Your Perfect Cape Town Function Venue

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

Last updated: 23 January 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.  

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 

WHALE WATCH AT BURGUNDY

Contemporary bistro Burgundy Restaurant is in a prime spot for whale-watching. Set high above the historic old harbour, the restaurant’s panoramic views stretch across Walker Bay. This means that diners will be able to see whales breaching from their table on the open veranda. The restaurant is known for its high culinary standard and the menu is extensive, from the hearty beer-battered hake and chips, to its famous seafood pasta or and specialty abalone dish. There are so many reasons Burgundy Restaurant has one of the best locations an eatery can have.

Capacity: 320 as a full house but 160 during Covid-19
Nice to know: Surrounded by a host of local artwork, a craft market and a whale museum.

7 Harbour Road | Hermanus | 028 312 2800 | Image: Burgundy

ROOFTOP GLITZ AND GLAM

If you’re looking for a place to throw a classy shindig, then how about a rooftop venue overlooking Cape Town’s city centre? There are panoramic views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the city skyline, a large balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows all around, a contemporary built-in bar and an impressive retractable skylight roof at Rooftop on Bree.

Capacity: 120 people
Nice to know: You’ll have the option to hire a production manager, who will take charge of all your production needs.


170 Bree Street | Cape Town CBD | 078 879 0562 | bookings@rooftoponbree.com

IT’S ALL ABOUT WINE (AND UNIQUE CUISINE)

The Wine Glass is a spacious venue, stylish but also easy-going, a place where friends can meet for lunch, a fun celebration or sundowners on the sun-drenched deck. The decor is contemporary, with bursts of turquoise, white chairs, sleek grey couches and the Instagrammable wine wall of fame. This trendy Hermanus wine-tasting venue and restaurant has close to 100 wines on offer, either to savour by glass, or in a tasting flight (group of wines) of six. Once you find the one you love, you can take a bottle or two home. Plus, you can also order unique dishes such as the firecracker duck or antelope spring rolls at The Wine Glass.

Capacity: 100-140
Nice to know: Test your palate or broaden your knowledge with a blind or horizontal tasting.


2 Harbour Rd, Hermanus | 082 082 0007 | info@thewineglass.guru

THIS VENUE SET IN NATURE IS PERFECT FOR FUNCTIONS

Bona Dea Private Estate is set high on the mountain slopes surrounding the gorgeous Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It’s a unique, luxurious wedding and function venue just 90 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. Close to the small town of Hermanus, which is famous for its excellent whale-watching, the estate has excellent facilities, including an elegant ballroom, for conferences, seminars, executive board-meetings and gala dinners. Even team-building sessions are offered at Bona Dea Private Estate.

Capacity: Up to 200 people.
Nice to know: There’s a large ceremonial tree-filled terrace adorned with 20 000 fairy lights.


Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | Hermanus | 028 050 0370 | eventsmanager@bonadea.co.za

PICTURE-PERFECT ESCAPE IN APPLE COUNTRY

“Weddings here are just different, so relaxed, no stress – it must be the fresh air or just this place,” says one happy Cherry Glamper. This ultra-cosy glampsite, In Elgin, with a lounge, family table, fireplace, braai, covered viewdeck with adjoining lapa and firepit is ideal for functions (you don’t pay venue hire, just the accommodation) and big birthday parties. It’s just an hour from the city. Go Cherry Glamping with your team for a low-tech team getaway.

Capacity: Seating for 80, accommodation for 100. (but more can be arranged upon request)
Nice to know: Also try low-tech Wednesdays at Cherry Glamping’s team-building getaways.


Groenrug Estate, N2, Grabouw | +27 (0)82 788 9837, info@cherryglamping.co.za

URBAN AFRICAN BEACH RESTAURANT WITH KILLER VIEWS

Vibrant colours, a live DJ, an exotic local menu, refreshing cocktails and a view over Big Bay, Table Mountain and Robben Island – surely a combination for a successful event? This is one of our favourite hidden gems and perhaps the best place to get the full Cape Town experience. Find out why moyo at Eden on The Bay is perhaps the most Capetonian beach restaurant.

Capacity: Up to 400. 
Nice to know: You can dangle your feet in the shallow pool below your table.

Eden On The Bay Mall | Otto Du Plessis Drive | Big Bay/Blouberg | 021 286 0662

AC HOTEL CAPE TOWN WATERFRONT

The hotel, located on the quiet Dockrail Road next to the harbour, has four state-of-the-art meeting rooms and a boardroom with a total of over 250m2 of event space. All the meeting rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbour. Their event spaces include cutting-edge audiovisual technology and high-speed internet access. Enjoy snacks while on a creative coffee break in the AC Lounge or experience a bespoke private dinner in the AC Kitchen. There are 188 guest rooms and suites at the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront.

Capacity: Enquire online
Nice to know: At the gin & tonic trolley you get to choose between three different infused tonics and your preferred gin.

Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town | 021 137 1100

UNDER THE SEA: UNIQUE FUNCTIONS IN THE CITY

This underwater wonderland at the V&A Waterfront is an out-of-the-ordinary option for events. For large conferences and expos, there’s the two-level AVENUE at the Two Oceans Aquarium. For a smaller event, choose one of four spaces, three of which look out onto kelp forests, ragged-tooth sharks, stingrays, turtles and small exhibits of spider crabs, jellyfish, anemones and more. Venues can be adjusted to suit specific needs when hosting events and functions at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Capacity: 10–1500 depending on the room you choose and the function type.
Nice to know: Your booking includes access to the aquarium (for day functions).

Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town | 021 418 3823 | functions@aquarium.co.za
 

PARIS IN THE WINELANDS

An explosion of green on Franschhoek’s Wemmershoek Road. Every kind of wedding “environment” you can dream up. Massive grounds for outdoor events, a versatile indoor banquet hall or intimate cellar venue. Discover La Paris Estate, with a bistro, deli and on-site bakery for your next function in Franschhoek.

Capacity: 90–450 people
Nice to know: All of this just 12 minutes outside of Paarl and Franschhoek.

R301, Wemmershoek Road, Franschhoek | events@laparis.co.za

PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY AT THIS BEAUTIFUL VINEYARD

Haskell Vineyards is the idyllic setting for an intimate function. The picnic area is ideal for an informal function like a family picnic or a baby shower, while the Longtable Restaurant can seat guests and a dance floor can be set up outside. It is an excellent location for beautiful views and to dance the night away under the stars. There are also two houses that are perfectly suited for the bride and groom to get ready in or spend the wedding night. Read about their 2019 Platter's award and find out about Haskell's 2019 sundowners and picnics. 

Best for: Intimate weddings and functions
Capacity: The Longtable Restaurant is also the perfect venue for a small wedding, as it seats up to 75 people, and 120 maximum if you incorporate the outside area as well.


Haskell Vineyards | Annandale Road (off the R44) | Somerset West | 021 881 3746

BE A PART OF THE ACTION ON LONG STREET

A familiar favourite on top of bustling Long Street, Lola's is available every evening for private functions. The décor is warm and lush with plants, and its contemporary bistro fare includes steamed, perfectly plump mussels, beautifully-cooked fish and the famous Karan steak sandwich. It's the perfect venue for small to medium groups looking for their own private space, where one can watch the night on Long Street unfold at Lola's.

Capacity: 20–50 (minimum booking of 15 is required)
Nice to know: Also available for engagement parties and film and photoshoots

228 Long Street | Cape Town | 021 423 088 5228 | hello@lolas.co.za

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FIND SPECIAL IDEAS AND VENUES FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY

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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