Navigating the northern suburbs by night

A showcase of real South African culture in Cape Town’s northern suburbs

Where might you find a sense of real South African nightlife close to Cape Town city – vibrant colours, fresh meat from the braai and langarm, that typically Afrikaans style of no-frills partner dancing? Where might you uncover can-do creativity and family life, witness inspiring South African theatre performances and show-stopping live music? Capetonians sure know how to throw a party and there's one happening right here, underneath the bright lights of the Northern nights.

We, at CapeTownMagazine.com, navigated Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs, to bring you a selection of nightlife venues showcasing the best of local arts and culture. Try something a little, uhm, different.

Friday night

The weekend arrives with a splash of Latin spice and you're draped over a lounge chair in a crisp shirt and jeans, whilst a DJ spins commercial, salsa and tribal beats. You sip on a cocktail, intricately made at the bar’s specialist, cocktail section, whilst expert bar tenders dazzle onlookers with flame flaring techniques (Cubana Havana Lounge |92 Edward Street | Tygervalley | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 910 4963).

Saturday night

Having spent the day trying your luck at Grand West's poker tables and slot machines, you head to a bar for a live-music show and a glittering, theatrical performance (Roxy Revue Bar). Inspired by the energetic performance, you decide to continue your night at a New Orleans-style bar, with a large dance floor and DJ's (Hanover Street |1 Vanguard Drive | Goodwood | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 505 7777).

Sunday night

It’s a sunny day and you’re thinking of having some friends over for a braai. You visit a state-of-the-art butchery to buy lamb ribs, chicken thigh kebabs with sweet and sour marinade and sliced sirloin steak. The meat, along with a beer or a Klipdrift and Coke, goes down well with your friends (Skaapland |21 Pasita Street | Rosenpark | Bellville | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 914 9740).

Monday night

There's nothing like starting off the week with a few drinks, so you and a friend head to a sexy bar on Bellville's nightlife strip, Edward Street. Lounging is encouraged in this relaxed environment and you're soon sipping on cocktails, whilst the DJ spins commercial beats (Cougar Lounge | 92 Edward Street | Bellville | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 910 4963).

Tuesday night

You visit a 500-capacity theatre, with a large stage, in Tygervalley. You and a friend order pizza and coffee from the bar and settle down for a dramatic performance, showcasing the best of local talent (Barnyard Theatre | Shop F09 |First Floor | Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre | 39 Carl Kronje Drive | Tygervalley | Cape Town | +27 (0)84 713 8474).

Wednesday

You and your partner take a bottle of brandy and a pack of biltong to a popular langarm dance venue, in Bellville. Langarm, or sokkie is a dance with a galloping beat that locals will literally perform until they are drenched in sweat to any kind of music, from techno to Steve Hoffmeyer, in a grand hall setting (Danskraal | Oakdale Industrial | Bellville | Cape Town |+27 (0)21 979 4404).

Thursday

With one finger on the pulse when it comes to new and upcoming musicians, you head to a bar that hosts an open mic night. You indulge in happy our specials, whilst talented musicians and sound engineers play over an impressive, in-house PA system (Corner Bar |Corner of Queens Road and New Street | Durbanville | Cape Town |info@cornerbar.co.za).


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 and Mouille Point, Nightlife in De Waterkant, Nightlife in Woodstock/Observatory, Nightlife in the Southern Suburbs, Nightlife in the City Centre and our 10 Top Nightlife Venues in Cape Town.

By Lisa Nevitt

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