With its diversity of cultural influences and bursting with creative energy and talent, Cape Town has a thriving live arts and entertainment scene, and what better way to round off your daytime tours and activities than with an evening at a local jazz club or theatre show? Several venues combine a show and meal.

Artscape Theatre
On the Foreshore in central Cape Town: One of the city’s two largest theatre complexes with multiple venues including a 1 500 seater opera house.

D.F. Malan Street
021 – 410 9838
https://www.artscape.co.za/whats-on-now

Theatre on the Bay
Beautiful theatre in Camps Bay, owned by one of South Africa’s foremost theatre personalities, Pieter Toerien.

1a Link Street, Camp’s Bay
021 – 438 3301
https://www.pietertoerien.co.za

Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch
The other of the two largest theatre complexes, on the University of Cape Town campus, with multiple venues including a world-class theatre and 640 seater concert hall.

This vibrant, multicultural entertainment hub built in 1976, was a pillar of hope during the apartheid era. By leveraging its relationship with UCT, it was able to present multiracial, progressive work at a time when all other non-racial interactivity was banned or censored.

Main Road, Rondebosch
021 – 685 7880
http://www.baxter.co.za/baxter/whats-on

Events all over the city are often advertised close to the time in social media and through word of mouth, playing at venues such as:

The Alma Cafe in Rosebank
Cosy local neighbourhood venue which doubles up as a day time coffee shop and weekend live music venue.

Owned by Jono Tait, talented singer songwriter & frontman for local folk rock band, Hatchetman, the line-up features top local accoustic folk, jazz, blues, rock, etc.

The very reasonable fee includes a meal before the show starts.

Shows on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings.
20 Alma Road, Rosebank
021 – 685 7377
bookings@almacafe.co.za
https://almacafe.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

For an excellent roundup of what’s on where in Cape Town, check out this website:
https://capetownjazz.weebly.com/jazz-gig-guide.html

The Blue Room

This live music & cocktail lounge in the heart of lively Bree Street, pays homage to the soulful sounds of jazz & blues. It’s a joint venture between owner / chef Matt Manning of leading restaurant Grub & Vine (upstairs) and well-known jazz artist Buddy Wells.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday for pre show dinner & cocktails from 6 to 8 pm, with live performances from some of the country’s top jazz, soul & blues artists from 7 to 10 pm.

Bar menu (with excellent meals & tapas) & drinks available during the show. Arrive early to place your orders at the bar and settle in for the show. Limited table service during the show.

103 Bree street
087 – 153 5244
https://www.theblueroomza.com/welcome
hello@grubandvine.co.za

Time Out Market

An excellent food market where each vendor is an offshoot of a well known local restaurant / chef. Live jazz show every Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm.

In the heart of the V&A Waterfront, across Nobel Square from the V&A Hotel.
Open Sunday to Wednesday 8 am to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday 8 am to 11 pm.

Kloof Street House

A beautiful restaurant in a large Victorian house with a collection of rooms and spaces bursting with character (also listed under Restaurants).

Sunday jazz lunch: Live show every Sunday from 1 to 3 pm.

30 Kloof Street, Gardens
021 – 423 4413
https://www.kloofstreethouse.co.za/on-the-diary

Asoka

A sexy cocktail bar, lounge & restaurant (also listed under Restaurants).

Live jazz show Tuesday evenings from 8 pm, followed by progressive house music by resident DJs from 10 pm.

68 Kloof Street, Gardens
021 – 422 0909
https://asoka.za.com/events

Jazz in the Native Yards

This started off as a regular Sunday afternoon gig in Gugulethu but has morphed into a more general series of performances, sometimes in Gugulethu or Langa township, and other times in other parts of Cape Town, usually the CBD.

Join the what’s app group with regular updates from this phone no: 060 – 960 8935
https://www.facebook.com/Jazz-In-The-Native-Yards-103770448972981

Youngblood Gallery
The Youngblood Arts & Culture Development, based in the Beautiful Life Building, hosts a really interesting mix of live musical and cultural events, often pushing the boundaries of creativity.

They include music, theatre and dance, and regular dance classes.

70 – 72 Bree Street
021 – 424 0074
https://youngblood-africa.com

Also check for events at:

Openwine in Wale Street.

Intravinous Wine Lounge & Bar, corner of Loop & Church Streets.

Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge in Harrington Street