Cape Town has always been a city known for its arts and beauty. With an abundance of artists and performers, live music venues and theatres, we look at some prime places to get your aural stimulation in an intimate setting. Whether you’re a lover of the sophisticated saxophone, the haunting lyrics of folk singers, or the distorted drive of rock n roll, Geraint Bojé has an eclectic array of venues for you.
The House of Machines
Created to be a home for the community, this welcoming venue aims to enable people from all walks of life to find a shared camaraderie.
THOM curates more than your finest local singer-songwriter. It stocks the best of Evil Twin coffee, and a range of cocktails and craft beers that will compel any connoisseur to frequent its premises. It also houses, pardon the pun, apparel that can be found in stores across Cape Town, and parts of the USA, China, and Japan.
Every Tuesday, you can find yourself entertained by the songwriter’s showcase. Catch all the up-and-coming artists of Cape Town at this open-mic event, to ensure that you grasp a glimpse of the next Bob Dylan. THOM will guarantee that you’re entertained by performing artists or comedians every other day of the week. However, if you prefer to sway to the beats of DJs and Producers, Thursday nights might accommodate you best.
No matter the person, THOM unites people through their love of music, beer, bikes, cocktails, coffee and apparel.
Where: 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre
When: Mon 7:30am – 11.30pm | Tue – Fri 7am – 1am | Sat 9am – 1am
Website: thehouseofmachines.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 422 0946
Facebook: @thehouseofmachines | Instagram: @thehouseofmachines_cpt
Café Roux
Established in 2006 as a small family affair, this venue has blossomed into one of Cape Town’s most renowned and beloved venues. A necessary stepping stone in every career of all musicians and performers.
Café Roux provides an unforgettable evening as guests have dinner on show. Set inside a beautiful and cosy atmosphere, the restaurant offers a warm fireplace and comfortable seating in intimate proximity to the stage as artists showcase their music and talents. Because it is situated close to the beach, it is only natural that this is a child- and pet-friendly venue.
In addition to having all the best live performances, Café Roux regularly hosts thought-provoking film evenings or inspirational talks regarding adventure, wellness, and spirituality. Email them for more details.
Where: Chapmans Peak Dr, Noordhoek Farm Village, Cape Town
When: Dates and Times vary
Website: caferoux.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 789 2538
Facebook: @caferouxCapeTown | Instagram: @caferoux1
Armchair (now Springbok Arms)
In 1998, The Armchair Theatre opened its bohemian doors to lovers of all genres of music. Situated in the heart of the Observatory, it holds a long-standing stage that all musicians respect and love to perform on. This stage is also shared with other live entertainment acts, such as comedians, film festivals, plays and exhibitions.
Every week, The Armchair presents a variety of performers. From beginners wanting an opportunity to play with other musicians during the week, to professional bands gracing the stage on weekends. The Armchair delivers in surplus.
Some of us love music more than others. And, instead of being limited to watching other bands, some might like to partake. For those of you among our readers, we recommend the Jam Nights, which are held every Monday from 8pm, or the Karaoke Nights, on Thursdays, also from 8pm.
Apart from the professional bands you can watch on weekends, you can find yourself proving your wits at the Tuesday quiz nights or bellowing laughter from your belly at the Wednesday Stand-Up comedy nights.
Where: 135 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town
When: Mon – Thu 11am – 1 am | Fri 11am – 11.30pm | Sat – Sun 9am – 11.30pm
Website: ourarmchair.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 073 902 4976
Facebook: @ourarmchair | Instagram: @ourarmchair
The Blue Room
You can find yourself seated in one of the three coloured rooms in The Grub and Vine restaurants. The Green Room, the Blue Room, or the Red Room, known as Culture Wine Bar. Each one of these rooms caters to a different atmosphere. However, for the intent of our music lovers, we would like to only focus on The Blue Room.
Aptly named, this room is dedicated to housing live music and a cocktail lounge that pays tribute to the profound and soulful tonalities of jazz and blues.
The Blue Room is the collaborative concept devised by chef patron, Matt Manning and well-known jazz artist, Buddy Wells. The lounge also has a state-of-the-art recording studio. If you’re lucky enough, you can spot some musicians recording during the day. However, the lounge is open from Wednesday to Saturday, with artists performing jazz, soul and blues in the evenings for your leisure.
Where: 103 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
When: Mon-Sat 4pm – late
Website: grubandvine.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 087 153 5244
Instagram: @theblueroomct
Folk Cafe
It’s not the gentle ocean breeze, not the mountain nor sea views, that attracts this venue’s loyal locals. But instead, the delicate picking of guitar strings that are accompanied by stories of love, joy, melancholy and conquers.
A quirky café that caters to ethically sourced food for plant-based and carnivorous patrons alike, Folk Café is a St. James favourite to all the singer-songwriters out there. Offering an array of baked and deli-typed goods, a children’s play area, and a feel-good outdoor ambience, Folk Café has stolen the hearts of many music lovers who came in search of live entertainment.
With homegrown live music being their passion, Folk Café hosts local bands and songwriters every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm.
Where: 54 Main Road, St James, Cape Town
When: Tue – Sat 8am – 10pm | Sun 8am – 5pm
Website: folkcafe.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 276 3656
Instagram: @folk.cafe
Gold Restaurant
A prominent venue of Cape Town’s tourist attractions, GOLD Restaurant has topped the list for a memorable night of traditional African cuisine and music for many years. Lavished with immaculate local artefacts and contemporary artwork, GOLD restaurant patrons can’t relent from the overwhelming excitement of the tastes and sounds of Africa.
Find yourself immersed in an interactive djembe drumming session that takes place every evening from 6.30pm. As the African drums pulsate throughout the spacious rooms, guests can marvel at the delights of traditional dance, performance art, and singing. A popular highlight of this alluring live entertainment event is the vibrant Malian puppetry – an ancient Bambara tradition that grants a rare and enchanting peek into a country often overlooked.
If the entertainment itself isn’t convincing enough, GOLD Restaurant carefully curates a 14-course set menu to pay tribute to various pan-African countries, making this a definite need-to-activity.
Where: 5 Bennett St, Green Point, Cape Town
When: Mon-Sun 6:30pm – 11pm
Website: goldrestaurant.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 421 4653
Facebook: @GOLDRestaurantSA | Instagram: @goldrestaurantcapetown
The Alma Cafe
This quaint homely spot is best known as a place where good people congregate in honour of good food and good music.
Over a century old, Alma Café is tucked away on a quiet street in Rosebank, where one gets the impression that you’ve gone back to a simpler time. A time when communities supported small intimate corner cafes and supermarkets were the exception.
The owner and musician, Richard Tait, set up a stage at the side of the café for musicians of all calibres to showcase their love of music and perform their hearts out to genuine supporters and lovers of the arts.
During the day, Alma Café trades goods from Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 9am to 2pm. After trading hours, this venue becomes a beloved music spot on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30pm, and Sundays from 6pm.
Where: 20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town
When: Fri and Sat 6:30pm | Sun 6pm
Website: almacafe.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 530 9651
Facebook: @TheAlmaCafe | Instagram: @the.alma.cafe
Fat Harry’s
This upmarket gastropub is situated in the heart of student-rich Kenilworth. Because of this, the venue decided to dedicate the stage to the students and lecturers in the area to come to flaunt their knowledge of jazz on the ‘Monday Jazz Jam Nights’, hosted by jazz legend, Dan Shout. But do not fret. The jam nights aren’t limited to anyone in particular.
If jazz doesn’t tickle your fancy, Fat Harry’s also provides live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Keep an eye on their social media pages to see upcoming events.
With a variety of tapas, seafood, burgers, and craft beers, this venue is perfect for the tweed-wearing pub frequenter that loves beer and music.
Where: 166 2nd Ave, Kenilworth, Cape Town
When: Mon – Tue 3pm – 11pm | Wed 12pm – 11pm | Thu – Sat 12pm – 12am | Sun 12pm – 8pm
Website: fatharrys.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 879 2351
Facebook: @FatHarryReloaded
Surfa Rosa
An edgy dive bar with subliminal punk and surf influences. Surfa Rosa is a little bar with big personality. The vibe is laid back. The music is loud. Situated on street level of Harrington Street, it opens up onto an outdoor smoking patio.
Enjoy some of Cape Town’s coolest bands at this small but loud space.
Where: 61b Harrington Street, Cape Town
When: Tues – Thurs: 12 noon – late | Fri – Sat: 12 noon – 4am
Website: harringtonstreet.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 078 916 7903
Facebook: SurfaRosa | Instagram: @surfarosact
Woodstock Brewery
Woodstock Brewery captures the essence of rock ‘n roll with their high energy environment and delicious craft beer. The space is host to a variety of acts across genres, and will make you dance all night with their hard-core bangers.
Where: 252 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
When: Mon – Fri: 12 noon – 9pm | Sat: 11am – 9pm | Sun: 12 noon – 5pm
Website: woodstockbrewery.co.za | Tel: 021 203 3045
Facebook: Woodstock Brewery | Instagram: @woodstockbrewery
The Loft
Perched above the Hout Bay Harbour Market, The Loft is quickly becoming one of Cape Town’s go-to nightlife spots. Opened in 2026, this spacious, beautifully designed venue pairs incredible views over Hout Bay with a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. Expect top-tier sound and lighting, a mix of live bands and DJs, and a crowd that’s there for a good time. The Loft has already hosted well-known South African acts like Freshlyground and Watershed, alongside crowd-favourite tribute acts such as Vox and Spand-X, offering something for a wide range of musical tastes.
The vibe is relaxed but electric, perfect for anything from a casual night out to a full-on dance session. Food and drinks are both reasonably priced and have received positive reviews, with a convenient setup: card payments at the bar and cash for the food stalls. Safe parking and friendly staff make for an enjoyable night out.
Where: The Loft, 31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town
When: See their Instagram page for upcoming events
Website: The Loft Events on Quicket
Instagram: @thelofthoutbay
