Sitting at the foot of the famous Table Mountain, South Africa’s Mother City is definitely not short on amazing rooftop bars with stellar views. Whether you are looking for a casual watering hole with a lively atmosphere or you wish to enjoy artisan cocktails in a swanky joint, here is our list of the best Cape Town bars with magnificent views.
1 The Waiting Room
The City Bowl’s Waiting Room sits on top of Royale Watery and offers great views of the CDB and Table Mountain from its light-lined balcony. Expect to see many art students from the nearby UCT’s Hiddingh Campus, as well as tourists looking for a late-night drink. This hip rooftop bar displays a chic interior, has a lovely indoor lounge, and houses an excellent dancefloor where you can shake your hips to live music throughout the week. In case you just wish to unwind away from the loud music, the adjacent rooftop terrace offers a chill vibe. As for the menu, the bar has a nice selection of craft beers and spirits.
2 Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar
Cloud 9 Boutique and Spa Hotel boasts one of the best rooftop bars in the Mother City. Offering jaw-dropping city and mountain views, this magnificent bar is a great place to spend the evening and enjoy refreshing cocktails. There is also a nice plunge pool where guests can cool down in summer. In case you get hungry, the Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar serves everything from tasty pizzas to delicious sushi platters.
3 Sky Bar – The Grey Hotel
No list of Cape Town bars with a view would be complete without mentioning the Grey Hotel’s Sky Bar. If you are looking for that perfect sundowner bar with panoramic views of the city and mouthwatering cocktails, you’ve most definitely come to the right place. Besides an extensive drink list and spectacular views, guests can also go for a dip in a small lap pool.
4 Sky Bar – Grand Daddy Hotel
Well-known for its 7 themed airstream trailers, the Grand Daddy Hotel is located right in the center of Cape Town and boasts a lovely rooftop terrace with stellar views of the city and Table Mountain. Enjoy a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail at the Sky Bar at the Grand Daddy’s wooden deck or go see a movie at the Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema which is adjacent to the hotel. The bar offers an excellent wine list, as well as many local and international craft beers.
5 Rick’s Café Américain
Rick’s Café Américain is an amazing Casablanca-themed restaurant located just off the popular Kloof Street inside a 100-year-old Victorian building. They serve delicious Moroccan food, offer excellent happy hour specials from 3 pm to 7 pm, and have a lovely rooftop terrace that is a great place to spend a warm summer night while enjoying views of Signal Hill and Table Mountain. On the drinks menu, expect to find an extensive list of craft beers and cocktails.
6 Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
With a moody interior and a Japanese vibe, Tjing Tjing is one of the most authentic Cape Town bars. Situated inside a 200-year-old building, this rooftop bar serves the best Japanese-influenced cocktails and offers a trendy ambiance. Light snacks and platters are available from the popular Tjing Tjing Momiji Restaurant which is located on the ground floor. Thanks to the mixed outdoors and indoors space, visitors can enjoy the rooftop bar even in winter.
7 The Vue
Vue’s rooftop bar is one of the newer bars in the city. It sits on the top of the Mirage building and offers incredible views of Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, and Table Mountain. The good news is that there are both indoor and outdoor venues, making it a perfect place to visit in summer and winter. Whether you wish to enjoy sundowner drinks like cocktails and wine or have a light meal while experiencing spectacular views, this sky bar lounge has it all.
Recommended Accommodation
8 Harald’s Bar & Terrace at Park Inn by Radisson
Situated on the 1st floor of the Park Inn by Radisson, Harald’s Bar & Terrace is an incredible place to visit and enjoy panoramic views of the city’s skyline and Table Mountain. There is a nice rooftop pool with sun loungers where visitors can relax during the day. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and order one of the bar’s signature cocktails. There is also live music every Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
9 Yours Truly
The rooftop terrace above Yours Truly is one of the most popular bars on Kloof Street. If you wish to enjoy cheap beers, eat delicious pizza, and experience stunning views of Table Mountain, look no further than this cool venue. The crowd here is diverse and ranges from tourists and student travelers to friendly locals. There are also live DJ sessions happening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 pm.
10 Silo Hotel Rooftop Bar
Silo Hotel is without a doubt one of the best hotels at the V&A Waterfront. What makes it even better is that it houses a stunning rooftop bar with panoramic views of the mountains, harbor, ocean, and the city. The infinity pool here is spectacular, as well as classic cocktails and premium South African wines that you can order at the bar. Keep in mind that this swanky rooftop bar is extremely popular and it’s recommended to reserve a spot in advance.
Looking for more tips on how to plan the perfect summer holiday in Cape Town? Our team of travel experts are on hand to help you enjoy the holiday you deserve. Whether you are looking for accommodation options in major destinations such as the City Centre, Waterfront, De Waterkant or anywhere else, or a rewarding tour or even travel tips, we are always on hand to help you get started. Get in touch for more tips on rooftop bars in Cape Town and other fun things to enjoy this summer.