Stepping out in southern suburbs nightlife style

Cape Town's southern suburbs are sure to turn city slickers into southern socialites

'How y'all doin'?' Wrong South. 'Are you havin' a bubble, geezer?' Wrong again. 'Tudo Bem?' Other side of the world. 'Howzit, Bru?' That's right. If it took you through deep South drawl, to cockney rhyming slang, to Brazilian Portuguese to get to the Southern Suburbs in Cape Town, then you're obviously too much of a city slicker.

Hang around Cape Town's Southern Suburbs long enough, and you could rub shoulders with Prince Harry, sample the crème de la crème of fine wines and live music; or, you could just throw caution to the South Easter wind and dance on a table.

Whatever you're calling, we've scoured the South to bring you enough unique venues to transform even the slickest city slicker into a Southern socialite.

Friday night

Summer time is the right time to unwind, with a free glass of vodka for ladies on Fridays, in a heaving beer garden. As the night draws on, you head inside. You are greeted by six bars and a dance floor, lit up with fabulous lighting and sound capability. You're dancing to modern pop and classics (Springbok Pub | 1 Sport Pienaar Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +21 (0)21 671 4251). Afterwards, you head to a popular student bar, playing old classics. Despite the large dance floor, the crowd are dancing the night away on tables and chairs – you feel compelled to join them (Tin Roof |Corner of Main Road | Claremont and Stegman Road |Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 6888).

Saturday night

You've spent the day in Newlands, trawling boutique clothing stores. You rest your weary legs at a wine bar, set in a beautiful forest and bordering Constantia, to sample wine from over 50 different wine estates. You select a book from their library and relax by the fireplace with your warming glass (De Wijnhuis Wine Bar |Kildare Street | Main Street | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 671 9705). Your relaxed, wine meander takes you to an affordable, yet high-class bar, where you can sample the wine route, just far enough from the hustle and bustle of city life (Caveau at the Mill |13 Boundary Road | Newlands | Cape Town |  +27 (0)21 424 8154).

Saturday is turning into quite a sophisticated evening, as you head to a state-of the-art club with intimate seating and walls adorned with candle lights. You take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free special, dance to commercial house and mingle with TV and sports stars (Tiger Tiger |103 Main Road | Stadium on Main | Upper Ground Level |Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 683 2220).

Sunday night

Another sunny day sees you in a beer garden, packed to capacity. You and your friends indulge in a hearty Sunday carvery, whilst listening to live jazz, from 13:00-16:00 (Foresters Arms |52 Newlands Avenue | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 689 5949). After your fill of food, you head to a wine bar, set in an exclusive, five-star hotel, for a sumptuous dessert of peanut butter with chocolate berries. You take a stroll in the hotel gardens to end your evening (The Martini Bar | 93 Brommersvlei Road | Constantia | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 794 2137).

Monday night

You sit in an 163-seater theatre, watching an intimate, dramatic theatre performance, by local actors. The theatre, opened in 1977, also boasts a larger auditorium, seating 666, and a large concert hall with an organ. The venue regularly features classical music, opera, comedy and dance (Baxter Theatre Centre | Main Road | Rondebosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 685 7880).

Tuesday night

After a long day at work, you're greeted by a warm, friendly, European-style wine bar. You recline on a leather couch, playing Jenga with a friend and indulging in a Tuesday special – two standard pizzas and a jug of draught beer, R99 (Oblivion Wine Bar |22 Chichester Road | Harfield Village | Kenilworth | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 671 8522).

Wednesday night

You opt for pre-dinner beers at a popular student pub, with big screens, a jukebox and gaming machines (Pig & Swizzle |24a Main Road | Rondebosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 689 1915). Its mid-week and you're feeling lively, so you head to a restaurant with a sprinkle of pixie dust. Performing waiters serve up Mediterranean cuisine and the shared chocolate fondue receives your standing ovation (Stardust | 165 Main Road | Rondebosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 686 6280).

Thursday night

On the streets of Kenilworth, you spot a huge yellow bar. Intrigued, you enter the island-vibe, and in doing so, are treated to a Caribbean barbecue on a sunlit deck. Your sipping on Jose Cuervo and sampling some of the best chilli poppers in Cape Town whilst listening to live music (Banana Jam Cafe |157 2nd Avenue | Kenilworth | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 0186).

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/Mouille Point,  Nightlife in the City Centre, Nightlife in De Waterkant Nightlife in Woodstock and Observatory, Nightlife in the Northern Suburbs and our Top Ten Nightlife Venues in Cape Town.

By Lisa Nevitt