Things to do near
Vredehoek
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Galleries and Museums
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Gardens (0.5 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Bars
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Gardens (0.5 km from Vredehoek) Located in the prestigious Mount Nelson Hotel, the Planet Bar offers a cool, chic, and elegant venue for a perfect night out.
The bar features a stylish celestial décor, quirky touches and comfortable couches, creating a relaxing ambience. The Planet Bar has an extensive cocktail menu, a wide selection of champagnes and wines, and an assortment of light menus and canapés.
Open daily from 12:00 until late.
Galleries and Museums
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Gardens (0.6 km from Vredehoek) 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
Popular Attractions
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Cape Town (0.6 km from Vredehoek) Founded in 1825 and situated in the historic Company's Garden, the IZiko South African Museum is a popular place for visitors coming into Cape Town.
Millions of visitors have wandered through its halls and corridors to be stimulated and inspired by its collections and exhibitions. They have left the Museum with a better understanding of the earth and its biological and cultural diversity, past and present.
Hours:
Open 10:00 to 17:00 daily.
Closed on Workers Day and Christmas Day.
Entrance fees:
16 years and older: R15;
Under 16 years: free.
South African pensioners, school learners and students: R5
Free entrance on selected commemorative days.
Galleries and Museums
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City Centre (0.6 km from Vredehoek) The Iziko Planetarium is housed in the South African Museum building in Cape Town. The venue is a round celestial theatre, utilising a complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the wonders of the universe.
Night skies are created within the dome, coupled with great audio to make the experience a unique and memorable one.
Opening hours:
Open all week;
Closed on Workers' Day, Christmas Day and the first Monday of every month.
Entry fee:
Adults (19 years and older): R25;
Children, students and SA Pensioners: R10.
Popular Attractions
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Gardens (0.6 km from Vredehoek) Slap bang in the middle of the city is a green oasis and what some locals only think of as a cool spot for a picnic. Well, if you stroll down the garden path you’ll find a lot more than sprawling lawns, lush plantings and luxuriant blooms.A walk back in time Named for the Dutch East India Company, the Company’s Gardens lie alongside the elegant Houses of Parliament and Tuynhuys, the President’s Cape Town residence. Established in the 1650’s by Jan van Rieebeck, the Company’s Gardens was provided fresh produce for the ships and Cape Town’s colonists. In 1848 the Garden became a botanical garden and public park, enticing visitors for a wander around the fountains, rambling lawns, koi fish ponds, Japanese rose garden, aviary, sun dial and some of the country’s oldest cultivated trees. Nut-gobblers? Be prepared to encounter busy squirrels scampering about, stopping only to grasp titbits proffered to them. Most visitors enjoy feeding the Garden's permanent residents, grabbing bags of peanuts from vendors at the Adderley Street entrance.Culture vultures and arty farties head to the Iziko South African National Gallery to check out the empressive collections of South African, African, British, Dutch, French and Flemish art. The Gardens is also home to the Iziko South African Museum with its phenomenal collection of one and a half million specimens. A mosey around the Museum’s halls leaves one with a greater understanding of the earth’s biological and cultural diversity.Beam me up? Next door is the Iziko Planetarium where you can kick back for the ultimate in comfy armchair travel – a cosmic voyage through outer space projected onto an enormous dome.Anyone for tea? Join tourists or lunchtime locals for a feast of scones, jam and cream or homemade apple pie under the boughs of stately old trees at the Company's Garden Tearoom.
Galleries and Museums
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City Centre (0.7 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Bars
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City Centre (0.8 km from Vredehoek) Down one of Long Street's quieter avenues, you'll find the inconspicuous yet classy Julep Bar.
A small venue, featuring warm, trendy interiors with matching lounge seats. A well-stocked bar is located at the back where you can acquire your favourites drink, as well as a selection of delicious cocktails. If you'll like to complement your drinks with some snacks, there is a tapas menu available to help whet your appetite.
Vibey evenings are sometimes matched with live music, proving to be a popular spot to hang out with friends.
Open Monday to Sunday, 17:00 to 2:00.
Cover charge is sometimes applied.
Bars Nightclubs
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City Centre (0.8 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Bars Nightclubs
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District Six (1 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Popular Attractions
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City Centre (1 km from Vredehoek) Vibrant and hip Long Street is the main street to party or chill out in Cape Town’s trendy City Bowl. Here you can choose any restaurant, lounge, club, or pub that strikes your mood. Every place is unique and promises a fabulous vibe.
Architecturally Long Street is renowned for the attractive Victorian buildings, some housing interesting bookshops and ethnic-styled eating and drinking spots.
Attracting a diverse range of locals and tourists from all over the globe, accommodation choices on Long Street are appropriately varied. Choose from chic penthouses, self-catering apartments, arty hotels or funky backpackers.
Bars
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City Centre (1.1 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Bars
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City Centre (1.1 km from Vredehoek) 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.
Galleries and Museums
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District Six (1.2 km from Vredehoek) An exciting new theatre in Cape Town’s legendary District Six, The Fugard, is home to the internationally acclaimed Isango Portobello Theatre Company - an exciting example of what can transpire when local talent and vision meets committed international support.The Fugard is located in the historic Sacks Futeran building with the original decommissioned Congregational Church Hall in Caledon Street as its entrance. The theatre is named in honour of Athol Fugard, South Africa’s greatest playwright who will be present at the inauguration. The 270 seat theatre complex, including a rehearsal studio, foyer space, dressing rooms and office space, is a transformation of two warehouse spaces and the original Congregational Church Hall.
Shops
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City Centre (1.2 km from Vredehoek) 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.