Summertime calls for refreshing cocktails and stylish surroundings. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual drinker, finding the perfect wine bar can elevate your summer experience. Here’s a guide to help you discover the ideal spot to unwind and indulge:
Leverage the digital age
Instagram and Facebook are visual feasts, showcasing the latest trends in the bar scene. Look for stunning photos of cocktails, stylish interiors, and vibrant atmospheres. Hashtags like #winebar, #cocktailbar, #summerdrinks, and local city-specific tags can lead you to hidden gems.
Search review platforms, too. Google Reviews, Yelp, and TripAdvisor are treasure troves of user experiences. Read online reviews of a place to gauge the quality of drinks, service, and ambiance and pay attention to recent reviews, as they often reflect the current state of the bar. and reviews that mention the quality of drinks, service, and atmosphere. Look for social media posts with photos and reviews from other customers. This can give you a visual idea of the bar’s ambiance and drink offerings.
Wine and food bloggers are passionate about discovering new and exciting places. Follow them on social media or subscribe to their newsletters for insider tips and recommendations.
Ask a friend
Your social circle can be a goldmine of recommendations. Ask friends and family who share your love of wine and cocktails for their favorite spots. Bartenders, sommeliers, and hotel concierges also have their fingers on the pulse of the local bar scene, so don’t hesitate to ask for their recommendations and valuable insights into hidden gems and seasonal specials.
Curate the perfect atmosphere
Imagine stepping into a world where luxury effortlessly blends with tranquility. This is the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town. Every detail has been carefully curated to surround you with refined elegance and comfort. From the chic interiors that exude timeless style to the sweeping, breathtaking views that soothe the soul, every corner invites you to unwind and reconnect. It’s a place where relaxation isn’t just a moment, but a truly indulgent experience, crafted to offer the perfect escape from the everyday.
While you’re there, be sure to indulge in the Raspberry Bliss, crafted with care by Radisson Collection’s talented mixologist, Melvin. This festive cocktail is the perfect way to toast to the upcoming season, with its vibrant flavours and seasonal charm.
Your summer sip spot
A chic and stylish ambiance can definitely enhance your cocktail experience. Look for wine bars with modern decor, comfortable seating, and a pleasant atmosphere. And, a good wine bar should offer a creative and innovative cocktail menu – look for unique and refreshing drinks that incorporate seasonal ingredients.
In Pretoria, Modern Tailors: The Ambassador is a haven for cocktail connoisseurs, offering a sophisticated and inviting ambiance. Settle in at the long, elaborately decorated bar – one of the prettiest in Pretoria – and order from their lavish and exotic drinks menu. A Bombay Sapphire gin with pineapple syrup, lime, mint & coriander shaken over ice and charged with soda will start the evening off nicely. Stay at the bar, where intimate corners are created by low-lit lamps, or venture out onto the cool veranda and toast the city’s balmy evening weather with a Modern Tailors Mule, a refreshing sip of gin, tequila, mango, lime, vanilla, and ginger beer. To settle things between rounds, an alcohol-free Sharbat with rose syrup, chia seeds and lemon juice serves as a palette cleanser.
Embrace the adventure
Don’t be afraid to try new things – ask the bartender for recommendations based on your preferences. In Johannesburg, the edgy yet sophisticated Sin+Tax in Rosebank keeps racking up the awards for its cocktail excellence . Settle into its low-lit, intimate interior and order a classy classic like an Old Fashioned – done perfectly and the right way. If you feel like a more lavish sip, the bartenders here will no doubt do an extraordinarily delicious bespoke pour – their expertise in the world of cocktails recently securing the accolade for Best Bar Team in the 2024 Angostura Bar and Beverage Awards.
Elevate your drink choice
Good company, great drinks, and a pleasant atmosphere can make for a memorable evening. Mr Pants in Blairgowrie is the perfect place to have a sip with close friends. Dubbed the smallest wine bar in SA, it’s not a cocktail venue, but does offer a selection of small-batch exclusive boutique wines and rare vintages, by the bottle or the glass.
Enjoy the experience
Other favourites across SA worth a visit:
Cape Town
Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen at the V&A Waterfront has talented mixologists and a collection of award-winning brandies.
The Willaston. Dazzling city views from atop the Zeitz MOCAA art museum, with arguably SA’s most elegant interior.
Tjing Tjing’s Rooftop Bar in Cape Town City Centre – Japanese whisky, gin, saké and a red lacquer bar set in a 200-year-old attic space – do you need to know more?
Gigi Rooftop Bar is a tropical playground with lush hanging plants, where sunset drinks and poolside sessions rule.
Johannesburg
The Ivy Champagne Garden is a charming rooftop bar in Bedfordview with stunning views of the city skyline and an extensive cocktail menu.
Feel like a VIP at Marble Restaurant’s luxurious, elegant, exclusive bar…and they make the best White Russians in town.
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Lucky Shaker in Umhlanga offers creative and innovative cocktails in a stylish setting.
The Sandbar in Umdloti’s perfect balance of beach chic and gorgeous ocean views sets the scene for a summer of refreshing cocktails.
The Chairman in Durban’s CBD – a historic building houses this jazzy cigar lounge and bar with a creative cocktail menu.