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There's plenty to do in Cape Town after dark. The city's nightlife is concentrated in a number of areas, so you can explore a different one each night or move from one hub to another. Walking, however, isn't always advisable, as some parts of the city are completely deserted and unsafe. Women who are not street savvy should not walk alone or in pairs at night.
District is the live music component of a three-part nighttime venue in the space formerly known as The Assembly. Catering to live-music and electronica, this space features everything from South African indie-rock to Afro-Brazilian electronica. The crowd is typically pretty young, with plenty of guests in their late teens, and smoking is allowed. Adjacent sister venues Harringtons Cocktail Lounge and SurfaRosa are an upscale drinks and punk-styled outdoor patio bar, respectively.
Unassuming from the outside, this new gem is a magical world of music, drinks, and food. Owned by the recording company Selective Hearing, this venue brings to life the live music scene that has been slowly fading away in recent years, and which took a major blow during the pandemic. They feature intimate performances by artists from all corners of Cape Town's music scene. It's also an option for laid-back sundowners with a beautiful view of the mountain and city center.
On any old night, the Green Dolphin Jazz Restaurant attracts some of the best mainstream jazz musicians in the country, as well as a few from overseas. The cover charge is R30–R35. It's open nightly from 8:15 pm to midnight.
It's a tradition for jazz festival performers to play the Monday night jam at Swingers, a well-known but out-of-the-way jazz club in Wynberg. Dance music is played Friday and Saturday, but Monday (no cover charge) is the night for jazz aficionados. There's also a full restaurant serving traditional Cape curries, seafood, and steaks.
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