Things to Do in City Bowl
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City Centre You'll have to look for an unmarked door and walk up an inconspicuous staircase to successfully find The Waiting Room. But once inside, you'll soon realize that this little scene is a true hidden gem.
Located above the The Royale Eatery in Long Street, this venue features plenty of seating and a homely, hip atmosphere. The Waiting Room attracts plenty of trendy folks; an ideal place to simply hang out, enjoy the music and socialize. Great for group parties, there is an outdoor area, as well as roof access with views of Long Street and Table Mountain. A bar is available where you can acquire your drinks, and comes with card facilities for your convenience.
Given the nature of the venue, it succeeds as a great place for small, intimate live music performances. Shows are done regularly, so check in to see what's happening every week.
Opening times:
Mon-Thu: 18:00 to 2:00;
Fri: 16:00 to 2:00;
Sat: 18:00 to 2:00.
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City Centre Zula Sound Bar mixes the finest music with live theatre and dance. Add a sprinkling of poetry, and Cape Town has an ever-changing art house.
Zula has hosted some of the Mother City's leading musicians – Freshly Ground, Godessa, Teba, Bed on Bricks, 340ml and Sons of Sellassie as well as International DJs such as Pascal (True Playaz). Zula gets cooking from 12:00 until late every day, having one of the finest kitchens in Long Street offering affordable excellent meals.
From the fully licensed Magic Tree Bar there is a selection of Cape wines, local and international beers and cocktails. Whether you chill on the balcony, boogie inside or sink a few balls between sets in the games room, Zula is a cool, fresh, funky music venue and restaurant just waiting for you – whatever your age, gender, colour or creed.
Opening hours: 12:00 to 00:00 Tuesday to Saturday, Monday 16:00 to 00:00.
Popular Attractions
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Bo-Kaap Head up Signal Hill to see the the oldest guns in daily use in the world! Cape Town’s oldest living tradition is the Noon Gun, fired every day at 12 pm sharp, except Sundays and public holidays. The 18-pounder, smoothbore muzzle-loaders are still in use today! These are the oldest cannons in daily use in the world.There are actually two on top of the Signal Hill overlooking Table Bay, one is a back-up should the other misfire. The Noon Gun originated so that ships which had been at sea and lost track of the correct time could re-set their clocks. Even quite far out at sea they could hear the sound, and if not, they would still see the puff of smoke and could work it out from there.Today the sound of this daily Cape Town tradition echoes through the City Bowl, and Capetonians check their watches with a smile. You can watch the daily ritual up on Signal Hill at Lion Battery, from 11:30. To get there head up Military Street in the Bo-Kaap to the Noon Gun. Look for for the sign-post on Buitengracht Street.
Mountain Biking Trails
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Vredehoek Starting in the Deerpark parking lot and heading left towards devils peak, bikers will gradually climbed up to the Kings Block House and ride along the contour path back towards Cape Town.
After the gnarly drop down onto Tafelberg Road, you'll cycle the 5 km along the tar past the cable station and onto the dirt roads below. 20 m after you enter this dirt road you'll drop down to your left onto the granite boulders single track.
This is a must do for those who enjoy steep single track. From the bottom you make your way back to Molteno Road where you'll climb back up onto the dirt roads. From here on it's undulating jeep track all the way back to Deer Park.
The combination of jeep track, smooth flowing single track and technical single track makes this ride perfect for all levels of skill and fitness.
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City Centre A unique combination of cultural and military history, exhibitions and military ceremonies awaits you at the Castle of Good Hope. Also experience the dungeons, dolphin pool, blacksmith, cannon fire, horse and carriage rides and above all the tranquil atmosphere of the Castle of Good Hope.Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hope. The oldest building in South Africa, it is steeped in history but moving with the times.The Castle lends itself to many present day activities, such as open air concerts with Table Mountain as a backdrop, film and fashion shoots as well as a variety of venues for corporate functions and conferences.Guided tours are conducted by Castle guides from Monday to Saturdayat 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00. Traditional ceremonies take place during weekdays.The Key Ceremony was performed in the Castle from its earliest days and depicts the unlocking of the Castle of Good Hope. This ceremony takes place at 10:00 and 12:00 during weekdays.The firing of the signal cannon directly after the Key Ceremony is symbolic to indicate the significance of cannons at the Castle of Good Hope.The Castle Guard performs both these ceremonies. The Castle of Good Hope opens daily at 09:00 and closes at 16:00.
Galleries and Museums
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Gardens The Little Theatre Complex is home to the University of Cape Town's drama and fine arts departments. The facility is actually three theatres with the Little Theatre ironically being the largest, providing seating for 240 people. The Intimate and Arena offer space for about 70-80 folk.
This trio offer a variety of delightful shows ranging from cutting-edge plays by critically acclaimed playwrights to work by emerging performers and students. A poster-plastered bar is popular for pre-show socialising.
+27 (0) 21 480 7129
Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town
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District Six Retro décor, spaciousness and the hippest bands have earned The Assembly its reputation as one of the hottest nightspots in the Mother City.
Catch anything from live electronics, punk, rock, indie, jazz, ska, pop, comedy or the coolest new acts at The Assembly!
The enormous pimped loft has a great vibe with awesome lighting, seating and a huge bar. You'll always find the hip set here and the venue is often used for big parties.
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City Centre There's a new retail destination on the Mother City skyline Mover and shaker of the South African events industry Alison McCutcheon has added a new string to her bow. Seeing a gap in the market for a destination store that showcased the resourcefulness and creativity of all South Africans.The Rainbow Experience at the stylish Mandela Rhodes Place on Church Street, Cape Town offers everything you would want for an unusual gift, leisure or décor item reflecting the spirit of South Africa.This unique multi level retail concept store is packed full of intriguing, unusual and desirable products and is home to the clever handprint paintings of Nelson Mandela and other South African icons. The enterprising spirit of the rainbow nation’s people is apparent as you move through the store. Admire the artworks on the upper level and enjoy watching artists at work. Bronwyn Tarr, adds the finishing touches to another handprint painting and this initiative of McCutcheon has seen visitors and residents stop to engage as the image evolves. Enjoy browsing the book section where shelves bulge with the talent of our local authors. Visitors fascinated with South Africa’s road to freedom and iconic leader, Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, can view a short movie of his legendary life journey and his legacy of leadership through reconciliation, mentorship and magnanimous spirit. With contemporary art, books, music, design and fashion this is a store that simply buzzes with the passion of our people and has to be the first stop on a visit to the City. Jazz jamming sessions are regular events in the Rainbow Room on the Lower level making this the perfect creative hot spot to chill. Read, network or catch up on your mails at the espresso cafe & bar where a lively selection of social drinks plus a small menu of deliciously fresh fusion foods delight the palate. Committed to creating a flagship for the global philosophy of mankind and ubuntu, business partners McCutcheon and Frank Gormley, are supporting Mr Mandela’s vision of educating and building outstanding leaders in Africa by sustaining revenue streams to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation through the unique Rainbow Experience.Need to know? The Rainbow Experience, Mandela Rhodes Place, Church Street, Cape Town is open daily from 9am to 9pm.
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City Centre District Six was the name of the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town, established in 1867. The museum acts as a reminder of the terrible forceful removal of the residents during South Africa's apartheid era.
District Six was marked as a white-only area in 1966 following the Group Areas Act in 1950. As a result, 60 000 people were forcibly moved out of their homes and resettled in the barren area known today as the Cape Flats. Homes were levelled with bulldozers, leaving little reminder that District Six ever existed.
Following South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994, the District Six Museum was founded to represent as a memorial to the people and their heritage, and to confront South Africa's dark past.
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City Centre Celebrate a cinema experience beneath the stars in the world's only rooftop trailer park at the Pink Flamingo Cinema.
Get your free pop-corn, candy cone and welcome drink with your ticket. Movies start at 19:00.
For private screenings call 021 424 7247.
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City Bowl Forming the ‘lion’s rump’ for the adjacent Lion’s Head, Signal Hill is a prominent attraction from which the historic Noon Gun is fired at midday.Most people make their way there for the spectacular views across the Cape Town harbour, city and Atlantic Ocean. The family-friendly picnic spots are popular with locals and visitors alike in all seasons.On summer evenings Signal Hill becomes a ‘lover’s lane’ with couples admiring the city lights and the romance of the floodlit background of Table Mountain.The site got its name from the practice of using signal flags to communicate with ships in the bay, and later the famous Noon Gun. The two cannons were brought to Signal Hill in 1902, serving as time signals for ships at anchor. Watch the daily firing of the gun, or bring a picnic and find a spot looking out over the Atlantic Ocean near the parking lot. You could also head down into the Bo-Kaap for a meal at The Noon Gun Tea Room in Longmarket Street.Photo: Lion's Head and Signal Hill – next on the 'to do' list after Table Mountain and Robben Island
Bars
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City Centre Introducing Cape Town’s new Jazz Club THE RAINBOW ROOMAt last Capetonians now have a top central city Jazz and dinner venue! Since opening mid December 2009, The Rainbow Room at Mandela Rhodes Place on St George’s Mall the superb line up of well known local artists and young up and coming talent has had residents and visitors alike flocking to the club. Enjoying top class jazz in a superb environment that mirrors overseas clubs of the same genre is not the only thing the Rainbow Room offers: delicious “Soul” food and social drinks add to the experience making a memorable evening!The philosophy of these regular sessions is to feature Cape Town’s top musicians supported by young up and coming musical talent. The brains behind this venture; Alison McCutcheon and business partner Frank Gormley of The Rainbow Experience, Eric Alan of Jazz Rendezvous on Radio 2000 and Aki Khan of Eastern Acoustics have networked and collaborated with musicians and the top acoustic specialists to ensure that this new venue is an optimum performance environment.Sessions will take place four times a week and Monday sees Listening jazz with head set and jazz jamming, Thursday offers AfroJazz with Shado Twala offering her choices for fabulous entertainment, Friday evenings takes you on a smooth jazz trip whilst Saturday will showcase mainstream jazz. During the week sessions start at 6pm allowing you to enjoy a relaxing time after work and beat the evening traffic gridlock. On Saturday prepare for an evening of pleasure from 8pm.Great food is part of the experience so book early and enjoy some Cape Town soul food: delicious butter chicken, lamb shank with dollops of garlic mash and morogo plus traditional cuisine done the rainbow way! Chef Whaheed Rojan will have daily surprises to keep one coming back for more.The format of the sessions is simple: an opening act of one set by student musicians drawn from the music schools of Cape Town, followed by two sets featuring the best jazz musicians from Cape Town. Nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians will be featured when the occasion arises. There is no prescribed play list and the Rainbow Room will encourage the artists to perform their original compositions as well as the well known International and South African jazz standards.With a cover charge of R50 (special discounts for music students and musicians) and this convivial atmosphere, whether seated at tables or the bar, you can enjoy jazz at its very best.Jazz guru Eric Alan is excited about the response to the venue which answers all the musicians’ needs.“Finally we have a professional platform to showcase Cape Town’s and South Africa’s amazing musical talent in an environment where music lovers are going to feel as at home as the musicians. It is also important to give new young talent a stage to perform before a live audience, this vision is being realised at every session and we can only grow from hereon. The Rainbow Room’s aim is to become the premier serious jazz music listening venue in Cape Town and South Africa, rivaling the best known jazz venues around the world.”The Rainbow Room is a true music venue in all senses and acoustically provides the best that Cape Town has to offer. Aki Khan of Eastern Acoustics spent many hours fine tuning and developing the venue and says he is proud to be the technical partner of The Rainbow Room. His vision is to assist in empowering musicians, technicians and in growing the music business through quality live recordings. With this in mind all performances will be recorded with the view of releasing “Live at The Rainbow Room” compilations and full CD’s of all concerts. This means there will be a strict “silence during performances” policy in place during the sessionsResearch into successful Jazz venues in international cities has shown that creating a space of respect for musicians and the music has resulted in outstanding musical experiences where musicians perform at their optimum.Expect the unusual to be the usual and the Rainbow Room to become your venue of choice to visit on a regular basis.Need to know? Booking is essential 021 422 1428Cost: R50 cover charge plus any refreshments. Dinner is served before and after the main act. Interpark Parking off Burg Street with direct access to Mandela Rhodes Place.
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City Centre Established back in 1864, Fireman’s Arms is one of the oldest pubs in Cape Town, supplying a variety of fine beers and wines, paired with comforting food and light meals.
A relaxed setting, the pub is generally buzzing at night, especially when a big game is on. Patrons can enjoy spectacular viewing in full high definition on all 9, 46″ flat-screen panels, as well as 2 big screens for all major sporting events with digital sound to match.
Private functions and events can be arranged on request.
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Bo-Kaap The Bo-Kaap is the historical Cape Town residential area of freed slaves and muslims following the abolition of slavery.
The Bo-Kaap Museum is located in Wale Street and acts as a cultural history museum, depicting the lifestyle of the nineteenth-century muslim family.
Open from Mondays to Saturdays from 10h00 to 17h00.
Children under 18 years enjoy free entrance.
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Gardens Home to some of the most beautiful collections, The South African National Gallery features art of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish origin.
Collections are regularly rotated so that there is always a full programme of temporary exhibitions, including paintings, photography, sculpture, architecture, beadwork, textiles and works on paper.
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.