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A guide to East City’s hottest block, Harrington Street
From dazzling disco & whiskey dinners to live music
Last updated: Thursday, 19 June 2025
The East City is in the process of a rebirth. And at the centre of it are four nightlife hubs under one roof. A Gatsby-esque lounge with whiskey dinners and dazzling disco parties; a live music venue with rock ‘n roll; rum cocktails at a Hemingway-inspired bar; and a dive bar with bunny chows. Here are the dishes, cocktails and events to try when you’re at Harrington Street.
Each venue at Harringtons has its own dance floors and crowds. Image: Harrington Street
EAST CITY’S HARRINGTON STREET
It’s a tale of transformation. The Harrington Street building has been around since the ‘60s, and has gone from being a grungy-cool live music spot to a vibrant nightlife hub with four eclectic restaurants and bars under one roof.
There’s Surfa Rosa, the friendly neighbourhood dive bar with rock music and bunny chow; the high-tech live music venue and nightclub, District; and the Cuban-inspired Rum Runner balcony bar.
Right next door is the namesake of the street, Harringtons Cocktail Lounge. It has lush velvet booths, a wrap-around bar and panoramic window that'll remind you of a scene from The Great Gatsby.
Each venue at Harringtons has its own vibe and crowd. Image: Harrington Street
THE TALE OF THE CURIOUS COCKTAILS
What happened when The V&T killed the G&T? You’ll find out at Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, where each cocktail has a curious name, like Sapphire People (gin, white vermouth, peach, fresh lime & basil) and Bittersweet Mexican (burnt honey and charred grapefruit with Avion Reposado, fresh lime and soda).
You could also hangout on the balcony at Rum Runner, a bar inspired by Havana’s golden age of rum drinking. There’s rum cocktails like Spiced Old Fashion (Bacardi Carta Negra with vanilla & cinnamon) and Caribbean Nights (Bacardi 4YO with citrus, mango & chilli).
There’s daily happy hours from 4pm - 6pm. Image: Harrington Street
FROM GATSBY-ESQUE TO DISCO DINING
Besides the classic art deco furnishings and unique cocktails, regulars keep coming back to Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge for their classy dinners and tapas to share.
Food faves vary from Korean fried chicken with gangjeong sauce to corn ribs with chipotle vegan mayo. For mains the flame-grilled rib-eye is highly recommended. There’s also burgers, flatbreads and sweet treats like a double chocolate brownie or affogato ice cream.
Harringtons has a variety of tapas to share with friends. Image: Harrington Street
Just underneath the snazzy lounge is the edgy dive bar Surfa Rosa, pumping with rock music, beers and punk graffiti. And it serves a Durban-style mutton or butter bean bunny chow every Wednesday, perfect for a pre-party meal. There’s also pizza and burgers.
Surfa Rosa also has a snack menu with light bites. Image: Harrington Street
ALMOST DAILY FOOD SPECIALS & EVENTS
Harrington's Cocktail Lounge is the place to kickstart your week(end) because of their almost-daily food and drinks specials.
Wine and Dine Wednesdays: Three-course dinner with three wine pairings for R350pp.
Tacos, Tunes & Tequila Thursdays: Two-for-one tacos and happy hour margaritas.
Whiskey Dinner Fridays: Three-course dinner and three Jameson cocktails.
The specials change often so see more details on the Harringtons website.
All this is followed by a little disco under the mirror ball with the resident DJs. Image: Harrington Street
LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEK
After dinner, the different venues transform into a hub of live music. District nightclub is the place to be for mosh pits, stage dives and electronic dance parties with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.
Some nights are an intimate jol (think hip-hop, electronic, or hyper-pop); and others are rock and punk with bands like Springbok Nude Girls, Desmond and the Tutus and Elle E.
And right next door is a glittering dance party at Harringtons Cocktail Lounge. Thursdays have a vibe all on their own with East City Sessions, inspired by the music of District Six. Bands like Nomadic Orchestra or Sonik Citizen and Cape Tone have performed in the past.
After 10pm the DJ hits the decks with sounds of techno. Image: Harrington Street
HOSTING GRAND AFFAIRS (BIRTHDAYS & EVENTS)
Birthdays, corporate functions or special occasions are what Harrington Street is made for. You can book out one (or all) of the venues for a soiree. There’s special menus and canapes, DJs and live bands, plus they decorate the space for you. It can even take up to 400 people. Find out more about venue booking at Harrington Street.
Host a stellar birthday party or corporate function venue. Image: Harrington Street
This four-in-one nightlife spot is a hub of local music, curious cocktails and dazzling parties for any and every occasion.
VISIT HARRINGTON STREET
Harringtons Cocktail Lounge: Wed, 5pm - 12am; Thur to Sat, 5pm - 4am
Surfa Rosa: Tue, Wed & Sat, 12pm - 12am; Thur & Fri, 12am - 4am
Find it 61b Harrington Street | District Six | Cape Town
Book: Via Dineplan
Contact on: 078 916 7903, bookings@harringtonstreet.co.za, @harringtonsct
By Lara van Zyl
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