July 12

Cape Town’s Top 10 Live Music Venues

July 12, 2013

In between winelands trips, Table Mountain hikes, lazy beach days and six-course gourmet meals, many visitors to the Mother City want a little something more… something to get the head bobbing, “the ears titillated” as my boss would say. Cape Town is full of little underground and not so underground music venues to explore.

Being socialites ourselves, we have compiled suggestions from our team of travel experts, groupies and band-aids to create our list of Cape Town’s Top 10 Live Music Venues.

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1. Asoka

What do Bengal tigers, Buddhas, Vietnamese fishing baskets and a New York style DJ booth have in common? They all make up the decor at Asoka. Situated in a Victorian Town House on the popular Kloof Street, Asoka hosts Jazz Nights every Tuesday. Inspiration for this restaurant-bar was taken from the third Mauryan Emperor of India, also named Asoka. The central feature is an ancient olive tree – the oldest in Cape Town. Enjoy a night of Jazz, tapas and cocktails blended by expert resident mixologists, amid a relaxed, diverse crowd. It’s a small venue and tables fill up quickly so arrive early. The Tuesday Live Jazz show is from 8 – 10pm followed by deep house. Entrance is free.

68 Kloof Street, Gardens | +27 21 422 0909

The olive tree at Asoka
Image credit: Asoka Restaurant, Bar and Lounge

2. Sgt. Pepper 

Hip and happening on Cape Town’s Long Street is the vibey venue of Sgt. Pepper.  A retro-style bar and eatery with several unique areas, there’s space for all personalities and occasions. Live music is typically played on Thursday’s and Saturday’s but be sure to keep up with their Facebook page and website for information on any exciting events or specials.

194 Long Street | +27 21 424 5608

Sgt. Pepper Bar & Eatery Long Street, Cape Town
Photo Credit: Sgt. Pepper

3. The Crypt Jazz Restaurant

If you’re a Jazz fan, head down to the Crypt for live Jazz situated under St Georges Cathedral. As co-founder Mario Thompson says, ““We are first and foremost a jazz bar, not a restaurant that happens to offer live music.” At the centre is a raised circular stage, where esteemed local and international ensembles play five nights a week before candlelit tables. Take in your music with a light snack or dinner. Cover charge of R100. Open Tuesday to Saturday 7 – 11pm.

c/o Wale and Adderley Streets | +27 79 683 4658

The Crypt Jazz Restaurant Cape Town
Photo Credit: The Crypt Jazz Restaurant

4. The Piano Bar

Be entertained by various new talents at this trendy New York-inspired music revue bar and eatery. Situated in the popular De Waterkant area, the bar has a wraparound terrace where guests can mingle and take in views of the surrounding village and mountain. Behold the baby grand piano inside, from where the muso of the night will delight you. There’s a cosy bar room with a wood-burning fireplace to hide away in on winter nights. Music begins at 7.30pm every night.

47 Napier Street, De Waterkant | +27 81 851 6000

The Piano Bar Cape Town, South Africa
Photo Credit: The Piano Bar

5. Café Roux

Whether you’re visiting Noordhoek or having a night on the town, Café Roux’s ‘sessions’ are bound to be something to smile about. The venues play host to a variety of established, popular bands such as Prime Circle, Gangs of Ballet and artists like Jesse Clegg and Ard Matthews. Over the weekends Noordhoek Roux sometimes invites some of the top South African bands to play ‘unplugged’ sessions on Saturday afternoon as well as acoustic live music on Sundays. During the week you can expect popular artists in both venues. Keep up-to-date with their session schedules for both venues. For Noordhoek, click here. For Shortmarket Street click here.

Noordhoek Farm Village – +27 21 789 2538 | 74 Shortmarket Street – +27 61 339 4438

6. Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace

If, like us, you’re a fan of whiskey, you’ll find a home here at the Bascule, which boasts the largest selection of whiskies in the Southern Hemisphere. Situated on a private quay in the V&A Waterfront, the bar has been newly-refurbished and hosts live jazz on Wednesday evenings. Watch our video of the Cape Grace, featuring the Bascule Bar.

West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront | +27 21 410 7100

Bascule Bar Cape Town
Photo Credit: Cape Grace Bascule Bar

7. Harvey’s at Winchester Mansions

Enjoy a Jazz Brunch at Harvey’s every Sunday, from 11am to 2pm. Positioned on Beach Road, overlooking the ocean, Harvey’s is the ideal setting to sit back and enjoy a slow Cape Town Sunday. Relax on the terrace of this bistro by day and restaurant by night and enjoy a delicious brunch while browsing the Sunday paper and listening to the music on offer. Cost is R345/person for regular events and R395 for special events.

221 Beach Road, Sea Point | +27 21 434 2351

Winchester Mansions Cape Town, South Africa
Photo Credit: Winchester Mansions

8The House of Machines 

Set in one of Cape Town’s historic workshops, The House of Machines forms a fusion between coffee, craft beer, cocktails and custom bikes. Offering locally-sourced food and live music from their ‘Songwriter’s Showcase’ as well as monthly artist residencies, THoM is a comfortable, intimate listening space. Live music is played during the evenings Tuesday to Saturday.

84 Shortmarket Street | +27 21 462 1400

House of Machines Cape Town, South Africa
Photo Credit: House of Machines

9. Mama Africa

For music with an African influence, pull up a chair at Long Street’s Mama Africa any day of the week from 8pm. While enjoying hearty African dishes at your table or a drink or two at the bar, take in live music performed by young local musicians. There are three marimba bands which each play twice a week. You might even be moved to get up and give the cosy dancefloor a whirl.

178 Long Street, Cape Town | +27 21 424 8634

Mama Africa live music Cape Town
Photo Credit: Mama Africa Restaurant

10. Stardust

If you’ve never experienced theatrical dining, this is your chance at Stardust. A Mediterranean restaurant unlike any other where you will be served by waiters who not only attend to your every need but put on an entertaining show while doing so. With quirky decor and top talent, look no further for a sensational rendition of ‘dinner and a show’. Booking is essential. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

118 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock | +27 21 462 7777

Stardust theatrical dining Cape Town
Photo Credit: Stardust

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About the author 

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin has been exploring, writing about and photographing Africa ever since her first job as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. She's lived on an island, eaten with lions, sailed catamarans in the Indian Ocean, tracked wild dogs with Kinglsey Holgate, and white water rafted down the Zambezi and has kept just about every airplane ticket that has crossed her hands.

  • This should be top 10 jazz venues. I’d love to see The Black Cat Bones (SA’s best Live Band) play at these venues. Why is there no Mercury Live? The Quarry? Perigators?

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