can organise an olive oil tasting during your stay, as it’s situated on an olive farm. 

R60 | Swellendam | 023 616 2999 | Website | Image: Mardouw Country House 

TAKE IN THE PICTURESQUE ORCHARDS

Cheverells Farm’s country café, the Cheverells Farm Shed, is the picturesque spot for a kitchen tea, 60th celebration, birthday party and more. With views of the Elgin Valley’s rolling green hills, guests can dine on wholesome food made with fresh farm ingredients. Learn more about owner Catherine Boome’s approach to food, and Cheverells’ flavour-packed small menu. 

Capacity: 50 people
Nice to know: There are two farm cottages if you’d like to extend the celebrations. 

5 Highlands Road | 060 861 104 | cheverellsfarm@gmail.com | @cheverellsfarm | Image: Cheverells Farm

HIRE THE ZIP ZAP DOME + BE ENTERTAINED

The Zip Zap Dome is a permanent circus tent, conveniently located near the CTICC and the Artscape Theatre, with ample parking. It offers a large, versatile space that  can be transformed into any kind of function venue, with whatever ambiance you desire – the only limitation is your creativity. When you hire the Zip Zap Dome, you’ll also get access to a stage, an in-house sound and lighting technician, toilets, medics and security.

Capacity: 600 people
Nice to know: You can add optional extras to your event, like canapés, three-course meals (crockery, cutlery and glassware included), decor, furniture and circus entertainment.


Look out for upcoming Zip Zap shows you can take your team to. Image: Joan Ward

WORK OR MEET ON A CBD ROOFTOP

Up your venue game and make an impression by hosting your event or meeting on the rooftop of the Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore. The hotel offers more conventional conference and meeting spaces too, but the one that’ll make your event stand out is on the 11th floor, at Harald’s Bar & Terrace. To make sure your meeting or event runs smoothly, there’s modern audiovisual equipment, good wifii, a dedicated events team and more.

Make your event memorable – host it on a CBD rooftop. Image: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore
 

WANT A LESS FORMAL FUNCTION? TRY SOTANO 

If work functions stress you out, here’s a venue that might smooth things over. It’s very relaxed, the menu is varied and has lots of options, the wine list is really good, the staff are chilled and will make you feel at home, and if you sit outside, you also get a great sea view and fresh air. Sotano is on the Mouille Point promenade and has an easy-breezy vibe. Oh, and the Mediterranean-inspired food is very tasty.

Capacity: 100 people seated, 200 standing for canapés
Nice to know: You can get lots of sharing plates, which can make things more cost-effective.

Sotano | 121 Beach Road | Mouille Point | 021 433 1757 | info@sotano.co.za | @sotanoct

CELEBRATE WITH A SEA VIEW

Thanks to it's three seating areas, Dutchies is a great spot for all sorts of functions. You could sit inside the restaurant, which at night is intimate and lit with candles. There's also the courtyard, where wooden tables surround an ancient milkwood tree, as well as the breezy outside ‘porch’ areas which have laidback low tables and comfy chairs. Dutchies is an easygoing restaurant right on Grotto Beach in Hermanus. Host a memorable function at Dutchies in Hermanus. 

Capacity: 135
Nice to know: Dutchies is able to cater for most specific requests such as music, outdoor tenting, special menus etc. 


Grotto Street | Grotto Beach | Hermanus | 028 314 1392 | Dutchies website

MAKE + TASTE YOUR OWN GIN

Distiller's Union, in Woodstock, is a working distillery where you can make your very own gin – including designing a personal label. You'll learn about flavour profiles and choose all the ingredients, and afterwards you can drink your personalised gin cocktail. How does that sound as an option for your next birthday party, team-building or jol with friends? Plus, you can take your personalised 500ml gin bottle home.

Capacity: 50 people
Nice to know: You can also book a beer tasting with Sweet River Brewery (just below the gin making station).

156 Victoria Road | Woodstock | 021 447 2517 | @distillersunion | Image: Distiller’s Union 

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FIND SPECIAL IDEAS AND VENUES FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY

Need to book a boardroom? Try Ideas Cartel, locations from CBD to Claremont and Stellenbosch.

Plan a sophisticated birthday getaway at Mardouw Country House (all meals included). 

Looking for ideas specifically for 21st, 30th and 50th bashes? Consult our guide to special birthday party venues in Cape Town.

Learn more about Woodstock Brewery and it's collection of rock n roll beers (plus, you can hire it for an epic party).

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