Restaurants and pubs along the Waterfront afford magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl and Table Mountain, and are the passport to Cape Town’s busy nightlife. Sip Latte’s at Balducci or the Mug and Bean, or eat at any one of the many fine restaurants on the strip. Enjoy fine dining on the water''''s edge, listening to the most melodic of man''''s creations - Jazz. The Green Dolphin at the Waterfront is one of Cape Town''''s leading jazz venues. Others are West End in Athlone, Café Sirens in Claremont, or Dizzy Jazz Café – "The Vibe on the Drive" - where you’ll find live music every night, and a bunch of Camps Bay locals enjoying a drink till the wee hours. Camps Bay also offers delicious sea food at the Ocean Blue Restaurant, spectacular sunset over Camps Bay beach at Baraza and several other atmospheric restaurants and bars. La Med, on Clifton 4th Beach, is a favourite Sunday night venue. Grab a djembe and join a drumming circle at Cape Town''''s popular Drum Cafe.

The centre of town is where you’ll find the best night clubs. With names like Rhythm Divine, The Fez, Studio 47, and Rhodes House , and music equally interesting and varied, you’re sure to find a party-till-you-drop zone that suits your needs. Cover charges range from R10 to R40, and each place is well worth its price. The Drum Café is the place to go for a real ethnic experience. Observatory’s Lower Main Road, and Claremont’s Main Road are good areas to head for. There’s Drum & Base at Ruby in the Dust, good dancing at Taboo, and Obs Café for the trendy among you.

For a more mellow evening, try out Kennedy’s Cigar Bar, or East City Café, reminiscent of an exclusive 1920’s cigar lounge, with the cigars and bourbons to prove it. In Kloof Road, there’s Cafe Dharma, the oh-so-chic Bardelli and the Blue Plate for fine cuisine. Head for the Bronx, Angels or Detour on Main Road, Cape Town’s three best gay clubs. Long and Bree streets are jam-packed with pubs and café’s. If you’re closer to the Southern Suburbs, check out Galaxy or Images in Athlone, or Peddlers on the Bend in Constantia.

Cape Town has lots of movie houses, based in major malls and shopping centres. These now often include ‘art films’, as does the Labia Theatre near the Mount Nelson Hotel. For live entertainment of the arty sort, treat yourself to a night at the Nico Theatre, the Baxter, Maynardville, Spier or Theatre on the Bay. These venues combine food or drink with jazz, cabaret, Shakespeare, musicals… Whatever your taste, you’ll find the perfect rendezvous spot.