Lola’s
This Long Street daytime institution transforms into a lady of the night during the summer months and, in honour, the graceful dame runs an all-night happy hour special and serves up tasty street-style food and chilled-out tunes. The drinks deals extend to everything from cocktails and shooters to bottled beers and draughts, so nearly every thirsty bargain hunter can find something to throw back. And as Lola’s integrates her purist culinary values into the easy-to-eat after-dark grub, you can expect mouth-watering nosh made entirely from scratch (think falafel tacos and authentic bratwurst). Best of all, this madam of Long Street calls on some of the Mother City’s vinyl junkies to spin old-school beats every Thursday – and sometimes a live band will even make an appearance. By the way, just in case you were wondering, entry is completely FREE!
The deal: Cocktail jugs go for R105, El Jimador tequila shots cost R30, a bucket of six Black Label beers rings in at R90 and two 500ml CBC Pilsner draughts add up to a mere R60 (this special is only valid between Thursday – Friday: 5pm –7pm
228 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 423 0885
Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands Hotel
Between 5pm and 6pm every day, the state-of-the-art Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands hotel runs a ‘Slide on By’ that treats guests to awesome two-for-one specials of the day. Selected beers, cocktails and wines are on the cards, and visitors can sip on their brews, mixes or vinos while taking in live music performed by local artists on the sleek lodging’s expansive terrace, which is framed by leafy trees and edged by a glistening swimming pool. When a sports game is on, the contemporary inside bar is sure to screen it on its large, flat-screen television too. So, if you’re looking for a new drinks bargain in the Southern Suburbs, diarise the Park Inn Newlands.
The deal: Buy-one-get-one-free on select specials of the day, two selected cocktails, two selected beers and two selected wines.
The time: 5pm – 6pm
10 Hemlock Street | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 822 6500
The Slug & Lettuce Kloof Street
Looking for an ultra-chilled venue for after-work drinks? Then the Slug & Lettuce Kloof Street is just the place. The English-style bar runs an enticing happy hour deal every day of the week, from 5pm to 7pm. Folk can expect a slash of prices on most types of drinks: draughts are priced at R27; 330ml bottled alcoholic beverages ring in at R20; tequila shots are priced at R15 each; single and double mixes range between R30 and R40; while a glass of wine costs only R25. And while the spot may be a pub, owner Alex An-Ios makes it clear that the Slug & Lettuce Kloof Street does not skimp on quality. Premium drinks are on offer and staff pay attention to even the smallest detail (Alex assures wine lovers that the bar even takes into consideration the type of glass to serve vino in). All in all, this is the prime spot to sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 11am -2am
64 Kloof Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 5325
Cape Town Comedy Club
Sit back, relax and spend your evening at Cape Town Comedy Club, where big laughs and even bigger happy hour specials are on the night’s menu. From 6pm to 7pm, guests can ease into a night of festivities by purchasing a Savanna Bucket, getting five bottles for the price of four, at R80! During this hour, R15 tequila shots will keep your insides warm and keep the laughter rolling throughout the night. A second happy hour special after the show ends will keep the spirits high, and is the perfect way to conclude a night in the Mother City!
The deal: A Savanna Bucket can be purchased for R80, while two 500ml Savanna draughts go for R65 and tequila shots are R15 throughout the night.
The time: 6pm until 7pm
The Pumphouse| V&A Waterfront| Cape Town
Hudsons: The Burger Joint
With three outlets in the Mother City (one on Somerset Road in Green Point, one on Kloof Street in Gardens and one on Protea Road in Claremont), Hudsons is something of an institution in Cape Town. Not only is it known as one of the best burger places in the Mother City, but also as a home to a brilliant happy hour every single weekday. From Monday to Friday between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, Hudsons offers a two-for-one deal on all appetisers, beers and cocktails. Our recommendation? The killer cocktails. Why killer? Well, because the colourful creations are served in goblet-style glasses! Options include the usual suspects, such as cosmos, margaritas and bloody marys, while mojitos can be made in mint, granadilla and berry variations and daiquiris come in pineapple, granadilla and strawberry versions.
The deal: All appetisers, beers and cocktails are on a buy-one-get-one free deal.
The time: Monday – Friday: 4:30pm –6:30pm
Shop 1A, 25 Protea Road | Claremont | +27 (0) 21 674 5152
69 A Kloof Street | Gardens | +27 (0) 21 426 5974
Cnr Somerset & Upper Portswood Roads | Green Point | + 27 (0) 21 433 1496
The Foreign Exchange
West meets East meets South meets North at The Foreign Exchange bar, an Observatory-based United Nations-like drinking spot where expats, exchange students and extra-friendly locals go to mix and mingle. Known by its regulars as Forex, the bar is popular for its beer pong tournaments and is considered as the go-to venue for any big foreign national occasion, like Saint Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July or Bastille Day. Not to mention, the already pocket-friendly drinks prices are slashed during the daily happy hour session, which feels as good as any holiday. With a laidback, hostel-type vibe and an abundance of interesting accents to be heard alongside cheap dops, Forex will make any local feel like they’re in a different country and any foreign traveller feel right at home.
The deal: During happy hour, all the delicious cocktails go for R30, with the exception of mojitos and Long Island ice teas, which go for R35 (cocktails are usually R50 to R55). Castle and Hansa draughts cost R25 and craft beer draughts are priced at between R30 and R35. Look out for specials on buffalo wings, pastries and chilli poppers too.
The time: Monday – Sunday: 5pm – 7pm
92 – 95 Station Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 448 0083
Cafe Mojito
Whether it’s in the dead heat of summer or in the cold heart of another wet winter, Cafe Mojito in the city centre provides a refreshing, tropical escape from the elements within its Cuban-inspired walls. With an island-style corner bar, streetside seating, colourful cocktails and friendly barfolk, this Long Street institution doesn’t even need a happy hour special to draw the crowds. But still, from 4pm to 7pm daily, in the spirit of fun and fiesta, the funky haunt invites after-work locals and early party-starters to visit for a wallet-friendly drinks deal session. If you stay a little later on a Monday night, you can catch upbeat reggae tunes played live by Bob Marley cover band, the Rivertones. Though, an even better reason to linger longer any evening of the week is that the bar also runs a late-night happy hour session from 11pm to midnight for those who missed the earlier one.
The deal: House cocktails cost R29 and a double vodka, rum, whisky, gin or brandy and mix goes for a sweet R25.
The time: Monday – Sunday: 4pm – 7pm; 11pm – midnight
265 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 1095
Rick’s Café Américain
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, Rick’s Café Américain is one of the best when it comes to sweet happy hour deals. The Casablanca-themed bar, which is housed in a century-old converted Victorian house in Gardens, has a sun-soaked rooftop deck on which to enjoy a summery drink during the warmer months and a comfy inside area perfect for when the weather is wet and grey. It’s quite likely that happy hour drinks will turn into a whole evening, with tasty tapas and hearty North African fare to line the stomach, seasonal specials (think Glühwein in winter) to warm the heart and friendly owner Per Menkö to keep the crowd happy. But even if dops do extend into dinner, that’s okay, because when you’re sitting at one of the Mother City’s most storied bars, there’s no rush at all.
The deal: During happy hour, cocktails are priced from R42 and Jack Black lager and pale ale draughts go for R22 for 330ml and R32 for 500lL. What’s more, Rick’s el Jimador Reposado tequila has a buy-one-get-one-free deal, so grab two for R25!
The time: Monday – Saturday: 3pm – 7pm
2 Park Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 1100
Banana Jam Cafe
If a student budget has you strapped for cash, then head down to Banana Jam for happy hour! Situated in Harfield Village, Kenilworth, is the striking yellow presence of the vibrant cafe, Banana Jam. This Caribbean-inspired café has been around for almost 13 years and offers a carefree and cosy atmosphere to destress and unwind after work or a day on campus with a few drinks. Their happy hour special, which runs from 5pm to 6pm daily, features reduced prices on most cocktails, including the popular strawberry daiquiri infused volcano cocktail layered with pina colada. If you’re a bit peckish, sink your teeth into one of their exotic Jamaican-flavoured dishes, or bite into one of the burger options that have become a favourite among locals. With a daily happy hour special and a menu that caters generously to both meat lovers and vegetarians, we can see why Banana Jam is such a hip and happening hotspot.
The deal: Reduced prices on selected cocktails
The time: Monday – Sunday: 5pm-6pm
157 2nd Avenue| Kenilworth| Cape Town
Credit: Cape Town Magazine